Significant Dates/Transitions

1723

Congregation organized on Christmas Day with baptisms of 6 new members, followed by a Love Feast in the home of John Gumre

1729

Alexander Mack, Sr., his three sons and a large group of members arrived from the Netherlands, increasing the size of the Germantown congregation and adding Mack’s leadership

1735

Alexander Mack, Sr. died. During the next three years about one-third of the members at Germantown left to join the Ephrata Community. Among those who departed were Mack’s oldest (Valentine) and youngest (Alexander, Jr.) sons.

1748

Alexander Mack, Jr. returned to Germantown. He and his good friend, Christopher Sauer II, were put into ministry at Germantown. A period of growth and strength followed. Christopher Sauer II continued the printing business that his father started. (The 1st German Bible in the America’s printed in…?34

1770

The congregation built the meetinghouse located on Germantown Avenue. Prior to that time, they met in homes of members.

1778

Christopher Sauer II was arrested under suspicion of being a British loyalist because he advocated peace instead of the supporting the Revolutionary War. Sauer’s printing business and property were confiscated. Sauer died in 1784.

1784

Peter Leibert, a member and minister at Germantown, started a printing business to continue in the footsteps of the Sauer press. Leibert printed the first English language Brethren hymnal, The Christian’s Duty. He died in 1812.

1788

Peter Keyser called to ministry at Germantown. He became the elder in 1802, succeeding Alexander Mack, Jr.

1813

Under Peter Keyser’s leadership a separate Brethren congregation formed in the city of Philadelphia. The Philadelphia congregation built a church building in 1817.

1892

A period of decline set in at Germantown as the Philadelphia congregation grew in size and influence.

1894

Wilbur Stover and wife, Mary, set sail in October for India to commence missionary work after almost two years pleading with the denomination’s Missionary Committee to embrace global missions’ opportunities.

1896

The congregation added a larger sanctuary to the church building.

1906-1934

Under the pastorate of M.C. Swigart, membership grew from 60 to 463.

1915

Another addition was built onto the church building to provide Sunday School rooms.

1935

A new period of decline set in as members moved away to surrounding areas joining other Brethren congregations and other denominations.

1964

The congregation officially closed down in 1964.

19??

The Germantown Trust established with a charter to preserve the buildings and the cemetery especially during the street gangs’ riots of “DOGTOWN” lasting through the mid-70’s.

Early 1970’s

The “Brotherhood” (Church of the Brethren) and Atlantic Northeast District explored a new concept of ministry at Germantown establishing a community center under the supervision of Rev. Ron Lutz, a young graduate of Bethany Seminary.

1980

New efforts to revitalize and restart the Germantown congregation by the Atlantic Northeast District.

1989

Richard Kyerematen from Ghana, West Africa – a graduate of Lancaster Theological Seminary – called to pastor the congregation. The congregation has consolidated its ministry and outreach in the neighborhood.

2007

In September, the Church of the Brethren launched a year of celebrating its 300th anniversary with a day of worship, music, and learning at Germantown.

2008

The Church of the Brethren and other Brethren bodies celebrated the 300th anniversary of the Brethren Movement in Schwarzenau, Germany.

2023

The congregation celebrates its 300th Anniversary.