Mount Airy Church to hold special service

"Anybody is welcome to come," said Jim Griel, former pastor of the Mount Airy Evangelical Congregational (E.C.) Church, of the church's upcoming 175th anniversary celebration. Mount Airy, located at 480 Springville Road, New Holland, will hold a special service to commemorate the event on Sunday, Sept. 17, at 10 a.m.

The service will include special music. "Two of my grandchildren will play, and three of us will sing," said Griel, who added that Randy Sizemore, bishop for the International Conference Evangelical Congregational Churches, will speak. Current pastor Philip Walck said that Griel will read the roll call of former pastors and give a brief history of the church from a booklet Griel has prepared. The booklet, along with a special commemorative bookmark, will be distributed to attendees, and a fellowship meal will be held following the service. Members of Pequea Evangelical Congregational (E.C.) Church, 5482 Old Philadelphia Pike, Gap, which was planted by Mount Airy members 145 years ago, will attend the service.

Griel, who served as pastor of the church from 1989 to 1997, said that Mount Airy has its origins with Jacob Albright. "(Albright) was an evangelistic itinerant pastor who broke away from the Methodist Church over German language," said Griel, who explained that the Methodist Church in the 1790s insisted that Albright preach in English, but Albright wanted to reach German-speaking people.

Eventually, Albright began riding into the Welsh Mountains to a small community known as Mouth Airy. Walck noted that in Albright's time it was common for preachers to ride a circuit preaching in small towns. "Someone would get saved, and they would start a house church (in that area)," he explained. "A lot of the small churches (were built) and never grew more than what you see right here with Mount Airy."

"In 1848, three men purchased this tract of land for a church for $10 from Nicholas and Catherine Harting," said Griel, adding that during 1848 and 1849, William Lafferty, who was a professional stone mason and member of the congregation, built the church for a remuneration of $1 a day.

Griel recalled older church members telling him about the attendance at the church nearly 100 years ago. "In the 1930s and '40s, this church was so full that people would sit on the windowsills during Sunday morning services," he said, adding that currently, the church can hold about 110 people.

Readers who would like to learn more about the church may search Facebook for "Mount Airy E.C. Church." Individuals with specific questions may call 717-466-6290.