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Trinity Great Swamp UCC
Spinnerstown
PA
18968
- United Church of Christ churches in Spinnerstown, PA
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Who we are
A Historic Church Meeting the Needs of Christianity's Third Millennium
Founded in 1734, our church is among the oldest German Reformed congregations in America. We have evolved from strong rural roots to a Christian family of diverse backgrounds striving to be faithful to our Christian heritage in a complex, modern world.
We embrace openness and individuality, characteristics of the United Church of Christ's extravagant welcome and hospitality. That sense of our identity, rooted in history and in our commitment to Jesus Christ, stresses an attitude of respect and acceptance. It also calls us to take pride in our history and our ever-evolving call to serve each generation in new and relevant ways.
Our Vision
We, Trinity Great Swamp United Church of Christ, strive to be:
— a place of life-giving worship, which is participatory, creative, and representative of the various ways we encounter God.
— a people of unconditional love, which is seen in our welcoming and forgiving spirit.
— a community attentive to the needs of those around us in our congregation, neighborhoods, towns, nation and world.
We are driven by our understanding of God’s word in scripture and sustained by our faith and relationship with Jesus Christ. It is our joy to share that faith with anyone we meet.
Our Mission
Our mission is to:
— use the resources God has given us to worship, to teach and spread the Gospel in our local and world communities
— to cultivate the spiritual gifts of our members
— to be open to the direction of the Holy Spirit, and
— to be faithful in our stewardship of our time, talents, natural and financial resources.
Founded in 1734, our church is among the oldest German Reformed congregations in America. We have evolved from strong rural roots to a Christian family of diverse backgrounds striving to be faithful to our Christian heritage in a complex, modern world.
We embrace openness and individuality, characteristics of the United Church of Christ's extravagant welcome and hospitality. That sense of our identity, rooted in history and in our commitment to Jesus Christ, stresses an attitude of respect and acceptance. It also calls us to take pride in our history and our ever-evolving call to serve each generation in new and relevant ways.
Our Vision
We, Trinity Great Swamp United Church of Christ, strive to be:
— a place of life-giving worship, which is participatory, creative, and representative of the various ways we encounter God.
— a people of unconditional love, which is seen in our welcoming and forgiving spirit.
— a community attentive to the needs of those around us in our congregation, neighborhoods, towns, nation and world.
We are driven by our understanding of God’s word in scripture and sustained by our faith and relationship with Jesus Christ. It is our joy to share that faith with anyone we meet.
Our Mission
Our mission is to:
— use the resources God has given us to worship, to teach and spread the Gospel in our local and world communities
— to cultivate the spiritual gifts of our members
— to be open to the direction of the Holy Spirit, and
— to be faithful in our stewardship of our time, talents, natural and financial resources.
Location of worship / Church Address
9150 Spinnerstown Rd
Spinnerstown,
PA
18968
United States
Phone: 215-679-7710
Fax: 215-679-6227
Download Trinity Great Swamp UCC vCard with Service Times
Church Pastor
Rev. Dr. Becky J. Beckwith
Pastor
9150 Spinnerstown Rd
Spinnerstown,
PA
18968
United States
Phone: 215-679-7710
Fax: 215-679-6227
Download Pastor Rev. Dr. Becky J. Beckwith vCard
Quote of the Day
1 Corinthians 3:9
For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.
For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.
Denomination
United Church of Christ
United Church of Christ churches in Spinnerstown, Pennsylvania, United States
United Church of Christ churches in Pennsylvania, United States
United Church of Christ churches in United States
All churches in Spinnerstown, PA
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Leadership
Leader Name:
Rev. Dr. Becky J. Beckwith
Leader Position:
Pastor
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Leader Address:
Tel:
Fax:
215-679-6227
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Leader Bio:
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Rev. Dr. Becky J. Beckwith on Social Media:
Trinity Great Swamp UCC Leadership Photos
Administration
Admin Name:
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Mailing Address
PO Box 494
Spinnerstown, PA
18968
Spinnerstown, PA
18968
Driving Directions to Trinity Great Swamp UCC
Travel/Directions Tips
Our historic church buit in 1873 is located at the intersection of Spinnerstown Road and County Line Road in Spinnerstown, Pennsylvania.
Parking
There is ample parking available. One parking lot is situated directly behind the church and a second lot is across the street on County Line Road. Both lot entrances are accessible from County Line Road.
Trinity Great Swamp UCC Spinnerstown Service Times
Join us for Sunday Worship at 9:00 a.m. via in Person Worship & Facebook Live:
https://www.facebook.com/TGSUCC
Service Times last updated on the 17th of February, 2022
https://www.facebook.com/TGSUCC
Service Times last updated on the 17th of February, 2022
Worship Languages
Dress code:
Children and Youth Activities
Under 12s:
Under 18s:
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Other activities & ministries
Special Needs/Accessibility:
All our spaces are accessible by ramp or elevator. At the County Line Road entrance, there is a wheelchair-accessible and stroller-friendly ramp. As you enter through the glass door entrance, an elevator provides access to meeting rooms, Fellowship Hall, and the sanctuary. We have ADA-accessible and all-gender restrooms.
Prayers and hymns:
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Trinity Great Swamp UCC Photo Gallery
Trinity Great Swamp UCC History
Records indicate a small congregation was meeting for worship as early as 1725-1730. The first official recognition occurred on October 18, 1734 in a letter from Reverend John Philip Boehm, founder of the German Reformed Church in the United States to the Synods of North and South Holland.
Thomas and Richard Penn (sons of William Penn) were true and absolute proprietors and governors in chief of the province of Pennsylvania. All land purchases had to be obtained through their land office. In 1681 Penn got the land as a payment of debt because the king had borrowed a lot of money from Penn’s father to support a war. The survey and land grant was made in 1738 and quit rent paid by the congregation until 1762 when the deed was issued and a full title obtained.
The English never included “German” in the name of the church. Taxes paid each year were ½ penny in sterling for every acre. Until 1762 the congregation existed as a union of Reformed and Lutheran members. We were united with Old and New Goshenhopen as a charge and shared a pastor.
It is declared that the congregation had existed as a union of Reformed and Lutheran members, down to 1762. Some Lutheran names occur in the original enrollment. It is said that the two organizations appointed two men to patent the land in trust for both- elder Sheets of the Lutheran and elder Everhart of the Reformed. The former, instead of accompanying the latter, that both might transact their duty in common and to the mutual benefit of both congregations, hurried on ahead. Elder Everhart, hearing of this over-much haste, proceeded ‘by express’ to Philadelphia, and entered the Land Office, in advance of elder Sheets, and secured a title for the Reformed congregation exclusively, whilst Sheets, who reached the city first, had leisurely indulged in a glass of wine at the hotel. After they met on the steps of the Land Office, Sheets intending to transact the business, Everhart having already attended to it, both were surprised, the one sadly, the other gladly.
Also founded here was the 1st school in Lehigh County in 1736. They are not sure where the school or congregation met, but the 1st building was a log structure and tradition places it near the old cemetery. The church and school probably used the same structure. This log church was replaced by a stone church in 1772 at or near the first church. The 3rd structure could seat 600 and was erected in 1837 for $1800. The pastor was Reverend Dr. Daniel Weiser.
The structure contained the first organ purchased for $600 in June 1848. The 4th structure was erected in 1872-1873, which is our present building at a cost of $21,186.31. It was dedicated debt free November 19, 1873. The building contained the 2nd organ. Charles Hintzelman was the builder at a cost of $2025. The church building has undergone 8 or more renovations and redecorating projects. Included are the removal of upper side pews, a 3rd organ purchased in 1946, and the present organ purchased in 1980. The pulpit, lectern and baptismal font are made from the walnut wood from the old organ.
The present Christian education addition was built in 1963-1964 and cost $134,119.41. The present parsonage was built in 1977-1978.
Thomas and Richard Penn (sons of William Penn) were true and absolute proprietors and governors in chief of the province of Pennsylvania. All land purchases had to be obtained through their land office. In 1681 Penn got the land as a payment of debt because the king had borrowed a lot of money from Penn’s father to support a war. The survey and land grant was made in 1738 and quit rent paid by the congregation until 1762 when the deed was issued and a full title obtained.
The English never included “German” in the name of the church. Taxes paid each year were ½ penny in sterling for every acre. Until 1762 the congregation existed as a union of Reformed and Lutheran members. We were united with Old and New Goshenhopen as a charge and shared a pastor.
It is declared that the congregation had existed as a union of Reformed and Lutheran members, down to 1762. Some Lutheran names occur in the original enrollment. It is said that the two organizations appointed two men to patent the land in trust for both- elder Sheets of the Lutheran and elder Everhart of the Reformed. The former, instead of accompanying the latter, that both might transact their duty in common and to the mutual benefit of both congregations, hurried on ahead. Elder Everhart, hearing of this over-much haste, proceeded ‘by express’ to Philadelphia, and entered the Land Office, in advance of elder Sheets, and secured a title for the Reformed congregation exclusively, whilst Sheets, who reached the city first, had leisurely indulged in a glass of wine at the hotel. After they met on the steps of the Land Office, Sheets intending to transact the business, Everhart having already attended to it, both were surprised, the one sadly, the other gladly.
Also founded here was the 1st school in Lehigh County in 1736. They are not sure where the school or congregation met, but the 1st building was a log structure and tradition places it near the old cemetery. The church and school probably used the same structure. This log church was replaced by a stone church in 1772 at or near the first church. The 3rd structure could seat 600 and was erected in 1837 for $1800. The pastor was Reverend Dr. Daniel Weiser.
The structure contained the first organ purchased for $600 in June 1848. The 4th structure was erected in 1872-1873, which is our present building at a cost of $21,186.31. It was dedicated debt free November 19, 1873. The building contained the 2nd organ. Charles Hintzelman was the builder at a cost of $2025. The church building has undergone 8 or more renovations and redecorating projects. Included are the removal of upper side pews, a 3rd organ purchased in 1946, and the present organ purchased in 1980. The pulpit, lectern and baptismal font are made from the walnut wood from the old organ.
The present Christian education addition was built in 1963-1964 and cost $134,119.41. The present parsonage was built in 1977-1978.
Trinity Great Swamp UCC Historical Photos
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