As we continue to peer forward into the new year with anticipation, let’s look back at some of the churches that celebrated anniversaries in 2024.
Zoar’s 230th anniversary highlights past, present, future in ministry
By John W. Coleman*
“Emboldened by our past and striving to fulfill God’s purpose for our future” was Mother African Zoar United Methodist Church’s theme for its luncheon gala to celebrate its 230th anniversary Nov. 16. And indeed, its past, present and future were on the minds of many, including its keynote speaker, Bishop Gregory V. Palmer.
The oldest continuous African American congregation in United Methodism, whose biblical name means “a place of refuge,” has been just that in its Philadelphia, Pa., community and among Black Methodists everywhere for over two centuries. Originally named African Zoar in 1794, it earned its maternal monicker by giving birth to seven other congregations. But like many historic, mainline urban churches, it is striving to discern and fulfill its identity and purpose for the future.
Identity was the focus of Palmer’s address, as he recalled Jesus’s two probing questions to his disciples, found in Matthew, Mark and Luke’s Gospels: “Who do people say that I am?” and “Who do you say that I am?” The newly retired episcopal leader, who attended Zoar as a child, now lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, and serves as executive secretary of the Council of Bishops. He challenged United Methodists to ensure that the church knows itself, and is known by others, as a place that “consistently reinforces the identity of every person as a beloved, accepted child of God.”
“We must strive to make the church a place where all people feel more loved,” he said, speaking to over 180 Eastern PA Conference laity, clergy and guests. He briefly shared his personal memories of “Mother” Zoar—including encouraging mentors and role models like longtime, beloved pastor the Rev. Joshua Licorish.
Three young people played key roles in the banquet celebration, offering the welcome and opening prayer and emceeing the program. And Zoar’s young pastor, the Rev. William Brawner, dramatically recalled the church’s founding when Black members of nearby St. George’s Methodist Episcopal Church left there to escape racist mistreatment and start their own church. He then offered a short, impassioned litany of some of the pioneering congregation’s ministry milestones, both past and present.
Its past ministries include creation of a community school, a well-baby clinic, a home loan credit agency and affordable housing opportunities.
Its recent ministries include: voter registration efforts in November 2024; distributing free food on Saturdays on its North Philadelphia street corner; and a mobile ministry that uses a recreational vehicle to offer prayer, communion, food, clothing, health information, referrals for assistance and other needs to hundreds of neighbors. The growing congregation received a 2024 Herbert E. Palmer Award for Urban Ministry in April 2024.
“Their legacy continues because they know who they are and whom they serve,” said the Rev. Andrew Foster III, East District Superintendent. “Their relevance is evident in the ways they have managed to be in ministry through both word and deed throughout the ages.”
Foster and the Rev. Evelyn Kent Clark, Dean of the EPA Cabinet, offered remarks. And Clark shared greetings from Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi.
*The Rev. John W. Coleman is a freelance journalist and part-time, licensed local pastor in GNJ (on loan from EPA).
Historic St. Georges celebrates God’s providence and provision as it honors it’s 255th anniversary
On Sunday, November 24th, Historic St. George’s celebrated its 255th anniversary as the oldest, continuously worshipping United Methodist Church in the country. Dignitaries including Councilman Mark Squilla, D.S. Rev. Dr. Andrew Foster III, former pastors of Historic St. George’s, including Rev. Mark Salvacion, Rev. Bob and Renee Williams, Rev. Fred Day and his wife Linda, Richard and Nancy Hunter from Hunter Research, Samantha Ocean of AOL Associates, Frank Grenshaw, and Ken Price, were in attendance to celebrate the occasion.
The Rev. Fred Day read an account from Joseph Pilmore’s journal from Thursday, November 24th, 1767, that told the story of the purchase of the church. The Methodists were outgrowing their current worship space, a private home located just two blocks over. They needed a larger gathering space as soon as possible, as winter was coming and they could no longer worship outside.
Pilmore wrote that there was “a large shell of a church nearby” that had been built by the Dutch Presbyterians and was then put up for auction because their members were unable to foot the bill. The Methodists purchased it for 650 pounds, although it had cost 2,000 pounds to build. Joseph Pilmore reflected on these fortuitous events: “How wonderful are the dispositions of providence.”
In addition to the wonderful reading of the journal entry from the date the building was purchased, other notable moments included when Rev. Mark Salvacion read the passage that Rev. Pilmore preached on during the occasion of the church’s dedication, and Rev. Bill Wilson preached on that text.
Rev. Bill Wilson admonished those gathered, saying, “Beware of despising small beginnings. Zechariah, in his vision, despises the despisers but anticipates nevertheless the time when despisers would be transformed into rejoicers. From small beginnings can come really great things. From small beginnings, Methodism formed a great movement across this nation, across the city, and beyond. What a wonderful movement of God’s grace, God’s power, and God’s peace.”
The church also lifted its voices in praise as they sang a hymn written by the notable songwriter Fanny Crosby for the 100th anniversary of the church.
As the church remembered its past, it also celebrated its present. Historic St. George’s recently received a matching grant from the National Fund for Sacred Places for $97,000 to help the congregation address urgent repairs to the building. Rev. Bill Wilson invited those who were celebrating to consider giving generously to the matching fund. From the beginning, the church’s history has been marked by God’s providence. May God continue to bless and sustain the ministry of Historic St. George’s.
Salem UMC (Orwigsburg) Celebrates its 200th Anniversary
Salem United Methodist Church in Orwigsburg celebrated its 200th anniversary on Saturday, November 2, 2024. The church hosted the celebration at the Veterans Community Memorial Hall. It began on a high note, with the church’s bicentennial celebration opening with Kool & the Gang’s “Celebration.” Spirits remained high through the opening remarks by Carol Ascione and the opening prayer led by Bruce Foster, who noted that the church has been “blessed beyond measure” by the leadership of its 100 pastors in its 200-year ministry.
Rev. Timothy Patterson traced the history of the church, which was the first Evangelical Association Church in Pennsylvania. He credited Salem UMC’s resilience to their dedication to being in partnership with the community, saying, “Salem is about the ‘we,’ as a congregation and a community. We exist for one another.”
Brenda Binns, lay minister and dean of EPA’s Laity Academy, praised Salem as “a fountain of faith,” as she named the clergy and lay ministers who were formed and nurtured at Salem UMC.
After 200 years of faithful service, the congregation is as passionate about serving Jesus as they were at its founding. “Once you see what it’s like to serve in the name of Jesus,” said Binns, who ministers at churches in Landingville, Drehersville, and New Ringgold, “you gotta follow it.”
Salem UMC in Shoemakersville celebrates 150 years of ministry in the community
The ministry of Salen UMC began with a prayer meeting. In 1871, a group of 15 people met in the home of Peter D. Heckman Bible study. The group grew steadily and by 1873 they they moved to the home of Samuel Lesher at 714 Main St, just a block north of the existing building. They invited Rev. Mohn to preach to the group. In 1874 he organized those faithful prayer warriors into a faith community, and within 2 years the church broke down on their first building.
150 years after Rev. Mohn first organized them into a church, they gathered together to remember their history and celebrate their current ministry. The Revs. Dan Herner, of Salem-Berne UMC, Bob Strouse, former pastor at Salem, Jenny Freymoyer, former pastor and current DS for the West District and District Superintendent Hun Ju Lee gathered to celebrate the occasion with the current spiritual leader of Salem Shoemakersville, the Rev. Jaqueline Daniszewski.
Church Historian Curtis Kinzey shared a document that celebrated Salem’s historic past and it’s faithful present. In addition to tracing the history of the church, he also took time to name the ministries of the present moment, including a yearly women’s retreat, an annual Easter Egg hunt, , Vacation Bible School for which we join with Salem-Berne and Bethany, our sister UMCs in the area,, a youth mission trip, a community thanksgiving dinner, and free community breakfasts, were just some of the ministries that he named.
He closed his reflection on the history of the church with a blessing, “We are truly being sent out into the world and our love extends beyond Shoemakersville. May God always have his hand on our little church as we grow together in God’s love, mercy, and grace.”
Methodists across EPA have been faithfully serving in their communities for more than 255 years! May God bless every church as it lives into its calling to take the love of Jesus Christ beyond the building and into the community.
**Note** If your church celebrated a milestone anniversary in 2024, please send a photo and a brief summary of your celebration and it will be added to this article.