Slatington Baptist Church recently celebrated the 125th anniversary of its historic West Church Street building with a service centered on faith, history and hope for the future.

“Our scripture and anniversary worship theme is based on the Ascension of Jesus Christ, spreading His gospel, building His church and anticipating His return,” said the Rev. Jim LeVan, who has led the congregation for 37 years.

“Easter Sunday this year was March 31. In 1900, it was on April 15. Acts 1:3 tells us that 40 days after His resurrection, Jesus ascended to Heaven,” LeVan said.

The church, a striking example of Gothic Revival religious architecture, was dedicated on June 16, 1900.

Construction cost was $21,269.26 — a significant investment for the time. The building’s historic pipe organ was added in 1903 and later electrified and refurbished in 1940.

Slatington Baptist Church’s roots stretch back even further, to 1859, when Henry Williams founded the Williamstown Baptist Mission in a schoolhouse west of Slatington.

In 1891, the congregation moved into rented space on the third floor of the Fritzinger Building at Main and Church streets, but a fire on Sept. 25 of that year destroyed the structure and all church property inside.

Determined to rebuild, the church acquired land on West Church Street, where its current sanctuary stands today.

Longtime member Ruthann Phillips, who joined the church in 1948, recalled her baptism by full immersion at the age of 12. “In the Baptist Church, you are not baptized until you have made a personal commitment to Jesus Christ and are old enough to understand the implications of your decision,” she said. “I had many conversations with the pastor before I made up my mind.”

The church holds worship service on Sundays at 10:45 a.m. with junior church dismissal at 11:15 a.m.

On Wednesdays, midweek Bible Study and prayer is at 10 a.m.

Projects throughout the year include: Christmas Gifts for Food Bank Children; Christmas Gifts for Riverstone Manor Residents;

Green Bean Collection for local food pantries and ongoing Riverstone Outreach.

Vacation Bible School will be held July 20-July 24, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The theme is “Road Trip,” a fun-filled adventure on the open road, taking travelers on thrilling journeys to exciting destinations. Kids will learn that God is always with them.

For information, call 610-767-6276 or visit http://www.slatingtonbaptist.org/