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Jordan United
Church of Christ, “The Friendly Church,” is a congregation
of 755 members located at 1837 Church Road, Allentown PA 18104
in South Whitehall Township, Lehigh County. Our pastor and teacher
– the Reverend Dr. David Charles Smith, is our fifteenth
called pastor during our 250 years of heritage and history.
Our Sunday attendance averages 308 every week between two services
– 8:00 AM and 10:30 AM. Our 9:15 AM Sunday school attendance
averages 109 children from nursery through senior high school
and two energetic adult classes.
Originally worshiping with Jordan Lutheran in the mid-1700’s,
the Reformed congregation separated in 1752 when Lorentz Guth
donated 58 acres of land at our present location for the building
of a church. The first log structure was erected in just six
weeks. It was replaced with a similar but larger building in
the 1770’s to accommodate increased membership. In 1808,
the third rebuild took place increasing the sanctuary size once
again.
The older portions of our present building are what are left
of the 1808 edifice. In 1871, the building was renewed as major
changes were made to the interior of the building. Once again,
in 1928 the entire structure was rebuilt. In the early 1960’s,
renovations were completed in the church narthex, nave, chancel,
and sanctuary. In 1986, a large Christian education wing was
constructed which contains a 250-seat social/recreation hall,
six large church school classrooms, and nursery. The most recent
change of the shape of the church occurred in October 2000 with
the completion of a major “Renovation for the Next Generation”
that modernized the sanctuary and church building. Significant
improvements include a spacious narthex, parlor, choir room,
library/meeting room, pastor and secretary offices, and an additional
classroom on the lower level below the new narthex. The present
building contains a 400 seat, second floor sanctuary with a
balcony and chapel. A 20-person elevator provides access from
the lower level classrooms and nursery to the main floor Narthex
and second floor sanctuary.
Today, the church sits on 42 acres in a country setting with
a well maintained cemetery, outdoor chapel on “Lookout
Hill” for our summer services, a grove and gazebo for
outdoor activities, and a paved parking area for 200 cars.
The sanctuary exhibits a beautiful three-manual organ installed
in 1989, a newly refurbished Steinway grand piano, and an electric
Yamaha Clavinova piano.
The church grounds also include a parsonage; sexton’s
home; an enclosed pavilion, band shell, and gazebo in a well
maintained grove for picnics, our summer festival, and other
outdoor activities; a large three-bay garage for maintenance
and storage; and a cemetery storage building. The parsonage
was renovated in 1997 with new paint and carpeting, central
air conditioning, and upgrading of the heating system. The sexton’s
home was renovated in October 2002 with new paint and wallpaper,
a new full kitchen, and upgraded plumbing.
The parsonage is a two-story brick, center hall colonial located
across the parking lot from the church and bordered by mature
trees. Built in 1950 it has approximately 2000 ft of living
space, one car garage, an enclosed porch, unfinished basement,
and an attic for storage. The main level has a large living
room, formal dining room, children’s play room, kitchen,
and powder room. The four bedrooms and main bath are on the
second floor.
The sexton’s home is a two-story stone center hall colonial
located adjacent to the church. Built in the mid-1800’s,
it has approximately 2000 ft of living space, covered rear patio,
unfinished basement, and large attic for storage. The main level
has a large living room, formal dining room, and modern kitchen.
The four bedrooms and main bath are on the second floor.
Jordan’s buildings and grounds are maintained in immaculate
condition by dedicated building maintenance and grounds committee
members faithfully serving the needs of the church.
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