An annual pilgrimage is sponsored each year by the Union School and Church Association at the

Dillingersville Schoolhouse on one or more days during the last weekend of June.

The original supporting congregations namely Zion’s Evangelical Lutheran, Upper Milford Mennonite and Old Zionsville United Church of Christ offer a joint worship service, lunch and program. Former students of the school attending the pilgrimage are recognized. The program coordinator is Zion’s Evangelical Lutheran Church.

This year is the 76th annual pilgrimage and it will be held June 26.

An informal worship will be held 10:30 a.m. at Dillingersville Schoolhouse, 7226 Schoolhouse Lane, Zionsville PA outside under a huge tent ... rain or shine. If the rain should be very heavy, the event will be held at Zion’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 5901 Kings Highway South, Old Zionsville. Call the church for up-to-date

information at 610-966-3834.

There will be a special music and a combined choir of church members from the three churches which formed the Union School and Church Association in 1799. After worship, around 11:30 a.m., there will be a lunch of assorted cold sandwiches, chips, crudités and cold drinks served for a donation. There will also be a bake sale.

Tours of the schoolhouse (it is only one room but full of history) will be available.

Donations/bake sale proceeds will go to support the preservation of the schoolhouse.

At 12:30 p.m., there will be a fun presentation by Donald Heminitz, portraying an early 1770s schoolmaster traveling the King’s Highway who stops to visit the Upper Milford schoolhouse. Several resources have been used in developing a character, including the 1955 book “THE SCHOOLHOUSE Near the Old Spring,” written by Andrew S. Berky, then Director of the Schwenkfelder Library.

With a walking stick in hand and a tricorn hat, Heminitz will include a colonial-themed spelling bee, so be sure to practice thine olde timey words! Additionally, he will provide some musical entertainment on fife and Baroque

flute to enrich his performance.

For several years, Heminitz, formerly a resident of Old Zionsville, was a living history interpreter portraying the Pilgrims through first-person interaction at Plimoth Patuxet Museums in Plymouth, Mass. and currently serves as

Bosun and Marine Repair Supervisor aboard Mayflower II.

Bring your own lawn chairs if you wish. Invite your family and friends!