Weisenberg Lutheran Church
7645 Weisenberg Church Road
New Tripoli, PA 18066
We invite you to become a part of our history and our story as we proclaim God’s victory in our setting and beyond!
1749 – Founded as a Union Church (Lutheran & Reformed congregations) with services in homes 1754 – First church building erected (logs and lumber) by oldest cemetery
1803 – Second church building erected (wood)
1830 – Third church building erected (stone) at present site
1864 – Fourth (present) church building erected (brick & white steeple);
main floor with balconies on three sides. Cornerstone laid in 1866.
1911 – Dedicated new C. F. Durner pipe organ
1924 – Worship begun in English (only German used prior to this time) on alternating Sundays 1928 – Dedication of remodeled interior; three-sided balcony removed, second floor added to
church, organ moved from balcony to present location, new altar, pulpit & pews added
1937 – Electricity installed in church and farm buildings; well dug on church property
1956 – Memorial stained glass windows installed in sanctuary
1969 – Excavation of full basement and renovation of Sunday School rooms.
Added rear stairway, organ rebuilt, entire building rewired
1978 – Installed kitchen in basement
1984 – (January 1) Formation of one Lutheran congregation, uniting the two congregations of
the former Union Church into one.
Pastor Raymond Hand installed as pastor.
1986 – School house renovated and rededicated.
1988 – Steeple lights installed
1991 – Renovations made to sanctuary and Sunday School auditorium
1995 – Barn and outbuildings removed from property
1996 – Building addition completed and dedicated, adding an elevator, four classrooms,
two offices, restrooms and a larger vestibule
1997 – Air conditioning installed in church
1999 – 250th anniversary of Weisenberg Lutheran Church
Stucco applied to church. Steeple was refurbished.
2005 – Fire Alarm System installed. School house floor and roof repaired.
2005 – Mission trip to Pass Christian, Mississippi (Hurricane Katrina)
2006 – Mission trip to Pass Christian, Mississippi (Hurricane Katrina)
Formation of Sons of a Carpenter
ELCA Youth Gathering in San Antonio, Texas
2007 – Began use of Evangelical Lutheran Worship Book
Mission trip to Pass Christian, Mississippi (Hurricane Katrina)
Fiberglass steeple replaced wooden steeple
2008 – Carillon bell system installed and dedicated
East parking lot completed with wall, fence and lighting.
Picnic pavilion destroyed by storm
Parsonage renovated and restored.
2009 – Celebrated 25 years as a new Lutheran congregation
25th Anniversary for Pastor Raymond Hand at Weisenberg Lutheran Church
ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans
Constructed new multi-purpose shed.
Area food pantry established at Christ’s Church at Lowhill
2010 – Softball Team: Lehigh Valley Church Softball League Champions
Leo Kressley becomes first known church member centenarian
2011 – C. F. Durner Pipe Organ is 100 years old
Softball Team repeats as League Champion
2012 – ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans
Softball Team won the Faith, Fellowship and Sportsmanship Award
2013 – Favorite Recipes Cookbook, CD and E-Reader download
Softball Team: Lehigh Valley Church Softball League Champions
2014 – 30th Anniversary of new congregation
Dedicated new Digital Protégé 227e Allen Organ, AV System (including 2 sanctuary TV’s
& 1 in social room) and sanctuary renovation (modified altar floor, new paint & carpet)
2015 – ELCA Youth Gathering in Detroit, Michigan
Softball Team won the Faith, Fellowship and Sportsmanship Award
Pastor Guy Grube celebrated his 40th anniversary of Ordination
2016 – Dedicated Flag Pole Monument – Eagle Scout Project by Derek Dengler
Renovated Tractor Shed with siding, overhead garage doors, soffit lighting & cupolas
2017 – Remodeled old foyer and bathrooms by old foyer
Installed new lighting in social room
500th Reformation Anniversary
Dedicated Military Recognition Monument – Eagle Scout Project by Darren Dengler
New church website www.weisenbergchurch.org and Facebook page
2018 – Pastor Raymond Hand celebrated his 40th anniversary of Ordination
ELCA Youth Gathering in Houston
Softball Team: Lehigh Valley Church Softball League Champions and
won the Faith, Fellowship and Sportsmanship Award
Held our first Wreaths Across America program
2019 – 35th Anniversary of new congregation
35th Anniversary for Pastor Raymond Hand at Weisenberg Lutheran Church
270th Anniversary since the founding of our church
Installed new lighting in basement
Softball Team: Lehigh Valley Church Softball League Champions
2020 – Pastor Raymond Hand retired February 29 serving our congregation faithfully for 36+ years
First Virtual Live Stream Service held March 22; building closed due to Covid-19 pandemic
Pastor Guy Grube serves as Virtual Pastor March 22 thru August 2
Pastor Jerel Gade begins as Interim Pastor on August 1
Reopen building for worship October 25-December 13 while offering Virtual Live Worship
Upgraded AV System (Video) to Digital
2021 – Held outdoor Easter Dawn Service
Reopen building for worship on April 11 while offering Virtual Live Worship
Back to a pre-covid service starting June 27.
Softball Team: Lehigh Valley Church Softball League Champions (making history as the
first team to win the league title 3 years in a row; 2020 had no season).
2022 – Renovated Wash House with siding, roofing, windows and door.
Pastors
coming soon
Organists
Bittner & Werley
*Chapter 3; page 32
More
coming soon