Zion German Lutheran Church
250th Anniversary
250th Anniversary
History of the Old Brick Church
Sometime in the middle 1700’s, large numbers
of German-speaking immigrants began to settle
in the Pottstown area. John Potts, the founder of
Pottstown, gave these people some land on which
to construct a church and have their cemetery. A
log church was built on the corner of what is now
Hanover & Walnut Streets and worship services
were held in the German language. Reformed
and Lutheran pastors served the people as they
were available and in time two congregations
were worshiping in the log building, one Lutheran
and one Reformed. Soon the log building was
too small and plans were underway for the
construction of a new church structure. Following
plans of the church which had recently been built
and Falkner’s Swamp, a brick Church was erected
at the corner of Hanover & Chestnut Streets and
dedicated late in the year 1796. It is in this
building that Zion’s United Church of Christ
worships today.
Sometime in the middle 1700’s, large numbers
of German-speaking immigrants began to settle
in the Pottstown area. John Potts, the founder of
Pottstown, gave these people some land on which
to construct a church and have their cemetery. A
log church was built on the corner of what is now
Hanover & Walnut Streets and worship services
were held in the German language. Reformed
and Lutheran pastors served the people as they
were available and in time two congregations
were worshiping in the log building, one Lutheran
and one Reformed. Soon the log building was
too small and plans were underway for the
construction of a new church structure. Following
plans of the church which had recently been built
and Falkner’s Swamp, a brick Church was erected
at the corner of Hanover & Chestnut Streets and
dedicated late in the year 1796. It is in this
building that Zion’s United Church of Christ
worships today.
The 69th "Irish Volunteer Band" was invited to participate in the 250th anniversary celebration of
one of the oldest churches in the upper Montgomery County area - the Old Brick Church of
Pottstown, Pa. The church event organizers wanted a musical group that could reflect the role
the church had played in the 19th century with it's connections to Civil War recruitment, Abolitionist
action and the famous church eulogy to Abraham Lincoln after his assassination. On July 14th
members of the band journeyed to Pottstown along the Schuylkill River to perform a number of Civil
War period and anti-slavery songs. Band members Robert Levine, Jerry Malloy, Dara Heether,
Mike Hessler, Jim & Ginny Rothenberger were joined by Don Ernsberger as they performed a
series of songs prior to the ceremonies and three songs as part of the services - "Tenting on the Old
Camp Ground", "Soldier Boys" & "Battle Hymn of the Republic". As usual, 69th music CD's, shirts,
caps and opportunities for contribution to the gravestone project were available to those attending.
one of the oldest churches in the upper Montgomery County area - the Old Brick Church of
Pottstown, Pa. The church event organizers wanted a musical group that could reflect the role
the church had played in the 19th century with it's connections to Civil War recruitment, Abolitionist
action and the famous church eulogy to Abraham Lincoln after his assassination. On July 14th
members of the band journeyed to Pottstown along the Schuylkill River to perform a number of Civil
War period and anti-slavery songs. Band members Robert Levine, Jerry Malloy, Dara Heether,
Mike Hessler, Jim & Ginny Rothenberger were joined by Don Ernsberger as they performed a
series of songs prior to the ceremonies and three songs as part of the services - "Tenting on the Old
Camp Ground", "Soldier Boys" & "Battle Hymn of the Republic". As usual, 69th music CD's, shirts,
caps and opportunities for contribution to the gravestone project were available to those attending.
Members of the congregation reenact the famous eulogy services of 1799 (George
Washington) and 1865 (Abraham Lincoln) which took part in the church in those years
Washington) and 1865 (Abraham Lincoln) which took part in the church in those years
The Old Brick Church
Leaders of the Congregation in front of the church
The 69th Pa "Irish Volunteer Band" Performs
