Cedar Church had a congregational meeting Dec. 18, 2022, to vote on a new constitution.

By a near unanimous vote, members of both the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the United Church of Christ congregations at Cedar Union Church agreed to a new constitution, confirming the two congregations should become one, called Cedar Church.

Founded in 1855, Cedar Church is located at 3419 Broadway, Cetronia.

Both congregations together have several hundred congregants.

“As many mature Protestant congregations in union churches have found, Cedar will be stronger as both sides of our house come together to worship and to carry out our many ministries as one,” said Chris Ellis, president of the ELCA Church Council. “We have not only two denomination groups here but many community groups that use our facility such as the Cetronia Senior Citizens, two Boy Scouts of America troops, Al-Anon and Alcoholics Anonymous.

“We also have a joint community garden and the cemetery which is several hundred years old. We need to stay spiritually and financially healthy.”

Tammy Boyer, president of the UCC denomination, also commented on the change.

“For several years, the two congregations have been served by the Rev. Candi Cain-Borgman,” Boyer said. “She has been extremely dedicated to both congregations, providing services as needed. This is an important step to assure that Cedar will have strong ministerial leadership for years to come.”

Although worshipping as one congregation, the ELCA and UCC branches of Cedar will retain separate management of financial resources as they have always done.

The official name will be Cedar Church Association Inc.

Cedar Church welcomes new members.

For more information, contact Jenny Simmons, church secretary, at 610-395-6332 or at cedarchurch@ptd.net.