Reformation's first home,
a converted Army barracks.
The following information is from The Lutheran Church in Berks County 1723-1958
The Reverand Mark Trexler, B.D., Editor
copyright 1959
The Kutztown Publishing Co.,
Kutztown, PA
Reformation Church, Reiffton, was organized April 4, 1948, under the guidance of the Home Mission Board of the Ministerium of Pennsylvania with 75 charter members. The first pastor was the Rev. Bertram C. Gilbert, pastor of Schwarzwald Church, Jacksonwald, with which Reformation Church was to be associated to form a parish.
The congregation was a lineal descendant of the Sunday School which had been conducted in the area since about 1928 when the group met in the Reiffton Elementary School. After that it had struggled for about five years with varying degrees of success, synodical home mission authorities came to the rescue, bought an adjoining lot and moved a temporary chapel which had been used at Stone Harbor, N.J. to the spot. The chapel was a former Army barracks. Even after the S.S., then known as the Reiffton Lutheran Chapel, had its permanent home, its fortunes varied considerably. In 1945, Evans Keim, then a Lutheran student for the ministry attending Albright College, began the success story when Reiffton began to grow with an influx of young families.
Sunday School classes in the "Barracks."
Pastor Gilbert installed the following as the first church council: Donald C. Ermentrout, Herman Harp, C. Frank Minnich, William H. Keifer, Dr. Harry G. Keller, Edward W. Heck, Harold W. Encke, Charles Riegelman and C. M. Schultz. The first communion service was conducted April 11, 1948.
An early sign of the enthusiasm the new congregation met was the fact that aid on pastor's salary from the Board of American Missions, was accepted for only six months. January 1, 1949, the congregation assumed its full share of the support of the pastor.
During this pastorate plans were made and carried through to purchase from the Synod the chapel and the adjoining lot for future expansion.
The congregation was incorporated during its first year and the first class was confirmed April 10, 1949.
The barracks was used until 1973.
Pastor Gilbert resigned in 1951 when he was recalled to military service. Steps were then taken to dissolve the parish relationship. The Rev. Clyde Fry served as stated supply for a few months. Donald R. Schaeffer of Pottstown became the first full time pastor. In 1952 a parsonage was purchased at 30 East 34th St., Reiffton.
Pastor Schaeffer resigned in Feb. 1954. Pastor Fry served again as supply pastor until June 1954, when the Rev. Raymond Reed, Jr. took over his duties, although he was not installed as the third pastor until the fall of the year.
At this time many improvements were made, but the cost seemed to be in church unity. This was noticable in opposition to a building project. By Jan. 1956, tensions had so multiplied that the third pastorate came to a close.
On January 15, 1957, the Rev. William J. Ducker became the fourth pastor.
The following annual highlights come from "A Time to Remember"
the Fiftieth Anniversary commemorative pamphlet
compiled by Leon Scholl and Michael Plica.
1958 - Reformation's Tenth Anniversary was observed with monthly events. Pastor Gilbert was the dinner speaker at the Jolly Roger restaurant.
1959 - Our "Women of the Church" became "Lutheran Church Women."
1060 - The basement was renovated for better Sunday School use.
1961 - Mortgage burning services were held for the Church and site
1962 - The first "Venture in Faith" program was launched to obtain a new building.
1963 - The Building program was submitted to the Mission Board. The project was put on "hold." Pastor Drucker accepted the "call" from a Philadelphia church. The Rev. Roy E. Gulliford becomed Reformation's fifth Pastor.
The Rev. Roy Gulliford
1965 - The Building program was approved by the congregation and also by the Mission Board. A Capital Fund Drive was launched with a dinner in the Berkshire Hotel. Seven changes in the Constitution were approved.
1966 - The congregation approved construction and financing at a total cost of $181,600. The Groundbreaking ceremony was held in September.
1967 The New church building wea dedicated. Dr. Samuel Kidd, Ministerium President, delivers the dedication address.
1968 - Council grows from 9 to 12 members
1969 - Personage sold. Monthly housing allowance substituted. Revolving purchase fund established.
Two women elected to Church Council--a first.
1970 - Pastor Gulliford resigns to become Executive Director of Lutheran Camps. The Rev. Clarence Rhoda serves as interim Pastor. The Rev. Martin L. Schwartz accepts our "call."
1972 - The lot to the rear of the church is purchased. Fund-raising campaign conducted with help form L.L.M.
1973 - Twenty-fifth Anniversary is celebrated by issuing Commemorative Plates. In this year the "barracks," our first building for worship, was removed.
1975 - The first Photographic Directory was published. Two Vietnam refugees were sponsored by the church. The Parish Life Development Program was conducted.
1976 - Reformation helps celebrate the United States Bicentennial, highlighted by the Choir's rendition of "I Love America," the Evangelism Committee's presentation of "America the Beautiful," and the film "Reflections" provided by the "Women of the Church."
1977 - Pastor Schwartz accepts the "call" to Zion Lutheran Church in Landisville.
The Rev. Charles E. Mertz becomes our pastor.
Pastor Charles Mertz
1978 - Reformation celebrates it's 30th Anniversary on April 16th with Dr. Bertram C. Gilbert in the pulpit.
1979 - A combined Church-Church School Worship Service was held to mark the International Year of the Child.
1980 - A Capital Fund campaign was initiated to pay the mortgage. A storagearea and portico was constructed. The church was fully carpeted.
1981 - A new organ was purchased. The 25th Anniversary of Pastor Mertz's ordination was observed. Two new pews were added to the choir area.
1982 - A Vietnam refugee family was sponsored. Over $5,000 was contributed to provide housing, food and clothing.
1983 - A Needs Assessment Committee was formed
1985 - A Building Addition Committee was appointed. The Congregation a building proposal and Capital Fund Drive.
1986 - Unsigned Gift Cards replace Pledge Cards. A second "Venture in Faith" Program was initiated. A Construction contract was executed. The total construction cost was set at $345.623. An inside Ground Breaking Ceremony was held due to inclement weather.
1987 - The addition to the church was completed. The September 27th Dedication is followed by dinner in the new facility.
1988 - The 40th Anniversary of Reformation Evangelical Lutheran Church was celebrated. The sanctuary lamp was dedicated in memory of Jean A. Mertz, wife of Pastor Mertz.
1989 - The Venture in Faith Program officially ended in January of 1989. Additional pews were added and kneelers recovered. A new amplification system was installed.
1990 - This was the first year in which Reformation sent two youths to the Synod Youth Convention.
1991 - A new procedure for administering the Sacrament of Holy Communion was implemented.
1992 - Pastor Mertz retires effective December 31, 1992. The Rev. Byard Ebling is assigned interim pastor. A Pictoral directory was completed and distributed.
1993 - The Rev. D. Michael Bennethum accepted the call to be pastor of Reformation.
The Reverend Dr. D. Michael Bennethum
1994 - Two worship services were instituted - 8:00 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. The congregation celebrates the 15th year of ordination of Pastor Bennethum with a surprise luncheon.
1995 - Beverly Perella retires as organist after 10 years. Karl Schmidt rejoins our music ministry staff as church organist.
1996 - A group called "SPLASH" is organized. It's mission is to teach others how to relate their faith to their daily life activities. A fund was started to help build a Lutheran Church in Namibia.
1997 - The church initiated weekly communion services, alternating between the 8 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. services.
1998 - The congregation celebrated the 50th anniversary of Reformation
The following highlights come from the August 28, 2005
Luncheon Program which honored Pastor Michael Bennethum
as he ended his twelve years as Pastor of Reformation.
1999 - A Long Range Strategic Plan was adopted where the congregation elected to develop a building program to increase the size of its facility.
2001 - The congregation approves the expansion of the church building at an estimated cost of $652,870. The congregation extends a call to The Reverend Mary Wolfe to serve as part time Associate Pastor.
2002 - Pastor Bennethum is awarded the degree of Doctor of Ministry by the Lutheran School of Theology in Philadelphia. On October 27th, the new building and renovated space is dedicated with a festival service and celebratory luncheon.
2003 - Listen! God is Calling! - Pastor Bennethum's book is published by Augsburg Fortress Press.
2004 - The congregation celebrates 25th anniversary of his ordination. Reformation begins a new partnership with Utanziwa Lutheran Parish in Bulongwa, Tanzania.
2005 - The Congregation Council receives with regret the resignation of Pastor Mike to accept a call as Associate of the Bishop for the West Berks Mission District. A Pastoral Call Committee is formed.
2006 - Pastor Mary E. Wolfe is selected as interim pastor. Pastor Mary then accepts the call from our partner church, Hope Lutheran in Reading. Pastor Carl Adams is selected as substitute Pastor.
2007 - The Reverand Steven Claycomb accepts the call as pastor of Reformation.
 Clyde I. Fry |
 John Hassler |
 Clarence Rhoda |
 Byard J. Ebling |
 Mary E.Wolfe |