Orefield
Pennsylvania
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Jordan Evangelical Lutheran Church of Orefield
Mission:
As disciples in Christ and in witness to God's glory and love, we will use the gifts God has given us, grow in faith, tell others the good news, worship together and serve others.
History:
Our original log church was replaced in 1771 with a stone sanctuary which followed the building of our first parsonage in 1770, utilizing the original logs from the church. The hazardous and rugged frontier life made worship an integral part of the colonist's existence. Regardless of the hardships Jordan prospered and in 1842 our present brick sanctuary was constructed. Seven years later a new parsonage was built and later used as the sexton's house. Shortly thereafter a Sunday school was begun and in 1868 the church basement was enlarged for this purpose.
Our lovely bell tower and spire was constructed in 1886 providing a narthex and organ chamber. As the teaching needs of Jordan grew the Sunday school annex was undertaken in 1928, but not completed until 1932. A new parsonage was purchased in Siegersville in 1953 and three years later the interior of our sanctuary was renovated with new furniture a two-manual Allen organ (preceded by two pipe organs) a new painting above the pulpit and stained glass windows.
An additional church school building was dedicated in 1964 and two years later the parsonage on the hill was built. With the growth of the congregation additional property was purchased for a parking lot in 1970 which was paved twelve years later. A new Allen digital computer organ was purchased in 1981.
In 1992 Jordan completed the addition of our Christian education building and family center to become our church as it stands today. The family center fellowship hall is open to both members and the community. The main level of this structure includes additional classrooms and our office suite. Our cornerstone service was held October 18, 1992 at the conclusion of the 10:30 a.m. service. The Allen organ, after being damaged by lightening, was replaced in 2005 by a new Allen digital computer organ.
The story of Lutheranism in the United States begins with the first Lutherans coming to our shores from Europe in 1623. The beginning of Lutheranism in America cannot be separated from the story of the man Martin Luther. He abandoned his studies as a law student in 1505 to become a monk of the Augustinian order. Seeking personal salvation through this religious life he devoted himself totally and intensely to the discipline and was ordained a Priest in 1507. He became a professor and pastor and his intensive study of the epistle to the Romans led him to an understanding of the doctrine of justification by faith.
As disciples in Christ and in witness to God's glory and love, we will use the gifts God has given us, grow in faith, tell others the good news, worship together and serve others.
History:
Our original log church was replaced in 1771 with a stone sanctuary which followed the building of our first parsonage in 1770, utilizing the original logs from the church. The hazardous and rugged frontier life made worship an integral part of the colonist's existence. Regardless of the hardships Jordan prospered and in 1842 our present brick sanctuary was constructed. Seven years later a new parsonage was built and later used as the sexton's house. Shortly thereafter a Sunday school was begun and in 1868 the church basement was enlarged for this purpose.
Our lovely bell tower and spire was constructed in 1886 providing a narthex and organ chamber. As the teaching needs of Jordan grew the Sunday school annex was undertaken in 1928, but not completed until 1932. A new parsonage was purchased in Siegersville in 1953 and three years later the interior of our sanctuary was renovated with new furniture a two-manual Allen organ (preceded by two pipe organs) a new painting above the pulpit and stained glass windows.
An additional church school building was dedicated in 1964 and two years later the parsonage on the hill was built. With the growth of the congregation additional property was purchased for a parking lot in 1970 which was paved twelve years later. A new Allen digital computer organ was purchased in 1981.
In 1992 Jordan completed the addition of our Christian education building and family center to become our church as it stands today. The family center fellowship hall is open to both members and the community. The main level of this structure includes additional classrooms and our office suite. Our cornerstone service was held October 18, 1992 at the conclusion of the 10:30 a.m. service. The Allen organ, after being damaged by lightening, was replaced in 2005 by a new Allen digital computer organ.
The story of Lutheranism in the United States begins with the first Lutherans coming to our shores from Europe in 1623. The beginning of Lutheranism in America cannot be separated from the story of the man Martin Luther. He abandoned his studies as a law student in 1505 to become a monk of the Augustinian order. Seeking personal salvation through this religious life he devoted himself totally and intensely to the discipline and was ordained a Priest in 1507. He became a professor and pastor and his intensive study of the epistle to the Romans led him to an understanding of the doctrine of justification by faith.