Christ Mertz Church celebrates 275th anniversary
Dryville church unveils Wall of History, hosts anniversary worship service and picnic
Christ Mertz Lutheran Church, 16 Fleetwood Road, Rockland Township, marked its 275th anniversary on Sept. 18.
German speaking immigrants worshiped along Biebers Creek, currently known as the village of Dryville. A log cabin church was erected 1747 on land donated by Henry Mertz.
“We remember how we were once strangers in a strange land and, by God’s Grace, like John the Baptist, John Casper Stoever gathered those who settled here,” c.1733, which later became the Mertz Church after John Henry Mertz donated the land to build a church and for a cemetery, in 1747, when it was served by Tobias Wagner.
Christ Mertz Lutheran Church in Rockland Township celebrated its 275th anniversary with a worship service, cemetery walk and a picnic on Sept. 18. Pictured at the picnic are the anniversary committee, from left, Eleanor Dreibelbis, Diane Grim, Bonnie Mensch and Linda Hilbert, and Bryan Grube (rear). (Submitted photo) To celebrate the 275th anniversary, there was a worship service with a Pennsylvania German inspired sermon, church artifacts and memorabilia on display, a cemetery walk, food, games, and music by the James Supra / Sarah Ayers Band.
The church service with Communion was conducted by Rev. Martin A. Milne supported by parts of the liturgy in Pennsylvania German by the Rev. Richard Miller.
The service was preceded by trumpet soloist Dionna Jackson playing “Jesus bleibet meine Freude” by J.S. Bach, accompanied by Christ Mertz pianist Atsuko Hanson.
The Christ Mertz Choir performed a Choral Introit, “A Day for Praise,” with words and music by Joseph M. Martin and accompanied by Jackson on trumpet and Hanson on piano.
Other music included a solo “In the Garden” by Regina Sanders and the Christ Mertz Bell Choir’s rendition of “Our Grateful Praise” led by Vicky Flicker.
An unveiling and dedication was held for a Wall of History, which was recently completed by the Interiors Committee chaired by Kathy Greiss and Deidre Reinert. The earliest item in the timeline was a plaque in honor of John Casper Stoever. The timeline included numerous historical photos of the Christ Mertz Church and of construction of the building.
A cemetery walk was conducted by Bryan Grube.
A picnic-style meal was served under the large tent including local favorites such as pork and birch beer. Eagle Scout candidate Drew Pengelly was responsible for the always popular fries and funnel cakes. Music was provided in the tent by the James Supra / Sarah Ayers Band.
The anniversary committee included Bonnie Mensch, Bryan Grube, Diane Grim, Linda Hilbert and Eleanor Dreibelbis. Grim supervised the anniversary booklet. Linda composed a book of veterans on the cemeteries. Mensch dealt mostly with the menu and music. Grube led the cemetery walk. Dreibelbis was responsible for the historic information of the captions to the photos on the Wall of History while several of the committee members gathered the items for the archival displays.
“Thanks go out to the many helpers who contributed to the success of the day,” said Dreibelbis.