Happy Birthday King Street Church

May 4, 2023 | Uncategorized

The History of King Street Church

In 1767, Isaac Long, a resident of Lancaster, PA, hosted a revival meeting at his barn. That night a Mennonite preacher named Martin Boehm shared his story of faith in Christ. William Otterbein, a German Reformed pastor, was so moved that he left his seat, embraced Boehm, and said loud enough for everyone to hear, “We are brethren!” Out of this revival movement a new denomination was formed: United Brethren in Christ.

The movement spread, and on May 5, 1878, King Street United Brethren Church opened its doors for the first service on the northeast corner of King and Second Streets. Today that building is a Jewish synagogue (shown at left.)

The parsonage was built in 1932, and on January 1, 1937, the KSC congregation picked up their chairs, and walked across the street to our current site. At that time they had a Fellowship Hall, which was the sanctuary, and Sunday School building. In 1949, two floors were built above thh sanctuary, and the parsonage was remodeled in 1955. After yet another building project, the first service in the new sanctuary was held on July 9, 1958. Our growth continued to be steady and in 1994, our average worship attendance was 803 and an average Sunday school attendance of 594.

The Baker Center wing was completed in 2000, which allowed us to move our contemporary service from a fellowship space on the lower level to the new multipurpose space. Attendance at the contemporary service attendance continued to grow, and a simulcast service was begun in the sanctuary in October 2010.

The next need was for more classroom space. The Meadows Education Wing was begun in 2003 with the razing of the original parsonage (being used as church offices) and an expansion that would join the original building (1949) with a 1986 addition, and the sanctuary completed in 1958. It was during this time that the church offices were moved to an acquired property at 98 North Main Street. The Meadows Education Wing was dedicated in 2005.

In 2008, we acquired the former King Street Elementary School. It was renovated in 2009 and is now the King Street Ministry Center. The Ministry Center is used by many classes throughout the week, along with our pottery workshop and space for outreach ministries.

In 2016, work began on the new Administrative Offices. We had purchased a property at 56 N. Second Street a few years earlier, but the interior had been destroyed by vandals. An extensive renovation was completed in October 2016.

Generation Next Step is the fund that we maintain to use in building projects. These resources provide for the future growth of King Street Church, and enpowers us to continue in the mission of engaging and blessing our community with the Gospel.

 

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