As you enter the front doors of our
building, you will probably see an enthusiastic and active group of
people just like yourself. They will be talking, laughing, and moving
toward one of the ministry areas of our church.
On Sunday morning approximately 450 people
participate in worship services and Christian education activities.
Throughout the week, there are many other activities sponsored by the
church. These activities include club programs for children and teens,
music rehearsals, support groups, Bible study and prayer groups, and
even a fellowship of quilters. And, if you happen to drop in on a
weekday morning or afternoon during the school year, you Will hear the
delightful voices of preschool children enjoying our Triple C Nursery
School. But there's more, much more.
God has blessed the church with growth as a
result of numerous innovative and caring ministries. And much more is
being carefully and prayerfully planned in each of the ministry areas
of the church. Careful attention is given to developing specialized
ministries that will respond to an increasing array of needs
represented in our community. Are you interested in learning more?
Please read on.
After the erection of the brick building in
1850 the church was referred to as the "Backsteinen Versammlunghaus,"
the "baked-stone meetinghouse." Prior to that it had been known as
Drissel’s Meetinghouse. The name East Swamp did not come into common
use until about the 1870s. During a remodeling in 1927 the exterior
brick walls were plastered; in 1936 the building was enlarged and the
present stained glass windows were added resulting in the architectural
style we see today.
October 5, 1858 - Levi Schimmel was ordained
as a minister at East Swamp, the first ordination to take place in this
building. In 1861 he became one of the two local signers to the new
General Conference constitution. He later helped organize the
Wadsworth, Ohio school (first conference school), pastors in
Philadelphia and was appointed the first General Conference home
missionary.
July, 1864 - Confederate troops raided and
burned the town of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, leaving its habitants
homeless. On August 11, East Swamp took a special offering to be sent
as "Fire Aid for Chambersburg." The offering amounted to $13.75 and was
added to funds collected by our sister Mennonite churches to send a
total of $41.60.
1881 - East Swamp now has 88 members. Sunday
school is held year round (but bi-weekly in winter). Rule passed "that
funeral caskets be left in vestibule to prevent disease."
1912 - Constitution and By-laws of the
church were printed in English and given to each member. The pastor
received $300 for the year. Church Council met every three months.
Pastor Wm. H. Grubb offered to hold weekly services instead of every
two weeks. His offer was thankfully accepted.
March 1, 1913 - "A meeting was called by
Pastor Wm. Grubb to organize a Ladies Aid Society of the East Swamp
Mennonite Church. The membership was 15; dues were 10c a month. The
work of the Society is quilting, making comforts, aprons and other
articles. Proceeds are used for special needs of the Church, Charity
and Missions."
January 18, 1916 - East Swamp Church
chartered a rail car to attend the Biederwolf tabernacle meetings in
Allentown. William Edward Biederwolf was one of three well-known
evangelists in the early twentieth century, the others being J. Wilbur
Chapman and Billy Sunday. Biederwolf’s Allentown meetings lasted six
weeks.
A Men's Brotherhood was organized in 1938
under the leadership of Rev. Harold Burkholder to "provide an
opportunity for more of our men to help in the Lord's service." In 1940
the Brotherhood undertook digging an artesian well. In 1942 the cabin,
"Bethel Pines" was built at Camp Men-O-Lan. In 1943 the Brotherhood men
did the digging for the church addition. In 1946 they provided tools
for the European Relief Project through the Mennonite Central
Committee. During this period they also sponsored the weekly church
bulletins and had an extensive tract distribution project.
1942 - East Swamp begins weekly radio
broadcast on Allentown station WSAN with Pastor Harold Burkholder
speaking. Pastor Burkholder also travels to Omaha, Nebraska, where he
becomes one of the founders of Grace Bible Institute.
