Church | St. Peter's Christ DeLong United Churches of Christ

ST. PETER'S & CHRIST DELONG UNITED CHURCHES OF CHRIST

Sharing a joint ministry and a common mission since 1991

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St. Peter's UCC, Topton, PA
Worship Service begins at 9:00am

Christ DeLong, UCC, Bowers, PA
Worship Service begins at 10:30am

Our churches are located in beautiful, rural Berks County, Pennsylvania.

Situated comfortably between Allentown and Reading, the area boasts many advantages.

Our proximity to larger metropolitan cities allows access to major business opportunities, quality medical care, and the treasures of the fine art world. Colleges and universities abound, as well as regional cultural and heritage events.

We are two separate congregations enjoying the benefits of a joint ministry since 1991.

Our congregations have a long history of sharing God's word together, and with the larger community around us.

We hope to share God's word with you!

Missed a service? Click on the link to view our services on YouTube.

Video

ABOUT

Our mission, as a combined ministry, includes the common purpose to live as God's people by sharing the faith with our community and beyond. Through service, spiritual growth, fellowship, preaching, teaching, caring and love, we strive to honor our traditions while looking to the future.

St. Peter's History

The institutional religious life in Topton began sometime between 1865 and 1869 when a Sunday School was formed. Excelsior Subscription School housed the Sunday School for a period of time. On October 29, 1871, St. Peter's Union Church was established. Rev. A.J. Herman was the Reformed Pastor and Rev. B.E. Kramlich was the Lutheran Pastor. The cornerstone of the first church building was laid on the same site as the Subscription School building. In 1881 the church was rebuilt and enlarged. Beginning January 1913, the two congregations severed their relationship. On May 11, 1924, blueprints were prepared for a new church building. On Sunday, September 24, 1925, the cornerstone for the new building was laid at its current location. The first service occurred on Palm Sunday, 1926 and the building was dedicated on June 5, 1927. In 1934, the Reformed Church in the United States and the Evangelical Synod of North America merged, forming a "Plan of Union". In 1957, St. Peter's elected to join the Evangelical and Reformed Church with the Congregational Christian Churches. St. Peter's separated from the charge in 1964. In 1991, it was approved by both St. Peter's and Christ DeLong to share a joint ministry that

continues to this day.

Christ DeLong's History

The German Reformed congregation was started in 1759. Peter Delong (Delangh) donated two acres of land and a log cabin was erected to serve as the first sanctuary. The first regular pastor to serve was

Rev. John Henry Helffrich who served from

1772 until 1810. Rev. Charles G. Herman, served the longest pastorate from 1810 to 1861. During his pastorate, Zion's Church at Maxatawny was organized and became a part of his charge.

In 1859, the church became a "union" church. His son, Rev. Alfred J. Herman, served the two congregations for thirty-one years. During his pastorate, St. Peter's Church in Topton was organized. In that same year, St. Peter's and St. Paul's Reformed Church in Kutztown were united in a separate charge. In 1892, The Maxatawny Charge was formed by combining the four churches, served by Rev. George B. Smith, D.D. for almost forty-five years. After his death, St. Paul's separated from the charge. In 1937, Rev. Franklin D. Slifer, D.D. became pastor of the Maxatawny Charge. During the years, the name of the church changed from Christ DeLong's Reformed Church to The Christ (DeLong's) Evangelical & Reformed Church and to the present name, Christ DeLong United Church of Christ.

ABOUT

EVENTS

UPCOMING EVENTS

All dates and times are subject to change.

If you have any questions about an event, please contact the church office at (610) 682-7633.

5th Annual Pig Roast Joint Fundraiser

July 19, 2025 ~ 4:00 pm - 6:30 pm ~ Christ DeLong, UCC, 63 Old Bowers Rd., Bowers, PA 19511

~ Eat in or Take out. Dinner includes: Pork, 2 sides, cornbread (Mac ‘n Cheese, Baked Beans, Hashbrown Casserole or Coleslaw).

Cost: $16.00/adult (in advance), $17.00/adult (day of); $8.00/children under 12. Call 610-641-0793 for tickets or see any member of Christ DeLong UCC, Bowers or St. Peter’s UCC, Topton. Drinks and desserts available.

Vacation Bible School

July 21-25, 2025 ~ St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Mertztown, 50 Luther Dr., Mertztown, PA 19539

~ The theme will be "An EPIC Australian Adventure: An Unforgettable Journey with Jesus." Stay tuned for more info!

St. Peter's UCC Drive-Thru Sausage Sale

August 2, 2025 ~ 10:00 am ~ St. Peter's UCC, St. Peter's, UCC, 122 W. Franklin St., Topton, PA 19562

~ St. Peter's UCC, Topton will be having our DRIVE-THRU Sausage Sandwich Sale on August 2nd. Sandwiches are $6 each (cash only) and are available with or without sauce, onions & peppers. Please enter at our parking lot at Broad Alley and exit at Franklin Street. The sale begins at 10am and goes until we sell out!

Community Outdoor Worship Service

August 10, 2025 ~ 10:30 am ~ William DeLong Memorial Park, 233 Bowers Rd., Bowers, PA 19511

~ Join us for worship with the Brandywine Community churches at the Bowers Park at 10:30 am - with a picnic following the service! There will be no services in either sanctuary on August 10, so make sure you join us in the park. Our churches are assigned salads and water. A sign-up sheet will be posted in both church narthexes if you would like contribute. In case of inclement weather, please check back here on our Facebook page. We will be posting where the service and picnic will be moved to. Leashed dogs are welcome. There are picnic tables to sit at or bring a chair and sit under the shady trees. Offering envelopes will go back to their home churches.

Topton Block Party

August 16, 2025 ~ 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm ~ Borough of Topton

~ Redeemer is holding their 2025 Block Party on August 16th. They will provide burgers, a bounce house, face painting, a dunk tank, and music at the event. All activities and food will be by donation only. St. Peter’s and Christ DeLong will provide Sno-Cones. If you can help, please contact Pastor Chris.

29th Annual Chile Pepper Festival

September 5-6, 2025 ~ 9:00 am - 6:00 pm ~ William DeLong Memorial Park, 233 Bowers Rd., Bowers, PA 19511

~ Christ DeLong UCC will have their food stand open at the 29th Annual Chile Pepper Festival. Breakfast items, baked goods, and assorted lunch items will be available for purchase. Donations of food items, baked goods or monetary donations are always welcome and appreciated. Helpers are encouraged to sign up for shifts and window people are very much needed.

You can contact jbixler@ptd.net for information on setting up your own stand. https://www.facebook.com/ChilePepperFestivalBowers
http://www.pepperfestival.com

Joint Worship Service & St. Peter's UCC's 100th Anniversary of the Cornerstone

September 21, 2025 ~ 10:00 am ~ St. Peter's UCC, St. Peter's, UCC, 122 W. Franklin St., Topton, PA 19562

~ St. Peter’s will be celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the laying of the current building’s cornerstone. The celebration will begin with a worship service at 10:00 am. Following there will be a blessing of the cornerstone including putting new items in it.

A fellowship luncheon will finish the celebration. The cornerstone committee needs your help. We are looking for ideas on items to put in the cornerstone. Call or email the church with your ideas.

Papa Sarge's Pierogie Sale Joint Fundraiser

September 27, 2025

~ Stay tuned for more information!

The Antique Engine, Tractor & Toy Club Consignment Sale

October 11, 2025 ~ 9:00 am - 6:00 pm ~ William DeLong Memorial Park, 233 Bowers Rd., Bowers, PA 19511

~ Consignment sale of farm related machinery, farming equipment and collectable toys. If you are interested in selling anything please contact either Dale at dleidichsr@ptd.net or Duane at dnotto58@aol.com. There will be a $10 nonrefundable service fee due at registration and 20% commission. Our churches will be selling food and beverages. Stay tuned for more info!

Christ DeLong Ladies' Aid Apple Dumpling Sale

October 15-18, 2025

~ Stay tuned for more information!

Christmas Eve Services

December 24, 2025 ~ 6:30 pm ~ Christ DeLong, UCC, 63 Old Bowers Rd., Bowers, PA 19511

8:30 pm ~ St. Peter's UCC, St. Peter's, UCC, 122 W. Franklin St., Topton, PA 19562

~ *Updated times*

RECURRING EVENTS:

Bible Study

*Will Resume in September*

1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month ~ 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm ~ Christ DeLong, UCC, 63 Old Bowers Rd., Bowers, PA 19511

Joint Sunday School

*Will Resume in September*

3rd Sunday of each month ~ 10:30 am ~ Christ DeLong, UCC, 63 Old Bowers Rd., Bowers, PA 19511

~ All children are welcome to attend Sunday School during the church service.

Mat-Weaving Ministry

3rd Saturday of each month ~ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm ~ St. Peter's, UCC, 122 W. Franklin St., Topton, PA 19562

~ Join us to weave mats for our local homeless population, distributed through the Opportunity House. They are used as waterproof sleeping mats to lay on and each mat requires 500-700 plastic grocery bags! All ages are welcome to help - no experience or tools necessary. We need folders, cutters and weavers. The more, the merrier! Please use the back entrance to St. Peter's UCC and go down the steps.
**At this time we do not need for any more bag donations. Thank you to everyone who brought some in for this project!**

GALLERY