"And Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good that we are here.’
Matthew 17:4A (English Standard Version)
History of Christ Lutheran Church

The founding of Christ Evangelical Lutheran church began, in September 1832, when Frederick Wampole was appointed to receive all monies, subscribed toward the building of Christ Church on land donated by Isaac Wambold. The building would be shared by Lutheran and Reformed congregations.

During the summer of 1833, the church was erected at a cost of $2178.641/2 and on October 15, 1833, Christ Church was consecrated. The first pastor at Christ Lutheran Church was the Reverend Jacob Wampole serving a congregation of 42 communing members.

Ten pastors served the congregation from 1834 until 1877.  The congregation was part of several different charges (a charge was a group of parishes ministered to by one pastor) throughout the years. 

James L. Becker, a newly ordained pastor, accepted the call from Christ Lutheran Church in 1877. Pastor Becker served the church for forty years and was responsible for negotiating the separation of the Lutheran congregation from the Reformed congregation. He then guided Christ Lutheran in the construction of the present building. The new church was built on land purchased from Michael Fritz and was consecrated in April 1912. The old church building sold at public sale with profit from the sale totaling $152.40, which was divided between the two congregations.

In 1919 the congregation called a seminary student, Homer A. Weaver, to be its pastor. Pastor Weaver served Christ Church for 48 years. During his tenure, the congregation expanded and the Homer A. Weaver fellowship hall was constructed. Pastor Russell Brubaker succeeded Pastor Weaver and served the congregation from 1967-1972. Under the guidance of Pastor Brubaker, the first woman was elected to church council and the role of the layperson was expanded. The intern program was initiated and there was the formal establishment of mission and goals for the congregation.

His successor, The Reverend Richard D. Stephens, began his pastorate at Christ Lutheran Church in July 1972. Pastor Stephens served the congregation for 28 years. During his tenure, the church was remodeled to accommodate the needs of a growing congregation. The first associate pastors, Pastor Asha George Geyser and Pastor Ellen Meissgeiger, were called to serve the congregation.

The Reverend Doctor Thomas E. Kadel received the call to become associate pastor in 1994.   In 2001 Pastor Kadel accepted the congregation's call to become the senior pastor. Under his guidance the congregation has redefined its mission and has committed itself to reaching out to the community in which we live. The embodiment of this mission is through  The Shepherd Shelf emergency food pantry, which provides food twice a week to needy families. Pastor Kadel also led the disaster relief effort to the gulf coast in the wake of the devastation caused by hurricane Katrina.

In May 2002, Pastor William Petry accepted the call as associate pastor. Under his leadership, Kids Club and the Leadership Camp began and ministered to the needs of youth in the congregation.  Pastor Petry retired from the ministry in December of 2007.

We have thrived for almost 175 years by the grace of God and with the leadership of pastors and church members committed to proclaiming the Gospel of Christ in Towamencin Township,  Montgomery County,  Pennsylvania
Pastors who served Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church:

The Rev. Jacob Wambold                      
1833 -1834

The Rev. John W. Richards
1834 -1836

The Rev. Jacob Wambold
1836 -1838

The Rev. Henry Miller
1838 -1852

The Rev. George Wenzel
1853 -1854

The Rev. Adam S. Link
1854 -1859

The Rev. George Sill
1859 -1863

The Rev. Ferdinand B. Berkemeyer
1864 -1866

The Rev. Emilius J. Fleckenstein
1866 -1868

The Rev. William B. Fox
1868 -1871

The Rev. Samuel A. Zeigenfuss
1873 -1877

The Rev. James L. Becker
1877 -1918

The Rev. Homer Weaver
1919 -1967

The Rev. Russell L. Brubaker
1967-1972

The Rev. Richard D. Stephens
1972 -2000

The Rev. Asha George-Guiser
Associate Pastor 1984-1988

The Rev. Ellen G. Meissgeier
Associate Pastor 1988 -1994

The Rev. Dr. Thomas E. Kadel
1995-

The Rev. William F. Petry
Associate Pastor 2002-2007