Architectural splendor is abundant throughout the Susquehanna Valley landscape in the many houses of worship. Each week in this space The Daily Item will feature a grandiose structure with information about its origin. Additional photos and historical information will be published about each structure featured as well as many others located in Northumberland, Snyder, Union and Montour counties. The full collection of beautiful treasures in the Valley will be published in a book titled "Domes & Spires." Look for it in September.
FREEBURG -- The beautiful steeple of St. Peter's Church, with the tri-partite design symbolizing the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, has stood as a beacon of God's presence in Freeburg since 1870. The three tiers of the tower represent the Trinitarian faith of the Lutheran and United Church of Christ congregations. The two have worshiped together in Freeburg since 1811 and in this building since its dedication on June 19, 1870. Every Sunday since then, the deep-toned bell, with its rich, majestic sound and sacred meaning, has been rung to call the people of the community to worship.
The exact date of the completion of the church building is not known, but the brick church was dedicated on June 19, 1870.
In 1995, the church steeple was in critical condition, the wood was rotting, and the 12- to 15-ton structure had an extremely noticeable lean. The structure had reached the point where it was not safe for church members or the community itself anymore. In a meeting on May 18, 1995, the council/consistory, after much deliberation, decided unanimously to recommend to their congregations the proposal laid out for them by Stroik Associates to restore the steeple.
Many fundraising events were held as work on the steeple project progressed.
On Nov. 20, 1995, the bell was removed from its wooden frame in front of the church and placed back in the newly reconstructed bell tower. A few days later, on Nov. 25, the top piece of the steeple with the spire, which had been molded back into shape, was reattached to the building. On Dec. 8, the crane hoisted the final components of the restored steeple to the top of the spire: its gold-coated weathervane. This is also a time capsule. On June 8, 1996, the bell of St. Peter's Church rang out in commemoration of the bicentennial of Freeburg. At that moment, the lights on the steeple were once again turned on. This occasion marked the first time they were lit since the steeple reconstruction began in August of 1995. The total cost of the restoration was $367,000.
St. Peter's Lutheran Church is located along Church Street in Freeburg.
n If you would like to share information about your house of worship's architectural splendor, please contact Lynn Bickel at lbickel@dailyitem.com or Karen Renninger at krenninger@dailyitem.com, or call them at 286-5671.
News
Related Photos
-
Matthew Harris/The Daily Item
-
Matthew Harris/The Daily Item
Discussion
Steeple symbolizes Trinity
Freeburg spire dates to 1870
- News
-
-
Lewisburg schools face cuts in personnel, programs
Superintendent Mark DiRocco told the Lewisburg school board Thursday night that a proposed block grant system of school budget funding will run the district short of cash that will have to be made up through personnel and program cuts.
-
Mom: Keller's response left her cold
Like many people, Elise Nicol is concerned about Marcellus Shale and the industry's effects on Pennsylvania's environment. The Lewisburg mother of two cares about it enough that she sent an email to state Rep. Fred Keller, R-85 of Kreamer, asking him to oppose House Bill 1950, which passed the General Assembly on Wednesday.
-
Point Township authority concerned by sewer plant violations
Point Township Sewer Authority members Thursday night expressed concerns about a Feb. 3 letter sent to the Northumberland Sewer Authority by the state's Department of Environmental Protection saying that the borough authority has violated the Clean Streams Act.
-
Persing truck fee idea stalls
While Pennsylvania has passed legislation allowing communities to collect impact fees in 35 counties, Northumberland County is not one of them, and business leaders and lawmakers do not think Sunbury Mayor David Persing's plan to try to do his own version of an impact fee will pass muster.
-
Barber draws a crowd
The talk can be spirited at times, ranging from hunting to sports to home repairs. "You hear all kinds of stories," Gene Koehler, of Riverside, said Thursday as he waited for a haircut at The Masters barbershop, 209 Mill St.
-
State board approves table games at Valley Forge casino
VALLEY FORGE — A casino resort scheduled to open this spring in the Philadelphia suburb of Valley Forge has been approved for table games.
-
Doctors telling more adults: Get out and exercise
ATLANTA — A new study shows more and more U.S. adults are being told by their doctor to get off their duffs and exercise. A government survey found nearly 33 percent of adults who saw a doctor in the previous year said they were told to exercise. That was up from about 23 percent in 2000.
-
Former Northumberland County judge and three others die in Florida crash
EVERGLADES CITY, Fla. -- A former Northumberland County judge was one of four people killed Wednesday afternoon when their car collided with a van at an intersection, according to the Naples News. The victims were identified as James J. Rosini, 66, William J. Rosini, 68, Patricia C. Rosini, 65, all of Coal Township, Pa., and Deborah A. Korbich, 59, of Elysburg, Pa.
-
Warden demotes four bosses
SUNBURY -- Northumberland County Prison Warden Roy Johnson was able to trim about $135,000 in expenses by demoting four supervisors. He said Wednesday that he found a way to cut costs without laying off any staff. "I cut out 120 hours of supervisors' pay each week, but I need to fill the correction officer positions," Johnson said.
-
DJ pumps up audience
Every Tuesday evening, Richard Grogg can be found spinning tunes at possibly the most well-attended dance in Snyder County. A resident at the Selinsgrove Center since 1988, the 57-year-old said the thing he likes most about selecting and playing music is "making people happy." "Some people come up and ask for requests," he said.
-
Agency closes adult center
PENNS CREEK -- Union and Snyder County caregivers have had to look farther and wider for another program that can offer respite because the Agency on Aging can no longer afford to provide the service. The adult daily living center at the Penns Creek Adult Resource Center was a helpful program each week to about eight adults from the area dealing with Alzheimer's and dementia. But it closed Dec. 30.
-
New Berlin pushes to acquire school
NEW BERLIN -- The Borough Council sold the property where the New Berlin Elementary School is to the precursor of the Mifflinburg Area School District for $1 back in 1950. It was deeded to the district for construction of a school.
- More News Headlines
-
Lewisburg schools face cuts in personnel, programs
