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Home : About : History
History of Trinity UCC
Trinity’s history is closely tied to the history of the German Reformed Church in America, and with American history in Eastern Pennsylvania. Our first preacher was Rev. John Philip Boehm, the founder of the Reformed Church in America, who traveled to Pottstown to form a German Reformed Congregation. Our original church lot was a gift by Pottstown founder, John Potts in 1769.
Here are some highlights from history:
| 1748 |
First sermon preached, communion served, by Rev. John Philip Boehm |
| 1769 |
First log church built (Hanover and Walnut Streets) German Evangelical and German Reformed congregations shared this building |
| 1796 |
Old Red Brick Church built at Hanover and Chestnut. Both congregations continued to share the building. |
| 1848 |
The Reformed congregation began discussing the building of a separate church to house an increasing membership. |
| 1861 |
First Sunday School established. |
| 1868 |
Trinity Reformed Church dedicated, November 19-20 |
| 1926 |
Trinity struck by lightning. Church burned to the ground. |
| 1928 |
Dedication of reconstructed church. |
| 1934 |
Reformed and Evangelical denominations merge. |
| 1948 |
Merger of Evangelical and Reformed denomination with the Congregations Christian denomination begun |
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| 1957 |
Formation of the United Church of Christ. |
| 1968 |
Trinity joins the Pottstown Cluster of Churches |
| 1982 |
Trinity begins serving community meals to anyone hungry for food or fellowship. |
| 1989 |
Extensive renovation of the sanctuary |
| 1996 |
Extensive renovations of the main floor. |
| 2003 |
A new approach to Sunday School – Faith Odyssey – adopted based upon the workshop rotation model. |
Pastors serving Trinity Reformed UCC
| 1769-1784 |
Rev. John Philip Leydich |
| 1787-1788 |
Rev. Paul Peter Pernisus |
| 1791-1799 |
Rev. Frederick Daellicker |
| 1799-1838 |
Rev. Lebrecht Frederich Herman |
| 1838-1848 |
Rev. Lewis C. Herman |
| 1848-1863 |
Rev. Nero S. Strassburger |
| 1863-1871 |
Rev. Henry Dubbs |
| 1871-1912 |
Rev. L. Kryder Evans |
| 1912-1943 |
Rev. J. Hamilton Smith |
| 1943-1974 |
Dr. John B. Frantz |
| 1974-1989 |
Rev. G. Richard Ott |
| 1990-1998 |
Rev. Jon R. Coddington |
| 2000-present |
Rev. Lisa Martin and Rev. Jim Hilker, co-pastors |
Interested in doing historical research for family genealogies? Copies of all our records are now part of the Pottstown Historical Society. They can be reached at 568 High Street, Pottstown, PA 19464 (610) 970-7355.
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