The History of OGRC

The Heidelberg Catechism, commissioned in 1563 by Palatine Elector Frederick III at the University of Heidelberg, anchored the Reformed faith with an enduring question: “What is your only comfort in life and in death?” The answer, “That I am not my own, but belong—body and soul, in life and in death—to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ.” By the late 17th century, Reformed Protestants in the Palatinate faced persecution under Catholic rulers like Johann Wilhelm, compounded by wars, famine, and economic devastation. Fleeing to America, the German Reformed found a refuge in Pennsylvania, when Rev. George Michael Weiss first preached to Goshenhoppeners in 1727, planting the seeds of Old Goshenhoppen Reformed Church, historically spelled “Goschenhoppen.” Recognized by the Amsterdam Classis on November 12, 1730, the church earned its “Old” designation due to its proximity to Philadelphia, compared to New Goshenhoppen. In 1732, Reformed and Lutheran settlers formed a Union church, purchasing 38 acres in the tranquil Perkiomen Valley of Upper Salford Township from William Penn’s sons, erecting a log Gemeinhaus and, in 1746, a stone church. Named for the biblical Land of Goshen (Genesis 45:10), a fertile land, and “Hoppen,” a German term for a safe haven, Goshenhoppen reflected the settlers’ trust in God’s provision, while still alluding to the name of local Lenape chief Shakahoppa. Treasuring artifacts like the Schlatter Bible, the historic Gemeinhaus, and the unique Oyster Picnic, Old Goshenhoppen remains steadfast in its commitment to the Heidelberg Catechism, guided by pastors from John Philip Boehm to the present.

Founding and Early Years (1727–1744)

In 1727, Rev. George Michael Weiss delivered a formative sermon in the Goshenhoppen region, administering the Lord’s Supper on October 12 at “a branch place called Goschenhoppen,” igniting the spark for Old Goshenhoppen Reformed Church in the Perkiomen Valley, roughly twelve miles from Rev. John Philip Boehm’s home, then the only church in the area. By 1730, the Reformed congregation, meeting in a farmer’s home near Whitpain, sought formal recognition from the Classis of Amsterdam, signaling their resolve to establish a lasting presence amid colonial hardships. In 1732, the Reformed and Lutheran congregations united, with Michael Reiher (Lutheran) and Jacob Keller (Reformed) securing 38 acres from William Penn’s sons. That fall, they built a log Gemeinhaus, serving as both church and schoolhouse, with land payments completed by January 12, 1738. In 1744, construction began on a stone church, its cornerstone laid on May 14, completed in 1746, and dedicated by Rev. Michael Schlatter on September 20, embodying the settlers’ determination to worship freely in a new land.

Rev. George Michael Weiss (1727 Evangelist, and will later serve as a Congregational Pastor 1746–1761)

Weiss, the first ordained German Reformed minister in America, preached to eventual Goshenhoppeners in 1727, after arriving on the William and Sarah with 400 Palatines. Ordained in Heidelberg (1725), he ministered to settlers, sowing Gospel seeds. Boehm’s 1730 letter to Amsterdam notes Weiss’s work 10 miles from Falkner Swamp. Weiss moved to New York in 1731 but returned in 1746. In 1754, he brought one of 800 Bibles sent by the Dutch Reformed Church via Rev. Michael Schlatter to Old Goshenhoppen, known as the Schlatter Bible, later rediscovered by Rev. Thomas R. Brendle in a trash pile under the church stairway, now preserved as a historical artifact.

Rev. John Philip Boehm (1730)

Fleeing to America, German Reformed settlers found refuge in Pennsylvania, where Boehm (1683–1749), founder of the German Reformed Church in America, served as Old Goshenhoppen’s first pastor in 1730, guiding the congregation from a small family gathering to a community ready to purchase land, leading to the 1732 acquisition and Gemeinhaus construction. During this time he described Old Goshenhoppen’s members in a letter as, “the poor sheep at the end of the wilderness”. A schoolteacher from Hochstadt, Germany, Boehm organized churches at Falkner Swamp, Skippack, and Whitemarsh from 1725. His Heidelberg Catechism-based constitution shaped congregational governance. Ordained in 1729, he laid the foundation for a great many reformed churches in the region. In 1744, Boehm preserved Old Goshenhoppen’s Reformed identity when guest preacher Lischy, invited by the elders, attempted to introduce Moravian beliefs. Boehm intervened, convincing the elders to reaffirm their commitment to Reformed principles.

Rev. John Peter Miller (1731–1734)

Heidelberg-educated Rev. John Peter Miller (1709–1796) served Old Goshenhoppen from 1731 to 1734, ordained by Presbyterians, during the early use of the Gemeinhaus. Due to salary disputes, he left in 1734 and joined the Ephrata Cloister in 1735 as “Brother Jabez,” contributing to its music and printing until his death in 1796. A 1734 report by Rev. John Philip Boehm noted 40–50 families in the Old Goshenhoppen congregation. While at the Ephrata cloister, Miller lived near Michael Widman, a tavern owner and neighbor who despised him. When Widman was convicted of treason and sentenced to death, Miller walked nearly 60 miles to Philadelphia to plead for his life. Washington initially refused, stating he could not pardon Miller’s friend. “My friend?” Miller replied, “He’s not my friend. In fact, he’s my worst enemy!” Moved by Miller’s compassion, Washington granted the pardon. Miller arrived at the execution site as Widman, expecting malice, remarked that Miller had come to watch him hang. Instead, Miller presented the pardon, sparing Widman’s life. This act forged a connection with Washington, and Miller would be asked to translate the Declaration of Independence into seven European languages, ensuring European nations understood of the colonies’ rebellion.

The 1732 Gemeinhaus: A Uniquely Historic Structure

Built in 1732 on land purchased from William Penn’s sons, the 1732 Gemeinhaus stands as the oldest surviving German-built church (used for worship 1732–1746) and schoolhouse (post-1746) in North America. It served as Old Goshenhoppen’s worship space until the 1746 stone church was completed, then continued as a schoolhouse, reflecting the church’s dual commitment to faith and education. Meticulously restored, it remains a cherished monument of the congregation’s early resilience. You can learn more about the Gemeinhaus and even help support the preservation of this historic structure by visiting: https://1732gemeinhaus.org/

Rev. John Henry Goetschy (1735–1740)

The “Boy Pastor,” Goetschy (1717–1774), arrived from Zurich in 1735, serving at age 17 after his father’s death. Preaching every third Sunday, he strengthened the congregation. Unordained until 1741, he also served Great Swamp and New Goshenhoppen, later joining the Dutch Reformed Church.

Rev. Peter Henry Dorsius (1741–1744)

Dutch Reformed minister Dorsius (1712–unknown) served from 1741 to 1744, arriving in 1737. Boehm’s 1744 report confirms Dorsius administering the Lord’s Supper. In 1744, he oversaw the laying of the cornerstone for the stone church, though it was not completed until 1746. He was removed from ministry at Old Goshenhoppen after slandering the original pastor Boehm at the pulpit, here is an accounting of the events from the early elders of Old Goshenhoppen: “When Mr. Dorsius, was at Goschenhoppen on the 24th of September, 1740, in his anger he spoke out against our minister, Mr. Boehm, he burst out, without any reserve, in the following expressions among many others : ‘If Boehm says that I have not sent the letters which he wrote regarding the church to Holland, he lies like a scoundrel’, and this he repeated several times. Further : Boehm counts no more in Holland than this boy (pointing to a little boy) and he must know that he has to learn of me, for he is no ordained minister. He is only placed here provisionally, and if he cannot keep his mouth shut, then I’ll make him. And more like that.” The eldership report of the situation also made clear they could attest to the ordination of Boehm.

The 1744 Cornerstone Agreement: A Covenant of Unity

On May 14, 1744, the Lutheran and Reformed congregations cemented their Union church partnership by laying inside the Latin cornerstone of the new stone church, a document titled “In the Name of the Blessed Trinity, Amen.” This covenant outlined their shared commitment to unity and faith at Old Goshenhoppen:

• A prayer for God’s grace to foster love, prevent discord, and sustain harmony.
• Equal worship rights for both congregations, ensuring mutual respect and undisturbed services.
• Authority to bar false teachers, safeguarding the church’s doctrine by locking its doors.
• A hope for temporal and eternal blessings for future generations, with Christ as the cornerstone.

Signed by Reformed elders (Christian Schneider, Christian Lehman, Bernhard Arnd, Johann Liewer) and Lutheran elders (Michael Rieher, Balsar Gerlach, Philip Gabel, Conrad Schneider), this agreement endures as a testament to Old Goshenhoppen’s foundational unity. The three stones inscribed with the 1744 date remain visible in the northeast corner of the current church building.

Growth and Consolidation (1745–1786)

[TO THE LEFT] This is the oldest known drawing of the Old Goshenhoppen property, and the only one of the original stone church. The pre-1856 drawing depicts the Old Goshenhoppen property before the civil war era expansion. The 1732 Gemeinhaus stands on the left, the 1744 stone church (completed 1746) is centered, and the parsonage is the white structure also on the left. The graveyard lies to the right. The tree line in the background is where you would find the modern Church Road; historically, the approach to church was from the perspective of the drawing itself.

The construction of the Old Goshenhoppen stone church began in 1744, became usable in 1746, and was fully completed by 1748. Dedicated by Rev. Michael Schlatter on September 20, 1746, this milestone strengthened the church’s role as a spiritual and educational hub in colonial Pennsylvania during the Great Awakening and amid rising tensions with Native American tribes. By 1748, the 1732 Gemeinhaus transitioned into a schoolhouse under schoolmaster John Conrad Wirts, solidifying its community presence. During his tenure from 1784 to 1786, Rev. Philipp Wilhelm Friedrich Van der Sloot, Sr., would describe the first stone church era in 1784 as follows: “Goschenhoppen Church is situated in the north-western part of Montgomery county. From its elevated location a delightful view is had. Before ones vision, far and near, there spread out in all directions, vast areas of cultivated and virgin forest land; while in the valley the waters of the Perkiomen creek rush wildly in and out among the hills on its winding course to the Schuylkill. Thirty-eight acres, all contiguous, now constitute church property, some of which is cultivated, although the larger portion is woodland. The church is a substantial one-story building; is heated by furnace; has a gallery around the three sides; is provided with a pipe organ; and has a seating capacity of about 800. A union Sunday School meets regularly; and the Reformed and Lutherans conduct their services on alternate Sabbaths, as of yore.”

Rev. Frederick Casimir Mueller (1745–1746)

Mueller served only occasionally at Old Goshenhoppen, holding little sway as the 1700s congregation ultimately rejected him as a legitimate pastor. His unauthorized preaching reached a climax at New Goshenhoppen (which was more friendly to him at first) when he urged the congregation to ignore pastors like Michael Schlatter and George Michael Weiss, key figures in founding the German Reformed Church in the United States. Viewing Mueller as resembling a cult leader, Schlatter and Weiss resolved the conflict in 1746, when George Michael Weiss took over the ministerial role.

Rev. George Michael Weiss (1746–1761)

Returning in 1746, Weiss served Old Goshenhoppen, New Goshenhoppen, and Great Swamp until his death in 1761, having fled his previous church in Rhinebeck, near Albany, New York, due to warring Indians in the New York region. His leadership strengthened the church as the colonies neared revolution, despite challenges from a faction loyal to an unlicensed schoolmaster named Maul who was struggling to teach due to his age. In 1746, Weiss and Schlatter investigated mishandled funds from Holland, resolving the issue by 1747 and paying off the debts accrued due to the mishandling by 1750. Schlatter’s visits (1746, 1747) found the church thriving. Weiss joined the 1747 Coetus with delegates Christian Schneider and Daniel Hister. Weiss had become fairly independently wealthy upon his return to Old Goshenhoppen, and was a slave holder and yet upon death freed them and gave his slaves his home.

Rev. Michael Schlatter (Visiting Pastor, 1746–1751)

Swiss-born Michael Schlatter (1716–1790) seemingly may have preached his first sermon in the New World at Old Goshenhoppen, noting the friendly and kindly nature of its people but expressing concern about whether this small congregation could sustain itself. He helped further organize the Reformed Church, visiting Old Goshenhoppen in 1746, 1747, 1749, 1750, and 1751. His 1747 Coetus unified the church, and his 1751 fundraising secured 800 Bibles, including ours. He eventually would spend much of the Revolutionary War imprisoned by the British in Philadelphia for supporting the Revolution. His home on Chestnut Hill was looted and once freed, he would never fully recover financially, but had enough for a more modest living.

The Schlatter Bible: A Symbol of Gospel Heritage

In 1752, the Amsterdam Classis gifted one of fewer than ten surviving Schlatter Bibles worldwide, a 1747 Basel-printed folio of Luther’s German translation, to Old Goshenhoppen under Weiss’s leadership. Rediscovered by Rev. Thomas R. Brendle in a trash pile under the church stairway, this Bible symbolizes the church’s role in spreading the Gospel to German settlers and is now preserved as a priceless artifact.

Stability and Challenges (1762–1819)

The Union church arrangement with Old Goshenhoppen Lutheran endured, sharing the stone church through the tumult of the Revolutionary War (1775–1783), which saw Pennsylvania as a battleground and burial ground for soldiers, some interred in the church’s graveyard. The 1774 installation of a pipe organ, with Heinrich Hemsing as organist and schoolmaster (1772–1778), enriched worship and education, sustaining the congregation’s spirit amid war. In 1808, the log Gemeinhaus was renovated with plastered walls, two side doors, and historic wooden flooring, reinforcing its role as a schoolhouse during the early republic’s growth, as the church navigated post-war recovery and national formation.

Rev. Jacob Riess (1762–1765)

Riess served irregularly during the colonial tensions, likely being more of a supply pastor as the nation was headed towards Revolutionary War. Little is known about his pastoring Old Goshenhoppen. We do know he had been minister in charge at Indian Field and Tohickon from 1749-53. But it appears he had not been a regular pastor since the year 1753. He likely was filling the pulpit as a stopgap measure. He died on December 23, 1774.

Rev. John Theobald Faber, Sr. (1766–1778, 1786–1788)

German-trained Faber, Sr., led through the Revolutionary War, also preaching at Tohickon. Called to Lancaster in 1779, he returned in 1786 and died while preaching at New Goshenhoppen in 1788, as the new nation stabilized. During his tenure, the first pipe organ was installed in 1774, with Heinrich Hemsing as organist, enhancing worship.

Rev. John William Ingold (1780–1781)

Rev. John William Ingold, born on October 4, 1734, near Koblenz, Germany, served Old Goshenhoppen Church in Upper Salford, Montgomery County, from 1780 to 1781, during the church’s 50th anniversary and the post-Revolutionary War recovery. The son of Rev. John William Ingold Sr., he enrolled at Heidelberg University on August 4, 1754, was ordained there on May 10, 1762, and served in London, England, in 1774. Arriving in Pennsylvania later that year, Ingold’s brief ministry at Old Goshenhoppen occurred as the congregation marked a half-century of worship in the German Reformed tradition, amidst a time of regional rebuilding. He also served other nearby churches, including in Reading and Bucks County, before his exclusion from the German Reformed Church in 1801. Ingold died sometime after 1801.

Rev. Frederick Delliker (1782–1784)

Swiss-born Rev. John Theobald Delliker, was an unmarried pastor, when he led Old Goshenhoppen Reformed Church from 1782-1784. Geopolitically during this time the United States was crafting its Constitution. However at age 48, shortly after leaving the Old Goshenhoppen pulpit, he ended up being married on October 12, 1786, at First German Reformed Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Rev. Philipp Wilhelm Friedrich Van der Sloot, Sr. (1784-1786)

Rev. Philipp Wilhelm Friedrich Van der Sloot, Sr. , was born on September 27, 1744, in Zerbst, Germany, to Rev. Friederich Heinrich von der Schlots. In 1772, he married Louisa Henrietta Schultz in Germany. As a missionary sent by a German Reformed Convention in Prussia, he arrived in Pennsylvania around 1779–1780, leaving his wife and son, Frederick William Van der Sloot, Jr., in Germany. In 1784, after Louisa’s death, he married Anna Margaretta Reed. From 1784 to 1785, he served as pastor at Old Goshenhoppen Reformed Church in Pennsylvania, overseeing baptisms, marriages, and congregational duties amidst post-Revolutionary War challenges. He died in 1803 and, according to family genealogical records, is believed to be buried at Goshenhoppen.

Rev. Nicholas Pomp (1789–1792)

Following Faber Sr.’s (1786–1788) sudden death at the pulpit, Rev. Nicholas Pomp, a European-born minister of humble origins, served Old Goshenhoppen Reformed Church from 1789 to 1792, as the U.S. adopted its Bill of Rights. Pomp married Elisabeth Dotterer in 1772, linking him to the Antes family, founders of the German Reformed church. Their son, Thomas, became a pastor. In 1774, Pomp published a theological work refuting Universalist doctrines. His brief time at Old Goshenhoppen followed 18 impactful years at Falkner Swamp.

Rev. John Theobald Faber, Jr. (1791–1807)

In 1807, Rev. Faber, Jr. departed for New Holland. He would return in 1818 and when he did, he would contribute to a rift among Old Goshenhoppen, New Goshenhoppen, and Swamp Church, leading to a schism of the congregations. However before leaving the pulpit, that first time, he oversaw repairs to the schoolmaster’s house and parsonage. At that time, the parsonage was located in Green Lane.

Rev. Albert Helffenstein (1808–1811)

Beginning June 19, 1808, Helffenstein struggled with German, departing for Carlisle in 1811, as tensions built toward the War of 1812. During his tenure, the original log schoolhouse was updated with new floors, plastered walls, bigger windows, and two additional doors added on the original church road side, enhancing the congregations educational facilities.

Rev. Frederick William Van der Sloot, Jr. (1812–1818)

Rev. Frederick William Van der Sloot, Jr., born November 11, 1773, in Dessau, Germany, arrived at Old Goshenhoppen Reformed Church on November 12, 1812, serving until 1818 during the Second Great Awakening. Son of former Old Goshenhoppen pastor Rev. Frederick William Van der Sloot, Sr., he remained in Germany for education at the University of Leipzig, emigrating to America in 1801. Licensed by the Synod in 1802 and ordained in 1803, he married Catherine Deiser Pauli in 1802, with whom he had 13 children. Known for vibrant preaching, he ministered to Old and New Goshenhoppen, Trappe, and Long Swamp, strengthening the German Reformed community. He baptized Augustus Dechant, Old Goshenhoppen’s eventual longest-serving pastor. A scholar and poet, he left for Philadelphia’s Salem Church in 1818, later serving in Virginia and York County, where he died in 1831, buried at Holtzschwam Church, Paradise Township.

Division and Endurance (1819–1832)

In 1819, Old Goshenhoppen parted ways with New Goshenhoppen and Great Swamp, rejecting Rev. John Theobald Faber, Jr.’s return after his controversial reappointment without Old Goshenhoppen’s consent, choosing instead Rev. Jacob William Dechant. This schism ended an 82-year shared charge, reflecting the congregation’s resolve to preserve its distinct Reformed identity. Amid the early 19th century’s religious revivals and national expansion, the church stood firm, celebrating its 100th anniversary in 1830 as a testament to its enduring Gospel witness.

Rev. Jacob William Dechant (1819–1832)

Rev. John Dechant, born in Kreuznach, Palatinate, on February 18, 1784, began leading Old Goshenhoppen on December 25, 1819, after immigrating to America in 1805 and training as a pastor in Baltimore, Maryland. Initially considering ministry in the Ohio Valley—then the “West”—he instead served in Goshenhoppen, where he became a successful pastor, earning a $170 salary in 1820 and overseeing numerous baptisms. He led the church through its 100th anniversary in 1830, marking a century of faithfulness. Tragically, Dechant died on October 5, 1832, at a young age, after a 100-mile journey undertaken shortly after recovering from pneumonia. Rev. Daniel Hertz noted, “I never saw anyone bear affliction so patiently… He died like a true Christian,” with his family by his side. Years later, it was said, “Pastor Dechant proved a diligent and good servant of the Church. The fruits of his labors are still being gathered by those who succeeded him.”

Trial and Renewal (1833–1894)

From the sudden loss of Rev. Dechant to the antebellum era, Civil War (1861–1865), Reconstruction, and the Gilded Age’s industrial boom, Old Goshenhoppen faced trials that tested its resolve. The congregation introduced occasional English services in 1843, reflecting a linguistic shift, though German remained dominant. In 1848, a larger pipe organ by George S. Krause replaced the original, enhancing worship. In 1857, the Lutheran and Reformed congregations agreed to build a new stone church, completed in 1858 under architect George Snyder for $5,000, with a cornerstone laid on May 15 and a bell installed for $205. A stone house for the schoolteacher-organist followed, reinforcing education. In 1876, the Old Goshenhoppen Union Sunday School was established, and a 593-pound bell, inscribed “Meneely & Kimberly, Troy, N.J., Founders—1876,” was installed. In 1881, the Lutheran congregation adopted a separate “Kirchenbuch,” signaling worship divergence. By 1887, Henry R. Gabel (Lutheran) and Isaac G. Grimley (Reformed) initiated separate chartering, finalized in 1890 with independent incorporations. A third pipe organ by Charles Durner was installed in 1890, and in 1897, bylaws expanded voting rights to all members, reflecting a commitment to renewal amidst change.

Rev. Andreas Hofmann (1833–1858)

Hofmann served for 25 years, guiding the congregation through growing sectional tensions that led to the Civil War. In 1843, he oversaw the introduction of occasional English services, reflecting linguistic shifts. In 1848, he facilitated the replacement of the first pipe organ with a larger one by George S. Krause. In 1857, he led the decision to build a new, larger stone church, with construction beginning in 1858 under architect George Snyder. The cornerstone was laid on May 15, 1858, and the church was completed by October 1, 1858, strengthening its role as a center of worship. A stone house for the schoolteacher-organist was also built during this time.

Rev. Albert A. Van Court (1859–1861)

Led briefly during the secession crisis following Abraham Lincoln’s election, as the Civil War loomed, overseeing the completion of the new church in 1859 with the final payment to builder George Snyder on April 12, 1859.

Rev. Augustus Dechant (1862–1894)

Growing up with connections to the Old Goshenhoppen congregation and baptized by Reverend Frederick Wilhelm Van der Sloot Jr., Augustus, originally a tailor by trade, became the longest-serving pastor in the history of the congregation, serving 27 years as the lead pastor and 5 more years in a supportive role, totaling 32 years. Augustus served through the Civil War, Reconstruction, and the Gilded Age. In 1876, he oversaw the establishment of the Old Goshenhoppen Union Sunday School and the installation of the 1876 church bell, facilitated by trustee Henry G. Groff. In 1887, he supported the appointment of Isaac G. Grimley to pursue separate chartering, finalized in 1890 with the incorporation of the Reformed congregation. That same year, he oversaw the installation of the third pipe organ by Charles Durner. In 1897, he endorsed the bylaw amendment allowing all members to vote. He guided the congregation during the church’s 150th anniversary (1880), a milestone in its enduring legacy. Of his ministry it was said, “His means had been limited and his opportunities comparatively few. But he surely made the most of these. Few pastors know better how to present the truth, as he understands it, in a more forcible and effectual way.”

The Oyster Picnic: A Timeless Tradition

Since 1877, under Rev. Augustus Dechant, Old Goshenhoppen Reformed Church has hosted its Oyster Picnic on the first Saturday after Labor Day, initially to fund the Sunday School and later to support mission works and Christian charities. Oysters—a rare treat in landlocked Pennsylvania—arrived from Chesapeake Bay in iced barrels via the Reading Railroad, served raw, fried, or stewed in the church’s grove. The picnic became a regional draw, with special trains from Norristown and Philadelphia bringing thousands to Upper Salford. By the early 1900s, it was a community cornerstone, marked by events like a 1915 ring dance sparking lifelong romances, a 1924 flirtation leading to 161 descendants, and a 1928 biplane landing in a nearby field, delighting attendees. The menu grew to include roasted peanuts, ice cream, and Pennsylvania Dutch treats like shoofly pie, with children enjoying penny candy and games. For a few years in the early 2000s, horse-and-wagon rides circled the property, though one year Cressman’s horse escaped and galloped through the cemetery, adding to picnic lore.

Over the decades, the Oyster Picnic evolved while preserving its heart. By the 1950s, Sunday School children marched to the grove to sing, and families served stews together. The 1980s introduced funnel cakes and bratwurst, and Pastor Bill Gaydos added oysters on the half shell in the 1990s, attracting new crowds with fresh bivalves. The old bandstand, a cinderblock dugout with a concrete platform and deteriorating underground walls, was demolished in spring 2002 after bands refused to play without a roof due to past rainouts. The current band shell, completed for that fall’s picnic, now shelters bluegrass performances. Despite challenges—like a 2019 tornado felling historic oaks or a 2020 pandemic—the community rebuilt pavilions and adapted traditions. Today, the picnic blends history with modern flavors like smoked salmon sandwiches and birch beer floats, alongside Gemeinhaus tours. More than a fundraiser, it unites generations through faith, fellowship, and shared stories, from early love stories to enduring community spirit, making it a cherished celebration.

Steadfast Amid Conflict (1895–1948)

Navigating the Spanish-American War (1898), World War I (1914–1918), the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic, the Great Depression (1929–1939), and World War II (1939–1945), Old Goshenhoppen demonstrated unwavering resilience. In 1914, the Union Ladies Aid Society formed, bolstering church initiatives. A 1915 renovation expanded the church by 18 feet, relocated the sanctuary upstairs, added a ground-floor assembly room, and installed stained glass windows, shaping its current form. In 1922, during the 190th anniversary, the Union Ladies Aid Society funded a Memorial Monument to Unknown Dead in the cemetery, honoring Revolutionary War soldiers. In 1929, Deagon Chimes were added to the pipe organ, and in 1936, a pavilion was built in the picnic grove, enhancing community gatherings as the church stood firm through global upheaval.

Rev. J. Luman Raus (1895–1913)

Raus served for 18 years through the Spanish-American War. Shortly after his pastorate, the church undertook a major renovation in 1915. He saw the creation of the ‘new’ church road to accommodate the invention called the automobile. In 1914, he supported the formation of the Union Ladies Aid Society, enhancing community outreach.

Old Goshenhoppen’s 1915 Renovation: A Technological Breakthrough

In 1915, Old Goshenhoppen Church embraced cutting-edge technology, likely under Rev. Thomas R. Brendle’s influence, expanding the church by 18 feet, elevating the sanctuary to the second floor, adding a ground-floor assembly room, and installing stained glass windows. A pioneering system for deaf congregants wired front pews to battery-powered, telephone-like receivers linked to an altar transmitter, allowing the hearing-impaired to hear sermons clearly. This legacy continues with modern headphones and call-in options, ensuring the Gospel remains accessible to all.

Rev. Thomas R. Brendle (1913–1926)

Thomas R. Brendle, starting in 1913, guided Old Goshenhoppen during World War I and the 1918 flu pandemic, into the Roaring Twenties. In 1915, he oversaw a major renovation that expanded the church, relocated the sanctuary upstairs, and introduced a hearing aid system for deaf congregants. A distinguished historian, he collected over 15,000 entries of Pennsylvania German folklore, preserved primarily at Franklin & Marshall College, helping establish the Goschenhoppen Historians. He rediscovered the Schlatter Bible in a trash pile under the church stairway, preserving it as a priceless artifact. He is also the first Old Goshenhoppen pastor whose voice we can still listen to: You can listen to a Thomas R. Brendle snippet explaining to a group the science of audio recordings by clicking here. He used this advancement in technology to record a variety of old regional folk hymns.

Rev. Charles W. Brown (1926–1948)

Served for 22 years through the Great Depression and World War II, leading during economic collapse and global conflict. As the final pastor to regularly conduct full services in German when called upon, he preserved the congregation’s linguistic heritage. In 1929, he oversaw the addition of Deagon Chimes to the pipe organ, and in 1936, the erection of a pavilion in the picnic grove. He served during the church’s 200th anniversary (1930), honoring two centuries of Gospel proclamation. He also saw an iron fence that protected both the cemetery and church of the property donated to the scrap metal drives during World War II.

Transitional Ministry (1949–1954)

Bridging major eras, this brief period describes Old Goshenhoppen’s Gospel mission during the post-World War II recovery and early Cold War tensions. As America rebuilt and the Korean War (1950–1953) unfolded, the church began to drift towards a denominational footing by calling two pastors whose ordination was overseen by the UCC.

Rev. Edward Tallis (1948–1951)

Born in Perkiomenville, PA, Rev. Edward J. Tallis graduated from Ursinus College and Lancaster Theological Seminary. After serving in the Army from 1944 to 1946, he ministered at Old Goshenhoppen Reformed Church and Frieden’s Reformed Congregation in Sumneytown from 1948 to 1951 in the post-World War II era. Now having left German speaking services Rev. Edward Tallis was the first pastor called with a UCC ordination.

Rev. Robert A. Haas (1951–1954)

As a child, Rev. Robert A. Haas lost a leg due to a rare blood disease but persevered to pursue a career in ministry. He graduated from Franklin and Marshall College in 1948 and Lancaster Theological Seminary in 1951, working summers at the Allentown Call-Chronicle newspapers during his seminary years. Ordained in the United Church of Christ (UCC) on June 10, 1951, Haas became the second UCC minister to serve Old Goshenhoppen Reformed Church, leading the congregation from 1951 to 1954 and guiding it towards joining the UCC denomination themselves.

Cultural Shifts and Taking On Denominational Ties (1955–2010)

Affiliating with the United Church of Christ (1957–circa 2010), Old Goshenhoppen navigated the Civil Rights Movement, Vietnam War, and post-Cold War era, balancing cultural shifts with its Reformed heritage. In 1955, a two-week Daily Vacation Bible School, staffed by Union Sunday School teachers, volunteers, and pastors, launched a new educational outreach, reflecting the church’s adaptability amid rapid societal change.

Rev. Ray D. Groff (1955–1960)

In 1955, he oversaw the introduction of the Daily Vacation Bible School. And in 1957, he led Old Goshenhoppen to embrace an official UCC affiliation, amid the Civil Rights era’s early stirrings.

Ruth Anne Kelchner (1961–1963)

God’s Word establishes that women are not permitted to hold authority in the church (1 Timothy 2:12, “I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet”; 1 Timothy 3:2, “An overseer must be… the husband of one wife”). The UCC’s appointment of Kelchner, a woman, diverged from this standard. While we note her service and there are still fond memories of her within the congregation, we also affirm that our Lord, who died for the church, has authority over how His church is established. Her brief tenure is a historical marker of the church’s UCC era and how the denomination strived to ‘reinvent’ biblical practice, away from the millennia of biblical instruction.

Rev. Amos Seldomridge (1963–1982)

Served for 19 years through the Vietnam War (1955–1975), much of the Space Race (1957–1975), and the Watergate scandal (1972–1974). A Navy chaplain during World War II, he presided over a broader restoration of the 1732 Gemeinhaus in the 1970s, saving it from destruction. His love of history and genealogical research enriched the church’s legacy. He served during the 250th anniversary (1980), named Pastor Emeritus in 1982, and died May 30, 2016. The original Goschenhoppen Folk Festival, presented by the Goschenhoppen Historians, was hosted at Old Goshenhoppen in 1967. He is also remembered for holding regular healing services at Old Goshenhoppen.

Rev. John Trout (1982–1990)

In 1989, the Union church arrangement with Old Goshenhoppen Lutheran, which began in 1732, ended when the Lutheran congregation relocated, concluding over two centuries of shared worship. Trout led during the Reagan era and the end of the Cold War (1989). After leaving Old Goshenhoppen, he continued serving in the United Church of Christ until 2015.

Rev. William Gaydos (1992–2010)

A beloved pastor, Gaydos served for 18 years through the post-Cold War era, the September 11 attacks (2001), and the Iraq War (2003–2011), helping Old Goshenhoppen weather a tumultuous time. His deep appreciation for the church’s history led him to suggest that his successor might guide Old Goshenhoppen closer to its original Reformed roots. Also a fun quirk in his time at Old Goshenhoppen is he saw the Oyster Picnic return to having fresh oysters. During his tenure, the UCC proposed relocating the congregation from this historic site to the main road, a move the congregation firmly rejected, affirming their commitment to this historic property. Gaydos’s leadership paved the way for Rev. Stephen B. Ford to initiate the church’s return to independence.

Return to OGRC’s Historic Reformed Roots (2010–present)

Reclaiming its independent, Bible-believing Reformed identity, Old Goshenhoppen has thrived amid modern challenges, including a 2019 tornado and the Covid-19 pandemic, rooted in the Heidelberg Catechism. The church’s unwavering commitment to in-person worship, digital outreach through livestreamed sermons, and restoration of historic structures like the Gemeinhaus reflect its mission to proclaim the Gospel in a rapidly changing world.

Rev. Stephen B. Ford (2010–2013, Interim 2017–2018)

Formerly of Covenant Presbyterian Church (PCA), Ford led Old Goshenhoppen out of the UCC from 2010 to 2013, restoring its independent, Bible-believing Reformed identity and reintroducing the Heidelberg Catechism as the church’s guiding catechism. He returned as interim pastor between the ministries of John J. Fanella and Kevin J. Park, initiating the process of writing a new church constitution and bylaws.

Rev. John J. Fanella (2013–2017)

Served during OGRC’s renewed independence, pouring into community outreach and service. Fanella is known for modernizing Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God by Jonathan Edwards (2017) and The Heavenly Footman by John Bunyan (2012) into contemporary English and has served at several pulpits since leaving Old Goshenhoppen.

Rev. Kevin J. Park (2018–present)

Collaborating with the consistory, Park finalized a new church constitution and bylaws, building on Ford’s interim work, which the congregation unanimously approved in early 2019. In May 2019, a tornado damaged every building on the church property, though all remained repairable. During this challenging time, God called associate pastor Bruce Clydesdale to serve alongside Park, strengthening Old Goshenhoppen’s ministry. The church never closed neither for a tornado nor the Covid pandemic which shortly after followed, upholding religious liberty and the priority of in-person, God-glorifying, biblically rich worship, rooted in historic Reformed tradition, while expanding its digital ministry by live-streaming sermons to reach those unable to attend worship in person. On January 1, 2023, Park oversaw the reestablishment of the eldership, an original component of the congregation’s founding structure lost under UCC leadership, with three elders initially appointed to serve alongside Pastor Kevin and Pastor Bruce. That same year, the upper pavilion was transformed into a four-season structure, and restoration work on the Gemeinhaus began. In January 2024, the diaconate was restored, with three Deacons and three Deaconesses called into service. By 2025, a second restoration work for the 1732 Gemeinhaus was completed, enabling its use for congregational worship and prayer.

A Living Legacy

Old Goshenhoppen Reformed Church stands as a Bible-believing, independent Reformed congregation, committed to the inerrancy of Scripture and the Heidelberg Catechism. Through wars, economic crises, and pandemics, the church has proclaimed the Gospel’s comfort: “What is your only comfort in life and in death? That I am not my own, but belong—body and soul, in life and in death—to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ.” Our worship, every Sunday at 10:00 AM, centers on Scripture’s truth, inviting all to encounter Christ’s redemption. From Weiss’s 1727 sermons to our present ministry, Old Goshenhoppen desires to shine as a beacon of faithfulness. Join us for worship at 10:00 AM Sundays to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ and become part of a community rooted in Scripture since 1730.

Works Referenced

The following list includes some of the key sources used to compile this historical account of Old Goshenhoppen Reformed Church. Additional information may have been drawn from other historical records, oral traditions, or related materials not listed here:

• Hinke, William J. A History of the Goshenhoppen Reformed Charge, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania (1727–1819). Lancaster: Pennsylvania-German Society, 1920.
• Harbaugh, Henry. The Life of Rev. Michael Schlatter. Philadelphia: Lindsay & Blakiston, 1857.
• Hinke, William J. Life and Letters of the Rev. John Philip Boehm, Founder of the Reformed Church in Pennsylvania, 1683–1749. Philadelphia: Publication and Sunday School Board of the Reformed Church in the United States, 1916.
• Weiser, C. Z. A Monograph of the New Goschenhoppen and Great Swamp Reformed Charge, 1731–1881. Lancaster: Pennsylvania-German Society, 1920.
• Documentary History of the Evangelical Lutheran Ministerium of Pennsylvania and Adjacent States: Proceedings of the Annual Conventions from 1748 to 1821. Philadelphia: Board of Publication of the General Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in North America.
• Cornerstone Agreement, 1744. Manuscript deposited in the cornerstone of Old Goshenhoppen Union Church, May 14, 1744.
• Old Goshenhoppen Church Records, 1727–1955. Archival records including treasurer’s accounts, shipping records, and minutes of joint meetings.
• Vandersloot, Lewis. History and Genealogy of the Von der Sloot Family: A Comprehensive Record of Genealogical Data and Biographical and Historical Information, Chronologically Arranged, of Members of the Vandersloot Family; Properly Authenticated, and Compiled with Utmost Care. Harrisburg, PA, [n.d.].
• Goschenhoppen Historians. www.goschenhoppen.org. Accessed for historical information on Old Goshenhoppen Reformed Church and the Goschenhoppen region.
• Shamblin, George. www.georgeshamblin.com. Accessed for historical information on Rev. John Peter Miller’s pardon of Michael Widman and translation of the Declaration of Independence.