One United Church of Christ

Church History

Jesus prayed “…that they may all be one…” and recognized the unity and integrity of creation and its relationship with God. His prayer has become the motto of the United Church of Christ, which is a mainline Protestant denomination with a rich history of uniting various faith traditions. The denomination itself was birthed in 1957, and represents the merger of four distinct strands of Christian history in America: Congregational, Christian, Evangelical and Reformed. The Congregational tradition traces its roots back to the Pilgrims who settled in Plymouth, MA. The Reformed tradition, especially in this part of the country, was represented by immigrants who came from the Palatinate in Germany in the 1700s and early 1800s.

We at One United Church of Christ also have a rich history of uniting with others from which we draw our strength. In May, 2004, after a year of intense study, dialogue and prayer, St. Luke’s UCC and St. Stephen’s UCC voted to become one new congregation. St. Stephen’s had a long history, dating back to the mid-1800s, of faithful ministry within the City of Reading. St. Luke’s was itself a suburban congregation with a uniting history. In May, 1967, it was chartered as a uniting congregation from St. Matthew’s UCC, a new church start in Kenhorst in the early 1950s, and Christ Yocum’s UCC, previously part of a Lutheran/UCC union church in Grill, PA with a history dating back to the early 1800s.

We believe that we are stronger united together than we can ever be as individuals. Our tradition of uniting embodies our belief. We invite you to unite with us and journey in faith, growing in our understanding of how to live and worship together as a part of the body of Christ.