Church History

There was once a day when a trip to Linglestown was seen as a "big excursion". The whole family would jump into the horse drawn buggy and travel on the narrow dirt roads to make the trip to the big city. Life really was different 115 years ago. Back in the good old days, churches would have to share a pastor. One week the pastor would be in Linglestown and the next week in Piketown. In time the congregation grew large enough in Piketown to establish their own church.

The Lord led these early believers to build a bethel on the top of the hill in Piketown. The cornerstone for the new church was laid on April 13, 1890. On August 24, 1890 the Mt. Laurel Church of God was dedicated to God and His service. In the earliest days, Mt. Laurel was yoked with the Linglestown Church of God and the Shope's Bethel Church of God. The first pastor of the congregation was Rev. C. C. Bartles.

Tragedy struck the church in the form of a lightning bolt and fire destroyed the church on September 27, 1910. With the help of the Lord and His dedicated people the new bethel was rebuilt and dedicated to June 4, 1911.

Seventeen pastors have served Jesus at the Mt. Laurel Church of God over her 115-year history. Our current pastor is Rev. Michael D. Martin. As of May 2005 our current membership stands at 215 believers. Our average Sunday morning worship attendance is 162 people. In 1974 the Sunday School was enlarged and a new fellowship hall was built. The mortgage for this project was burnt on October 19, 1986. A new organ was dedicated on July 2,1978. A baptismal pool and expanded santuary with seating for 265 people became a reality on November 11,1984.

The year 2006 promises to be an exciting year. The opportunity to reach more people for Jesus with His "Good News" of salvation is on the horizon. The challenge is great, but certainly not greater than our Lord and Savior.