Significant Dates/Transitions
Congregation organized on Christmas Day with baptisms of 6 new members, followed by a Love Feast in the home of John Gumre
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
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.
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
The congregation built the meetinghouse located on Germantown Avenue. Prior to that time, they met in homes of members.
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.
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.
Peter Keyser called to ministry at Germantown. He became the elder in 1802, succeeding Alexander Mack, Jr.
Under Peter Keyser’s leadership a separate Brethren congregation formed in the city of Philadelphia. The Philadelphia congregation built a church building in 1817.
A period of decline set in at Germantown as the Philadelphia congregation grew in size and influence.
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.
The congregation added a larger sanctuary to the church building.
Under the pastorate of M.C. Swigart, membership grew from 60 to 463.
Another addition was built onto the church building to provide Sunday School rooms.
A new period of decline set in as members moved away to surrounding areas joining other Brethren congregations and other denominations.
The congregation officially closed down in 1964.
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.
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.
New efforts to revitalize and restart the Germantown congregation by the Atlantic Northeast District.
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.
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.
The Church of the Brethren and other Brethren bodies celebrated the 300th anniversary of the Brethren Movement in Schwarzenau, Germany.
The congregation celebrates its 300th Anniversary.