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St Peter Lutheran Church
Riegelsville
PA
18077-7023
- Evangelical Lutheran churches in Riegelsville, PA
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Who we are
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.
Street Address
305 Delaware Rd
Riegelsville,
PA
18077-7023
United States
Phone: (610) 749-0830
Fax: (610) 749-0830
Download St Peter Lutheran Church vCard with Service Times
Church Pastor
Pastor
305 Delaware Rd
Riegelsville,
PA
18077-7023
United States
Phone: (610) 749-0830
Fax: (610) 749-0830
Download Pastor Bradley D. Gow vCard with Bio
Quote of the Day
Galatians 3:28
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
Denomination
Evangelical Lutheran
Evangelical Lutheran churches in Riegelsville, Pennsylvania, United States
Evangelical Lutheran churches in Pennsylvania, United States
Evangelical Lutheran churches in United States
All churches in Riegelsville, PA
Affiliations:
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Website:
Social Media
St Peter Lutheran Church Riegelsville on YouTube
Leadership
Leader Name:
Bradley D. Gow
Leader Position:
Pastor
Formal Title:
Leader Address:
Tel:
Fax:
(610) 749-0830
Leader Email:
Leader Bio:
Pastor Bradley was called as pastor of St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Riegelsville on Feb 1, 2018. He brings to his ministry over 20 years of experience in the private sector, the medical profession, and the faith-based not-for-profit community.
Pastor Bradley describes his mission in Riegelsville as building on a solid foundation. “St. Peter’s has had strong leadership over the years and is blessed with a vibrant, devoted congregation. I look forward to working together to serve both God, the church and the community.”
Pastor Bradley joins St. Peter’s with a personal commitment to “building relationships through Christ.” He believes strongly in reaching out to all members of the community, including those of other faiths, and he cites four prominent themes that are key to his life:
Compassion for others.
Lifting up one’s accomplishments vs. focusing on the failures.
We are never alone because Jesus Christ is always with us.
God’s Grace and Forgiveness are freely given, not earned.
“I believe that Jesus commanded us to share the good news that we have been forgiven, and to love our neighbor,” he says. “I do this by creating relationships with others, showing them that God is with them through their joys and pains. I can make these connections to others based on my own life experiences and how God has continually been with me and my family. “
Prior to his call to St. Peter’s Church, Pastor Bradley served as a Chaplain and Office Manager at Seamen’s Church Institute of Philadelphia and South Jersey, which ministers to seafarers in ports along both sides of the Delaware River.
He was a former client service representative for The Vanguard Group and a Sleep Disorder technologist at the University of Pennsylvania Sleep Center. He was a former volunteer firefighter with Moyers Corners VFD in Liverpool NY, which is where he is originally from.
He earned a BA in Business Administration from Gwynedd Mercy University in 2006 and Master of Divinity from the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia in 2016.
Currently a resident of Perkasie, PA, he has been married to his wife Sarah for over 14 yrs, and they have two sons, Ben and Evan. Pastor Gow enjoys camping, reading, spending time with family and plays board games. His latest hobby is learning more about his Scottish heritage, you may even see him in his kilt during worship and other ministerial activities!
Pastor Bradley enjoys meeting new people and looks forward to your visit with us!
Pastor Bradley describes his mission in Riegelsville as building on a solid foundation. “St. Peter’s has had strong leadership over the years and is blessed with a vibrant, devoted congregation. I look forward to working together to serve both God, the church and the community.”
Pastor Bradley joins St. Peter’s with a personal commitment to “building relationships through Christ.” He believes strongly in reaching out to all members of the community, including those of other faiths, and he cites four prominent themes that are key to his life:
Compassion for others.
Lifting up one’s accomplishments vs. focusing on the failures.
We are never alone because Jesus Christ is always with us.
God’s Grace and Forgiveness are freely given, not earned.
“I believe that Jesus commanded us to share the good news that we have been forgiven, and to love our neighbor,” he says. “I do this by creating relationships with others, showing them that God is with them through their joys and pains. I can make these connections to others based on my own life experiences and how God has continually been with me and my family. “
Prior to his call to St. Peter’s Church, Pastor Bradley served as a Chaplain and Office Manager at Seamen’s Church Institute of Philadelphia and South Jersey, which ministers to seafarers in ports along both sides of the Delaware River.
He was a former client service representative for The Vanguard Group and a Sleep Disorder technologist at the University of Pennsylvania Sleep Center. He was a former volunteer firefighter with Moyers Corners VFD in Liverpool NY, which is where he is originally from.
He earned a BA in Business Administration from Gwynedd Mercy University in 2006 and Master of Divinity from the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia in 2016.
Currently a resident of Perkasie, PA, he has been married to his wife Sarah for over 14 yrs, and they have two sons, Ben and Evan. Pastor Gow enjoys camping, reading, spending time with family and plays board games. His latest hobby is learning more about his Scottish heritage, you may even see him in his kilt during worship and other ministerial activities!
Pastor Bradley enjoys meeting new people and looks forward to your visit with us!
Other Church Leaders:
Bradley D. Gow on Social Media:
St Peter Lutheran Church Leadership Photos
Administration
Admin Name:
Natalie Wriker
Admin Position:
Parish Administrator
Admin Address:
Telephone:
Fax:
(610) 749-0830
Admin Email:
Mailing Address
PO Box 188
Riegelsville, PA
18077-7023
Riegelsville, PA
18077-7023
Driving Directions to St Peter Lutheran Church
Travel/Directions Tips
St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church is located at 305 Delaware Road, Riegelsville, PA.
Parking
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.
St Peter Lutheran Church Riegelsville Service Times
Sunday service is at 10:15 am. 2nd & 4th Sundays Children's Sunday School after Children Sermon.
The service is also available on Facebook. Tune your radio to 91.1 Fm if joining from your car.
Service Times last updated on the 13th of September, 2024
The service is also available on Facebook. Tune your radio to 91.1 Fm if joining from your car.
Service Times last updated on the 13th of September, 2024
Worship Languages
Dress code:
Children and Youth Activities
Under 12s:
Under 18s:
Local outreach & community activities:
Other activities & ministries
Special Needs/Accessibility:
Prayers and hymns:
Main Bible:
Hymns and Songs:
Other information:
Average Adult Congregation:
Average Youth Congregation:
Additional Info:
St Peter Lutheran Church Photo Gallery
St Peter Lutheran Church History
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.
"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.
St Peter Lutheran Church Historical Photos
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