A Brief History of St. Peter's (Taken from the 1990 Church Directory)
The exact date of the establishment of St. Peter's Church is unknown. The first settlement in Plainfield Township took place between 1750 and 1760, and in 1762 the township itself was established. These early settlers no doubt brought their religious convictions with them. It is evident that in addition to providing food, shelter, clothing, and protection from wild animals and Indians, early settlers took time for religious services and activities.
The first written records indicate that by 1805, twenty-three Lutherans were communing, and St. Peter's was recognized as a Lutheran congregation. These early years established a pattern of partnership with the Reformed settlers which would last until 1967. The two congregations worked together to build a log structure to serve as their church building during 1805.
In 1831 land was given to the churches by Mr. and Mrs. Germantown "for the purpose of erecting and building thereon a church jointly for the two congregations." A brick church was constructed in 1832 at a cost of $6000. The present church of Holmesburg granite was constructed from 1916 to 1918 when the Sunday School Chapel was dedicated. A joint ministry was maintained until the Reformed congregation moved to Wind Gap and built the Hope United Church of Christ in 1969.
In the 1980's the church had a membership of approximately 1200. A new addition was built in 1987 to provide offices and a handicap accessible multipurpose room. Community programs such as the God's Love Nursery School and a Latchkey after-school child care program were established to extend the ministry of the church. Today, God's Garden of Grace provides fresh vegetables to five of the local food banks in our area, serving hundred of hungry people throughout the Slate Belt Region. St. Peter's is striving to be a CHURCH FOR ALL SEASONS AND FOR ALL AGES!
The exact date of the establishment of St. Peter's Church is unknown. The first settlement in Plainfield Township took place between 1750 and 1760, and in 1762 the township itself was established. These early settlers no doubt brought their religious convictions with them. It is evident that in addition to providing food, shelter, clothing, and protection from wild animals and Indians, early settlers took time for religious services and activities.
The first written records indicate that by 1805, twenty-three Lutherans were communing, and St. Peter's was recognized as a Lutheran congregation. These early years established a pattern of partnership with the Reformed settlers which would last until 1967. The two congregations worked together to build a log structure to serve as their church building during 1805.
In 1831 land was given to the churches by Mr. and Mrs. Germantown "for the purpose of erecting and building thereon a church jointly for the two congregations." A brick church was constructed in 1832 at a cost of $6000. The present church of Holmesburg granite was constructed from 1916 to 1918 when the Sunday School Chapel was dedicated. A joint ministry was maintained until the Reformed congregation moved to Wind Gap and built the Hope United Church of Christ in 1969.
In the 1980's the church had a membership of approximately 1200. A new addition was built in 1987 to provide offices and a handicap accessible multipurpose room. Community programs such as the God's Love Nursery School and a Latchkey after-school child care program were established to extend the ministry of the church. Today, God's Garden of Grace provides fresh vegetables to five of the local food banks in our area, serving hundred of hungry people throughout the Slate Belt Region. St. Peter's is striving to be a CHURCH FOR ALL SEASONS AND FOR ALL AGES!
