1792 April 4
A small parcel of land in Frankford at Church Street and Adams Avenue is transferred to
a group of German farmers as a site for religious worship and a schoolhouse for the German
Lutheran community. A small stone structure is on the property. Dr. Edward Schaefer, Pastor
of St. Michael’s Germantown, oversees the property and conducts occasional worship at the
Frankford site.
1796 Additional land is acquired adjacent to the Frankford site for a burial ground.
1801 The first mention of this congregation appears in the minutes of the Ministerium of
Pennsylvania.
1805 A new two-story building is erected on the property.
A small parcel of land in Frankford at Church Street and Adams Avenue is transferred to
a group of German farmers as a site for religious worship and a schoolhouse for the German
Lutheran community. A small stone structure is on the property. Dr. Edward Schaefer, Pastor
of St. Michael’s Germantown, oversees the property and conducts occasional worship at the
Frankford site.
1796 Additional land is acquired adjacent to the Frankford site for a burial ground.
1801 The first mention of this congregation appears in the minutes of the Ministerium of
Pennsylvania.
1805 A new two-story building is erected on the property.
1809 Dr. Schaefer refers to the Frankford Church as a filial of St. Michael’s Germantown. Documents
from the early years of this congregation have been lost.
1832 The Frankford German Church is recognized in the local paper, The Gazeteer.
1845 For the first time, the German Church of Frankford appears on a map of the community.
1853 Pastor G.F. Gaertner begins leading worship occasionally at the church.
from the early years of this congregation have been lost.
1832 The Frankford German Church is recognized in the local paper, The Gazeteer.
1845 For the first time, the German Church of Frankford appears on a map of the community.
1853 Pastor G.F. Gaertner begins leading worship occasionally at the church.
1854 Pastor Gaertner leaves. Pastor Benjamin Keller begins ministry at the church.
The name “Immanuel” is used for the first time.
1855 February 1
Articles of Incorporation are filed with the name of Immanuel.
Earliest archives of records of the church are begun. Written minutes of
church council and congregational meetings are kept. The Parish Register is
created. A constitution is written. A clear title for the church property is
obtained.
1856 The membership of the congregation is not stable. Most members ore factory
workers in Bridesburg staying in temporary housing. When they save enough money, their families move
west. Pastor Keller is leading worship every other week. The possibility of relocation is
suggested.
1857 Pastor Keller resigns, leaving behind order and vision where there had been none.
The name “Immanuel” is used for the first time.
1855 February 1
Articles of Incorporation are filed with the name of Immanuel.
Earliest archives of records of the church are begun. Written minutes of
church council and congregational meetings are kept. The Parish Register is
created. A constitution is written. A clear title for the church property is
obtained.
1856 The membership of the congregation is not stable. Most members ore factory
workers in Bridesburg staying in temporary housing. When they save enough money, their families move
west. Pastor Keller is leading worship every other week. The possibility of relocation is
suggested.
1857 Pastor Keller resigns, leaving behind order and vision where there had been none.
1858-62 Pastor E. Speidel preaches weekly, with approximately 30-40 attending worship. He tries to
form a united congregation with the German Lutherans in Frankford and Bridesburg, but this
does not last, with the Bridesburg group becoming a Reformed congregation. He encourages
the building of a larger structure, but the Germans do not have a strong enough “churchly”
mentality to see the project through.
1862-63 Pastorate is vacant. No regular worship is held during this time.
1864-65, Pastor J. Kucher becomes pastor. Membership increases to about 60 families, with 50-60
attending Sunday School each week. The church purchases property at Tackawanna and Plum,
and plans are made to build a new building on that property. Pastor Kutcher resigns in 1865,
with the building project incomplete. Pastor G.H. Vossler becomes Pastor.
1867 July, the cornerstone for the new building is laid. The building is financed through St. Michael’s
(The Mother Church) and fund-raising through picnics and other activities.
form a united congregation with the German Lutherans in Frankford and Bridesburg, but this
does not last, with the Bridesburg group becoming a Reformed congregation. He encourages
the building of a larger structure, but the Germans do not have a strong enough “churchly”
mentality to see the project through.
1862-63 Pastorate is vacant. No regular worship is held during this time.
1864-65, Pastor J. Kucher becomes pastor. Membership increases to about 60 families, with 50-60
attending Sunday School each week. The church purchases property at Tackawanna and Plum,
and plans are made to build a new building on that property. Pastor Kutcher resigns in 1865,
with the building project incomplete. Pastor G.H. Vossler becomes Pastor.
1867 July, the cornerstone for the new building is laid. The building is financed through St. Michael’s
(The Mother Church) and fund-raising through picnics and other activities.