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PHOTO COURTESY TO TIMES NEWS A very special worship took place recently at Saint John's Episcopal in commemoration of the dedication of the church over 100 years ago. Helping to celebrate were (L-R) The Reverend Jane A. Bender, Priest in Charge All Saints Lehighton, Pa; The Reverend M. Peter Hare once former full time priest of both churches who is now Rector at The Prince of Peace Church in Dallas, Pa.;The Reverend Canon Doris Bray, retired Assistant Priest at All Saints and St. John's and The Reverend Canon Charles Morris the current priest in charge of Saint John's. |
Saint John's Episcopal Church is one of the first building blocks of the Palmerton Community and is proud to be celebrating 100 years of worship and fellowship.
On September 7, 1905 a notable group of ministry gathered at 365 Lafayette Ave. to lay a cornerstone which would become a new church.
At the time there were no definite building plans for the church but two things where known for sure: it would be a stone church and it would be built in honor of Stephen Squire Palmer 's wife, Susan Flanders Price Palmer.
S.S. Palmer was the president of the New Jersey Zinc Company and the founder of a new Pennsylvania community named Palmerton.
A few years before this date Palmer had made an offer to the rector of St. Marks in Mauch Chunk, now known as Jim Thorpe, to build a church in Palmerton whenever it so desired. His wife, Susan, who was deceased at the time had always had a deep devotion for her own church, St. John's of Elizabeth NJ.
Susan had passed away in 1894 at the young age of forty leaving one child named Edgar Palmer.
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MARY TOBIA/TIIMES NEWS The Sunday school students of Saint John's Episcopal Church in Palmerton presented this framed drawing to the church in commemoration of the church's centennial anniversary. Holding the artwork is Christian Education advisor, Paula Seilor (L) and artist Deb Miller of Danielsville. The children are selling copies of the original artwork, which illustrates the church as it looked 100 years ago. |
Over the winter the plans took shape and by July a contractor from Allentown broke ground.
The plans included a stone church with a tower, a Sunday school and a parish room. It was patterned after a village in old England.
The creek running through the grounds provided a beautiful setting for the church.
A short time later the church was completed.
On October 11, 1906 the consecration of Saint John's Episcopal Church took place with the bishop of the Allentown diocese officiating at the consecration.
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MARY TOBIA/TIMES NEWS The Reverend Canon Doris Bray had the honors of cutting the cake during a catered luncheon that took place at Saint John's Episcopal Church in Palmerton in celebration of 100 years of worship and fellowship. The Reverend Bray shared over twenty-six years of ministry as she served as Saint John's Associate Rector Emeritus. |
The congregation was so large it filled the church and a large portion of the Sunday School room.
Intimate friends of Mr. S.S. Palmer came from New York and many people from the neighboring towns came to the consecration.
The local public schools were closed and both teachers and pupils were in attendance for this grand community event.
After the consecration a number of memorials were placed in the church such as a Westminster peal of bells, an Esty pipe organ, windows by Tiffany, a stone font and brass ewer, a lectern and Bible, a chalice with gold, sapphire and diamonds, silver offertory plates and receiving basin.
In 1934 a parish house was built in which Sunday School and social activities were held.
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PHOTO COURTESY/TIMES NEWS St. John's Episcopal Church as it appeared in 1907. |
The church, which has the seating capacity of 160, continued on to welcome the community with fellowship and prayer.
Throughout the years the church has been blessed with many fine and caring rectors.
The longest residing rector for St John's was Pastor George McKinley, which ranged from1925 to 1966. In 1978 the church was proud to announce one of the first women clergy to serve as an Associate Rector Emeritus, the Reverend Canon Doris Bray.
Today Father Charles Morris continues on as Pastor in charge.
Another major step for the church happened in 1975 when All Saints Episcopal Church in Lehighton and Saint Johns celebrated their decision to join together as one church and to share a Rector, an office and a part-time secretary. They preserved their individual identities and maintained a Sunday schedule in both places.
Thirty years later due to financial struggles, the bishop suggested the two churches once again separate.
Today the members of Saint John's continue to take an active roll in their church through worship and fellowship throughout the year. The Sunday school class studies parables and present them as a puppet show during the monthly children's masses.
Parish members have taken on a positive roll in the community by sponsoring clothing drives, ice cream socials for the public and will be participating in a Christmas open house along with other churches in the Palmerton area.
Saint John's recently started off their 100-year commemoration by a Centennial Holy Eucharist. Many events are planned throughout the year in which the church will continue to celebrate this special event.
Up coming events for November are: a special worship to honor Veterans; the continuation of the free Community Thanksgiving dinner; in December a special 100-year Advent season evening worship will take place where all Palmerton Clergy will be invited to attend.
A very special centennial Christmas worship service will also take place.
Many changes have come and gone and the "stone church by the creek" continues to stand tall as the parish gives thanks for the past 100 years and welcomes the next 100 years to come.