The borough isn't the only Lansdale institution with a century and a half of history under its belt.
On Sunday, May 22, the Lansdale First United Methodist Church, at 300 North Broad St., will celebrate its 150th Anniversary with a commemorative service and history presentation.
The year before the village of Lansdale was incorporated, the first house of worship was established by the Methodist Episcopal Church on a lot at the corner of Third and Walnut Streets donated by Dr. John N. Jacobs, one of the town’s founding fathers. He "realized that the village needed a house of worship and should be incorporated in order to develop as a community,” according to the church’s 125th anniversary booklet.
The church grew, and by the 1920s the congregation needed more space. Lots were purchased at Third and Broad Streets for a larger building, later expanded to add an education wing and enlarge the sanctuary.
(The original Third and Walnut stone structure still stands at the moment, though it’s scheduled for demolition for a six-story apartment building.)
Today, Lansdale First United Methodist Church spans the Broad Street block from Third to Fourth and has added a ramp entrance at Fourth and an elevator to make all levels of the building accessible.
On May 22, Lansdale First United Methodist Church will celebrate its 150th (+1) Anniversary through sharing stories during worship, followed by a special program at 11 a.m. on the history of Lansdale United Methodist Church as it grew with the borough of Lansdale, presented by Pat Rieker of the Lansdale Historical Society.
The church invites the community to join in the commemorative worship service, followed by a catered brunch at 10 and the historical presentation at 11.
The congregation continues to worship with an educational program for
all ages, mission outreach and community participation. With the onset
of the pandemic, a tech team installed cameras and equipment, allowing
live-streamed worship services on Facebook and YouTube. The sanctuary
now is re-opened for in-person worship as well.
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