On the weekend after Thanksgiving, the congregation of Mount Calvary Lutheran Church in Lititz will dedicate its newly renovated sanctuary. After the church's founding in 1904, the congregation began worshipping in rented rooms in Lancaster until the completion of its first church building, located at Plum and Clay streets, in 1906. As membership grew, the decision was made to move to Lititz, and the current facility was completed in 1993. The original plan was to utilize a multipurpose room for worship and add a permanent sanctuary at some point in the future. That plan never materialized, so the decision was made in 2023 to refinish the multipurpose room as a permanent sanctuary and complete needed renovations of the building.

The new sanctuary has been turned 90 degrees on its original footprint to face east, with the arrangement of the organ, pews, baptismal font and altar designed to guide the eye toward the cross suspended above the altar. The original brass cross is now fitted into a custom-made wooden frame that better fits the space. Many local contractors, architects, designers, and craftsmen contributed to this project, managed by Arthur Funk & Sons Inc. of Lebanon. New HVAC systems were installed by Clark Inc., wooden pews were crafted by Miller Church Interiors of New Holland, kneeler cushions were fabricated by Stump's Upholstery Design, and the pipe organ was refurbished by Brunner & Associates, to name a few.

The Rev. Christopher Seifferlein, pastor of the congregation since October 2019, and the English District bishop, the Rev. Jeffrey Miskus, will lead a service of dedication on Sunday, Dec. 1, at 9 a.m. An additional service and celebration will take place on Saturday, Nov. 30, at 6 p.m. All are welcome to attend.

Mount Calvary Lutheran Church is part of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, a biblical and liturgical church body. The mission statement of Mount Calvary Lutheran Church is "Confessing Christ in Word and Sacrament."

The church is located at 308 Petersburg Road, Lititz. Worship services are held on Sundays at 9 a.m. followed by Sunday school and an adult Bible class at 10:30 a.m. For more information, visit www.lancasterlutheran.com.