St Peter Lutheran Church Riegelsville PA

St. Peter's Lutheran Church of Riegelsville PA. Our mission: To be the spiritual center of a serving community in Christ's name. Member church of ELCA.

 

Question: How Long is the Service?

Answer: In total, a St. Peter's service is about 60 minutes in length. Services include music, readings from Scripture, and an encouraging and hope-filled message from Pastor Brad. Communion is offered at every service to those who wish to partake. Gluten-Free bread and/or Grape Juice are available for those who desire them.

Question: What's The Culture Like At St. Peter's Church?

Answer: Services at St. Peter's are friendly and accepting. We don't care how you look, or who you voted for in the last election. We are all God's children, each of us blemished and imperfect. Come as you are and expect to feel welcomed as our guest.

Question: What About My Kids?

Answer: Children are a blessing, and we would be blessed to have you bring yours. We have an activities basket for them, and Pastor Gow usually gives a children's message before the sermon.
 

Download St Peter Lutheran Church vCard with Service Times

Click here to contact the church  

Download Pastor Bradley D. Gow vCard with bio

Click here to contact Bradley D. Gow  

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America  

http://www.builtontherock.cc/  

 

 

St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church is located at 305 Delaware Road, Riegelsville, PA.  

Parking is available in the lot across the street from the Church and service is currently broadcast to your car via Fm radio 91.1.  

 

 

 

A Brief History of Our Church

"Travelers north or south along Easton Road (Route 611), are struck by the beauty and architecture of Riegelsville, a Delaware River town, as they pass through this remarkable Victorian town."

"Although it is contained in a mere square mile on the northeastern tip of rural Bucks County, Riegelsville is home to a legacy of post-Civil War development and former industry” (Source: Area Guide, Bucks County Herald, August 18, 2016, page C10, Bridget FitzPatrick). Riegelsville is close to Easton, Bethlehem, and Allentown and near the I-78 corridor.

The history of the Riegelsville congregation, as an organization, dates back to 1850. The Lutheran congregation adopted a constitution on May 20, 1850. A private record gives information that there was preaching as early as January 27, 1850 by the Rev. George Diehl of Easton, PA and by the Rev. John McCron on March 24, 1850.

During the year 1850, the Lutheran and Reformed congregations of the area joined together and began to erect a church building. The work was begun in April, 1850 and dedicated on January 1, 1851. Each congregation used the building on alternate weeks. The Rev. John McCron served as the first Lutheran pastor from January 1, 1851 to April 1, 1851. The Rev. George Diehl was next and served three months until July 1, 1851.

During this time a Call was issued and the Rev. John Wilcox was elected as the permanent Pastor and he served for nine years and six months. In October, 1861, the Rev. C. L. Keedy was elected Pastor and only served for one year.

The Rev. Nathan Jaeger was the next Pastor elected March, 1863. In November of 1863, while traveling to Easton, he was thrown from his horse and buggy and was fatally injured. He died January 2, 1864 at the age of 43. He is buried in the cemetery next to the church. In May, 1864, Rev. Theophilus Helig was elected as the new Pastor. He served for 12 years and four months. During this time period, the first parsonage was purchased for $3,200.

In 1871, although the two congregations had been worshiping together in peace, there was a growing desire to separate. On January 10, 1872, at a congregational meeting, it was resolved to purchase the right and title of the Reformed congregation in the church building and lot for the sum of $2,200.

Another historical event took place at this time—on November 12, 1876, the congregation assembled and by a vote of 33 to 2 decided to join the East Penn Synod.

On March 9, 1878, a meeting was held to consider if the church building should be repaired or a new building should be erected. The vote was to repair the existing building at a cost of $1,300. The property further increased in value when a lot next door was purchased that had a number of sheds used to house horses. In 1861, the basement of the church was remodeled to adapt a Sabbath School.

On July 17, 1887, the Rev. Cyrus L. Fleck was elected and became the longest serving Pastor at 34 years and two months until September 16, 1921. He preached in Riegelsville three successive Sundays in the morning, in Upper Tinicum every fourth Sunday, and at Raubsville every two weeks in the afternoon.

At a meeting on December 1, 1888, it was decided that the building was in need of too much repair and a new church would be built. The old building was torn down in February, 1889, and the work was begun on a new church. The corner stone was laid on May 5, 1889. The present church was dedicated in September, 1890. The cost of the church was $12,000 and the architect was the Rev. A. K. Felton. After the church was completed, it was decided to have services every Sunday. At this time the Pastor’s salary was $700. On April 15, 1923, the present organ was installed by M. P. Moller Company.

In 1925, an addition was erected at the northwest end of the building to be used for Sunday School and meeting rooms at a cost of $18,000. The Rev. Raymond Miller was elected Pastor on July 5, 1925 and served until March 1, 1931.

On June 14, 1921. Rev. R. Henry Neikirk was elected Pastor and served the third longest term of 27 years and two months, retiring September 1, 1948. Following Rev. Neikirk, the Rev. Vinton G. McClellan held the position for only four years. Beginning January 16, 1952, the Rev. Paul Gleichman began a tenure of 18 years and six months, the fourth longest term.

On November 1, 1970, Rev. Stephen F. Blank was elected Pastor. Rev. Blank retired on April 30, 2003 after 32 years and six months. This is now the second longest Call in the history of St. Peter’s.

During this time a new parsonage was erected in 1978 next to the church and across from the church parking lot. In 1990 the Parish Center was purchased for $200,000 and this loan was paid off in four years. This property joins the parking lot allowing the church, parsonage, and Parish Center to touch each other as one large parcel. In 1995, the Parish Center’s original slate roof was replaced at a cost of $65,000. In 2000, the church saw a total upgrade of the electrical wiring system at a cost of $70,000. This was paid by the congregation in two years. In 2000, St. Peter’s celebrated its 150th year anniversary.

Upon the retirement of Rev. Blank, an Interim Pastor, Rev. Robert Bohn, served from June, 2003 to May, 2004.

From June 1, 2004 until September 30, 2015, the Rev. Deborah Dawson served as Pastor.

The congregation demonstrated strong support of the worship and activities under the leadership of Rev. Dawson. During her tenure at St. Peter’s, there were three major Delaware River flooding events within the borough. St. Peter’s continued its reputation as a community service congregation providing relief efforts.

From October 1, 2015 until February 21, 2016 the church operated without pastoral leadership until Interim Pastor Rev. Elaine Quincey came (February 22, 2016 – March 31, 2018) to assist with the transition and call process for a new pastor. During this period of reflection and decision making, the parsonage which was built in 1978 was sold in December, 2017.

On February 1, 2018 Bradley D. Gow was called to be St. Peter’s sixteenth pastor. His ordination and installation took place on Saturday, February 17, 2018.

St. Peter’s, in its 170 years (May 20, 1850) has given nine sons and one daughter to the Christian Ministry. Also, one son has become an outstanding church organist.