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Stuart Hague, Certified Lay Pastor in the Presbyterian Church will lead the Annual Hymn Sing at Old Immanuel Lutheran Church, 2633 Lime Bluff Road, Muncy, on Sunday, Oct. 11, at 2:30 p.m. The theme of the service this year is "God's Grace," and the music, hymns and teachings will center around that topic.
Joy Barto and Jeff Harvey will provide organ music on the church's antique pump organ, and the Chancel Choir of St. Andrew Lutheran in Muncy will present "Grace Us, O Lord," by Joseph M. Martin.
Considered to be the mother church of Lutheranism in Lycoming County, Old Immanuel was founded in 1791 and lived until its doors shut permanently in 1920. The first structure built on the property was of log; the second and third (the current) structures were of brick. The current building was dedicated in 1869, and contains two cornerstones -- one in German dated 1832, and one in English dated 1869. The church was built on land donated by Henry and Barbara Shoemaker, of "Shoemaker Mills," at the Route 442/405 intersection.
At least nine Revolutionary soldiers and five Civil War soldiers are buried in the historic cemetery.
At one time, there was a school associated with Old Immanuel, and the church contained a gallery, a wine-glass pulpit, and enough straight-backed pews to seat 600 people.
Old Immanuel closed its doors for regular services in 1920, after giving rise to 19 other Lutheran congregations. Some of these have also closed their doors, such as Trinity (Huntersville), St. Paul's (Millville), Germany Church (at one time known at St. John's), Katy's Church (at one time known as Immanuel Lutheran), Christ Lutheran (Montgomery), Messiah (Alvira), the Stone Church in Elimsport, and Zion's, also in Elimsport. Others, such as Moreland Lutheran (at one time known at St. John's) and St. Mark's Lutheran (Lairdsville) have taken on new identities as they have become home to other congregations.
Churches that have sprung up from Old Immanuel that continue with the Lutheran tradition include Trinity and Mount Zion, Hughesville; St. Andrew, Muncy; St. James, Muncy; Messiah, Clarkstown; St. John's, Gordner's Grove; St. John's (Brick), Montgomery; and Bethany, Montoursville.
Recently, the church's roof received a new coat of paint. In addition, the church's belltower has been renovated and refurbished, and all the shutters have been repaired and repainted. Further projects include restoration of the windows, walls and ceiling. A free-will offering will be taken to help offset the cost of these and other on-going expenses.
The church will be decorated for fall, and the weather should be ideal for touring the church and walking the historic cemetery. Light refreshments will be served on the church lawn after the service. Please note that the church does not have running water or electricity, and is not fully handicap accessible.
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