Celebrating a legacy at
13th & hamilton
beginning in 1903…
Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church of Allentown, Pa. was established in September of 1903 at a meeting held in the Lincoln School building. Members from two downtown Lutheran congregations, St. John’s and St. Michael’s, came together to start the “mission congregation” by purchasing the plot of land and constructing a temporary worship space, “the shanty.” This structure sat closest to Court Street, where the parsonage was later built. Worship services began within months of the decision, with Sunday school classes and ministry groups forming soon afterwards.
rooting in the community
The Chapel area of the building was the first permanent structure completed. The congregation began worshipping there in 1905 as work in the church proper continued. While the cornerstone at the corner of 13th & Hamilton reads 1904, the church sanctuary was not dedicated until 1907. This picture shows the earliest “version” of the church proper and its finishes. The first substantial renovations in the entire plant were in the 1930s.
planning and growing
The renovations in the 1930s encompassed refurbishing the whole plant, just before building the Church School facility. The pipe organ was dramatically expanded and now had chambers on both sides of the Chancel. The Chancel was also expanded back into the Chapel auditorium. This expansion created the Chapel hallway, and uniquely shaped passage that follows the outline of the Chancel wall. The choir was moved into the Chancel, in “split choir” formation - the two sides facing one another.
When the Christian Education building was built in 1936 to meet a growing need for Sunday school space, this large facility also became available to serve the community. From early uses during the World Wars for bandage rolling for the troops or serving as an air raid shelter, to serving as a home base for Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops, Al Anon, Allentown Literacy Center, and various musical programs, the church is dedicated to sharing the gift of the space with the community. Over the past 40 years, Christ Church was also home to a Head Start Program and many community events like Vacation Bible School and a resource/program center for the McKinley Elementary School.
faith formation
In May of 2012, St. Stephen Lutheran Church (Franklin & Turner Streets) merged with Christ Lutheran to become one worshiping congregation. At that time, the St. Stephen Outreach Center was formed to serve the needs of the Franklin Park neighborhood utilizing the St. Stephen building. Pastor Marita Torres Dolich was called as pastor of outreach, joining Pastor Woody Maxon, senior pastor, who was installed at Christ in December 2009. Members continued to support afterschool programs and Ripple Church began using the SSOC. In 2023, Ripple Church purchased the St. Stephen’s building from Christ Lutheran, and continues to serve the neighborhood there.
roots entwined
The legacy continues
The Christ Church of today is a home base for many concerts and gatherings around the arts. Aside from many opportunities to hear professional-grade music, the church is a formative presence as part of the Allentown Collaborative Ministries, hosting the Neighborhood House Breakfast program. Many community events are beginning to make use of the various spaces throughout the building, bringing new connections and opportunities.
what’s next?
Christ Lutheran Church continues through a pastoral transition focused on reconnecting with the community, realigning with our mission, and finding where God’s call is leading us in collaborative ministry and with the city of Allentown.