St. Peter's Kierch facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St. Peter's Kierch |
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| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Evangelical Lutheran Church in America |
| Region | Lower Susquehanna Synod |
| Location | |
| Location | 31 West High Street Middletown Pennsylvania United States |
 Location in Pennsylvania
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| Architecture | |
| Architectural type | Georgian |
| Groundbreaking | July 13, 1767 |
| Completed | 1769 |
| Specifications | |
| Capacity | 225 |
| Materials | Sandstone |
| U.S. National Register of Historic Places | |
| Added to NRHP | June 17, 1983 |
| NRHP Reference no. | 7301621 |
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Pennsylvania Historical Marker
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| Designated | February 28, 1969 |
St. Peter's Kierch, also known as the Old Kierch or St. Peter's Church, is a very old Lutheran church. It is located in Middletown, Dauphin County, in the state of Pennsylvania, USA. Building the church started in 1767. It was officially opened in 1769 by a famous church leader named Henry Muhlenberg. St. Peter's Kierch was used regularly for church services until 1879. That year, a bigger church was finished nearby. This historic church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.
Contents
Church Design
St. Peter's Kierch is a two-and-a-half-story church. It is built in the Georgian style. You can find it where Union and High Streets meet in Middletown. The church is made from red sandstone.
Inside the Church
When it was first built, the church had balconies. These were on the east, west, and south sides. The special "wineglass" pulpit was on the north side. A pulpit is where the minister stands to give sermons.
Bell Tower Details
The bell tower was added much later. It was built 46 years after the main church. The tower is on the west side. It was not meant to be the main entrance. The sides of the church have three tall windows. These windows reach up to the top floor. Each window has 44 small glass panes. There are eleven panes high and four panes across.
Church History
The story of St. Peter's Kierch began in 1764. On September 18, local people bought land to build a Lutheran church. They bought it from George Fisher, who founded Middletown. They paid 7 shillings and 6 pence. They also agreed to pay a small yearly rent of one grain of wheat.
Building the Church
The first stone of the church was laid on July 13, 1767. This important step was done by James Burd. The church was officially dedicated on September 12, 1769. Henry Muhlenberg led the dedication ceremony. The bell tower was built in 1813. The bell itself was made in Philadelphia by Hedderly and Leverin. It was hung in the tower in 1815.
Later Years and Use
By 1876, the church community had grown a lot. They decided to build a new, larger church. This new church was a few blocks south of the old one. It was located at Spring and Union Streets. The last regular church service at St. Peter's Kierch was on January 26, 1879.
Even though it is not used for regular services anymore, it is still important. The Old Kierch is used for special events. These include occasional services and funerals. On June 17, 1973, St. Peter's Kierch was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is recognized as a very important historical site.
The Church Cemetery
Next to the church is a cemetery. Locals call it "God's Acre." About 210 people are buried there. Many of them fought in the American Revolution.
See also
