Augustus Lutheran Church
Encyclopedia
Augustus Lutheran Church, built during 1743-1745 in Trappe, Pennsylvania
, is the oldest unchanged Lutheran church building in the United States in continuous use by the same congregation.
The church, which cost 200 pounds sterling, was designed by Heinrich Melchior Mühlenberg
. All of the interior fittings, except for the English-made pulpit, were fabricated from local materials. The building is built of local sandstone faced with stucco; the east end of the building is formed into a half-hexagon. The roof is framed with local timber and covered in wooden shakes. It replaced a nearby frame barn, and later, a stone schoolhouse, as the local house of worship. The cemetery at the rear of the building contains stones dating from 1736 and earlier, as well as the grave of Mühlenberg, his wife Anna Maria Weiser, and son Peter Muhlenberg. A monument at the west end of the church commemorates unknown soldiers buried in the cemetery.
Though the shell of the building was finished during 1743, the church was not consecrated until 1745. During the American Revolution
, the building was used as a camping site and hospital for the Hessian troops. It is said that George Washington worshiped here later in the war; however, the accuracy of this story cannot be determined.
By 1850, however, the congregation had outgrown the old building, and a new brick
church was built. This structure was consecrated in 1852, whereupon the old building became used for Sunday School classes. A freak thunderstorm later in the 19th century severely damaged the roof and destroyed the organ; however, it was decided to reconstruct the roof in its original configuration. A cast-iron stove was then added to the previously unheated building. Renovations in the 1920s restored the building to its original appearance. In the late 1950s, services were once again held in the Old Church in the summer and on Christmas Eve
, a tradition which continues to the present day. The organ was restored in the early 1990s.
The church was declared a National Historic Landmark
in 1967.
It is located at 717 West Main Street, Trappe, Pennsylvania.
It should be noted that over the entrance door is a mural stone naming the founders of the church, including Rev.Muhlenburg and Frederick Ludwig Marsteller, Muhlenburg's friend and sponsor. Muhlenburg, Marsteller and Rev.Muhlenburg's son, the American General, are buried together adjacent the church wall at the rear of the church.
Trappe, Pennsylvania
Trappe is a borough in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 3,509 at the 2010 census. Augustus Lutheran Church, built in 1743, is the oldest unchanged Lutheran church building in the United States in continuous use by the same congregation...
, is the oldest unchanged Lutheran church building in the United States in continuous use by the same congregation.
The church, which cost 200 pounds sterling, was designed by Heinrich Melchior Mühlenberg
Henry Muhlenberg
Henry Melchior Muhlenberg , was a German Lutheran pastor sent to North America as a missionary, requested by Pennsylvania colonists....
. All of the interior fittings, except for the English-made pulpit, were fabricated from local materials. The building is built of local sandstone faced with stucco; the east end of the building is formed into a half-hexagon. The roof is framed with local timber and covered in wooden shakes. It replaced a nearby frame barn, and later, a stone schoolhouse, as the local house of worship. The cemetery at the rear of the building contains stones dating from 1736 and earlier, as well as the grave of Mühlenberg, his wife Anna Maria Weiser, and son Peter Muhlenberg. A monument at the west end of the church commemorates unknown soldiers buried in the cemetery.
Though the shell of the building was finished during 1743, the church was not consecrated until 1745. During the American Revolution
American Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
, the building was used as a camping site and hospital for the Hessian troops. It is said that George Washington worshiped here later in the war; however, the accuracy of this story cannot be determined.
By 1850, however, the congregation had outgrown the old building, and a new brick
Brick
A brick is a block of ceramic material used in masonry construction, usually laid using various kinds of mortar. It has been regarded as one of the longest lasting and strongest building materials used throughout history.-History:...
church was built. This structure was consecrated in 1852, whereupon the old building became used for Sunday School classes. A freak thunderstorm later in the 19th century severely damaged the roof and destroyed the organ; however, it was decided to reconstruct the roof in its original configuration. A cast-iron stove was then added to the previously unheated building. Renovations in the 1920s restored the building to its original appearance. In the late 1950s, services were once again held in the Old Church in the summer and on Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve refers to the evening or entire day preceding Christmas Day, a widely celebrated festival commemorating the birth of Jesus of Nazareth that takes place on December 25...
, a tradition which continues to the present day. The organ was restored in the early 1990s.
The church was declared a National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
in 1967.
It is located at 717 West Main Street, Trappe, Pennsylvania.
It should be noted that over the entrance door is a mural stone naming the founders of the church, including Rev.Muhlenburg and Frederick Ludwig Marsteller, Muhlenburg's friend and sponsor. Muhlenburg, Marsteller and Rev.Muhlenburg's son, the American General, are buried together adjacent the church wall at the rear of the church.