Sharing a joint ministry and a common mission since 1991
Pastor: Crystal Angstadt
Organist & Choir Director: Judy Bleiler
Administrative Assistant: Rosanne Kegerise
Music reproduced under CCLI licenses: #3096376 (St. Peter’s)
#11528099 (Christ DeLong)
Sharing a joint ministry and a common mission since 1991
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.
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.
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.
Parade Float Planning Meeting
September 16 2024 ~ 7:00 pm ~ Tercha Residence
~ Our parade float theme will be "Jesus, the Sweetest Name I Know!" We welcome any and all help with this fun project!
Mat-Weaving Ministry
September 21, 2024 ~ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm ~ St. Peter's, UCC, 122 W. Franklin St., Topton, PA 19562
~ Join us at St. Peter's UCC, Topton 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!**
Joint Worship Service & Fellowship
September 22, 2024 ~ 9:00 am ~ St. Peter's, UCC, 122 W. Franklin St., Topton, PA 19562
~ We hope you will join us for a joint worship service and fellowship immediately following!
Christ DeLong & St. Peter's UCC's 4th Annual Pig Roast Joint Fundraiser
September 28, 2024 ~ 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm ~ Christ DeLong, UCC, 63 Old Bowers Rd., Bowers, PA 19511
~ Our churches will be hosting our 4th Annual Pig Roast Fundraiser. Eat in or take out at Christ DeLong UCC.
Dinner includes: Pork, 2 sides*, cornbread. (*mac 'n cheese, baked beans, coleslaw, or hashbrown casserole).
$15.00/adult (in advance); $17.00/adult (day of); $7.50/children under 12. Baked goods and drinks available for purchase.
Call 610-641-0793 or see any member of either church for tickets.
St. Peter's UCC Drive-Thru Sausage Sale Fundraiser
October 5, 2024 ~ 10:00 am - ? ~ St. Peter's, UCC, 122 W. Franklin St., Topton, PA 19562
~ St. Peter's UCC will be having a DRIVE-THRU Sausage Sandwich Sale on October 5th. Sandwiches are $6 each (cash only) and are available with or without sauce, onions & peppers. Please enter at our parking lot at Broad Alley and exit at Franklin Street. The sale begins at 10am and goes until we sell out! 10% of proceeds will go towards a community non-profit!
Antique Engine, Tractor & Toy Club Consignment Sale
October 11, 2024 ~ 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm ~ William DeLong Park, 233 Bowers Rd., Bowers, PA 19511
October 12, 2024 ~ 9:00 am - 4:00 pm ~ William DeLong Park, 233 Bowers Rd., Bowers, PA 19511
~ Christ DeLong and St. Peter's UCCs will having our food and baked good stand open during this event. Please stop by on either day if you'd like to help!
Topton Halloween Parade
October 12, 2024 ~ 7:00 pm ~ Topton Borough
~ Formation begins at 5:30 pm. Rain date is Oct. 13. Our parade float theme will be "Jesus, the Sweetest Name I Know!" If you are interested in helping with the float or would like to donate candy or cash, please see Pastor Chris.
Harvest Home Services
October 13, 2024 ~ 9:00 am ~ St. Peter's, UCC, 122 W. Franklin St., Topton, PA 19562
10:00 am ~ Christ DeLong, UCC, 63 Old Bowers Rd., Bowers, PA 19511
~ Please bring along non-perishable goods, they will be donated to the Brandywine Food Pantry.
Mat-Weaving Ministry
October 19, 2024 ~ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm ~ St. Peter's, UCC, 122 W. Franklin St., Topton, PA 19562
~ Join us at St. Peter's UCC, Topton 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!**
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
~ Stay tuned for more info!
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 Night". If anyone is interested in singing during this joyous occasion, please reach out to Judy or Pastor Chris.
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 (resumes October 1, 2024)
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 (resumes September 15, 2024)
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.
GALLERY
Congratulations to our Confirmation Class of 2023!
CONTACT
St. Peter's, UCC
Christ DeLong, UCC
Contact Us
We wish Pastor Chris a speedy recovery following knee replacement surgery on Aug. 28.
In case you are in need of Emergency Pastoral Care while she is out,
please contact:
August 28 – September 3: Rev. Jeremiah Sassaman (610) 657-0261
September 4 – September 10: Rev. Kim Adamson (484) 557-7438
September 11 – September 17: Rev. Marty Milne (484) 505-0987
September 18 – September 24: Rev. Ruth Doty (484) 553-1162
Brandywine Food Pantry