1800
In the year 1800, a small group of devout persons joined with the Rev. Jacob Albright to pray for their salvation from their sins. These devout souls and their converts began to form "classes" throughout Eastern Pennsylvania, and these classes later became known as the "Evangelical Association".
1850
After 22 years of services conducted by traveling circuit preachers, the Kutztown Circuit of the Evangelical Association was organized in 1850, under the leadership of Rev. Isaac Hess. A brick meeting house was constructed in Kutztown, and the name "Emmanuel Evangelical Association Church" was adopted.
1885
On May 6, 1885, the Meeting House was demolished and the two-story brick church, which is now the Fellowship Hall, was erected on the site during the pastorate of William H. Weidner.
1894
A split occurred, following a disagreement as to what type of government the denomination should be under. The majority continued to meet as the Evangelical Association, and the minority (which included Grace United Evangelical Church, one of five remaining on the circuit) met for one year in the Kutztown Music Hall under the pastorate of Rev. Stephen Buntz.
1896
John R. Gonser purchased the brick church for $750.00 from the Evangelical Association and gave it to the Kutztown United Evangelical congregation.
1898
There were fifty-nine members of Grace United Evangelical Church; and services were spoken in German every third Sunday morning.
1900
Several major and minor renovations occurred through the years, in 1900 the leaded glass windows were added.
1912
The parsonage was built at 432 West Walnut Street.
1919
The Kutztown congregation became self-supporting.
1922
It was realized that the two groups would not reunite. The majority (the Evangelical Association) became the Evangelical Church and eventually became part of the United Methodist Church. The minority became the Evangelical Congregational Church-- "evangelical" because it emphasized the church as evangelical in doctrine and evangelistic in outreach and "congregational" because they recognized the right of the congregation to control its own property and determine its own membership. This indicated the representative form of government the group cherished.
1928
A Mohler pipe organ was installed in memory of John and Louisa Gonser.
1948
Carillon bells were installed.
1954
The steeple was removed from the church building.
1956
A stone cast facing was constructed.
1981
Because of the need for additional space, a new sanctuary was built adjacent to the existing structure. It was dedicated on September 13, 1981.
1997
The pipe organ was dismantled and discarded; and the old sanctuary was renovated into four classrooms, a Pastor's study, and office space.
In the year 1800, a small group of devout persons joined with the Rev. Jacob Albright to pray for their salvation from their sins. These devout souls and their converts began to form "classes" throughout Eastern Pennsylvania, and these classes later became known as the "Evangelical Association".
1850
After 22 years of services conducted by traveling circuit preachers, the Kutztown Circuit of the Evangelical Association was organized in 1850, under the leadership of Rev. Isaac Hess. A brick meeting house was constructed in Kutztown, and the name "Emmanuel Evangelical Association Church" was adopted.
1885
On May 6, 1885, the Meeting House was demolished and the two-story brick church, which is now the Fellowship Hall, was erected on the site during the pastorate of William H. Weidner.
1894
A split occurred, following a disagreement as to what type of government the denomination should be under. The majority continued to meet as the Evangelical Association, and the minority (which included Grace United Evangelical Church, one of five remaining on the circuit) met for one year in the Kutztown Music Hall under the pastorate of Rev. Stephen Buntz.
1896
John R. Gonser purchased the brick church for $750.00 from the Evangelical Association and gave it to the Kutztown United Evangelical congregation.
1898
There were fifty-nine members of Grace United Evangelical Church; and services were spoken in German every third Sunday morning.
1900
Several major and minor renovations occurred through the years, in 1900 the leaded glass windows were added.
1912
The parsonage was built at 432 West Walnut Street.
1919
The Kutztown congregation became self-supporting.
1922
It was realized that the two groups would not reunite. The majority (the Evangelical Association) became the Evangelical Church and eventually became part of the United Methodist Church. The minority became the Evangelical Congregational Church-- "evangelical" because it emphasized the church as evangelical in doctrine and evangelistic in outreach and "congregational" because they recognized the right of the congregation to control its own property and determine its own membership. This indicated the representative form of government the group cherished.
1928
A Mohler pipe organ was installed in memory of John and Louisa Gonser.
1948
Carillon bells were installed.
1954
The steeple was removed from the church building.
1956
A stone cast facing was constructed.
1981
Because of the need for additional space, a new sanctuary was built adjacent to the existing structure. It was dedicated on September 13, 1981.
1997
The pipe organ was dismantled and discarded; and the old sanctuary was renovated into four classrooms, a Pastor's study, and office space.