The Schwenkfelder Church

The Schwenkfelder Church

105 Seminary St.
Pennsburg, PA 18073
United States

Attesting Officer
David W. Luz
Executive Director


Media Contact
David W. Luz
Executive Director

40.4003547, -75.506022


The Schwenkfelders are the spiritual descendants of the Silesian nobleman Caspar Schwenkfeld von Ossig (1489-1561), a scholar, reformer, preacher and prolific writer who endeavored to aid in the cause of the Protestant Reformation. A contemporary of Martin Luther, John Calvin, Ulrich Zwingli and Phillip Melanchthon, Schwenkfeld sought no following, formulated no creed and did not attempt to organize a church based on his beliefs. He labored for liberty of religious belief, for a fellowship of all believers and for one united Christian church.
He and his cobelievers supported a movement known as the Reformation by the Middle Way. Persecuted by state churches, ultimately 217 Schwenkfelders exiled from Silesia emigrated to Pennsylvania in six migrations, 1731 - 1734. The largest migration, about 180 landed at Philadelphia Sept. 22, 1734. In 1782, the Society of Schwenkfelders, the forerunner of the present Schwenkfelder Church, was formed. The church was incorporated in 1909.
The Schwenkfelder Church is a voluntary association of six Schwenkfelder Churches at Palm, Worcester, Lansdale, Norristown and two in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
They practice adult baptism, dedication and baptism of children, and observe the Lord's Supper regularly with open Communion. In theology, they are Christo-centric; in polity, congregational; in missions, world-minded; in ecclesiastical organization, ecumenical.
The ministry is recruited from graduates of accredited theological seminaries. The churches take leadership in ecumenical concerns through ministerial associations, community service and action groups, councils of Christian education and other agencies.


Full Communicants Average Attendance Other Members Total Inclusive Members Total Churches Membership Calculation Method
2008
2,300
1,500
2,300
5
2005
2,500
1,500
2,500
6
2003
2,633
1,500
2,633
6
1995
2,524
2,524
5
1994
2,577
2,577
5
1993
2,421
2,421
5
1992
2,475
2,475
5
1991
2,489
2,489
5
1990
2,488
2,488
5
1989
2,461
2,461
5
1988
2,516
2,516
5
1987
2,666
2,666
5
1986
2,647
2,647
5
1985
2,881
2,881
5
1984
2,862
2,862
5
1983
3,001
3,001
5
1982
2,700
2,700
5
1981
2,763
2,763
5
1977
0
2,748
5
1976
2,748
2,748
5
1975
2,653
2,653
5
1974
2,520
2,520
5
1967
0
2,250
5
1962
2,300
5
1960
2,500
5
Serving Churches Retired Other Service to the Church Total Clergy
2008
6
2
1
8
2005
9
1
1
11
2003
9
2
1
12
1995
8
9
1994
8
9
1993
9
10
1992
9
10
1991
9
10
1990
9
11
1989
8
10
1988
7
9
1987
7
9
1986
7
10
1985
8
10
1984
7
11
1983
6
11
1982
10
13
1981
7
11
1977
6
9
1976
6
9
1975
6
7
1974
6
8
1967
6
9
1962
4
4
1960
5
5
Total Schools Staff Pupils Total Individuals
2008
5
2005
6
100
600
700
2003
6
100
554
654
1995
5
701
1994
5
716
1993
5
768
1992
5
843
1991
5
798
1990
5
834
1989
5
799
1988
5
848
1987
5
831
1986
5
882
1985
5
1,014
1984
5
1,044
1983
5
1,062
1981
5
1,125
1976
5
1,119
1975
5
1,174
1974
5
1,397
1962
1960
5
125
2,000
2,125
1958
5
125
2,000
2,125
1957
5
125
2,000
2,125
1950
6
150
2,050
2,200
Total Benevolences Total Financials Total Giving Local Expenses Method
2005
$227,946
$1,910,514
$1,682,568
2003
$240,732
$1,758,559
$1,517,827
1994
$183,974
$1,082,920
$898,946
1993
$198,689
$1,084,363
$885,674
1992
$203,727
$1,036,585
$832,858
1991
$207,656
$954,894
$747,238
1990
$220,883
$953,456
$732,573
1984
$169,744
$800,404
$630,660
1981
$150,000
$609,000
$459,000
1975
$76,184
$408,150
$331,966
1974
$69,826
$319,258
$249,432
1923
$16,504
1922
$16,504
1921
$36,319
1919
$7,889
1916
$6,552