Zion United Church celebrates 250th year

POTTSTOWN >> The first of a series of special worship services to celebrate a milestone anniversary took place recently at Zion’s United Church of Christ.

The Sunday worship service remembered some historic events held within the walls of “The Old Brick Church”— built in 1796. A “mock” funeral procession was held at the death of Washington in 1799. Additionally, a memorial service was held for Lincoln in 1865, at about the time the “Lincoln Special” funeral train passed through Pottstown on the way from Harrisburg to Philadelphia where his body would lie in state in Independence Hall.

The church lifted up those services with a funeral procession and read moving eulogies written for Washington and Lincoln. Washington’s was by a former slave, Bishop Richard Allen, a pastor from Philadelphia. Lincoln’s was done by Dr. Phineas Gurley, a Presbyterian minister from New York City.

“We were fortunate to have Rev. Elliott Liverman, a colleague pastor from Pottstown, to be a pall bearer portraying an African American soldier/ preacher, and deliver a powerful interpretation on the meaning of the Emancipation Proclamation. Ms. Shawn Morris was also in attendance, Vice President of Pottstown’s NAACP,” the church said.

The 69th Pennsylvania Irish Volunteers Band played during the service along with musician and interpreter, Tom Jolin from Orrtanna, Pennsylvania. Jolin played the period correct dulcimer hammer which he crafted.

The event was meant to remember the first report of the church’s first pastor about the Reformed Church in Pottstown. Rev. John Philip Leydich reported to the Coetus in Germantown about 50 families in the Pottstown congregation on September 20-21, 1769. The event will also be remembered on September 29, 2019 when Trinity and Zion’s will be worshiping together, with Rev. Worley preaching (Pennsylvania Southeast Conference Minister).

SUBMITTED PHOTO Costumed participants helped to celebrate 250 years of Zion UCC in Pottstown.

SUBMITTED PHOTO A recent worship service at Zion’s UCC remembered some historic events held within the walls of “The Old Brick Church”— built in 1796.

SUBMITTED PHOTO A mock funeral was held at Zion UCC of Pottstown as part of their 250th Anniversary celebrations. The funeral commemorated the funeral procession held at the death of Washington in 1799.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Banjos as well as many other instruments were used as Zion UCC celebrated its 250th anniversary.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Zion UCC of Pottstown celebrated 250 years with a special service earlier this month.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Rev. Elliott Liverman portrayed an African American soldier/ preacher, and delivered a powerful interpretation on the meaning of the Emancipation Proclamation.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Participants in the Sunday worship service at Zion UCC were dressed for the part as they remembered historic events that took place within the church.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Participants in the Sunday worship service at Zion UCC of Pottstown dressed the part as they reenacted historic events from the church’s history.