Reformation Lutheran Church is a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA.)
We are a Reconciling in Christ Congregation = YOU are welcome here!
Wondering what it means to be a Lutheran? Click here to view Lutheran Education Resources.
Our Mission Statement: Called by Christ, We Invite All People, Serve Our Neighbors, Build a Living Faith
We Invite All People
“Come Unto Me.” We invite all people and offer many opportunities to respond with us to Christ’s invitation, including contemporary and traditional services, fellowship events, Vacation Bible School, summer outdoor worship, Sunday School for all ages, adult seminars, even a Christmas visit from “St.Nicolas, bishop of Myra.”
This also includes our Welcome Statement:
Called by Christ we invite all people, celebrating the diversity of God’s creation. Reformation is an affirming congregation for all: rejoicing with the young and old, welcoming people of all sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, working to cultivate an accessible and inclusive community for all abilities, and embracing all races, cultures, and faith traditions.
We serve our neighbors following the teachings of Christ. Reformation responds to the needs of the most vulnerable – providing nourishment and comfort, supporting the work of the local and global church, and protecting God’s creation for future generations.
We build a living faith emboldened by the Holy Spirit. Reformation embodies the unconditional love of God through worshiping and learning together and valuing the gifts of everyone. To create the fullness of our community of faith, we nurture relationships, pursue racial equity and gender justice, and advocate for the wellbeing of the marginalized.
We Serve Our Neighbors
Our faith leads us to serve others in a variety of ways, including yearly blood drives; a Global Mission commitment to Pangani Parish, Tanzania; and biking many miles to raise funds for Lutheran Charities Appeal. A before-and-after school “Stay & Play” program actively serves working parents; while Aid for Friends cook-ins, service at Chester City Team Ministries, and a youth garden nourish the hungry poor. Even our young members learn the lessons of Global Mission concern. Ten people went to the school at the Navajo Evangelical Lutheran Mission in Rock Point, Arizona, and made sure they opened on time
We Build a Living Faith
We look for both traditional and new ways to build “Stepping Stones” of our Christian faith, including congregational celebrations of baptism and first communion; holiday programs for children and families; and by holding evangelism leadership events. Frequent shared experiences between children and adults; among youth who attend Jr./Sr. High retreats; and between members of numerous small interest groups all create a spiritual excitement and desire to build a living faith.
We Are Reformation People
Reformation People are free from sin through faith in God yet bound by love to serve the neighbor, embodying in their lives God’s word of radical unconditional love.
Reformation People receive, maintain, and pass on the Reformation tradition of:
· promoting equality and empowerment of all people
· promoting spiritual health so faith orients life
· promoting the welfare and well-being of all
· promoting education for all
· valuing human relationships
· valuing children
· promoting equality and freedom.
Reformation Lutheran Church, Media, expresses this identity in our mission to invite all people, serve our neighbors, and build a living faith.
History of Reformation
1947 – Anna Tinsman, Alyce Thompson and Ruth Kuder, create a Lutheran Sunday School in their homes.
Ladies with a vision
1950 – Pastor Robert E. Anderson, a recent graduate from Union Theological Seminary, is selected to establish a congregation. The congregation is officially organized on October 30. Sam Montgomery becomes the first Council President.
1950 – On June 25, the first Lutheran Service is held in the Upper Providence Township building. For the next three years a Sunday worship program is held in this location (for which the Church pays $120/year rent).
1951 – 3.9 acres of land for a future Church site are purchased at the corner of Rose Tree and Providence Roads and a building program was underway.
1953 – In May a Groundbreaking is held for the Church School building and by November the new Church School is dedicated.
Reformation Lutheran church 1953
1957 – a three year building campaign is organized.
1960 – Dec 4th -The New Sanctuary Building is dedicated on December 4.
1964 – David Leibig becomes the Choir Director/Organist, for 28 years, until his untimely death in 1992. During this time, the choir grows to 35 + voices and is recognized as one of the premier church choirs in the community.
1966 – Barbara Creighton becomes the Day School Nursery Director, for 25 years. The Day School becomes a role model in the community, with over 1,000 children matriculating from the program during her tenure.
1969 – Pastor Richard Hess is called to serve as Associate Pastor.
1971 – Pastor Hess leaves Reformation.
1972 – The third phase of the original construction plan calls for a Youth Center and Education Wing. The building phase is completed and dedicated in October. The Day School Nursery program begins.
Addition of the New Sanctuary
1979 – Pastor Anderson suffers a stroke and retires. Pastor Willie Hackenberg steps in as interim pastor.
1980 – Pastor William F. Scholl is Called in June.
1982 – Pastor Rinda G. Rogers is called to serve as Associate Pastor.
1983 – The sanctuary receives a new “look” and a new “sound” with new lectern, pulpit and organ. An Adult Forum introduced between services to provide Adult studies and topics. An Endowment fund is established to secure financial security.
1986 – Both Pastors Scholl and Rogers accept new calls to other churches. Recently retired from St. Matthews Lutheran Church, Pastor William Elbert agrees to serve as interim pastor for one year. Two members of Reformation, celebrate ordinations: Pastor Doris Waters and Pastor Patricia Johnson.
1987 – Pastor Albert I. Douglass begins his ministry at Reformation.
1989 – Pastor James A. Daniels is called as Assistant Pastor, reflecting the Church’s growth and need for expanded spiritual leadership.
1990 – Stay and Play Program (a before and after school program) begins in September under Barbara Creighton’s leadership. Stay and Play provides programs for children both before and after regular school hours that attend the Rose Tree Media School District. During the same year, a large cross was mounted on the face of the sanctuary building, in memory of Marion Diament by her husband William.
1991 – Renovation of the Social Hall, including new paneling, ceiling tiles and lighting fixtures.
1993 – New Choir Director, Marian Horn Miller, together with Patti Rahi, Youth Choir Director replace David Leibig following his sudden death in 1992. Pastor Daniels retires, but continues on as Chaplain at Elwyn Institute, a program begun a few years earlier as an extension of Reformation’s outreach.
1994 – Seminarian Lee Miller, a student at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia, becomes Reformation’s Youth Director. In the same year, Reformation becomes the Companion Church with the Pangani Parish in Tanzania, Africa. In December, the Anderson Memorial Carillon is installed.
1995 – Pastor Douglass receives another call and resigns in April. Pastor Edward Treichel, recently retired from St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Ardmore, steps in as interim pastor.
1996 – Pastor Larry V. Smoose is called, bringing with him impressive experience as Synod Secretary, ELCA Church Council member, and pastor of God’s Love Church in Newtown.
1997 – Vicar Jennifer Hitt begins her pastoral internship.
1998 – Vicar Leah Schade begins her internship. Deacon Linda Furia becomes the Director of Music.
1999 – Pastor Mark Crozier-Christy was called as Chaplain to Elwyn and Seminarian Justin Johnson is hired as Youth Director.
2000 – Pastor Leah D. Schade is called to serve as Reformation’s Associate Pastor for Family Life Ministry. Reformation’s 50th Anniversary is celebrated and the congregation begins envisioning a building renovation and expansion program.
2006 – The new building additions of the expanded Narthex and office suite along with added air-conditioning, and ADA accessibility including bathroom upgrades, elevator, and sanctuary chairs for wheelchair versatility are dedicated.
Reformation Today ADA Accessible and Air Conditioned
2009 – Pastor Schade leaves Reformation to pursue her Ph.D. at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia. Pastor Anita London is called to serve as Associate Pastor.
2011 – Bishop Anderson, Presiding Bishop of the ELCA, attends our 60th Anniversary.
2012 – Pastor Smoose retires, Pastor London leaves, and Pastor Jim Wolford begins as Interim Pastor with additional support from Senior Seminarian Alina Gayeuski and Seminarian Sue Loney
2013 – Pastor Arden Krych becomes the Bridge Pastor. Reformation calls Pastor Wayne Matthias-Long in June and Pastor Alina Gayeuski in December.
2021 – Reformation installs a new technology in the sanctuary and makes a live stream of worship available online every week. A live stream director is hired to manage the new program. Deacon Beth retires from Reformation in November.
2022 – Pastor Wayne retires from Reformation in June. In August, Pastor Alina is called to serve as Lead Pastor and Pastor Eileen Ruppel-Doan is called to serve as Pastor in November.
2023 – Diane Bullen, Director of Stay and Play, retires after 30 years at Reformation. Vicar Paula Estornell, a Deacon Intern, begins her internship in the fall. Reformation launches the Life Abundant campaign for needed roof repairs, a new pavilion, and a reflection garden.