THE HISTORY
of
TEMPLE LUTHERAN CHURCH OF BROOKLINE
January 8, 1914 Union Sunday School of Brookline formally organized.
October 31, 1915 Brookline Christian Endeavor organized, meeting at Brookline Public School, Women's Club House (324 Sagamore Road) or schoolhouse at corner of Earlington Road and Strathmore Road.
Summer 1916 Area canvassed by Home Mission Board of East Pennsylvania Synod of the Lutheran Church. Decision was made to begin worship services. From the Sunday School and Christian Endeavor groups grew the Lutheran and Methodist congregations of Brookline.
September 10, 1916 Temple Lutheran Church was organized with 30 charter members and adoption of a constitution.
December 3, 1916 First communion service
February 11, 1917 First Confirmation Class received into communing membership.
June 17, 1919 Under direction of Dr. C. E. Ware, Supply Pastor, four lots at SE corner of Brookline Blvd. and Earlington Rd. were purchased for $2,500.
July 1919 Plans approved for construction of the Bible School Building at a cost of $21,000. Cornerstone laid October 1919.
March 1920 Dr. Ware resigned as Supply Pastor.
March 14, 1919 Call extended and accepted by Rev. William C. Ney, Pastor of St. Pauls Lutheran Church, Newport, PA.
May 1, 1920 Pastor Ney pastorate began.
September 12, 1920 Bible School Building dedicated.
September 19, 1920 Pastor Ney formally installed.
1921 Ladies guild organized; Womens Society begun.
1922 Two lots purchased on Brookline Blvd. for purposes of building a parsonage.
1924 Parsonage was built.
January 7, 1925 Temple declared a self-supporting congregation.
1926 George C. Baum, architect, contracted to design plans for a church sanctuary; campaign for capital funds held; approval given for construction at a cost of $60,000.
December 1926 Ground-breaking Service.
March 27, 1927 Cornerstone laid.
January 8, 1928 Dedication service for new building complete with furnishings and Welty Organ. Contract given to P.O. Reeves Co., Philadelphia for antique glass windows in nave and transept areas.
1932 Dr. Ney received Doctor of Divinity Degree from Gettysburg College. He served as President of East Pennsylvania Synod from 1932 - 1934.
1930's Great Depression - Temple able to meet all obligations including 100% Benevolence apportionment from Synod and ULC despite losses of funds and reduced contributions.
1941 - 1945 127 young people served in WW II.
1948 Schulmerich Carillonic Bells installed in church tower as a memorial and tribute to service men and women of Temple.
September 6, 1948 Mortgage burning service.
December 2, 1951 Call extended and accepted by Rev. Robert F. Fisher, Pastor of Grace Lutheran Church, York, PA. Pastor to remain as Pastor Emeritus.
February 2, 1952 Pastor Fisher pastorate began.
May 1952 Publication of Temple EVANGEL began.
September 1952 Weekday Kindergarten/Nursery organized and continues to present.
1956 Fortieth Anniversary highlighted by renovation of organ and dedicated to memory of Mr. and Mrs. Miles Keasey and as a tribute to Jane Morgan. Greater Temple Building Program Committee formed to develop plans for additional physical facilities.
1957 Three-story education building constructed adjoining Bible School Building.
1958 Renovation of Bible School Building with addition of 3rd floor across balcony.
1959 Renovation of lower level under nave.
1964 Schulmerich Magnebell tape player installed and dedicated to the ministry of Dr. Ney on occasion of his 85th birthday.
1966 Year-long celebration of Temple's 50th Anniversary
November 1966 Pastor Fisher accepted a call to Incarnate Word Church, Rochester, NY.
April 1967 Call extended and accepted by Rev. Walter O. Reimet of St. John's Gibraltar, PA.
August 1, 1967 Pastor Reimet pastorate began. Pastor Reimet formally installed.
1960's Temple began participation in Senior Seminary Program assisting the pastor with youth ministry.
1976 Temple began participation in Seminary Intern Program - (1976) Wilhelmina (Billie) Wright; (1978) George Koch; (1980) Susan Peterson; (1986) Terry Wimmer.
1978 Lots on opposite side of Earlington Rd. sold. Temple expansion turned toward community service.
Since 1970 Building utilization vs. Building growth - Delaware County Association of Retarded Citizens used rooms as workshop area for 2 1/2 years; (1983) Earlbrook Senior Center for one year. (1987) Playful Parenting and Great Beginnings Day Care Center programs established in cooperation with a private owner.
April 22, 1982 Call extended and accepted by Rev. Susan Peterson, seminary graduate as second pastor on a part-time basis.
October 3, 1982 Pastor Peterson formally installed.
1985 Pastor Peterson resigned to join her family in a move to Minneapolis, MN.
April 19, 1986 Title of Organist Emeritus conferred upon Jane Morgan upon her retirement in 1985 after 50 years as Temple's organist.
April 22, 1990 Call extended and accepted by Rev. Betty Butler Percival, seminary graduate, as a second pastor on a part-time basis.
July 1990 Lift installed making Temple handicapped accessible.
October 7, 1990 Pastor Betty Butler Percival formally installed.
March 1996 Pastor Reimet announced his retirement.
November 1, 1996 Pastor Reimet offically retires
November 1, 1996 Pastor Daniel C. Lyman appointed Interim Pastor.
December 1, 1996 Pastor Betty Butler officially resigns per the conditions of her call.
August 1, 1997 Temple calls Larry Resmer Stiles as Pastor.
July 22, 2002 Pastor Stiles Officially leaves Temple
September 8, 2002 Pastor Richard Mathisen begins as Interim Pastor
February 15, 2004 Pastor Richard Mathisen reassigned as Interim Pastor another congregation
March 1, 2004 Pastor Particia Johnson begins as Interim Pastor
At Present Temple continues to be active in outreach to the community by providing Temple Designated Gifts, Feeding the homeless, collections and contributions for food cupboards, letter writing campaigns for Bread for the World, partial support for missionaries Roseanne and Mark Swanson in Egypt, and many other activities too numerous to mention. We participate with other congregations in the community in ecumenical events and worship opportunities.
 
For over 80 years Temple has sought to proclaim and serve the Lord through service to its members and the service of its members to the community and the world. With God's help this service and outreach will continue.


Mission Services Activities
newsletter
Music Staff History
           
 
[ Mission ] [ Worship ] [ Calendar ] [ Music ] [ Youth ] [The Evangel]
[ Prayer Request ] [ Staff ] [ History ]










Developed by AB Internet, Inc.