The Rev. Ben Lander, pastor at St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Muncy, has chosen the theme “Gospel I.Q.” for the Annual Memorial Service at Old Immanuel Lutheran Church, 2633 Lime Bluff Road, Muncy. The service will take place on Sunday, June 2, 2024, at 2:30 p.m. Mrs. Joy Barto will accompany the service on the church’s antique pump organ, and will be joined by members of the Chancel Choir of St. Andrew to present special music during the service. Featured hymns will be “A Mighty Fortress,” “Amazing Grace,” “Blessed Assurance,” and “My Hope is built on Nothing Less.”
Old Immanuel is considered to be the mother church of Lutheranism in Lycoming County. Founded in 1791, it lived until its doors shut permanently in 1920. The first structure built on the property was of log; the second and third (the current) structures were of brick. The current building was dedicated in 1869, and contains two cornerstones, one in German dated 1832, and one in English dated 1869. At least nine Revolutionary Soldiers and five Civil War Soldiers are buried in the historic cemetery. The church was built on land donated by Henry and Barbara Shoemaker, of “Shoemaker Mills” at the Route 442/405 intersection.
At one time, there was a school associated with Old Immanuel, and the church contained a gallery, a wine-glass pulpit, and enough straight-backed pews to seat 600 people.
Old Immanuel closed its doors for regular services in 1920, after giving rise to 19 other Lutheran congregations. Some of these have also closed their doors, such as Trinity (Huntersville), St. Paul’s (Millville), Germany Church (at one time known at St. John’s), Katy’s Church (at one time known as Immanuel Lutheran), Christ Lutheran (Montgomery), Messiah (Alvira), the Stone Church in Elimsport, and Zion’s, also in Elimsport. Others, such as Moreland Lutheran (at one time known at St. John’s) and St. Mark’s Lutheran (Lairdsville) have taken on new identities as they have become home to other congregations.
Churches that have sprung up from Old Immanuel that continue with the Lutheran tradition include Trinity and Mount Zion, Hughesville; St. Andrew, Muncy; St. James, Muncy; Messiah, Clarkstown; St. John’s, Gordner’s Grove; St. John’s (Brick), Montgomery; and Bethany, Montoursville.
The public is invited to attend this service as well as to tour the historic church. Light refreshments will be served on the church lawn after the service. Please note that the church does not have running water or electricity. For more information, or to follow Old Immanuel more closely, “Like” us on FaceBook!!!
