Schaefferstown Zion United Brethren marks 175 years of faith and fellowship

A modest plot of land purchased for just over $150 in May 1851 laid the foundation for what would become more than a century and a half of faith, resilience and community.

By the fall of that same year, Schaefferstown Zion United Brethren Church began welcoming congregants along what was then known as Main Street.

Today, the church at 1279 Heidelberg Ave. marks its 175th anniversary, giving members a chance to reflect on both the triumphs and challenges that have shaped the congregation over generations.

Research conducted by Earl Horst shows that early members gathered in a modest structure built of native limestone. Services were led in German by Jacob Roop, preacher for the Lebanon Circuit, who served as pastor from 1851 to 1855.

The congregation grew steadily over time. By 1897, trustees approved a series of improvements, including new benches, papered walls and ceilings, wainscoting, a hot-air furnace, a rebuilt steeple and a 20-foot extension to the building. Around the same period, the church began hosting a United Brethren Sunday School on Sunday afternoons, drawing participants from neighboring congregations, a tradition still remembered by some members today.

As church historian Jan Taylor explained, the original church experienced a traumatic event on July 2, 1919.

“The church burned down,” she said. “Three walls were still standing after the fire, but the church had to be totally rebuilt. It was reopened in 1921.”

While most of the church and its contents were destroyed, men were able to remove pews, the old altar railing, the lectern and three pulpit chairs, all of which were placed in the basement of the rebuilt church.

Taylor noted that the new building featured unique handmade stained-glass windows, which decorate the sanctuary today.

“Each window is dedicated to different people or groups,” she said. “I just love how they memorialize people. I think it’s fantastic that they spent $250 on the large window and only $55 each for the others.”

The large window depicts the Good Shepherd holding a lamb and leading sheep. It was donated by the men’s and ladies’ Bible classes. The 11 single windows were installed in memory of individuals and in tribute to groups, including the Willing Workers Class and the Sunbeam Class.

Taylor noted that the fire made a lasting impression in another way as well.

“Artifacts from that early time period are few, however the original church bell destroyed in the fire was melted down and remade into small tea bells and sold as a fundraiser for the new church,” she said. “We have three of them in our collection. They all have a wonderful sound.”

The church has also changed names over the years. Now known as Zion United Methodist Church, the church has a window above the front door inscribed with the name Zion United Brethren in Christ. Taylor explained that the name change comes from the merger of Methodist and Evangelical United Brethren churches in 1968.

Taylor, who has been a member of the church for 40 years, noted that detailed records of the church’s history were kept by the trustees. Over the years, the church has held celebrations to mark its 100^th, 125^th, and 150^th anniversaries.

The congregation will mark its 175^th milestone with a celebration on Sunday, May 17. Details are still being finalized, said administrative board secretary Stacey Lattanze.

“Tentatively, we’re planning to have a brunch before services and trivia about the church, and the pastor is going to do a special service,” she said. “As always, since this is a Methodist church, there will be food and fellowship that day as well.”

While church membership has dwindled to just under 60 people, the congregation remains active.

“Everybody who is here on a Sunday is involved in some way,” Taylor said.

Members might sing in the choir, serve as ushers or greet visitors. The church also holds several community projects, including an annual rummage sale, soup and bake sales and a church bazaar at Christmastime.

Members support local organizations, including the Lebanon County Christian Ministries, as well as international projects such as Operation Christmas Child.

They collaborate with other churches in the area to host services and special events for the Advent and Lent seasons, as well as Holy Week. Their Palm Sunday observance includes a parade with a live donkey.

Pastor Thomas Kinter has overseen the congregation for about three years, and he also serves as pastor at Trinity United Methodist Church in Kleinfeltersville.

Taylor noted that church members look forward to the future, relying on continuing to offer a place of worship and peace for anyone in the community.

“Everybody who has come to visit has noted that we are a very warm and welcoming congregation,” she said. “We always have been. Yes, we do sit in the same seats as a matter of habit, but that doesn’t mean anybody gets mad if someone sits in their seat.”

Lattanze acknowledged that having only about 20 active members who regularly attend services is a challenge for the church, but it’s one they’re determined to meet.

“By the grace of God, we’re still here,” she said simply. “We’re still going on.”