From 1832 to 1852, the German Lutherans and the Presbyterians both held their religious services in Rice’s Church at Church Hill.
The Lutherans and Presbyterians continued to hold their services in Rice's Church until 1852. At that time the Presbyterians built a church of their own in Perrysville (Port Royal) and withdrew from Rice's Church.
In 1854, the Lutherans decided that they, too, would build a church in Perrysville. On April 19, 1854, David Kepner and Christian Hartman, trustees of the Perrysville Lutheran Congregation, purchased from John Kepner, for the sum of $200, a parcel of ground situated on Market Street in the Borough of Perrysville.
The cornerstone for the new church was laid on August 6, 1854; and by August of the following year, the church building was completed. Dedication services were held on August 5, 1855.
The two-story building, made of brick, was seventy-five feet long by forty-five feet wide. The first floor was used for Sunday School and social activities. The main auditorium was on the second floor with a large gallery on three sides and had a seating capacity of 600 persons. The cost of the building was about $5,000. It has been in constant use since that time.
Contributed by rkohler3 on 5/24/14 - Image Year: 2007
MARKET STREET: an aerial view of Market Street between the intersections with Fourth and Fifth Streets as represented by Google Earth.
Contributed by ray on 12/27/10 - Image Year: 1964
LAYING THE FOUNDATION FOR THE EDUCATIONAL ADDITION (Photo submitted by D. L. Kepner)
Contributed by rkohler3 on 8/3/09 - Image Year: 2009
In the late 1964, a new section was added to the west side of the building to house the Sunday School. A building committee, composed of J. P. Frankhouse, chairman, Shelley Souders, Dwight Hower, Sr., Robert Stimmel, W. L. Shoemaker, Clinton Bashore, Sr., and Warren Kohler, presented contracts for the new unit in June, 1964. A bid of $89,029 for the building plus $5,280 for the architect's fee was voted on and accepted by the congregation. The contractors were J. M. Young / Sons of Belleville
Contributed by rkohler3 on 9/11/09 - Image Year: 1880
This postcard image from the Morrow Studios in Newport, PA shows the Lutheran Church Tower and Parsonage in the background. Also clearly identifiable is the Port Royal Elementary School. It appears that the photograph was taken from the 6th Street entrance to the fairgrounds.
Contributed by rkohler3 on 8/3/09 - Image Year: 1935
This shows the top of the tower that was eventually removed in 1951 for safety reasons. The second tier of stained glass windows was removed and the louvers inserted into the new bell loft.
Contributed by rkohler3 on 3/9/13 - Image Year: 1940
CHURCH FRONT before the top of the tower was removed. (Photo submitted by Wayne Taylor)
Contributed by rkohler3 on 3/11/20 - Image Year: 1930
REAR OF CHURCH BUILDING -This photo appears to have been taken from in front of the Elementary School Building.
Contributed by rkohler3 on 7/14/11 - Image Year: 1940
Photo of the church taken by town photographer Paul Smith.
Contributed by rkoher3 on 9/7/09 - Image Year: 1978
This photo shows the redesigned tower after the 1951 alteration. The photo was taken at the 175th Anniversary of the church in 1978.
Contributed by rkohler3 on 9/4/09 - Image Year: 1992
This picture shows the church as it looked in October of 1992.
Contributed by rkohler3 on 6/8/12 - Image Year: 2012
Lutheran Church tower and spire as it appeared in May 2012. (Photo submitted by Bill McElwee)
Contributed by rkohler3 on 7/1/12 - Image Year: 2012
Lutheran Church Spire at night. (Photo submitted by Jonathan Wert)
Contributed by rkohler3 on 10/11/12 - Image Year: 2012
NEW ELEVATOR: The Port Royal Lutheran Church conducted a service Sunday (Oct 2012) to bless the new elevator installed in the 1854 church building. Pictured in front of the elevator are, from left: Janice Auker; Pastor Charlie Hershberger; JoAn Slautterback; Rev. Robert Driesen, Upper Susquehanna Evangelical Lutheran Synod Bishop; and Ann and Marlin Frankhouse. (Lewistown Sentinel photo by Buffie Boyer)
Contributed by rkohler3 on 11/20/09 - Image Year: 1889
This map shows the 400 block of Market Street as it appeared in 1889. This church is indicated as #1 on the map.
Contributed by rkohler3 on 11/20/09 - Image Year: 1904
This map shows the 400 block of Market Street as it appeared in 1904. This church is indicated as #1 on the map.
Contributed by rkohler3 on 11/20/09 - Image Year: 1911
This map shows the 400 block of Market Street as it appeared in 1911. This church is indicated as #1 on the map.
Contributed by rkohler3 on 11/20/09 - Image Year: 1928
This map shows the 400 block of Market Street as it appeared in 1928. This church is indicated as #1 on the map.
