More than 150 years ago a group of employees of the Thomas Iron Works in the little village of Alburtis decided to found a Sabbath or Sunday School for the edification and enlightenment of the foundry workers.

A couple of years later in 1870 when they had outgrown the space where they held their Sabbath School services, the group asked the owners of the iron works for a small plot of land on which to build a church that would become the Memorial Presbyterian Church of Lock Ridge and the cornerstone was laid later that year.

The church building was dedicated April 9, 1871, with Psalm 90 as the theme of the service.

On Oct. 31, 1968, when the Lock Ridge Church no longer was sustainable, the church leaders opted to dissolve the church and recommend their members join with the nearby Church of the Good Shepherd United Church of Christ.

In the ensuing 52 years the Lock Ridge Church building has been preserved and currently houses the Alburtis-Lock Ridge Historical Society.

On Reformation Sunday, Oct. 25, the Church of the Good Shepherd honored that memory with a celebration of the Lock Ridge Church and its history led by The Rev. Dr. Matthew Gorkos and attended by several former members of the Lock Ridge Church. Echoing the dedication service of 1871, the service was based upon Psalm 90 as well as Jesus’ message to the Pharisees in Matthew 22:34-40 that the two greatest commandments are based upon an armature of love, both of God and of one’s neighbor.

For display during the service, the Alburtis-Lock Ridge Historical Society provided from its archives several artifacts from the Lock Ridge Church.

The service was attended by approximately 56 members and visitors and was also livestreamed on the Facebook page of the Church of the Good Shepherd United Church of Christ where it may be viewed.