Emmanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church
1980 - 2009
History of Emmanuel Lutheran Church
After the departure of Rev. Wayne Lupolt, Emmanuel went through some hard times. On January 22, 1984, Dr. R. Ray Evelan was appointed to serve Emmanuel till we found a Pastor the congregation approved. Dr. R. Ray Evelan and his wife Ruth resided in Middleburg till June 1990. When Emmanuel voted for our present Pastor, Rev. William D. Jones. He took office November 26,1990, and was installed on Sunday evening, February 3, 1991. Presiding Bishop, the Reverend A. Donald Main, along with other area Pastors, Rev. John E. Fenton, Rev. Wayne C. Muthler and the Rev. Stanley D. Reep were all present.
With the guidance of Pastor Jones, there were many notable improvements and additions made to our church.
The renovation of our chancel was made possible with the help of Jeffery Lipton and Carlton Gross of Augsburg Fortress in Philadelphia.
We had outstanding craftsmen in our congregation, who also contributed, Ken Garman hand carved our freestanding altar, which was adorned with a marble top. Our carpeted floors were replaced with a slate flooring throughout.
Our Chancel is also blessed with a baby grand piano entrusted to the church by Anna L. Winey, who for many years was a faithful,
dedicated organist and choir director at Emmanuel.
The Sanctuary of the church is adorned with a marble Baptismal Font, built special for Emmanuel from Rome.
In 1994 we held a Dedicatory Recital of the Patrick J. Murphy Pipe Organ, Opus #17, built and installed by Patrick J. Murphy.
Outside improvements to the church were a prayer garden, facing the parsonage, and a handicap ramp was installed to the side of the church. The front entrance garden is adorned with a statue of Mary holding Jesus. The installation of central air was finally added, with the parishioners’ funding. Our church library was also repainted, and holds our memorial stand and book, made by a talented member.
The furnishings in the library were memorial gifts. Members of the congregation also bought the tables in the Library and Social Hall.
Our church parsonage enjoys a new paint job, fresh landscaping and removal of the tree at the side of the house.
Pastor Jones has led our congregation in celebrating weekly Holy Communion. We have three worship services, 8 a.m., 10:15 a.m.,
and a monthly 5 p.m. Quiet Communion service.
The Sunday church school holds a monthly joint Sunday school class where both the young and old meet together for worship and a craft or community project. We also have a week long bible School Day Camp with help from our youth and adult members giving unselfishly of their time for the week. Besides our parish choir, we have an adult bell choir and a youth bell choir.
Emmanuel holds many special services throughout the calendar year, Advent Christmas Eve and Day services, Ash Wednesday, weekly Lenten Soup and Sandwich, Holy Week and Vigil of Easter and Thanksgiving Eve services.
Our church building still serves the Middleburg area well, being used at one time or another by the Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts and Exercise classes, etc. Our church, along with other area churches have worked together in packing and distributing Thanksgiving Food Boxes to the less fortunate families in the area.
To our Pastor and Councilpersons, both former and present, and all the teachers, organists, choir members and various committee members, we are grateful for all the hard, but we hope, rewarding work you have given to Emmanuel. May God bless our future.