We lived in the Lehigh Valley from 1967 to 2007. During that time Asbury was the center of our family life. We loved the various ministers and associates who served Asbury. We had two of our children baptised there, two of our daughters’ weddings, and the funeral for Sandy, my wife. I served on most of the committees. Sandy was active in her circle and several committees, most notably the youth membership program with several pastors. My children attended Sunday School and MVF.
The Sunday School class led by Sam and Eleanor Henritzy was a spiritual inspiration and a social connection to some wonderful friends. We later joined in a share group which met for many years.
With the 100th Anniversary Fund being collected for the Youth Lounge, I will reminisce about the creation of the youth lounge.
Creation of the Parlor and Youth Lounge
At the Hamilton Street church we had a large room called the Parlor.
So we looked to have a similar room in our new building. The Building Committee looked to have this room, but didn’t seem to have space for it, and the architects couldn’t understand why we wanted such a room. The committee explained the usage: a small chapel, a meeting room, a wedding preparation room, a Sunday School room, etc. So, the architects proposed adding a room on the Walbert Avenue side of the building. The soil was excavated and footings installed.
As the building committed stood by the large hole, we wondered why we would fill it in with dirt. Couldn’t something else be put on the lower level? We thought of a youth facility. But was it too late? The architects prepared the change orders. Doorways were cut through the already established foundation walls to enter from the building and to exit the room to the outside in an emergency.
Thus was born and beautiful parlor and our youth lounge. GOD had been good to us!
– John Gauger