Ref: Town and Country Newspaper Pennsburg, Montgomery County, PA Saturday - November 28, 1903 FALCKNER SWAMP LUTHERAN CHURCH WILL CELEBRATE TWO HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY As the oldest edifice of that denomination in this country, the celebration of the 200th anniversary of the organization of the congregation of Swamp Lutheran church, located in New Hanover township, this county, today and tomorrow is attracting the attention of Lutherans all over Eastern Pennsylvania. Although the two centuries that have passed since the handful of Lutherans met and organized have clouded much of the congregation's early history, the claim that it stands first among the Lutheran organizations in America is authenticated by the records that are still preserved. The members first worshipped in their homes, Rev. Daniel FALCKNER being the first pastor. Various clergymen served until 1742, when Dr. Henry Melchior MUHLENBERG, one of the most noted Lutheran clergymen of the eighteenth century, came and served until 1767. The first church was erected in 1721, and in 1767 it was supplanted by another, the structure that stands there today. In 1867, on the 100th anniversary of its erection, it was completely remodeled, and again in 1886 it was improved. Very little in the interior, with possibly the exception of the wainscoting, remains of the old edifice as it originally was, but the substantial stone walls remain almost the same as when constructed. The pipe organ, was built in 1801 by Christian DIFFENDERFER, is still used by the congregation. Connected with the church is the burial ground, where lie the remains of some of the early settlers of New Hanover. Some of these interments were made so long ago that time has made illegible the inscriptions on the tombstones. Within almost a stone's throw of this ancient Lutheran edifice is that of the Reformed congregation, which treasures a history almost as old as that of their Lutheran brethren, John Philip BOEHM, a school master, afterward ordained to the ministry, preached the Word there in 1720, and from his efforts grew the Falckner Swamp Reformed congregation. In fact, the histories of the two congregations are so closely interwoven that members of both denominations all over the country refer to the Swamp Churches as the cradles of their respective faiths in America. Although many of the preachers that first served them resided in Philadelphia or Germantown, the Lutheran and Reformed religions first developed practical organization among the settlers of New Hanover, many of whom came to America from the Palatinate in the latter part of the seventeenth century. Hundreds of well-known Montgomery county families are descendants of these early settlers, and, clinging to the faith of their fathers, have increased the power and influence of their respective churches until there is scarcely a hamlet in this county that has not either a Lutheran or a Reformed house of worship. Rev. J.J. KLINE, of Pottstown, the present pastor of Swamp Lutheran church, who has served the congregation for the past eighteen years has arranged an interesting program for the bicentennial celebration. Prominent Lutheran clergymen will participate, and among them will be Dr. J.F. SCHANTZ, president of the Synod, who will speak this afternoon, when the opening services of the celebration will be held; Rev. U.S.G. BERTOLET, of Philadelphia, and the Rev. I.B. KURTZ, of Pottstown, who will speak this evening. Dr. SCHANTZ's sermon will be in the German language. Tomorrow an especially interesting program has been arranged. The speakers include Rev. Dr. G.F. SPIEKER of Philadelphia, who will speak in the German language in the morning; Rev. Dr. O.P. SMITH, of Pottstown; Rev. Dr. T.E. SCHMAUK, of Lebanon, president of the General Council, and the Rev. W.B. FOX, of Sumneytown, all of whom will speak in the afternoon, and the Rev. Dr. H.N. FEGLEY, of Mechanicsburg, and the Rev. W.O. FEGELY, of Trappe, who will speak in the evening. Special music has been prepared for each session.