Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church in Trachsville celebrated its 175th anniversary during its Sunday worship service and afterward with cake and refreshments.

“I think your ancestors of 175 years ago would have been proud of you,” said the Rev. Kenneth Melber Jr. “You have a rich and rewarding future. Let’s celebrate what is to come in the next 175 years.”

Sherwood Green, 92, is the oldest male church member; Gladys Green, 93, is the oldest female church member. The two are not related.

State Rep. Doyle Heffley presented a certificate in honor of the church’s anniversary to Melber and Ricky Moyer, council president.

Melber was called to the congregation in January 2022.

“I was here in 2014 for a district meeting. I said to myself, I’d like to be pastor here someday,” Melber shared with the congregation.

“Sometime around 2020, someone asked me if I was interested in changing calls.”

At that time, he was the pastor for two partnership churches in Schuylkill County - Friedens Lutheran Church in New Ringgold and Zion’s Red Church in Orwigsburg.

St. John’s Lutheran Church and Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church wanted to form a parish partnership and wanted a pastor to serve each church part-time.

He came to a meet-and-greet event with both church congregations on Nov. 21, 2021. He recalled thinking “I hope they go home and say they liked me.” Sharing memories

During Sunday’s sermon, Melber asked members to share their memories and church history. When JELC began, it shared a building with the Jerusalem United Church of Christ congregation.

“In 1845, Lutheran and Reformed people of Towamensing wanted to start a church,” and soon after, the first brick of the original church was laid, said Resa Hall during her remarks.

A new building was built in 1891. The pastor’s office and restrooms were added in 1978, she said.

Luther Hall, located in the grove, was dedicated Oct. 27, 1996.

Two pastors have served the church for more than 40 years each.

“The Rev. Harrison E. Moyer was here 47 years, and the Rev. M. Luther Wahrmann was here 41 years,” Hall said.

Hall and her husband, Frank Hall IV, joined the church 24 years ago when they moved to the area. He is the music director, and she has served on various committees and taught Sunday school. They followed his parents here from Philadelphia.

“My wife and I used to camp at Hickory Run. We liked it here, so we bought land in Eldred Township and built a little chalet,” said Frank Hall III.

At first, they came for brief visits. Then they moved here permanently.

“We asked our mail lady, Jackie, where is the nearest Lutheran church and she pointed us in your direction,” he said.

Trina Steigerwalt shared fond memories from growing up when her grandfather, the Rev. John Light, was the church pastor.

“I remember the bright red carpeting and dark mahogany pews. I recall a lot of holiday parties and bobbing for apples at the Halloween party,” she said.

Her grandfather retired, and she stopped attending worship at the church.

Going forward

By the early 2000s, both congregations had outgrown the building. Switching between 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. worship, with joint Sunday school at 9 a.m., was no longer feasible. It was time for two separate buildings.

In 2002, JELC broke ground on its building across the street. The congregation held its first service in the building on Oct. 5, 2003, before it was finished. There was electrical work to finish, as well as other construction projects.

“I have been a member since we opened this building. I was the main electrician,” said George Dwinell.

When Steigerwalt’s sister got married here in 2010, she came back to visit.

“It is so nice to come here and see people who remember my grandfather,” she said.

After worship, the congregation continued to share memories while having cake and other refreshments.

The anniversary certificate was displayed on a table next to the flyer announcing the day’s event.

Sunday’s event was collaboratively planned by Melber, Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (WELCA) and church members.

“I am so thankful to be part of this congregation,” Melber said.

“We are at a turning point in this church, and I have immense hope for this congregation.”

Like so many other area churches, JELC is examining ways to increase church attendance, bring kids into their Sunday school program, serve the community and share God’s word.

Jerusalem United Church of Christ held its 175th anniversary celebration in mid-October during worship and afterward in their new social hall, Hope Hall.

Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church worships at 9 a.m. Sundays. The church address is 500 Church Dr., Palmerton.