*please note this part of the page is being edited little by little and being brought up to date.*
Our church had its beginnings, as in many localities where early settlers were German, with the union of the Lutheran and Reformed churches. We began according to the oldest church record book, "in the year of our Redeemer Jesus Christ 1777."
Together we built a union school house near the site of the old Reformed Cemetery. The following account was written in our record: "Both the above named congregations have in the above named year united together to build a good schoolhouse to have their children instructed in the word and grace of God! Also, on certain days, to hold public worship in it, as well as reading of sermons on Sunday by the school teacher, or other religious books by a person who is a member of one of the congregations; also at certain times to preach in it by certain ministers of the honorable Reform Classes and Ministerium who pay a visit and also attend to the sacrament until either congregation is in good condition to build a comfortable church."
The following is a time line of historical events in our church:
· April 4, 1786, The Supreme Executive Council grants Jacob Keefer a tract of land in trust for Calvinistic and Lutheran Churches.
· In 1800 the first Lutheran church is built. It was a two-story log building with a balcony on three sides.
· In 1808 Jacob Fisher, Jacob Keffer and others emigrate to Sherwood, Canada, and establish a Lutheran church, a child of our church. However, not the last, for a number of the Lutheran churches in this area are offspring of our congregation.
· Janaury 1, 1825, the Rev. Mr. Criegler and John Fletcher, with a few other persons, organized a Sunday School in our church. It was the first Sunday School of any denomination in Somerset County. Mr. Peter Lane was the first superintendent.
· Mr. Fletcher also bequeathed the sum of $2,140 to the Sunday School, the interest of which is to purchase Bibles, New Testaments and sacred literature for the Sunday School. To this date we continue to provide Bibles for our youth attending Sunday School through this fund.
· From 1844-1846 and 1864-1872: Berlin was pastored by a Rev. Jess Wincoff, "a man of scholarly attainments, deep piety, and fervent zeal for the cause of Christ." Through his influence a number of young men prepared for gospel ministry: the Revs. B.B. Collins, W.E. Fisher, D.D., and John Brubaker, D.D.
· In 1853 a second church building was erected where the Cedar Heights Apartments are today. The total cost of this was $2,145.
· During the pastorate of Rev. A.M. Strauss [1872-1875] the north wing of the Sunday School was erected.
· In 1876 the Somerset County Lutheran Sunday School Association was founded in the Berlin Church. Rev. Mr. Poffenberger was involved in developing that association.
· In 1880 the Synodical Women's Home and Foreign Mission Society was organized. That synodical meeting was hosted by our church in Berlin.
· On June 8, 1889, the cornerstone of our present church building was laid, and the church was dedicated on June 29, 1890. The church was dedicated free of debt, although the cost was $13,630.61.
· On June 22, 1893, through the resolution adopted at a congregational meeting, the congregation decided to become a separate pastorate.
· From 1904-1905 the "old" parsonage opposite the former high school was sold and a "new" parsonage was built on Main Street at a cost of $3,000.
· During the pastorate of Rev. Mr. Patterson [1899-1906], the first pipe organ was installed in the church.
· In the summer of 1907, an addition of twenty-five feet was built to the Sunday School room, at a cost of $2,000.
· In the summer of 1916, another addition to the Sunday School room was built as the enrollment of Sunday School was 425 and growing.
· In 1919 the Rev. Mr. C.P. Bastian became pastor and served for 23 years until 1942. He was a well loved and well respected pastor.
· In 1933 the Altar was dedicated in memory of Ellen Coleman Hauger by her husband, Wes Hauger.
· A youth choir was organized and the first Christmas Eve candlelight service was held in 1942.
· During World War II, 93 men and women from the congregation served our country in various branches of the armed services. Two young men were killed in World War II: Eugene G. Coleman died in action on Luzon on March 2, 1945, and J. Robert Walker lost his life over Paris, France, on July 14, 1943.
· Another of our members was also killed during the Korean Conflict: Cecil C. Norris was killed in action in Korea on January 4, 1951.
· In the fall of 1951, a young married couples class was formed and became known as the Fidelis Class.
· In 1952 the youth began acolyting.
· During the pastorate of Rev. Walter Brandau [1959-1967], the scout troops were begun, a community kindergarten was started, and many other modifications were done to the building as well.
· In 1967, at the beginning of Rev. Robert A. Miller's pastorate [1967-1973], the coal furnace was replaced with a gas furnace.
· In 1968, 42 members from St. Matthew's in Roxbury were welcomed into our congregation.
· In the spring of 1969, under the leadership of Mr. Ernest Landis, Chairman of the Property Committee, work began on excavating beneath the main auditorium of the Church. Mr. Landis personally drew up the plans and supervised the work for five classrooms as well as a secretary and pastor's office. This was a very welcomed addition to our church.
· During the pastorate of Rev. George Buechner [1973-1976], from May 4-8, 1975, the 150th anniversary of the Sunday School was celebrated with three elaborate programs.
· Our church's 200th anniversary was celebrated during the pastorate of Rev. Kenneth Swanson [1976-1986] with special events throughout the year.
· Rev. Melvin Kirk Jr. began his pastorate in 1987. A year later we purchased the Western Auto Store and transformed it into offices, Sunday School rooms and a youth room. We renamed it Luther Haus.
· In 1989 a set of needlepoint paraments were started under the supervision of Mr. John O. Ream Jr. and our needlepoint group, and were dedicated in 1992 to enrich our worship life.
· On October 15, 1989, the 100th anniversary of the laying of the cornerstone was commemorated.
· In 1990 on the Fourth Sunday of Advent a tradition was started to have an evening communion service at Wayne and Nancy Schrock's barn. The "Barn Service" has grown in popularity over the years.
· In 1991 we began a lay Homebound Communion program. In this program lay members were trained by the pastor to take communion to our homebound members. This has allowed us to bring communion to each of our homebound members on a monthly basis.
· In 1993, through the generous bequest of Harold Croner, several octaves of hand bells were purchased and three bell choirs have since been developed.
· In 1994 we began organizing a Colonial Liturgy, which we hold in conjunction with the Berlin Whiskey Rebellion Celebration.
· In 1998 Rev. Glen Foster was called to be our Associate Pastor, along with his duties as pastor of the White Oak and Garrett charges.
· In 2002 the 225th anniversary of the church was celebrated with a special church service with Bishop Gregory Pile as celebrant, a combined picnic with Trinity United Church of Christ (the former Reformed church), a "homecoming" service, a wooden Cat's Meow replica of the church, and a congregational picture.
· In September 2004 Rev. Dr. John W. Harmon was called to pastor the congregation. In January 2005 he instituted the Alpha program. During 2005 the church sanctuary also underwent an extensive refurbishing.
· In 2006 the church will celebrate the 182nd anniversary of its Sunday School.
· On October 15, 2006, the congregation celebrated Pastor Harmon's 30th anniversary of his ordination with a special Pastor Appreciation Sunday.
Following Pastor Harmon we have had Pastor Holst, Pastor Baker, Pastor Gary Jensen, and currently have our full time interim Pastor Robert Keplinger.
In our history, four men have entered the Gospel Ministry. The are: Rev. B.B. Collins, Rev. John Brubaker, Rev. W.E. Fisher, and Rev. Robert Suder. It is of interest to note that the tune of two hymns in the Common Service Book were composed by Rev. Fisher.
Our church had its beginnings, as in many localities where early settlers were German, with the union of the Lutheran and Reformed churches. We began according to the oldest church record book, "in the year of our Redeemer Jesus Christ 1777."
Together we built a union school house near the site of the old Reformed Cemetery. The following account was written in our record: "Both the above named congregations have in the above named year united together to build a good schoolhouse to have their children instructed in the word and grace of God! Also, on certain days, to hold public worship in it, as well as reading of sermons on Sunday by the school teacher, or other religious books by a person who is a member of one of the congregations; also at certain times to preach in it by certain ministers of the honorable Reform Classes and Ministerium who pay a visit and also attend to the sacrament until either congregation is in good condition to build a comfortable church."
The following is a time line of historical events in our church:
· April 4, 1786, The Supreme Executive Council grants Jacob Keefer a tract of land in trust for Calvinistic and Lutheran Churches.
· In 1800 the first Lutheran church is built. It was a two-story log building with a balcony on three sides.
· In 1808 Jacob Fisher, Jacob Keffer and others emigrate to Sherwood, Canada, and establish a Lutheran church, a child of our church. However, not the last, for a number of the Lutheran churches in this area are offspring of our congregation.
· Janaury 1, 1825, the Rev. Mr. Criegler and John Fletcher, with a few other persons, organized a Sunday School in our church. It was the first Sunday School of any denomination in Somerset County. Mr. Peter Lane was the first superintendent.
· Mr. Fletcher also bequeathed the sum of $2,140 to the Sunday School, the interest of which is to purchase Bibles, New Testaments and sacred literature for the Sunday School. To this date we continue to provide Bibles for our youth attending Sunday School through this fund.
· From 1844-1846 and 1864-1872: Berlin was pastored by a Rev. Jess Wincoff, "a man of scholarly attainments, deep piety, and fervent zeal for the cause of Christ." Through his influence a number of young men prepared for gospel ministry: the Revs. B.B. Collins, W.E. Fisher, D.D., and John Brubaker, D.D.
· In 1853 a second church building was erected where the Cedar Heights Apartments are today. The total cost of this was $2,145.
· During the pastorate of Rev. A.M. Strauss [1872-1875] the north wing of the Sunday School was erected.
· In 1876 the Somerset County Lutheran Sunday School Association was founded in the Berlin Church. Rev. Mr. Poffenberger was involved in developing that association.
· In 1880 the Synodical Women's Home and Foreign Mission Society was organized. That synodical meeting was hosted by our church in Berlin.
· On June 8, 1889, the cornerstone of our present church building was laid, and the church was dedicated on June 29, 1890. The church was dedicated free of debt, although the cost was $13,630.61.
· On June 22, 1893, through the resolution adopted at a congregational meeting, the congregation decided to become a separate pastorate.
· From 1904-1905 the "old" parsonage opposite the former high school was sold and a "new" parsonage was built on Main Street at a cost of $3,000.
· During the pastorate of Rev. Mr. Patterson [1899-1906], the first pipe organ was installed in the church.
· In the summer of 1907, an addition of twenty-five feet was built to the Sunday School room, at a cost of $2,000.
· In the summer of 1916, another addition to the Sunday School room was built as the enrollment of Sunday School was 425 and growing.
· In 1919 the Rev. Mr. C.P. Bastian became pastor and served for 23 years until 1942. He was a well loved and well respected pastor.
· In 1933 the Altar was dedicated in memory of Ellen Coleman Hauger by her husband, Wes Hauger.
· A youth choir was organized and the first Christmas Eve candlelight service was held in 1942.
· During World War II, 93 men and women from the congregation served our country in various branches of the armed services. Two young men were killed in World War II: Eugene G. Coleman died in action on Luzon on March 2, 1945, and J. Robert Walker lost his life over Paris, France, on July 14, 1943.
· Another of our members was also killed during the Korean Conflict: Cecil C. Norris was killed in action in Korea on January 4, 1951.
· In the fall of 1951, a young married couples class was formed and became known as the Fidelis Class.
· In 1952 the youth began acolyting.
· During the pastorate of Rev. Walter Brandau [1959-1967], the scout troops were begun, a community kindergarten was started, and many other modifications were done to the building as well.
· In 1967, at the beginning of Rev. Robert A. Miller's pastorate [1967-1973], the coal furnace was replaced with a gas furnace.
· In 1968, 42 members from St. Matthew's in Roxbury were welcomed into our congregation.
· In the spring of 1969, under the leadership of Mr. Ernest Landis, Chairman of the Property Committee, work began on excavating beneath the main auditorium of the Church. Mr. Landis personally drew up the plans and supervised the work for five classrooms as well as a secretary and pastor's office. This was a very welcomed addition to our church.
· During the pastorate of Rev. George Buechner [1973-1976], from May 4-8, 1975, the 150th anniversary of the Sunday School was celebrated with three elaborate programs.
· Our church's 200th anniversary was celebrated during the pastorate of Rev. Kenneth Swanson [1976-1986] with special events throughout the year.
· Rev. Melvin Kirk Jr. began his pastorate in 1987. A year later we purchased the Western Auto Store and transformed it into offices, Sunday School rooms and a youth room. We renamed it Luther Haus.
· In 1989 a set of needlepoint paraments were started under the supervision of Mr. John O. Ream Jr. and our needlepoint group, and were dedicated in 1992 to enrich our worship life.
· On October 15, 1989, the 100th anniversary of the laying of the cornerstone was commemorated.
· In 1990 on the Fourth Sunday of Advent a tradition was started to have an evening communion service at Wayne and Nancy Schrock's barn. The "Barn Service" has grown in popularity over the years.
· In 1991 we began a lay Homebound Communion program. In this program lay members were trained by the pastor to take communion to our homebound members. This has allowed us to bring communion to each of our homebound members on a monthly basis.
· In 1993, through the generous bequest of Harold Croner, several octaves of hand bells were purchased and three bell choirs have since been developed.
· In 1994 we began organizing a Colonial Liturgy, which we hold in conjunction with the Berlin Whiskey Rebellion Celebration.
· In 1998 Rev. Glen Foster was called to be our Associate Pastor, along with his duties as pastor of the White Oak and Garrett charges.
· In 2002 the 225th anniversary of the church was celebrated with a special church service with Bishop Gregory Pile as celebrant, a combined picnic with Trinity United Church of Christ (the former Reformed church), a "homecoming" service, a wooden Cat's Meow replica of the church, and a congregational picture.
· In September 2004 Rev. Dr. John W. Harmon was called to pastor the congregation. In January 2005 he instituted the Alpha program. During 2005 the church sanctuary also underwent an extensive refurbishing.
· In 2006 the church will celebrate the 182nd anniversary of its Sunday School.
· On October 15, 2006, the congregation celebrated Pastor Harmon's 30th anniversary of his ordination with a special Pastor Appreciation Sunday.
Following Pastor Harmon we have had Pastor Holst, Pastor Baker, Pastor Gary Jensen, and currently have our full time interim Pastor Robert Keplinger.
In our history, four men have entered the Gospel Ministry. The are: Rev. B.B. Collins, Rev. John Brubaker, Rev. W.E. Fisher, and Rev. Robert Suder. It is of interest to note that the tune of two hymns in the Common Service Book were composed by Rev. Fisher.
