Mission Statement
A Loving Christian Community Whose Ministry is Reaching, Teaching, and Accepting People of All Ages
history
The history of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Quakertown, dates back to March 16, 1890. At that time, St. John’s Lutheran in Richlandtown and Christ Lutheran in Trumbauersville arranged for a series of Lenten services to be held in Shives Hall located just west of the railroad tracks on Front Street between the present one-way sections of Broad Street. Because of the success of the services, it was decided to establish a “preaching point” and a Sunday School in the area which at that time was called Richland Center.
One January 12, 1891, a lot with 100 feet of frontage, which was the second lot north of the corner of Erie and Hellertown Avenues, was purchased. And on June 21 of the same year, the cornerstone for the new building was laid.
On October 31, 1891, Reformation Sunday, the congregation was organized by the Rev. D.H. Reiter, who was then Pastor of St. John’s, Richlandtown, and Christ Church, Trumbauersville. Seventy members officially signed the constitution and became charter members of the church. These charter members, plus some new members, held their first worship service in the new church building which was in German on Saturday evening, November 7, 1891. The following morning, a service was held in English.
The dedication service for the new church was held on Sunday, March 28, 1893.
The Sunday School was organized on January 2, 1892; the Luther League on November 9, 1863; and the Dorcas Society on January 20, 1894.
Through the efforts of the Dorcas Society, an annex was built to the main church and dedicated on December 15, 1895.
Six years later, a two thousand pound bell was cast by the Menerly Bell Co. of Troy, NY. It was dedicated June 30, 1901. In 1905, a fine C.A. Durner & Son tracker action pipe organ, made in Quakertown in facilities located at the corner of Front and Juniper Streets, was installed and dedicated.
On April 1, 1912, the second pastor, the Rev. C.C. Snyder, began has pastorate. Then on January 1, 1917, the third pastor, the Rev. Nathan B. Yerger, began his pastorate. That same year, the parsonage at 49 North Hellertown Avenue was purchased by the congregation.
The Osman property on the corner was purchased in 1929, the acquisition of which made it possible for the congregation to plan a new church school building. Ground breaking for this new facility took place on November 22, 1936 and the cornerstone laying on January 31, 1937. The dedication, marking its completion, was held on May 1, 1938. This new education building was constructed with “Green Tree” stone from Lancaster County.
On November 1, 1952, the Rev. Harold E. Artz, fourth pastor of the congregation, was formally installed. After September of 1959 saw the closing of the original church building, services were held in the church school auditorium. It was decided not to complete the second phase of the existing building plan which was to provide a new church building. In light of the is decision, properties on the north side of Erie Avenue were purchased and prepared for the erecting of a new worship facility.
The ground breaking service for the new church was held August 31, 1961. The cornerstone service was conducted June 24, 1962. And, the service of dedication was held March 31, 1963.
Miss Bertha J. Bystrom was called as Director of Christian Education and began her ministry in 1967. She retired in 1983. In 1973, after 21 years as pastor of Trinity, the Rev. Harold E. Artz retired.
The Rev. Gary G. Scott was called as pastor to Trinity on August 1, 1974. This same year saw the completion of the renovation of the Nathan B. Yerger Building and the realization of our plans.
In 1984, the Rev. Christian P. Matthy was called as Trinity’s first associate pastor and served for three years.
Throughout the years, the congregation has enjoyed steady growth. At the present time Trinity’s baptized membership totals 1300.