Church | St. Peter's Christ DeLong United Churches of Christ

ST. PETER'S & CHRIST DELONG UNITED CHURCHES OF CHRIST

Sharing a joint ministry and a common mission since 1991

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St. Peter's UCC, Topton, PA
Worship Service begins at 9:00am

Christ DeLong, UCC, Bowers, PA
Worship Service begins at 10:30am

Our churches are located in beautiful, rural Berks County, Pennsylvania.

Situated comfortably between Allentown and Reading, the area boasts many advantages.

Our proximity to larger metropolitan cities allows access to major business opportunities, quality medical care, and the treasures of the fine art world. Colleges and universities abound, as well as regional cultural and heritage events.

We are two separate congregations enjoying the benefits of a joint ministry since 1991.

Our congregations have a long history of sharing God's word together, and with the larger community around us.

We hope to share God's word with you!

Missed a service? Click on the link to view our services on YouTube.

Video

ABOUT

Our mission, as a combined ministry, includes the common purpose to live as God's people by sharing the faith with our community and beyond. Through service, spiritual growth, fellowship, preaching, teaching, caring and love, we strive to honor our traditions while looking to the future.

St. Peter's History

The institutional religious life in Topton began sometime between 1865 and 1869 when a Sunday School was formed. Excelsior Subscription School housed the Sunday School for a period of time. On October 29, 1871, St. Peter's Union Church was established. Rev. A.J. Herman was the Reformed Pastor and Rev. B.E. Kramlich was the Lutheran Pastor. The cornerstone of the first church building was laid on the same site as the Subscription School building. In 1881 the church was rebuilt and enlarged. Beginning January 1913, the two congregations severed their relationship. On May 11, 1924, blueprints were prepared for a new church building. On Sunday, September 24, 1925, the cornerstone for the new building was laid at its current location. The first service occurred on Palm Sunday, 1926 and the building was dedicated on June 5, 1927. In 1934, the Reformed Church in the United States and the Evangelical Synod of North America merged, forming a "Plan of Union". In 1957, St. Peter's elected to join the Evangelical and Reformed Church with the Congregational Christian Churches. St. Peter's separated from the charge in 1964. In 1991, it was approved by both St. Peter's and Christ DeLong to share a joint ministry that

continues to this day.

Christ DeLong's History

The German Reformed congregation was started in 1759. Peter Delong (Delangh) donated two acres of land and a log cabin was erected to serve as the first sanctuary. The first regular pastor to serve was

Rev. John Henry Helffrich who served from

1772 until 1810. Rev. Charles G. Herman, served the longest pastorate from 1810 to 1861. During his pastorate, Zion's Church at Maxatawny was organized and became a part of his charge.

In 1859, the church became a "union" church. His son, Rev. Alfred J. Herman, served the two congregations for thirty-one years. During his pastorate, St. Peter's Church in Topton was organized. In that same year, St. Peter's and St. Paul's Reformed Church in Kutztown were united in a separate charge. In 1892, The Maxatawny Charge was formed by combining the four churches, served by Rev. George B. Smith, D.D. for almost forty-five years. After his death, St. Paul's separated from the charge. In 1937, Rev. Franklin D. Slifer, D.D. became pastor of the Maxatawny Charge. During the years, the name of the church changed from Christ DeLong's Reformed Church to The Christ (DeLong's) Evangelical & Reformed Church and to the present name, Christ DeLong United Church of Christ.

ABOUT

EVENTS

UPCOMING EVENTS

All dates and times are subject to change.

If you have any questions about an event, please contact the church office at (610) 682-7633.

Midweek Lenten Worship Services

7:00 pm

Palm Sunday Joint Worship Service with Special Music and Brunch

March 29, 2026 ~ 10:30 am ~ Christ DeLong, UCC, 63 Old Bowers Rd., Bowers, PA 19511

~ We invite you to join us for our Joint Palm Sunday Worship Service on March 29, 2026 at 10:30am at Christ DeLong UCC. Glenn Fisher will be providing us with special music during the service. There will be a brunch immediately following the service in the downstairs fellowship hall. Sign-up sheets are in the Narthex of each church if you plan to attend the brunch.

Easter Egg Hunt

April 4, 2026 ~ 3:00 pm ~ Christ DeLong, UCC, 63 Old Bowers Rd., Bowers, PA 19511

~ The public is invited to our Annual Easter Egg Hunt at Christ DeLong on April 4, 2026. The age groups are: 0-2, 3-5, 6-9, 10-12, and 13+. Each child will be given an age-appropriate goodie bag.

Easter Sunday Services and Communion

April 5, 2026 ~ 7:00 am ~ St. Peter's UCC, 122 W. Franklin St., Topton, PA 19562

~ 9:00 am ~ Christ DeLong, UCC, 63 Old Bowers Rd., Bowers, PA 19511

~ We invite you all to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
St. Peter's UCC worship begins at 7:00 am. Christ DeLong UCC worship begins at 9:00 am.

Pig Roast Joint Fundraiser

May 16, 2026 ~ TBA ~ Christ DeLong, UCC, 63 Old Bowers Rd., Bowers, PA 19511

~ Stay tuned for more information!

RECURRING EVENTS:

Bible Study

1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month ~ 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm ~ Christ DeLong, UCC, 63 Old Bowers Rd., Bowers, PA 19511

~ From the Epistles (New Testament letters), to the Psalms, to the Gospels, we will delve into the scriptures and study what they mean for our lives. Join us the first and third Tuesday of each month from 2:00 - 3:00 pm, at Christ DeLong UCC and hear good conversation centered around God's word.