232-236 E. MARKET STREET 
P.O. BOX 216 
ORWIGSBURG, PA 17961 
(570) 366-2255 

ABOUT ST. JOHN'S

St. John's Church was founded by members of Zion's Red Church of West Brunswick township who resided in Orwigsburg and wanted a more convenient place to worship. The town of Orwigsburg had grown after the Revolution and served as the legal center of the newly formed county.

The first location of the new church was on a corner lot at Tammany and Washington Streets. The cornerstone of the new church was laid on the on August 28, 1831. (This cornerstone is now imbedded in the front of the present church.) This church, called the "white church" was a two story stone construction. The first floor was known as the lecture room and was used for Sunday school and other church meetings. The second floor served as the sanctuary for Sunday worship services.

The church was charted on April 26, 1834 and incorporated on July 2, 1835 under the title of the German Reformed and Lutheran Congregations of St. John's of Orwigsburg. The charter called for two clergymen - one Lutheran and one Reformed - able to deliver sermons in the German language. The vestry included six men, two elders and one trustee from each denomination.

The Reformed and Lutheran congregations separated about 1843; the Reformed group remained in the original structure.

A lot of East Market was purchased for $450.00 and a congregational meeting on May 26, 1890, appropriated the sum of $1500.00 for the construction of a new parsonage.

On February 13, 1894 German singing was discontinued in the church, although preaching continued in German until 1911.

During the spring of 1903, a building fund was begun for the construction of a new church. The congregation was increasing and the old church needed many expensive repairs. The cornerstone for the new building (present church) was laid on September 22, 1907, with a dedication on June 7, 1908.

The total cost for the building and equipment as it stood on the day of dedication was $35,000. The stained glass windows were purchased in December of 1907 from Haskins and Colleger of Rochester at a cost of $1883.00. They were installed in 1908.

On Sunday evening June 22, 1911, lightening struck the old "white church" and it was completely destroyed by fire.

An Austin pipe organ was installed in January 23, 1916. Chimes installed in the church steeple were dedicated on December 24, 1934. In August of 1958 a renovation of the church building was undertaken at a cost of $114,303.50. The service of rededication was held on Whitsunday, May 17, 1959. A new Austin organ was presented as a gift to the church on May 10, 1959.

A new church office was built by the members of the congregation between 1997-1998. At that time the old church office was dismantled and a handicapped entrance was built.

Today at St. John’s we want our life together to demonstrate our care for one another in the Body of Christ. We want to be challenged and redirected by God’s truth so we can discern and respond to what God is doing in the world today. As a congregation, we strive to grow in program, mission, fellowship and number. Church Members have a wide variety of talents which they use in their service to God through the church. The many opportunities for service provide an outlet for every member to actively participate in the life of the church. We seek to participate in a comprehensive program of church education enabling persons of all ages to relate the biblical faith and reformed theology to everyday living.
Come, join us today.