Don Christ attended the 275th anniversary picnic of Ebenezer United Church of Christ, in New Tripoli.

He pointed out two men who were enjoying picnic food.

Christ told The Press both men have been married more than 60 years.

The two were Wayne Frey and his wife, Ruth, married 60-plus years and Richard Held and his wife, Gladys married 64 years.

Frey was discussing how the Jaindl family started American Bank in South Whitehall.

He still has some of the stock from the founding.

Frey said he bought the stock because the Bible says, "Help one another."

He and Ruth were married in 1954 and have had 60 years of happily married life, Frey said.

Held came to New Tripoli from Coffeetown, Lebanon County.

"These two girls were in the church choir," Held said proudly of the wives.

State Rep. Gary Day, R-187th, handed out tickets to the children so they could participate in the cakewalk.

"This church is a pillar in the community," Day said. "I brought you a citation from the House of Representatives."

He pointed to the fire truck, ambulance and the people running the picnic games as examples of what volunteers do in the community.

"People move into an area and the first thing they do is join a church," he explained.

Day said there are great congregations in the area. They were outposts during the early settlements.

The bells, which happened to ring at that moment, tell of continuity and consistence in helping people, he explained.

Day said the citation he was presenting is an official document, which states the church was founded in 1740 and is now under the spiritual guidance of Pastor Kevin Fruchtl.