St. John’s United Church of Christ in Emmaus celebrated 150 years of faith, service and community in a special “Anniversary Sunday” worship service 10:30 a.m. May 3.

“Whether you’ve been part of St. John’s for years, or you have not been here for years, or you’re visiting for the first time — we would love to welcome you,” Dr. Paul Knappenberger, the church’s pastor, said of the celebration.

There was only one service May 3. It included “special guests, special music and a spirit of gratitude as we honor our past and recommit to the future,” Knappenberger said.

St. John’s is observing the 150th anniversary of the founding of the church, initially a German Reformed congregation, throughout 2026.

Holy Communion was offered during the May 3 worship service and all Christians were welcome to receive it. An hour of fellowship, with refreshments, immediately followed the service. The reception was in St. John’s Fellowship Hall.

The church is at 139 N. Fourth St. in Emmaus and has a parking lot.

Organized in 1876, St. John’s was the second non-Moravian congregation in Emmaus.

It started on Jan. 1, 1876, with about 60 people of the German Reformed faith and tradition. That first service was held in the Moravian Church of Emmaus. The new congregation was allowed to keep meeting in the Moravian Church for six years.

In 1882, the Reformed and Lutheran congregations that had been holding worship services in the Moravian Church dedicated their own union church on the corner of North Third and Green streets.

That building still stands and now is the home of Unity of Lehigh Valley.

In May 1924, the Reformed congregation dedicated its own new church building, at Third, Fourth and North streets — now St. John’s United Church of Christ. The congregation celebrated the 100th anniversary of its current church building two years go.

In 1934, the church’s name was changed from St. John’s Reformed Church to St. John’s Evangelical and Reformed Church.

In 1957, it became St. John’s United Church of Christ.