Christ's United Lutheran Church

437 Airport Road
Ashland, Pennsylvania, 17921

History of Christ's United Lutheran Church

Christ's United Lutheran Church officially came into existence on January 1, 1969, as Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Ashland; St. John's Lutheran Church, Kimmels; St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Gordon; St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Lavelle; and Zion Lutheran Church, Girardville merged to form one congregation.

This move became necessary because of a scarcity of ministers and because of the proximity of the five joining congregations. A congregational council was set up, and a system evolved whereby each "chapel" held its own worship services, but in which business matters were decided by the congregation and its council. Also the pastors were called by the congregation. Over the next 23 years, CULC busied itself with doing ministry throughout northern Schuylkill County, and as a member of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (formerly the Lutheran Church in America) throughout the world.

In 1978, Good Shepherd, Ashland, felt that it had a ministry of its own to provide, and pulled out of Christ's United, leaving four chapels to make up the congregation. Then, in the late 1980's, the congregation began to feel the need to move in a new direction and centralize its ministry. In 1989, the congregation began to take steps to build a new church facility which would serve the needs of the entire congregation. By a vote of the congregation held on January 31, 1988, the congregation took a leap of faith and decided to build a new church building. Shortly thereafter, feeling that it had its own ministry to fulfill, Zion, Girardville became a separate congregation. In 1992, as plans for the actual construction were finalized, St. Paul's, Gordon also became an independent congregation.

In the meantime, on April 11, 1992 ground was broken for the construction of the new building. Throughout 1992 excitement was high as we watched the beams put up, the roof put on, the bricks laid and a new building appear before our eyes. December 27, 1992 marked the official dedication of this project and the culmination of many years of work.

We share many memories of good friends who were a part of our adventure but who are no longer with us. We take pride in our community and in our associations with so many brothers and sisters in Christ with whom we share ministry.

Christ's United Lutheran Church
Mission Statement

We, the members of Christ's United Lutheran Church, Ashland, Pa.,
desiring to be blessed together with Word and Sacrament and to become more perfectly
the Body of Christ to our world, do hereby commit ourselves to a mission which includes a creative
re-examination of our worship life; a quality educational program for all ages; intentional witnessing; a serving spirit; and an integrated support system which will under gird our program and the maintenance of our facilities as it encourages improved stewardship.

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Alleluia