Spruce Run Evangelical Lutheran Zion Church

Spruce Run Evangelical Lutheran Zion Church, commonly known as Spruce Run Lutheran Church, is a Christian congregation located in the Spruce Run section of Lebanon Township, Hunterdon County, New Jersey. It is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and is part of the New Jersey Synod.

History

The congregation was established in 1774 by thirteen founding members, who initially worshiped in the barn of Frederick Fritts during the summer and in his home during the winter. The first church services were conducted every four weeks and were exclusively in German. Over time, the church played a significant role in regional religious gatherings, hosting the first convention of the New Jersey Synod in 1861 and again in 1868.

Church Buildings

• First Building (1800): Constructed of frame from yellow poplar, it was known as the "red church" and served as a Union church for both Reformed and Lutheran congregations.
• Second Building (1835): A new stone church was built to the left of the old frame church, marking an era of expansion and growth.
• Current Building: The cornerstone for the present church was laid on July 30, 1870, and the church was dedicated on March 9, 1871. This structure has since been a focal point for community and worship activities.

Clergy

The church's first pastor was Reverend William Graf, who began serving the congregation in 1774. Notably, after 1834, the church maintained complete independence with the call of its own pastor, Rev. Robert Collyer. To date, the church has had 22 pastors, with one pastor, Rev. Stephen Traver, serving twice from different tenures.

Cemetery

The original cemetery is located across the road from the church and features "God's Acre" at the top of the entrance gate. It is recognized as the oldest church cemetery in the township.

Community and Worship

Spruce Run Evangelical Lutheran Zion Church is an active member of the community, engaging in various activities such as an annual church picnic at Lebanon Township Park, which includes family-friendly events like children's games and the popular Egg Toss contest. Worship services are conducted weekly, focusing on the celebration of the Holy Eucharist in the Lutheran tradition. The church invites families with children of all ages to participate in worship services and Sunday School programs.

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spruce_Run_Evangelical_Lutheran_Zion_Church [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evangelical_Lutheran_Church_in_America [3] https://www.sprucerunlutheran.com [4] https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Spruce_Run_Evangelical_Lutheran_Zion_Church [5] https://www.sprucerunlutheran.com/programs/church-picnic/