History of St. Peter's Lutheran Church

Background of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church
Today, St. Peter’s is located on the urban fringe
of Philadelphia. But, just over two centuries ago,
when the first Lutherans came here seeking
religious freedom and a peaceful place to raise their
families, “back home” was Germany, a trip to the
thriving city of Philadelphia required a hard day’s
ride on horseback. Because of poor travel and
communication, each settlement was independent
of the others, and groups of Lutherans worshipping
together were pretty much on their own. They had
no regular pastors, but were dependent on the
ministrations of itinerant preachers, who often were
looking for their own profit rather than to serve God.
The period of isolation and lack of proper pastoral
care came to an end when Henry Melchior
Mehlenberg arrived in Philadelphia in 1742. He
was sent by the church in Halle, Germany, to be
a missionary and to provide pastoral care to three
congregations... one in Philadelphia, one at Trappe, and one at New Hanover. He organized
the first Lutheran synod in North America as a Ministerium of pastors in 1748, and visited
congregations from Georgia to Upper New York. As a missionary, he wrote and transmitted
careful reports of his activities to the church in Germany. In these reports we find the earliest
history of our congregation.
In May of 1744, Muhlenberg records that he baptized seven children of Lutheran families
in this area... families active in St. Peter’s more than a century and a quarter later: Heilman
(Hallman), Moses, Dury (Deery), Stein, and Fedderling. Tradition says he preached in homes
here in 1751, and he mentioned the home of Michael Koenig, or King, as his headquarters.
Buildings of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church Chester Springs
Over the past two centuries five buildings have been used for worship by Lutherans on this hill.
The first building was the log structure dedicated by Muhlenberg. In 1811, the deterioration of
this edifice prompted the congregation to cooperate with the German Reformed neighbors in