top of page

ABOUT US

Our History

Steeped in history, Heidelberg Union Church has the unique distinction of having been the only church In the area for more than 100 years. Heidelberg Township (which at first included Washington and Slatington Townships) opened for settlement in 1736 with an influx of immigrants from Germany and Switzerland. By around 1740, these settlers had begun to organize into Evangelical Lutheran and Evangelical Reformed Congregations. These meetings formed the foundations for our current congregation, Heidelberg Union Church a Federated Congregation with equal affiliation in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America and the United Church of Christ.   

In 1744, the original two congregations "erected a church in which to hold divine services as long as we live... in order that we may serve God in our neighborhood in peace and harmony...for ourselves, our heirs and descendants". For over two and a half centuries, Heidelberg Union Church has fulfilled that promise, serving God in our community. The heirs and descendants of those original founders remain among today's congregants--Rex, Newhart, Oswald, Hoffman, Peter, Hunsicker, Blose, Lauchnor, Rehrig, Geiger, German, and Handwerk.

In 1757, the second church structure was built. The agreement between the two congregations discusses how the costs would be shared between the congregations, even down to how many acres of farmland and how much timber the schoolmasters were allowed to clear.

    By 1772, all of the land in Heidelberg Township was occupied by 117 families, almost of all of whom were church members. As the population in the township continued to grow, the church outgrew the 1757 structure. In 1787, the third church structure was built. It was made of wood--most likely logs--and measured 42 feet long by 34 feet wide.

     Early in 2021 the congregations combined to form Heidelberg Union Church, unifying the congregations together as one federated church. Our congregation voted on our mission & vision statement in 2022.  Trusting our Governing Board to make decisions to help us fully live into those statements. In March 2023 our Governing Board voted to be declared an Open & Affirming and Reconciling in Christ Congregation. Our Welcome Statement was adopted in July 2023.  When we say ALL are welcome, embraced and celebrated through God's love, we really mean ALL!

Our Vision & Mission

Vision Statement

Welcoming. Embracing. Giving. Celebrating.

 

Mission Statement

No matter who you are, we welcome everyone into our Heidelberg family, embrace the diversity of all people and their ideas, share our time, talents, and treasures with our community, and celebrate each other… all through God’s love.

We are an Open & Affirming and Reconciling in Christ Congregation!

YOU Belong here!

Harvest HOme.jpg

Community Outreach

Here at Heidelberg we strive to make our local community a better place. Food drives and joyful noise (a special donation box we have on communion Sundays during service) help us to achieve this. Our members also serve at the Allentown Soup Kitchen and in UCC & ELCA wider church efforts including disaster relief.

Our Governing Board 
GBG.jpg

Governing Board President

Sonia Fink

egglady@ptd.net

Governing Board

Vice President

Karen Romig

kromig68@yahoo.com

Governing Board

Secretary

Governing Board 

Treasurer

Governing Board Member

Kyle Packard

packardk@gmail.com

Governing Board

Member

Governing Board

Member

Denise Snyder

dsnyds67@gmail.com

Governing Board

Member

Governing Board

Member

Steve Geiger

cyngeiger@gmail.com

Governing Board 

Member

Eugene Handwerk

eugenehandwerk@gmail.com

Governing Board 

Member

MaryJane Dise

Our Location is in Heidelberg Township

We are located at
5187 Irvin Rd, Slatington, PA 18080

 

bottom of page