Susan Allen
(5/17) “We have come this far by faith”
sang the choir as the congregation of Elias Evangelical Lutheran Church
observed its 250th anniversary with a special Holy Communion service on Sunday
afternoon, April 22, 2007. Rev. H. Gerard Knoche, Bishop of the Delaware
Maryland Synod, pastor emeritus Rev. W. Ronald Fearer, former pastors Rev.
Susan Yatta and Rev. David Knodel joined 130 church members in the day’s
celebration.
In celebration of Elias Lutheran Church’s 250th anniversary, the congregation
planted a commemorative tree to the west of the church. Pictured in the
foreground above are (l to r) Jessica Potts, Pastor Jon Greenstone, Harry Hahn,
Roland Frock and Elias Council Vice President Roger Adams. |
The worship service was one of many
anniversary year events. On April 29, the congregation dedicated a tree planted
on the west side of the 210-year-old stone church building. A brass plaque
bearing a quotation from Martin Luther will accompany the tree: “Even if I knew
most certainly that the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple
tree” (paraphrasing by Elias’ pastor, Rev. Jon Greenstone). It reflects, says
Greenstone, “our hope for generations to come.”
The Lutherans in Emmitsburg began with a
small group of German settlers living in Toms Creek Hundred about 2 ˝ miles
east of the present town.
In 1757 the Rev. John George Bager began periodic
visits to the settlement, and they erected a log chapel to accommodate
services. This June, 21st-Century members will meet at the original site to
re-enact those early rites.
The congregation grew, joining with a
group of German Reformed residents to build a larger union church (1782). In
1797 the two congregations purchased land in Emmitsburg and built a stone
church. They started the Union Sabbath School (1827) to provide religious
education for their children. Two years later the Union Academy was founded,
teaching the “three R’s” and religion. Worship services were conducted in
German until 1828. The building’s sanctuary was enlarged to its current size in
1835.
In 1867 the congregations separated. The
building became Elias Lutheran Church, named for the prophet Elijah. The
Reformed group built its own church nearby, now Incarnation United Church of
Christ. Though the congregations remain separate, they are good neighbors, and
since the 1960’s have worked closely on ecumenical issues. Their pastors at
that time, Rev. Fearer and the late Rev. John Chatlos of Incarnation, led the
formation of the Emmitsburg Council of Churches. Through the Council, a summer
Vacation Bible School, open to children throughout the community, began. The
two churches will join again for Sunday worship on May 20.
Today Elias’ ministry includes sponsorship
of the after-school Creative Kids’ Academy and The Basement coffeehouse. Two of
Elias’ members, Rev. Ronald Reaves and Rev, Jill Valentine Seagle, have been
ordained into the Lutheran ministry. Its active membership is more than 300
strong, and in Greenstone’s words, they “look for God to continue to use Elias
to build the kingdom.”
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