~ To love, praise and grow in our relationship with God- Father, Son and Holy Spirit;

~ to invite and welcome others into St. Andrew's;

~ to respond to God's love in direct service to both our church family and to people in need; and

~ to continue the creation of a church home which recognizes, nurtures and supports each person's ministry.

Rev. Scott Allen & Rev. Abraham J. Valiath celebrate Eucharist with acolyte Jonathan Hontz at the 10 am service.

In the early 1950's, the Episcopal Diocese of Bethlehem decided that an Episcopal church should be built in northwest Bethlehem, near the Allentown city line. A home was purchased at 1938 Hilltop Terrace, in a residential area, to serve as the first meeting place. On December 13, 1953, the Venerable Dean Stevenson, Archdeacon of the Diocese, conducted the first service with the Rt. Rev. Frederick J. Warnecke, Bishop of Bethlehem, presiding.

In May 1955, St. Andrew's was accepted as a mission with Edgar Teter as the first vicar. A chapel seating 120 people was completed at the church's current location on Pennsylvania Avenue in October 1957. The Rev. David W. Jones became the vicar. When the mission became a church, Reverend Jones (fondly called Father Jones) was elected by the vestry as the first rector.

A Christian education wing was added in 1967. The sanctuary underwent some remodeling in 1981. The pulpit and altar rails were changed, and the choir was moved to the back of the church. At the same time, a set of beautiful faceted glass windows depicting the life of St. Andrew was installed on the south side. The last major renovation was in 2000 when an elevator was installed.

The Rev. Canon Jones retired in August 1992. John Warden served a little over a year and was replaced by the Rev. Canon Gwendolyn-Jane Romeril as rector. She stayed for five years and was a healing presence to our congregation. The Rev. Leslie E. Evans recently retired as the rector. She was working with the vestry to build the framework for parish growth. Father Scott Allen joined us in mid-2007 as our new priest. Since then, St. Andrew's has begun a major revitalization of both mission and activities. We are excited to see what plans God has for our congregation!

We thank you for your presence, O Lord, in our lives and ask for the continued guidance of Your Holy Spirit, that we may know Your will for our parish. Grant our Vestry and Priest wisdom and steadfastness to bring unity to our parish and to make decisions needed that will lead us on the path that You have prepared for us. Give us strength, courage and faith to care for each other and to reach out to our community. All this we ask to the glory of Your name, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

A view from Pennsylvania Ave. & Taft St.

Bishop Croneberger and Father Scott Allen receive Eric and Colleen Kramm (left) and Chris Biasiotto (center right) into the faith on April 6, 2008.    We are very pleased to have our new members formally on board!