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.

St. Peter's UCC Clothing Drive

October 1, 2024 - November 7, 2024 ~ St. Peter's, UCC, 122 W. Franklin St., Topton, PA 19562

~ St. Peter's UCC will be holding our annual Winter Clothing Drive from Oct. 1 - Nov. 7, 2024. Accepted items are NEW underwear and socks. GENTLY USED, CLEAN mittens, gloves, hats, scarves and coats. Collection boxes will be placed at St. Peter's UCC and Pioneer Grange, Topton and Christ DeLong UCC, Bowers.

Christ DeLong Ladies' Aid Apple Dumpling Sale

October 24, 2024 ~ 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm ~ Christ DeLong, UCC, 63 Old Bowers Rd., Bowers, PA 19511

October 25, 2024 ~ 9:00 am - 5:00 pm ~ Christ DeLong, UCC, 63 Old Bowers Rd., Bowers, PA 19511

October 26, 2024 ~ 9:00 pm - 12:00 pm ~ Christ DeLong, UCC, 63 Old Bowers Rd., Bowers, PA 19511

~ Orders for the Christ DeLong Ladies' Aid Apple Dumpling Sale are being taken for pick up on Thursday, October 24 from 1-5pm; Friday, October 25 from 9am-5pm; and Saturday, October 26 from 9am-Noon. Dumplings are $5 each. Checks can be made payable to Christ DeLong UCC Ladies' Aid. If paying with cash, please make sure it is exact change and in an envelope with your name on it. Please call orders to Lisa at 484-269-8339 or email zerwick@windstream.net by October 10th. This will be a DRIVE-THRU pick up at Christ DeLong UCC, Bowers. A portion of all sales will go directly back into the community.

All Saints Sunday

November 3, 2024 ~ 9:00 am ~ St. Peter's, UCC, 122 W. Franklin St., Topton, PA 19562

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

~ St. Peter's will be hosting a fellowship immediately following their service. If you would like to light a candle in memory of a loved one who has passed, please contact Pastor Chris.

St. Peter's UCC Soup and Sandwich Sale Fundraiser

November 9, 2024 ~ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm ~ St. Peter's, UCC, 122 W. Franklin St., Topton, PA 19562

~ St. Peter's UCC will be having a Beef Vegetable Soup and Ham & Cheese Sandwich Sale on Saturday, November 9th from 9am to Noon. Soup is $7 per quart and sandwiches are $4 each. To order, please call the church office at 610-682-7633 by NOVEMBER 3rd.
Baked goods will be available for purchase as well. In light of recent hurricanes affecting the southeastern United States, we've decided to switch our donation focus to PSEC Hurricane Helene Recovery Appeal. A portion of proceeds will go directly to support that appeal. A donation jar will also be out during the sale for those who wish to give extra to help hurricane relief efforts. We promise, a future donation will be made to the Topton Volunteer Fire Company! Thank you for your support!

St. Peter's UCC Clothing Giveaway

November 9, 2024 ~ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm ~ St. Peter's, UCC, 122 W. Franklin St., Topton, PA 19562

~ St. Peter's UCC will be holding our annual Winter Clothing Giveaway Nov. 9, 2024.

Joint Worship Service featuring live music by Keith Brintzenhoff

November 24, 2024 ~ 10:30am ~ Christ DeLong, UCC, 63 Old Bowers Rd., Bowers, PA 19511

~ Join St. Peter’s and Christ DeLong UCCs for a special Joint Worship Service featuring music by Keith Brintzenhoff!

Christmas Cantata

December 22, 2024 ~ 9:00 am ~ St. Peter's, UCC, 122 W. Franklin St., Topton, PA 19562

~ Our joint choir will be hosting a Cantata entitled "O Holy Light" by Mary McDonald. If anyone is interested in singing during this joyous occasion, please reach out to Judy or Pastor Chris. There will be fellowship following the service.

RECURRING EVENTS:

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!**

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