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.

Contemporary Joint Worship Service and Dale Cullin Memorial Breakfast

January 12, 2025 ~ 9:00 am ~ St. Peter's, UCC, 122 W. Franklin St., Topton, PA 19562

~ Please join us for our annual Dale Cullin Memorial Breakfast immediately following a joint contemporary worship service at St. Peter's UCC. Sign-up sheets will be placed in each Narthex closer to the date.

"Souper" Bowl of Caring

January 19, 2025 - February 9, 2025

~ St. Peter's and Christ DeLong UCCs will be collecting money beginning on January 19th. Donations will go to Brandywine Food Pantry. The Souper Bowl of Caring is an annual event where communities come together, inspired by the Super Bowl, to tackle hunger locally. The Souper Bowl of Caring is about taking action to fight hunger at a local level, ensuring that no one has to go without the food they need. Whether you're a sports fan or not, it's a chance to be part of something bigger - let's make this year's event the most successful one yet!

Antique Engine, Tractor & Toy Club's Timber Show

February 1, 2025 ~ 9:00 am - ? ~ William DeLong Memorial Park, 233 Bowers Rd, Bowers, PA 19511

~ Our churches will be selling hot food, hot drinks and baked goods as a fundraiser for the Joint Ministry Account. The event will have 2-man chainsaws, Sally saws, drag saws, ice saws, axes of all types, 2-man hand saws, a powered bow saw and a log splitter. *This event is outside, please dress accordingly.

Winter Jam

March 6, 2025 ~ Doors Open at 6:00 pm, Concert starts at 7:00 pm ~ Santander Arena, 700 Penn St., Reading, PA 19602

~ General admission seating is a $15 required donation at the door for ages 3+. Winter Jam is an annual American music tour featuring contemporary Christian music artists of all genres. The line-up includes Skillet, Anne Wilson, KB, Colton Dixon, NewSong, Micah Tyler, Zane Black, SEU Worship, The Band Table, We Are Vessel. Please see Marci Schlegel or Pastor Chris if you are interested in attending.

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

Joint Sunday School

3rd Sunday of each month ~ 10:30 am ~ Christ DeLong, UCC, 63 Old Bowers Rd., Bowers, PA 19511

~ All children are welcome to attend Sunday School during the church service.

Mat-Weaving Ministry

3rd Saturday of each month ~ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm ~ St. Peter's, UCC, 122 W. Franklin St., Topton, PA 19562

~ Join us to weave mats for our local homeless population, distributed through the Opportunity House. They are used as waterproof sleeping mats to lay on and each mat requires 500-700 plastic grocery bags! All ages are welcome to help - no experience or tools necessary. We need folders, cutters and weavers. The more, the merrier! Please use the back entrance to St. Peter's UCC and go down the steps.
**At this time we do not need for any more bag donations. Thank you to everyone who brought some in for this project!**

GALLERY