It sure has come a long way from its humble log-cabin beginning.

Known as the “little church with the big heart,” St John’s United Church of Christ, 891 Columbia Ave. in Palmerton, is holding a yearlong celebration of its 225th anniversary.

Morning worship begins at 10:30 a.m. every Sunday, preceded by youth Sunday school at 9:30 a.m. Communion is served the first Sunday of each month.

The church also provides space for Wednesday evening AA meetings, as well as an area Girl Scout troop on Sunday evenings.

It also offers a monthly community meal from 4:30-6 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month.

At present, the church has 101 members in its congregation.

History of the church

St. John’s UCC’s location is not where the it originally started out. Its current facility was once an independent Sunday school. The story of how and why spans 225 years, but is a story worth telling and worth celebrating.

In 1798, opening records of a Reformed congregation were documented by Rev. John Jacob Eyerman as minister at that time. In 1799, a simple log cabin was constructed which endured for many years thanks to dedicated pioneers who believed in God’s saving grace (with a touch of stubborn Pennsylvania Dutch added to the mix).

Union churches were common practice at the time, where two congregations shared the same facility for economic reasons. And so it was that St John’s Reformed congregation and the Evangelical Lutheran congregation began a long association by building a log cabin on land in Lower Towamensing Township. Undoubtedly constructed of rough lumber and containing the barest of necessities, it was nonetheless a haven for early settlers who braved all sorts of weather to pay homage to God for this provision.

Church records provide evidence of weddings, baptisms, confirmations, and deaths along with names of itinerant ministers who traveled by horseback or buggy to serve these congregations. When it was determined in 1858 that a new roof couldn’t possibly rehabilitate the log cabin, it was decided to construct a brick structure to house the union church.

However, St John’s Reformed was also tied into a “three-point charge” agreement with Emmanuel Reformed Church in Bowmanstown and St. Peter’s Reformed Church in Parryville, all sharing the same pastor. Since both Bowmanstown and Parryville churches owned their church buildings, they held services every Sunday while St John’s worshipped on alternating sabbaths because of sharing the building with the Lutheran congregation. Serving on St John’s consistory at that time required many meetings - one with the Lutheran congregation, one with Emmanuel and Peter’s, and one for St John’s own congregation. Finding a minister who was willing to take on such responsibility became a daunting task.

A fresh start

Over the years, several studies were attempted to resolve the union situation, but it wasn’t until 1976 that an agreement was reached to dissolve that association. Equity of the Towamensing Union church property was set at $87,500. Approved by both congregations, the Lutherans purchased the Reformed congregation’s share at $43,750, thereby dissolving the Union charge. An installment plan of five payments of $8,750 was agreed upon. St John’s Reformed would continue to use the Towamensing facility at a rental cost of 50% of the monthly operating cost for a two-year period. The rental agreement ended Jan. 31, 1976.

In order to serve the St John’s congregation’s need of weekly worship space, an agreement was reached with the Reformed Independent Sunday school (situated next to the parsonage on Columbia Avenue) to hold services on alternating Sundays when the Towamensing church building was unavailable. Once the union situation was dissolved, the Reformed (now United Church of Christ) congregation began holding weekly services at the Sunday school facility. A merger agreement between the Sunday school and the UCC congregation was reached in 1980.

It should be noted that before this merger with the UCC church, the independent Sunday school (commonly known to locals as “the Chapel”) served families who brought their children for Bible instruction. Most early churches weren’t constructed to include Sunday school space. At the close of lesson time, children would accompany parents to their respective places of worship.

The “Chapel” housed a spacious kitchen where two full-sized quilt frames could be accommodated simultaneously. The Ladies Aide Society quilted a half day on Mondays and all day Wednesday with a noontime meal. Except for the occasions of quilting and Sunday school classes, the facility remained empty for the remainder of the week. Exceptions to this were when strawberry and peach socials, and the occasional spaghetti supper, were held as fundraisers. The merger allotted space for the full functioning of an active church.

In addition, those families who previously brought their children for Sunday school instruction and did not have a family church now had the opportunity to find a church home in the same building.

With an expanding membership, an addition was added to the original structure in 1982 which included handicapped accessibility for entry and bathrooms, office space, and a multipurpose room for large classes and events.

A second addition in 1988 included a new kitchen, storage space, and a separate quilt room.

Celebrating 225 years

Like most churches, St. John’s UCC has struggled with attendance, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, parking lot church services allowed people from around the Palmerton area to participate and find solace during a difficult time.

The congregation of 101 serves the community through CACPAC food donations, and a monthly free community meal. The sale of apple dumplings and potato filling are supported by the public.

St. John’s UCC just recently entered into a working relationship with Christ UCC, Danielsville. They share their current pastor, as increasing costs have made it impossible for either church to be the sole support of these expenses.

The church started off its 225th anniversary celebration by confirming three youth on Jan. 8. On Jan. 14, their Winterfest Celebration held a chili cook-off competition and fun day open to the public.

Other celebratory events will be held throughout the year, including: A Basket Bash this past Monday; a 225th Anniversary Block Party Car Show on May 20; an event to honor the church graduates on June 4; a church picnic at the Grove on Sept. 24; a vendor show on Nov. 11; and a Homecoming Service for former pastors and parishioners of the church on Nov. 19.

Pat McGarry, church member, credited those who contribute their thoughts and ideas to help see to it that the church continues to thrive.

“We’re really excited by the energy generated by the community,” McGarry said. “Their ideas are creative, innovative, and they are a hardworking crew.”

Church member Linda Aullenbach, who also serves as the Consistory secretary, said simply, “We’re glad we’ve survived.”

Church Pastor David Quinn cited the words in Psalm 1, a believer is compared to a tree planted by the water.

“St John’s is like a tree planted by the water,” Quinn said. “The stream of grace keeps flowing.”

Quinn added, “The roots of St John’s run as deep as the faith of its people. By the grace of God, we will be here for another 225 years, unless the Lord returns first.”

“Recently, I was talking with a person and they referred to St John’s as “your little church.” Well, David was little compared to Goliath, but who walked away from that one?

“And a dime is more little than a nickel, but which is worth more? St John’s may be little, compared to some churches, but we have a big God.”