History of the Lock Ridge Memorial Presbyterian Church
by Ralph Bornman
In the heart of Lock Ridge, a tiny village no more than a stones throw from Alburtis stands a community institution so strongly entrenched in local history that not even the ravages of time have conquered it. The Memorial Presbyterian Church of Lock Ridge was founded in 1870 by the employees of the Thomas Iron Works, then the single industry there. Long ago, the Iron Works "folded", but the church lived on without it. It has been a long, hard pull for four generations of Lock Ridge Church people. At times, the going was difficult. This was especially true when the Iron Works faltered and finally ceased operations some years ago; surprisingly the membership managed to maintain the Church.
Actually the Church dates back to April 1868, when a number of workers met in the Thomas offices to organize a Sabbath School. This project was developed successfully, and later housed in a former school house. Pews and other furnishings were obtained from a church in Catasauqua, and monthly services were begun by visiting pastors. By Christmas that year, the membership had reached 92. Thirteen teachers took an active part. The following Christmas saw 120 people and 18 teachers on hand. Eventually, a group of residents decided to undertake construction of a Church in 1870. With a grant of land for the edifice and adjacent cemetery presented by the Thomas Corporation, they completed the Church basement in time for the Christmas service that same year.
A donation of $1,000 from the Iron Works a few months later, enabled the entire structure to become debt-free, almost before the plaster was dry. In April 1871, the Church was registered as a bonafide member of the Presbytery.
People from a wide area flocked to services. These were held irregularly at first, later every Sunday. Many persons journeyed to the edifice by rail, hauled by the company owned locomotive over the old Catasauqua and Fogelsville Railroad.
The Church was named "Memorial Presbyterian Church of Lock Ridge" because of the unification of two great branches of the Presbyterian Church in the
United States in 1870.
In 1898, the first severe trials came to the congregation. The Iron Works were shutdown, the men laid off, and rumors of abandoning the Works entirely disheartened the employees that they sought work elsewhere. Frequent suspensions since then have always resulted in the loss to the Church of some members, and the Master's call now and again to the faithful to come up higher has left the membership at 34.
Not long after, the Iron Works did suspend its activities at Alburtis. Today only traces of it remain along with a number of red brick homes erected by the firm for it's employees around 1866.
During those days, the community had just the one industry. When it closed, many residents moved away, leaving operation of the Church to a mere handful.
Few congregations can boost of a history more steeped in trials and tribulations yet blessed with success.
A Brief History of the Church
A review of the history of the Memorial Presbyterian Church of Lock Ridge reveals the story of a Church that has had many severe trials which tested the hearts of its few members, but whose members, with the help of God, carried on in faith
at the Church was destined to serve the community.
The Church had its beginning as a Sunday School, organized on April 12, 1868, in the office of the Thomas Iron Company. By the end of that same year, the enrollment of the Sunday School reached 92 scholars and 13 teachers.
Partly through the success of the Sunday School, it was decided to organize the congregation in 1870. Through the generosity of the Thomas Iron Company, by September 17th, 1870, the lot for the Church building was set apart and plans for the Church building begun. Mr. Valentine W. Weaver, Superintendent of the Iron Company, was instructional in drawing up the plans and carrying the work forward so that the building was competed and dedicated on April 19th, 1871. During those early years, services of worship were held irregularly with the following men supplying the pulpit; Rev. Mr. Earle, Rev. Richard Walker, Dr. James A. Little, Rev. E. A. Nelson, Rev. F. F. Kolb, Rev. H. D. Sassaman and others.
by Ralph Bornman
In the heart of Lock Ridge, a tiny village no more than a stones throw from Alburtis stands a community institution so strongly entrenched in local history that not even the ravages of time have conquered it. The Memorial Presbyterian Church of Lock Ridge was founded in 1870 by the employees of the Thomas Iron Works, then the single industry there. Long ago, the Iron Works "folded", but the church lived on without it. It has been a long, hard pull for four generations of Lock Ridge Church people. At times, the going was difficult. This was especially true when the Iron Works faltered and finally ceased operations some years ago; surprisingly the membership managed to maintain the Church.
Actually the Church dates back to April 1868, when a number of workers met in the Thomas offices to organize a Sabbath School. This project was developed successfully, and later housed in a former school house. Pews and other furnishings were obtained from a church in Catasauqua, and monthly services were begun by visiting pastors. By Christmas that year, the membership had reached 92. Thirteen teachers took an active part. The following Christmas saw 120 people and 18 teachers on hand. Eventually, a group of residents decided to undertake construction of a Church in 1870. With a grant of land for the edifice and adjacent cemetery presented by the Thomas Corporation, they completed the Church basement in time for the Christmas service that same year.
A donation of $1,000 from the Iron Works a few months later, enabled the entire structure to become debt-free, almost before the plaster was dry. In April 1871, the Church was registered as a bonafide member of the Presbytery.
People from a wide area flocked to services. These were held irregularly at first, later every Sunday. Many persons journeyed to the edifice by rail, hauled by the company owned locomotive over the old Catasauqua and Fogelsville Railroad.
The Church was named "Memorial Presbyterian Church of Lock Ridge" because of the unification of two great branches of the Presbyterian Church in the
United States in 1870.
In 1898, the first severe trials came to the congregation. The Iron Works were shutdown, the men laid off, and rumors of abandoning the Works entirely disheartened the employees that they sought work elsewhere. Frequent suspensions since then have always resulted in the loss to the Church of some members, and the Master's call now and again to the faithful to come up higher has left the membership at 34.
Not long after, the Iron Works did suspend its activities at Alburtis. Today only traces of it remain along with a number of red brick homes erected by the firm for it's employees around 1866.
During those days, the community had just the one industry. When it closed, many residents moved away, leaving operation of the Church to a mere handful.
Few congregations can boost of a history more steeped in trials and tribulations yet blessed with success.
A Brief History of the Church
A review of the history of the Memorial Presbyterian Church of Lock Ridge reveals the story of a Church that has had many severe trials which tested the hearts of its few members, but whose members, with the help of God, carried on in faith
at the Church was destined to serve the community.
The Church had its beginning as a Sunday School, organized on April 12, 1868, in the office of the Thomas Iron Company. By the end of that same year, the enrollment of the Sunday School reached 92 scholars and 13 teachers.
Partly through the success of the Sunday School, it was decided to organize the congregation in 1870. Through the generosity of the Thomas Iron Company, by September 17th, 1870, the lot for the Church building was set apart and plans for the Church building begun. Mr. Valentine W. Weaver, Superintendent of the Iron Company, was instructional in drawing up the plans and carrying the work forward so that the building was competed and dedicated on April 19th, 1871. During those early years, services of worship were held irregularly with the following men supplying the pulpit; Rev. Mr. Earle, Rev. Richard Walker, Dr. James A. Little, Rev. E. A. Nelson, Rev. F. F. Kolb, Rev. H. D. Sassaman and others.