On October 23, 2022, we celebrated our 100th anniversary!

On this page, you’ll find media from that celebration, reflections from our members, and bulletins and programs from special events throughout the years.

ON THIS PAGE: Member Reflections | 100th Anniversary Commemorative Booklet | Historical Documents | Newspaper Clippings

Asbury Church Celebrates 100th Anniversary

A panorama of the Sanctuary during the service commemorating the 100th anniversary

Asbury United Methodist Church celebrated its 100^th anniversary on Sunday, October 23, with a special worship service and a luncheon.

Pastor Eric Yeakel

Centered around the theme “The Best is Yet to Come,” the congregation gave thanks to God for the past century of ministry, reflecting on the ministries, missions, and events that have helped to shape it, and looked forward to the impact that it can make in the years to come.

Pastor Eric Yeakel, who has served at Asbury since 2007, delivered a message reflecting on the church’s history and outlining “Vision 2026,” a plan for the congregation to “close the gap” between the way the world is and the way it should be. Initiatives to “close the spiritual gap,” “close the generational gap,” “close the justice and kindness gap,” and “close the opportunity gap” were introduced as a charge to congregants to consider how they can deepen their own relationship with Jesus Christ as well as how they can facilitate opportunities for others to connect with the hope that God offers and to show the love of Jesus in their community.

North District Superintendent Rev. Hun Ju Lee

“I am strengthened by your witness, encouraged that you continue to hold high the name of Jesus Christ and celebrate this day with you as you look forward to the next 100 years of sharing the good news of Jesus Christ,” said North District Superintendent Rev. Hun Ju Lee, who was in attendance delivering words of encouragement and a prayer to the congregation. “Those who laid the foundation of this ministry would be proud.”

In a message delivered by video, Eastern Pennsylvania Conference Bishop John Schol highlighted ways Asbury has been active in its community, saying “you are a light on a hill and you are what God is calling our church to be and to become.”

The Jubilation Ringers and the Chancel Choir perform

Pastor Eric built on Bishop Schol’s remarks, saying “we’ve had so many people in this community that have literally been the church; and we’re going to continue to do that. You see, Bishop Schol’s right, we can’t just say ‘let’s just celebrate 100 years and let’s forget it… we have to keep moving forward.’ You know, we are so grateful to those that made sacrifices in this Asbury community so we could have this ministry; but to be faithful to them and to be faithful to God’s mission, we have to move forward and set the tone for the next one hundred years.”

A church that prides itself for its music program, three of Asbury’s adult musical ensembles delivered anthems and led the congregation in song. The Jubilation Ringers, a handbell choir featuring one of the world’s largest church-owned collection of bells and related instruments, performed an arrangement of “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty” with Asbury’s Chancel Choir as the congregation extolled God’s goodness.

Following Pastor Eric’s message, the church’s Praise Band sang a song by North Point Worship, “The Best is Yet to Come,” which highlights the future God promises.

At a luncheon after the service, members delivered reflections on the impact the church has made on their lives and offered words of hope as the church looks forward to the next century of ministry.

The luncheon

Asbury Church was incorporated in 1921, erecting a building at the corner of Hamilton Street and Jefferson Street (the current site of the Allentown Public Library). The church’s leadership chose to name the new church in honor of Francis Asbury, the first Methodist Bishop in the United States.

In 1972, a devastating fire destroyed the church building and the congregation rebuilt at the corners of Springhouse Road and Walbert Avenue in South Whitehall Township in 1974, where it continues to meet today.

The congregation traces its roots to the first Methodist Society in the Lehigh Valley, founded by a pair of sisters, Elizabeth and Sarah Muffley. The Muffley Sisters opened a small house behind their home on Walnut Street, west of Ninth Street, for the society to gather.

The Message: ``The Best is Yet to Come``

Watch Pastor Eric’s message from the 100th anniversary

Member Reflections

The following are excerpts from Asbury members reflecting on the impact Asbury has made on their lives. Click the name at the end to view the entire reflection.

“And so on this
Special day.
Let us all give thanks to God
And ask Him to Bless us with…
Another 100 years
Of Togetherness and Love.”
– Poem by Tammy Dietrich

▲ “Through Pastor Eric’s preaching & singing with the Praise Band we feel spiritually nourished on every Sabbath and we truly feel the Lord’s presence there with us.” – Anonymous Members

▲ “On a beautiful fall day in 1972 we watched from our apartment, the smoke and flames as Asbury church burned. One thing I remember from that time is the emphasis that the building burned, but the church was still alive.” – Margie and Larry Kelly

▲ “The Chancel Choir has been like a family to me for 35 years. God speaks to me through music, and I am so fortunate that my children and I have been able to listen to God’s voice through the music programs at Asbury.” – Shirley Nylund

▲ “Asbury has been a big part of my life during the almost forty years my wife and I have been members, from Sunday School, worship services, my time with the Missions Committee of Asbury, my time with the Youth of the church, [and so much more…]” – Manly Offutt

▲ “Asbury pastors have the gift of enlightening sermons to bring new members to the church. The homey environment and many programs brought me to the church 32 years ago. Many programs have touched me, including the Christian Clown touring ministry, known throughout the Lehigh Valley.” – Doris Farrar

▲ “My experience with the Keep in Touch team has given me an appreciation for the huge effort made to help our older members feel involved, loved, and not forgotten. The shows and the annual Christmas parties of the Henritzy Class, where Sam always read that year’s “history”’, were highlights. Sam and Eleanor were like parents to every class member. They were amazing shepherds and mentors to us all.” – Laurel Kegley

▲ “From the start of our Asbury membership, we immediately felt and experienced the excitement and commitment of a growing group of believers who demonstrated their belief in Jesus’ call to love our neighbor and their understanding of the promise of eternal life.” – Eugene Davis

▲ “Our relationship with God has grown and our four children regularly attend and participate in their churches due in large part to the programs and worship services at Asbury. We are so fortunate and blessed to have been a part of Asbury for more than 45 years.” – Darlene and Skip Slaski

▲ “Asbury means a lot to me. I taught Sunday school in the 3-year old class for many years. Those “kids” are now young adults, and I love catching up with them or their parents when I see them in church.” – Sandy Josephson

▲ “The Church is not a place or a building, the Church is its people. We are the Church, and we all need to be the hands and feet of Christ to see that it continues for another 100 years.” – Sara Brown

▲ “I decided to attend the class to become a member… especially because the church was a full partner with the communities in the Lehigh Valley contributing not only money but volunteering their services and time to make a true difference in peoples’ lives.” – Lucille Arslanian

▲ “Handbells! I was mesmerized from the start. I had never seen or heard such glorious music despite many performance experiences in choral and instrumental music. Through the dedication, brilliance and boundless creativity of Phyllis Hentz, it was a joy to learn to ring handbells under her leadership.” – Tina Lebrecht

▲ “[My husband and I] were made welcome our first visit. We joined the church and the [Henritzy Sunday School] class. The friends we made became lifelong friends. I am so thankful we visited Asbury that day.” – Carol Rinehimer

▲ “When [my husband] Gary was critically ill and our children very young, my Circle was a great support to us, as was our church. They supported us with prayer, caring kindness, food, and hope.” – Brenda Rodgers-Baxter

▲ “As the building committed stood by the large hole [that had been dug for the Parlor as the new building was being constructed], 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…” – John Gauger