NATIVITY LUTHERAN CHURCH

History:

In 1924, a consideration rose to establish a church in the Hampden Heights area of the city. Then in 1925, a Sunday School was organized at the 11th and Pike Elementary School. An organizational meeting was held in August 1926 to adopt a constitution and to discuss building plans for the Nativity Lutheran congregation.

In January 1927, Ritcher and Eiler Architects of Reading drew plans for the new church and broke ground in May. Stained glass windows for the new church was manufactured by the Pittsburgh Stained Glass Studios. During 1927, the Sunday School grew to around 200 people.

Plans were made in 1956 to construct a new Sunday School building that connected to the original church. The cornerstone was laid in 1957 and officially opened in October of that year. Following the construction of the new Sunday School, the congregation raised funds to build a Fellowship Hall on 13th Street, connected to the Sunday School building. Jumping to 1989, the congregation upgraded the property with an enlarged Narthex, an elevator, and a parking lot.


Congregation/Space:

The main space of the church stretches from the corner of 13th and Amity streets to the corner of 13th and Linden streets. An addition sits along 13th Street, north of the original church structure. The addition is a modern, two story structure that hosts both office and meeting spaces for the church and outreach organizations. Attached to the addition is another very large, one story space that resembles a fellowship hall with a kitchen. The church has one primary service that brings around 40-45 people.

Programs:

In one week, the church could see approximately 360 people use the its spaces. The church has many of its own programs and hosts outside programs weekly including Adult Bible Study. ELCA Women's Group does various projects throughout the year. The church participates in Lutheran World Relief where they donate health and school kits to impoverished families around the world. About 50 people use the church for Head Start, a program to help preschool children from low-income families. Another 50 people come to the church from OPUS One: Berks Chamber Choir. The church also hosts the LBGTQ Center of Greater Reading. Their space is on the second floor of the addition and they bring in around 80 people for resources and counseling services.