| Notes |
Old Trappe Church - The First Century
A small backwoods settlement developed near a tavern on the trail of the Perkiomen Creek to the frontier in 1717. As more and more families settled in the clearings in the forest, the community adopted the name Providence. A religious service was few and far between especially for Lutherans since the nearest congregation (Falkner Swamp) was twelve miles away.
Old Trappe Church, 1743
The Providence Lutherans were left to the doubtful spiritual care of whatever self-styled pastor ventured onto the frontier. The deacons decided to join local Lutherans (Falkner Swamp) and the Philadephia Lutherans in a call to Europe for a regularly ordained pastor. Henry Melchior Muhlenberg answered the call.
Before the first church was built, Pastor Muhlenberg preached in a barn to the Providence congregation. The congregation was anxious to build a church building and began hauling stones to the site in January 1743. The structure was erected through the spring and summer months and the first service was held in the unfurnished interior on September 12, 1743. The building was completed and dedicated on October 6, 1745, at which time the dedication stone was placed over the west portico.
National Historic Landmark, 1968
Early Ministerial gathering
The first church building of Augustus Lutheran Church is still standing and is the oldest unchanged Lutheran Church building in continuous use in the United States. The church building predates the Declaration of Independence by one generation, and through its simple and sturdy construction speaks to us in the language of another age. It expresses the resourcefulness of the pioneers in building homes, and schools, and churches, and in training men and women who later helped to carve Liberty out of hard conditions and desperate circumstances.
Interior of Old Trappe Church
Click here for more photos of the interior of Old Trappe Church
1852-2002, Celebrating 150 years
By 1851 the Old Church was inadequate for the growing congregation and it was resolved to build a new church. The cornerstone was laid on May 18, 1852. The Sanctuary has ten stained-glass windows in the nave of the church depicting 28 scenes from our Lord's life and ministry. Two other windows depict Martin Luther and Henry Melchior Muhlenberg. These windows were dedicated in June, 1987. The Schulmerich electronic carillon plays hymns and strikes the hour for the Trappe community.
Brick Church, 1852
Brick Church Interior
Celebrating 150th Anniversary
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Shrine of American Lutheranism
The Reverend Herbert H. Michel, D.D., Pastor
717 West Main Street, Trappe, Pennsylvania 19426
Church Phone (610) 489-9625, Fax: (610) 489-2686, Church Office Open 9:00am to 3:00pm
Web site in memory of Elvira C. Christner, Martin V. MacPhee
|
1718 - 1794 (76 years)
, d. 20 Jan 1737, Pequea, Conestoga Township, Lancaste County, Pennsylvania 