By SUSAN RUMBLE

Special to The Press

Members of Union Lutheran Church, Schnecksville, celebrated with a festive service Oct. 3 to observe completion of all mortgage payments which began 20 years ago for construction of the worship center.

Pastor Gordon Camp, who was called to Union Lutheran in 2018, commented on the occasion.

“This was a great celebration of accomplishments of many generations who worked together to build a place to gather, celebrate, worship and live our faith.”

When Union Lutheran obtained the $2.25 million mortgage from The Neffs National Bank, monthly payments were $10,000.

Assistant to the pastor Cathy Shaffer recalls the initially high amounts were helped along by contributions from Union United Church of Christ as part of the two congregations’ property settlement plan.

Pastor Camp noted the last mortgage payments were whittled down to only $400 a month.

Shaffer explained how church members worked together over two decades to eliminate the mortgage.

“We have been so blessed with people contributing and fundraisers. All proceeds from our craft shows were applied to the mortgage,” Shaffer said.

She said many fundraisers involving food, such as soup sales and bake sales, helped lower the mortgage.

Shaffer also credited The Neffs National Bank for its role in the endeavor.

“Neffs Bank helped by providing friendly terms throughout the 20 years of paying back the mortgage.” Shaffer said, “It was a 30-year mortgage.

“We were able to pay it back in 20 years. It was really amazing.”

At the worship service, Pastor Emeritus the Rev. Dennis Moore presented a message about the history of Union Lutheran Church and the steps along the way toward building the congregation’s new home.

Since 1797, the Lutherans had shared a church building with Union United Church of Christ, formerly known as the Reformed congregation.

The service began with the hymn, “The Church’s One Foundation” which was sung at the very first service in the sanctuary on March 4, 2001.

Strings, percussionists, the bell choir, Union Chorale and the praise band all provided music for the joyous occasion.

Builder, the late Harold Blacker, and member, the late Curtis Schneck, who provided technical expertise for the construction project, were honored with flowers on the altar.

Pastor Camp reported excitement was building throughout the service “for the moment you’ve all been waiting for.”

A paper facsimile of the mortgage was lit by the flame from the Christ candle and dropped into a large soup kettle to burn.

“The congregation was cheering wildly like at a football game,” the pastor said.

He noted the soup kettle was symbolic of all the labors “that made this happen.”

Pastor Camp reflected on the Union Lutheran members who were involved in planning, funding and construction of the beautiful worship facility.

“The gift they began was a gift for generations to come,” Pastor Camp said.