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History of Christ Lutheran Chuch (Filey's) |
Christ Lutheran Church (Filey's) present building since 1894 |
Filey's Nursery School |
The birth of Filey's Church took place around 1800 when a handful of dedicated Christians met in their homes to worship, until at last the new German community and church by unanimous and brotherly voice decided on the church-like offer of a member, Jacob Filey, who for the love of God, and his own free will, offered and bestowed land for the church and cemetary.Beginning in the year 1811 the first building in which the Filey's congregation worshipped was built of logs. It served both as a church building and a public school building for the children of the immediate area until the enactment of the Public Education Law of 1834 when parochial education at Filey's came to a standstill. The original log building had two rows of desks along the sides of the walls facing the center desk, and is believed to have been a two-story structure. By 1838 the Lutheran Congregation had granted a Reformed Congregation an equal share in the original log structure so the two congregations could combine their efforts and resources to erect a brick church building. The cornerstone of the new building was laid on August 20, 1838, and the building was dedicated the same year. The structure was typical of the union church structures being built throughout the state. Its essential plan was that of a main floor with a gallery in the rear and at both sides. At a congregational meeting held on March 19, 1883, a motion was passed to remodel or rebuild the church according to the amount of money reaised. At a joint council meeting in 1891, it was moved that a new church be built. Plans for the third and present structure were formulated in 1893. The demolition of the old church structure began on April 23, 1894, and the erection of the present structure began in the early part of the month of June. The cornerstone was laid on June 17, 1894. The building was completed by the end of the summer, and was dedicated in early autumn. Just as the two congregations found it effective to come together in 1838, so also they found it necessary to effect a separation in 1938. As a result, the Lutherans retained the church building. After a steady growth they found it necessary to expand. They acquired and remodeled the old educational building known for generations as Filey's School House. On June 1, 1953 it was dedicated as Filey's Church House. |
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Good Shepherd window |
Picture of Jesus above the Altar |
On April 12, 1961, the congregation purchased 3.3 acres of land adjacent to the church. At a congregational meeting held in December 1970, the congregation directed that a committe be formed to ascertain the needs of the congregation in the years to come. In December 1975, plans were presented to the congregation for renovating the church and adding an attached wing consisting of seven classrooms, a kitchenette, lavatories, and entrance lobby, a room for the choir, a Sunday School office, a library and a new furnace room. The plans were approved by the congregation with the stipulation that the altar area also be enlarged. The revised plans were presented to and approved by the congregation in March 1975. Ground Breaking Services took place on Sunday, April 13, 1975, and the cornerstone was laid on September 21, 1975. The congregation returned to the renovated sanctuary in the middle of August 1976, and the first Sunday School services were held in the new Educational Wing the first Sudnay in September 1976. In September 1997, a planning committee was formed to again ascertain the future needs of the faith community. Needs of the congregation, as well as those of the surrounding growing community, were studied in depth. A three part master plan for a new facility to be located on the adjacent hill was developed to meet all anticipated future needs. After much prayerful consideration and open forum discussions, a Fellowship Dinner and Congregational Meeting was held on October 18, 1998, where the congregation approved the master plan. On March 23, 2003, at an historic congregational meeting, Christ Lutheran Church (Filey's), took another step toward new facilities to increase opportunities to reach out to the community. By unanimous vote, the congregation approved research into plans to build new facilities on the field across the parking lot of the church, and to possibly move the existing sanctuary to that location. Authorization to spend up to $300,000 and borrow up to $100,000 was also approved, subject to the Congregation's approval of new plans, soon to be drawn up. Approval to use Capital Campaign funding for the project was also approved. It is hoped that new facilities will provide better opportunities for both the Day Care and Nursery School, more space for community events (e.g., groups, wedding receptions, etc.), Fellowship, Sunday School, youth activities, a pastor's office, etc. |
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Groundbreaking Ceremony: October 31, 2004 |
Pastor Rooney leads the opening prayers for the groundbreaking ceremony |
Breaking ground for the new wing of Christ Lutheran Church: Paul Kern, Pastor Rooney, Bruce Smith, Liam Strouse, Bart Holmes, Arlene Gouse, Carl McCullough, Alan McCullough |
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On October 31, 2004 a groundbreaking ceremony was held to begin construction of the new wing of Christ Lutheran Church. |
| | Under Construction! | Following the groundbreaking ceremony, Lobar Construction began the new wing of Christ Lutheran.Click Continue to see some "building in process" pictures. | | Continue | | | | |
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Dedication of the New Wing: October 2, 2005 |
Candace Myers, Pastor Lyla Harold, Reverend David R. Fisher, Craig Martek, and Rebecca Davis conduct the dedication of the new wing. |
Cutting the ribbon to the new wing are Council President Tim Strouse, Assisting Minister Craig Martek, Assistant to the Bishop, Reverend David R. Fisher, and Pastor Lyla Harold |
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Following the worship service on October 2, 2005 the new wing of Christ Lutheran Church was dedicated. The Reverend David R. Fisher, Assistant to the Bishop, was present for the dedication. The new wing of the church provides expanded classrooms, facilities, Pastoral Office and a new fellowship hall & kitchen. |
| | | Lift High the Cross! |
Christ Lutheran Church (Filey's Parish) has a new silhouette! On Saturday, August 25, 2007 the Dillsburg Fire Company brought their fire truck with ladder so that the cross handcrafted by Kevin Lehman could be lifted into place and attached to the steeple. The cross, which matches in style our processional cross, will stand as a beacon of our identity in this community! Our sincere thanks to Kevin Lehman and the Dillsburg Fire Company for attaching the cross to the steeple.
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| Click here for pictures! |
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| | | | | Site maintained by: Brian Urick Brian Urick urick33@verizon.net 15 South Filey's Road Dillsburg PA 17019 United States of America Phone: (717) 432-4878 |
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