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See   1700-1799   1800-1899   1900- 2008    for detailed information on other centuries

A Brief History of New Hanover

The New Hanover Evangelical Lutheran Church was founded in 1700 by Daniel Falckner. He gathered the German immigrant Lutherans living between the Schuylkill River and what is now Pennsburg to form a congregation. He was followed by a number of “circuit” pastors who served a number of congregations. Among them was Henry Melchior Muhlenberg who arrived in 1742. He was a dynamic leader who enabled the congregation to grow while he served other congregations. Pastor Muhlenberg was also instrumental in organizing the congregations in the area into a synod (regional organization), Ministerium of Pennsylvania.

In 1768, the congregation built the stone building currently being used for worship. Prior to that, they worshipped in log buildings. During the war for American Independence, the building was used as a temporary hospital during the retreat of Washington's army following the battle at Brandywine.

Frederick Augustus Muhlenberg, son of Henry, served the congregation from 1777 through 1778 before he entered government service in the continental congress and them, in the First congress of the United States where he became the first speaker of the House of Representatives.

In the years following, the congregation prospered and was served by a number of able pastors. Extensive growth brought about a major building program in the 1950's. The Parish house was dedicated in 1951. The Parish House Annex was dedicated in 1957.

New Hanover’s history shows evidence of God’s continuing grace. It was given a significant role in the birth of the Lutheran Church in America, as well as the birth of the nation itself. Fifty Revolutionary War veterans are buried in the New Hanover cemetery.

Now, the congregation is looking forward to moving ahead with a dynamic ministry into the 21st century. It has been blessed with clergy who enthusiastically answered the call to "go forth", and whose work has nurtured growth while keeping its tradition as a "family church".

Ordained Ministers Who Served the Congregation

Daniel Falckner 1700 - 1708 Andrew Rudman 1702 Andrew Sandel 1704 Anthony Jacob Hanckel 1717 - 1728 Samuel Hasselius 1720 - 1723 John Casper Stoever 1728 - 1732 John Christian Schultze 1732 - 1733 John Casper Stoever, Jr. 1733 - 1735 Gabriel Falk 1735 - 1741 N. Schmidt 1742 Henry M. Muhlenberg 1742 - 1761 His Assistants- 1745 - 1759    Peter Brunholtz    John Nicholas Kurtz    John Helfrecht Schaum    John Albrecht Weygandt    John William Kurtz    Frederick Schultze    Lucas Rauss Jacob Van Buskerk 1763 - 1765 John Ludwig Voigt 1765 - 1776 Frederick Augustus C. Muhlenberg 1777 - 1778 Henry Ernst Muhlenberg 1779 - 1780 Frederick Ernst 1780 Conrad Roeller 1780 - 1782 Christian Streit 1782 - 1785 Daniel Lehman 1786 - 1787 Timothy Kuehl 1788 Frederick Weiland 1789 - 1796 Fr. Wm. Geissenhainer 1797 - 1809 Jacob Miller 1809 - 1829 Conrad Miller 1829 - 1852 Nathan Jaeger 1853 - 1857 Henry Wendt 1858 - 1864 Abraham H. Groh 1865 - 1866 Leonard Groh 1866 - 1886 John Jacob Kline 1886 - 1945 Edgar M. Cooper 1945 - 1992 Paul H. Howells 1992 - 1994 Richard H. Elliott 1994 - 2004 Leroy T. Ness 2005 - 2006 Thomas M. Lang - Senior Pastor, 2006 - present Susan P. Lynch - Associate Pastor, 2000 - present