READING, Pa. — Trinity Lutheran Church, one of Berks County’s oldest continuously worshipping congregations, is celebrating nearly three centuries of faith, service, and community impact with a year-long 275th anniversary.
Founded in 1751, the church officially kicks off its anniversary year on Trinity Sunday with a special worship service welcoming nine new members.
Senior Pastor Hans Becklin said the milestone is both a time to reflect on the congregation’s long history and to look ahead to its future. “We have our steeple lit at night. It’s for people to have that encounter with God that maybe they’re not expecting. We want to be a place where those encounters can continue for another 275 years,” Becklin said.
The celebration will continue through Trinity Sunday of 2027, marking 275 years since the consecration of the church’s first sanctuary in 1752.
A major highlight of opening day is a free public organ recital performed by Trinity’s cantor, Cameron Wentz. The program features music that reflects Reading’s diverse cultural heritage.
“This congregation was a German-speaking congregation to begin with. Now it’s an English-speaking congregation. But Reading itself has a large Spanish-speaking community, so we’re trying to incorporate all those different elements to make a diverse program,” Wentz said.
The anniversary year also includes a $3 million sanctuary restoration project. Becklin said the 1791 sanctuary will close Monday for a four-month renovation, which will include repairs to the ceiling, Tiffany windows, exterior masonry, and new lighting and audio-visual systems. Worship will be temporarily relocated to another hall during the restoration.