Catasauqua Club, 226 Pine St., founded in 1897, is celebrating its 125th anniversary.

It was originally the Catasauqua Wheelmans (bicycle) Club that later merged with a few other clubs at the time to form the current organization.

The budding club found a home by renting the former Morgan Emmanuel house that year, eventually buying the property in 1907. The clubhouse has remained on Pine Street ever since.

There were approximately 50 members the first year in business. Members included famous borough names such as Fatzinger, Fuller, Peckitt, Thomas, Williams, Wint, etc.

There are currently nine club board members: President Greg Clark, Chuck Boyer, Christine Neetz, Frank Schlofer, John Druckenmiller, Jim Welner, John Maholic, Brian Howells and Cameron Smith.

The club does not have an official mission statement. Its mission is to operate a private social club that offers affordably priced drinks, home-cooked meals most days, entertainment and a welcoming atmosphere to relax and socialize.

The club’s anniversary was celebrated with an event Oct. 15, featuring cocktails, a dinner and a history presentation.

Deb Mellish, a former Catasauqua Borough Council member and community activist, helped gather information and research to create a presentation chronicling the rich history of the club. Dozens of historic pictures and items were on display during the event. The presentation of the club’s history was hosted by Smith and Mellish.

There was a full-course dinner, with a salad, soup, chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans and apple pie. The dinner was cooked by club volunteers.

The club offers a variety of different events throughout the year, including private bingo every Thursday, public bingo events throughout the year, meat raffles, gun raffles, breakfasts, an Octoberfest festival and other fun events.

The club’s event facilities are available to members, as well as indoor sports like darts and billiards. The club participated in this year’s borough pub crawl Oct. 28.

Club leaders are attempting to continue the club’s viability for future generations and remain a fun place to gather and socialize. It struggled as most clubs did during the COVID-19 pandemic. The club rebounded from the pandemic and continues to offer more to its members and the public.

The club is currently open 6-10 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays but can stay open later if members choose to remain in the club after hours.

Those interested in joining the club can stop by during open hours and apply for membership. It is $30 for the first year and $25 each following year. The bar staff will assist with the membership application.

The club has hosted many important local people and awesome events during the past 125 years. Club leaders hope to continue to carry on that tradition and keep welcoming people into the Catasauqua Club.