Moravian Church History

Moravian Church History

The history of the Palmer Moravian Church is a story of men and women seeking God's will and then following God's leading. Our history begins in 1948 when The Rev. Hugh Kemper, pastor of the First Moravian Church in Easton, PA recognized the need for a Moravian Church in Palmer Heights, a suburb of Easton.

After Rev. Kemper requested the Eastern District to consider beginning Moravian work in this area, eleven students from Moravian Theological Seminary went door-to-door. The resident survey indicated interest in having a "community church" in Palmer Heights, now known as Palmer Township.

A 50 foot army hospital tent was purchased and erected at the corner of Broad Street and Greenwood Avenue. The first worship service was held in the tent on Sunday, June 2, 1948.

Sunday services were held at 3:30 p.m. with Sunday School at 2:30 p.m. As fall approached, worshippers realized the tent would not provide adequate facilities for the winter months. Although not yet recognized as a Moravian Church, this dedicated group of men and women decided to erect a church building in order to meet the spiritual needs of this community.

Ground breaking was October 3, 1948. Six weeks and $8,300 later, the building, now known as the Fireside Room, was dedicated on November 21, 1948. This building was constructed of concrete block with an oil-fired radiant floor heating system and had a seating capacity of 200.

The Palmer Township Community Moravian Church became official on April 10, 1949 as 67 men and women signed the Charter. In less than three years, additional space was needed for ministry, and on September 14, 1952, a second building was dedicated to the Glory of God. This more than doubled the total ministry space for the church.

By 1956, it became obvious that more worship space was need. On December 13, 1959, the current sanctuary with a seating capacity of 350 was dedicated as well as the fellowship hall and several classrooms.

Almost 40 years after the congregation's last building addition, it became apparent that more space was needed for an expanding and growing ministry. In 2001 an addition was dedicated with a new gathering area for fellowship and coffee hours; two fully accessible rest room facilities; music suite consisting of a choir rehearsal area, bell choir rehearsal area, robing room, and music office/library; two classrooms for Sunday School and Day School; elevator accessing the three levels of the church; storage area; handicapped accessible restroom next to the elevator; church office; pastor's office; conference room; living room; and classroom for a larger nursery.

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