Our Story
Step back in time to 1857. Most of us were Pennsylvania Germans. We traveled far to go to church in Fogelsville, Jordan, Neffs, Lowhill, or Ziegels. In 1857, we decided to form our own church, which would be more convenient. The church became a Union Church, Reformed, and Lutheran, divided and independent in their faith and teaching, to have equal common rights and responsibilities for all church lands, buildings, and the churchyard. The cornerstone of the church was laid on August 23, 1857, and on August 31, 1858, dedication services were held in the new church. The name of the church became “Morgenland” which is German for “the land of the morning.”
Since the church faces East, in the direction of the morning sun, it is assumed that for this reason, our forbears decided on the name Morgenland. During the next 116 years, many changes had been made to the church. A bell tower was erected, a basement was dug, and a new organ was purchased. Our church forbears, to keep pace with the growing needs of the church and the community, generously donated many hours of labor.
The first pipe organ was installed in 1870. In 1899, a bell tower was erected at the southeast corner of the church. In 1942, a new pipe organ was installed. In 1945 the church purchased the sexton’s home located a short distance to the east of the first cemetery.
The year 1957 marked the 100th anniversary of the church and this occasion was observed by special services held all day on August 25, 1957. In preparation for the church centennial, during the preceding year, the church had been completely repainted and redecorated and its exterior walls brick-coated in a grayish-white color.
Finally, in 1970, problems arose which made it necessary to build a new church structure. The building project for our current church structure was initiated and carried out under the leadership of the Reverend Dr. Arvids Ziedonis, Jr., and the Reverend George MacNeal, and the co-chairmen of the joint Building Committee, Raymond Billiard, and John Kriner III. In June 1971, both congregations, Lutheran and U.C.C., approved to go into the much-needed building program and to start a building fund campaign. On January 23, 1972, the members of Morgenland Church approved the building plans based on the report of the Executive Planning Committee, which called for a completely new church and two-story educational building to be erected on the existing church property, north, and northwest of the existing church building. Groundbreaking ceremonies were held on May 28, 1972, and construction was started. The new cornerstone was laid on October 22, 1972. The congregations moved into the new church for worship services in the processional in April 1973 and dedication services of the new facilities were held June 3, 1973. Many memories remain of the old church building where many of our members were baptized, confirmed, or married. The painting of Christ has been reproduced and has a new home in our church. We have preserved the bell, which rang across the valley, and for many years the same organ had to lead us as we raised our voices in song.
Ground for the first cemetery, which was donated by two members, is located on the south side of the road directly opposite the church. By 1871, the old cemetery was filled, and an additional tract of land, to the west of the church and on the same side of the road, was purchased. For additional cemetery space, a tract of land on the south side of the road and adjacent to the west side of the first cemetery was purchased on November 23, 1963. The Morgenland Church Cemetery Association was incorporated on November 19, 1965, and the cemetery lands were deeded from the church to the association.
On November 15, 2009, both the U.C.C. and the Lutheran congregations voted to adopt a new constitution and become a federated congregation.
In the fall of 2005, Morgenland Union Church formed a committee to study a “Shared Ministry” which was two congregations worshipping together with one minister. A proposal was taken to both congregations and approved. February 2006 saw the beginning of the Morgenland Church Shared Ministry. In 2008, Morgenland Church began looking into becoming a Federated Congregation, joining the two previously separate congregations. A committee was formed to create a Federated Constitution. On November 15, 2009, both the U.C.C. and Lutheran congregations voted to accept the new Federated Constitutions.