History of Salem UCC

This October we will celebrate 150 years in the current parish at 615 Third St.  

Historical facts

1852:   Combined with St. Paul’s Church to build on Howertown Road.

1868:   Separated from St. Paul’s Church and built the current church at is present site on Third St.

1869:   The corner stone was laid.

1876:   Became the First Reformed Church of Catasauqua

1878:   In a severe storm the steeple was destroyed.  

1888:   A single floor Sunday School Annex was built.

1891:   The New Reformed Hymnal was adopted.  Salem UCC was the first church in the Lehigh Valley to adopt the hymnal.  Electric lights were added

1918:   Services using the English language replaced services in German. 

1927: A second floor was added to the Sunday School annex and renovations were dedicated.

1934: The Evangelical Synod and the Reformed Churches united.

1950:   The Sunday School building was renovated.

1957: The United Church of Christ was formed.

1962:   The name was changed from Salem First Reformed Church to Salem United Church of Christ.

1964:   A 5-year Program of Progess was completed with extensive interior and exterior renovations. The cost was $120,000.  A new organ was also purchased.

 1968: Balcony stained glass window from bequeathed funds.

1970: Basement kitchen remodeled.

1972: Salem Pre-School program began, continues today.

1982:  The boiler was replaced to conserve energy.

1984: Kitchenette, first floor bathroom and closet added to the Assembly Room. It was renamed Fellowship Hall.

1995:   A new constitution was written.

1997:   The organ was renovated.

1999:   The church sanctuary was repainted.

2002:   A carillon bell system was installed.

2018:   Started this website.

2019:   Celebrated the 150th anniversary.

 

Pastors

Rev. Jacob C. Becker • (1839-1856)

Rev. Cyrus J. Becker • (1856-1871)

Rev. A. B. Koplin • (1874-1877)

Rev. John J. Christ • (1877-1886)

Rev. Wilson F. More • (1886-1904)

Rev. Alexander P. Frantz • (1904-1917)

Rev. Amandus S. Leiby • (1918-1921)

Rev. Irvin A. Raubenhold • (1922-1923)

Rev. Henry A. Gebhard • (1924-1930)

Rev. Willard A. Kratz • (1930-1951)

Rev. Wilbur Kriebel • (1951-1952)

Rev. Norman Duzen • (1952-1959)

Rev. Stanley Dunn • (1959-1987)

Rev. Robert Stevens • (1987-1988)

Rev. Afaf Atiyeh Darcy • (1988-2008)

Rev. Edward Russo • (2009-2010)

Rev. Robert Lewis • (2010-2012)

Rev. Michael Smith • (2012-Present)