Our History


Saint Andrew’s Union Church of South Perkasie, Pennsylvania had its beginning in 1866 when the people in the village of Bridgetown, now popularly known as South Perkasie, received the missionary attention of two neighboring pastors, Rev. Peter S. Fisher of the Tohickon Reformed Church at Keelersville, now Weisel, Pa. and Rev. Ferdinand Berkemeyer of the Lutheran Church at Hilltown, now known as Fricks, Pa.

The present site of the Church was part of the Strassburger farm and was originally purchased from Jesse D. Hartzell, son-in-law of the former Rev. J. Andrew Strassburger for $300 in June 1867. The Church plot accommodated the Church building, sheds for teams back of the Church, and a modest burial ground back of the sheds. The new Church building was completed and dedicated on May 26, 1870. The Charter of Incorporation of St. Andrew’s Church was granted to both the German Reformed Church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church. The Reformed congregation started with 110 members and the Lutheran congregation started with 60 members.

The first pastor was the Rev. Peter S. Fisher who was also serving a number of other area churches. His pastorate lasted from 1866 – 1873. He was followed by the Rev. James G. Dengler, who served fro 25 years in St. Andrew’s Sellersville and Leidy’s Souderton. Two short pastorates followed: The Rev. George G. Greenawald (1900-1903) and the Rev. Karl A. Stein (1903-1906).

By far the longest pastorate in the history of Saint Andrew’s Church was that of the Rev. Samuel E. Moyer, who served for 43 years (1906-1949).

St. Andrew’s has been well cared for over the years with regular updating and remodeling. The 1882 remodeling of the pulpit moved it from the street-side of the Church to the opposite end. The tower, front stairway and bell were installed in 1890. In 1908 extensive repairs were made including new pews, new altar and pulpit furniture, new carpet and a steam heating system. During the Summer of 1911, a new Estey pipe organ was installed with each of the congregations contributing $500 and Andrew Carnegie furnished $750.

Most of the sheds and all of the hitching posts used for parking teams were removed in the spring of 1923. In 1925 the Church was completely renovated and refurnished, including a new hardwood floor, rebuilding the pipe organ, the placing of beautiful art glass windows, a new pulpit platform and all new altar and pulpit furniture.

The original burial area was increased when J. Andrew Hartzell donated a strip of ground to square off the property in 1897. The Church also purchased two additional tracts of land in 1928 to enlarge the cemetery. St. Andrew’s Union Cemetery was incorporated in November 1934 with five Reformed and five Lutheran directors on the board.

The Rev. Nevin E. Schellenberger served for five years (1949-1954) and the church showed steady growth. The Rev. Dr. Edward T. Grabert followed and served more than 12 years (1954-1967). The Union Church was dissolved and the Lutherans sold their interest in the property for $10,405.50 in 1957. Extensive exterior and interior renovations were made to the church building.

In 1967, the Rev. George C. Martz began a four year pastorate (1967-1971). The long awaited expansion of the needed Christian Education facilities and fellowship rooms was finally fulfilled in a new addition. The new building was dedicated on October 31, 1971. The new facilities included six classrooms and a Fellowship Hall. By remodeling the ground floor of the original building, church offices, choir rooms, and a youth room were provided.

The Rev. Richard H. Aulenbach, ninth pastor of Saint Andrew’s Church (1972-??) (need more info)

The Rev. Merle Alderfer served as pastor from 1987 to 1994 (need more info). In 1989 an intense renovation program was started to restore the beautiful stained glass windows, repairing the outside of the building, including an overhaul of the Old Bell Tower.

In 1991 St. Andrew’s celebrated its 125th anniversary with many special events and services marking the occasion.

Our current pastor, Rev. Scott Hutchinson began his ministry at St. Andrew’s in 1995. (need more info)