High German Evangelical Reformed Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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High German Evangelical Reformed Church
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Zion United Church of Christ in October 2011
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| Location | 622 West Hamilton Street, Allentown, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
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| Area | 0.5 acres (0.20 ha) |
| Built | 1762 |
| Architect | Lewis Jacoby |
| Architectural style | Late Gothic Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 83002259 |
| Added to NRHP | July 28, 1983 |
The High German Evangelical Reformed Church, also known as Zion Reformed or Zion United Church of Christ, is a very old church building. It is located at 622 West Hamilton Street in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Allentown is in the Lehigh Valley area of eastern Pennsylvania.
During the American Revolutionary War, this church played a secret role. It was chosen as the place to hide the famous Liberty Bell. This was done to protect the bell from British soldiers. The British were planning to attack and take over Philadelphia, which was the capital city for the American revolutionaries. The Liberty Bell was hidden under the church's floorboards for nine months. This was from September 1777 until the British left Philadelphia in June 1778.
Until 2023, the church was home to the Liberty Bell Museum. This museum was created to honor how Allentown and the Lehigh Valley helped protect America's symbol of freedom.
Contents
History of the Church
The Early Years (1700s)
The first church building was made of logs. It was built in 1762 at the same spot where the church stands today. This spot is at 622 Hamilton Street in Center City Allentown. In 1773, a new church was built. It was made of brick and stood a few yards north of the first log church. This new building had a simple, local style.
Hiding the Liberty Bell
In September 1777, American patriots were getting ready for a British Army attack. The British planned to attack Philadelphia, which was the main city for the American colonies. To keep them safe, the Liberty Bell and other bells from Philadelphia were taken down. They were quickly moved to what is now Allentown, Pennsylvania. Back then, Allentown was called Northampton Towne.
The bells were successfully hidden under the church's floorboards. They stayed there until June 1778, when the British left Philadelphia. This secret hiding place kept the Liberty Bell safe during a very important time in American history.
Changes in the 1800s
In 1838, Zion Reformed Church was made bigger. Workers might have used parts of the 1762 log church in the walls of the current building's boiler room. The church was made even larger between 1886 and 1888. Architect Lewis Jacoby added improvements in the Gothic Revival style. This style made the church look grander and more traditional.
Recognized in the 1900s
In 1983, the church received a special honor. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This was to recognize its important role in the early history of the United States.
The Liberty Bell Museum
The Liberty Bell Museum is located in the church's basement. It tells the story of how the Liberty Bell was hidden there in 1777. The museum is open for visitors to learn about this exciting piece of history.
See also
