About
Our Mission: Provide Care. Nurture Faith. Share Hope.
Our Beliefs
St. Daniel’s Lutheran Church is a Christian congregation, guided by the following beliefs:
We believe that the Bible is God’s Word. It is accurate, authoritative, infallible, and applicable to our everyday lives. The Bible is the highest source of authority in a Christian’s life and faith.
We believe in one God who is the Creator of all things and continues to sustain, provide, and rule all things to accomplish His purposes. He eternally exists in three Persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, whose death on the cross freed us from our sin and whose resurrection assures us of the victory of life over death.
We believe that the Holy Spirit guides us through our daily lives according to the will of God and equips each of us so that we can successfully achieve His purpose for our lives — to worship God, love our neighbors, and serve the community in which we live.
We believe that a person can be saved, not by his or her own merits, but only by one’s faith in and acceptance of God’s grace, mercy, and loving- kindness.
We believe that God continues to be at work in the world today and that Jesus Christ is coming back again as He promised.
We worship, pray, study, give, and serve.
We do all of this with a healthy dose of good humor, fun, food, and fellowship!
You are welcome here.
Our History
(A need that continues to this very day!)
In 1751 German immigrants were farming the land that was once occupied by the Lenape Tribe of Native Americans. Answering the need to establish a church, three families generously gave a corner of their land for the building of a church. The land spanning these corners gave us the nickname of “Eck Kirche” or “Corner Church”.
View of the second church building, constructed 1814-1817 and remodeled in 1846. John Moyer and Joel Kantner are standing on the wall of the oldest section of the cemetery. Photo taken in 1886.
View of the current church building constructed 1977-1978, with an addition completed in 2005 for office facilities, meeting rooms, expanded social hall, kitchen, and narthex. The steeple was removed in 2023 due to design issues with stability. Photo taken in June 2024.
The original church building was constructed in 1751. The second church building was completed in 1817 and was in use until it was destroyed by a devastating fire in December 1976. The third church building is the present structure, which was completed just under 2 years after the fire. It stands diagonally across the street from the Memorial Garden, which is the site of the old church. An amazing artifact rests in the Garden: what remains of the original church bell that crashed into the church basement when the bell tower fell during the fire. Created in 1911 and originally weighing approximately 1800 pounds, about 1/3 of the bell remains.
The original church bell created in 1911 and damaged in the 1976 fire. Located in the Memorial Garden. Photos taken in June 2024.
The origin of the agricultural community helping one another through times of plenty and times of drought continues to define our caring community approach to ministry and service. We are a church family who cares for, supports, and lifts up each other and our local community.
Over 270 years since we began, our vibrant worship life is blended with an active social ministry, Bible studies, social activities, Preschool, free medical clinic, and a wide swath of service to neighbors old and young.
Come follow Jesus with us!
Our Team
Rev. Shelley Miller
Transitional Minister
Effective September 1, 2022, the Rev. Shelley Miller joined St. Daniel’s Lutheran Church as its part-time Transitional Pastor for a two year period. Among her other duties, Pastor Shelley leads our Worship Services on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month.
While serving as our Spiritual Leader, Pastor Shelley is excited to help rejuvenate our Worship Services, empower us in our daily walk with Jesus, and assisting the Congregation in discerning God’s purpose for St. Daniel’s.
Pastor Shelley, an independent-ordained minister, received a Master of Divinity degree in May 2021 and is currently enrolled at the Evangelical Seminary in Myerstown, pursuing her Doctor of Theology degree.
Rev. Mary Etta Mest
Designated Pastor
Joining us in the Spring of 2022, the Rev. Mary Etta Mest joyfully leads the Congregation at our Traditional Communion Services on the 1st Sunday of the month. Additionally, she assists our Coordinator of Congregational Ministries with visitations of our hospitalized and homebound members.
While acting as our Supply Pastor, Pastor Mary Etta also serves the congregation at the United Church of Christ of Robesonia, PA. She has a passion for preaching and sacred music.
Joy L. Kline
Coordinator of Congregational Ministries
If the Congregation is the backbone of this Church, Joy is its beating heart! For 30 years, Joy has been an integral part of the life of St. Daniel’s; first through her volunteer work and now by planning/leading Christian education, fellowship activities, worship services, and ministering to our homebound members.
Join Joy as she leads us in: worship services, children’s sermons, Bible studies, Women of Worth (WOW) devotions, People Enjoying People (PEP) Club, field trips and excursions, the church picnic, special celebrations, and much more.
Andy Harakal
Building & Facilities Manager
When it comes to our Building and Facilities, Andy is living proof that God provides! Words cannot adequately express our gratitude for all the selfless hours Andy spends taking care of the Church and grounds. Before we are aware of a problem, Andy proposes a solution. When we look a year down the road, Andy is looking 5 years ahead. Best of all, Andy reminds us to walk faithfully with the Lord and do all for the glory of God.
Marlin Kerchner
Director of Music
Marlin earned a BS in Music Education from Millersville University. He taught elementary music for 35-½ years. During that time, he also held positions in church music ministry for a total of 25 years, serving as organist and director of choirs at several Berks County churches. Marlin began serving as organist/choir accompanist at St. Daniel’s in 2004 and is presently the Director of Music.
Marlin says, “I try my best to allow the hymn text to guide and inspire my playing. I often begin hymns with imaginative introductions and vary the accompaniment of the hymn stanzas according to the words. By playing the hymns in this manner, I strive to inspire our congregation to reflect upon their faith as they worship God through music. At St. Daniel’s our services include different styles of music to enhance the worship experience. In addition to the traditional music of the Lutheran church, our liturgy includes music of Hispanic, Celtic, African, and Caribbean backgrounds as well as contemporary hymns sung with both organ and recorded accompaniments of appropriate instrumentation. I find the members of our church to be very receptive to these various musical styles.”
Jenny Plassio
Administrative Assistant
Jenny joined the staff of St. Daniel’s in August 2022 after having been a member of the Congregation for many years. With her deeply committed faith and willingness to assist wherever possible, she is a welcomed addition to our staff.
Larry Bashore
Most Valuable Volunteer
Larry can often be found in the Church Office doing what he does best – helping to get the work done and done right! With years of administrative experience, he is on hand to do all he can to serve the St. Daniel’s congregation and the Lord.
Ministers
The congregation of St. Daniel’s