Weisenberg Lutheran Church
7645 Weisenberg Church Road
New Tripoli, PA 18066
We invite you to become a part of our history and our story as we proclaim God’s victory in our setting and beyond!
1749 – Founded as a Union Church (Lutheran & Reformed congregations) with services in homes 1754 – First church building erected (logs and lumber) by oldest cemetery
1803 – Second church building erected (wood)
1830 – Third church building erected (stone) at present site
1864 – Fourth (present) church building erected (brick & white steeple);
main floor with balconies on three sides. Cornerstone laid in 1866.
1911 – Dedicated new C. F. Durner pipe organ
1924 – Worship begun in English (only German used prior to this time) on alternating Sundays 1928 – Dedication of remodeled interior; three-sided balcony removed, second floor added to
church, organ moved from balcony to present location, new altar, pulpit & pews added
1937 – Electricity installed in church and farm buildings; well dug on church property
1956 – Memorial stained glass windows installed in sanctuary
1969 – Excavation of full basement and renovation of Sunday School rooms.
Added rear stairway, organ rebuilt, entire building rewired
1978 – Installed kitchen in basement
1984 – (January 1) Formation of one Lutheran congregation, uniting the two congregations of
the former Union Church into one.
Pastor Raymond Hand installed as pastor.
1986 – School house renovated and rededicated.
1988 – Steeple lights installed
1991 – Renovations made to sanctuary and Sunday School auditorium
1995 – Barn and outbuildings removed from property
1996 – Building addition completed and dedicated, adding an elevator, four classrooms,
two offices, restrooms and a larger vestibule
1997 – Air conditioning installed in church
1999 – 250th anniversary of Weisenberg Lutheran Church
Stucco applied to church. Steeple was refurbished.
2005 – Fire Alarm System installed. School house floor and roof repaired.
2005 – Mission trip to Pass Christian, Mississippi (Hurricane Katrina)
2006 – Mission trip to Pass Christian, Mississippi (Hurricane Katrina)
Formation of Sons of a Carpenter
ELCA Youth Gathering in San Antonio, Texas
2007 – Began use of Evangelical Lutheran Worship Book
Mission trip to Pass Christian, Mississippi (Hurricane Katrina)
Fiberglass steeple replaced wooden steeple
2008 – Carillon bell system installed and dedicated
East parking lot completed with wall, fence and lighting.
Picnic pavilion destroyed by storm
Parsonage renovated and restored.
2009 – Celebrated 25 years as a new Lutheran congregation
25th Anniversary for Pastor Raymond Hand at Weisenberg Lutheran Church
ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans
Constructed new multi-purpose shed.
Area food pantry established at Christ’s Church at Lowhill
2010 – Softball Team: Lehigh Valley Church Softball League Champions
Leo Kressley becomes first known church member centenarian
2011 – C. F. Durner Pipe Organ is 100 years old
Softball Team repeats as League Champion
2012 – ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans
Softball Team won the Faith, Fellowship and Sportsmanship Award
2013 – Favorite Recipes Cookbook, CD and E-Reader download
Softball Team: Lehigh Valley Church Softball League Champions
2014 – 30th Anniversary of new congregation
Dedicated new Digital Protégé 227e Allen Organ, AV System (including 2 sanctuary TV’s
& 1 in social room) and sanctuary renovation (modified altar floor, new paint & carpet)
2015 – ELCA Youth Gathering in Detroit, Michigan
Softball Team won the Faith, Fellowship and Sportsmanship Award
Pastor Guy Grube celebrated his 40th anniversary of Ordination
2016 – Dedicated Flag Pole Monument – Eagle Scout Project by Derek Dengler
Renovated Tractor Shed with siding, overhead garage doors, soffit lighting & cupolas
2017 – Remodeled old foyer and bathrooms by old foyer
Installed new lighting in social room
500th Reformation Anniversary
Dedicated Military Recognition Monument – Eagle Scout Project by Darren Dengler
New church website www.weisenbergchurch.org and Facebook page
2018 – Pastor Raymond Hand celebrated his 40th anniversary of Ordination
ELCA Youth Gathering in Houston
Softball Team: Lehigh Valley Church Softball League Champions and
won the Faith, Fellowship and Sportsmanship Award
Held our first Wreaths Across America program
2019 – 35th Anniversary of new congregation
35th Anniversary for Pastor Raymond Hand at Weisenberg Lutheran Church
270th Anniversary since the founding of our church
Installed new lighting in basement
Softball Team: Lehigh Valley Church Softball League Champions
2020 – Pastor Raymond Hand retired February 29 serving our congregation faithfully for 36+ years
First Virtual Live Stream Service held March 22; building closed due to Covid-19 pandemic
Pastor Guy Grube serves as Virtual Pastor March 22 thru August 2
Pastor Jerel Gade begins as Interim Pastor on August 1
Reopen building for worship October 25-December 13 while offering Virtual Live Worship
Upgraded AV System (Video) to Digital
2021 – Held outdoor Easter Dawn Service
Reopen building for worship on April 11 while offering Virtual Live Worship
Back to a pre-covid service starting June 27.
Softball Team: Lehigh Valley Church Softball League Champions (making history as the
first team to win the league title 3 years in a row; 2020 had no season).
2022 – Renovated Wash House with siding, roofing, windows and door.
2023 – Rev. Brandon M. Heavner begins as Called Pastor on February 20.
Rite of Installation of Pastor Heavner held on April 30.
Recognition of Lucy Gressley as Chime and Bell Director since 1988.
Recognition of Sterling Reinert for participation with our Worship Choir starting in 1953.
2024 – 40th Anniversary of new congregation
275th Anniversary of Weisenberg Lutheran Church.
Pastors
Organists
Bittner & Werley
*Chapter 3; page 32
More
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