LVPC began in 1980 as a church plant of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, Evangelical Synod. The RPCES saw the need for a Reformed, confessional church in the Allentown area. Rev. David Brewer, an ordained evangelist in that denomination, was the founding pastor. Advertisements were placed in the Morning Call, encouraging those who would be interested in such a church to join the effort.
The church initially met as a small Bible Study in a private home, but was soon renting space from the local chapter of the Girl Scouts (which used to be on Lehigh Street, near Rt. 309). In 1982, the church called one of its own, Donald Stone, to be their organizing pastor. This happened just as the entire RPCES was joining the Presbyterian Church in America. (Pastor Stone had the interesting distinction of being licensed in the RPCES, but ordained just a few months later in the PCA!) The following year (1983), LVPC called its first elders and became a particular church.
In 1987, we purchased our current building at 31 South 13thSt. from Grace Evangelical Free Church. The building has its own interesting history: It was built to be a synagogue, and was originally the home of Congregation Keneseth Israel, where the Hess Family had been members. Our church has done much to restore and update the building over the years, and it is no exaggeration to say that some of us still bear scars from the efforts!
In 2018, the church called Matthew Franchetti to be our new pastor. He was ordained and installed in March of 2019, succeeding the Rev. Dr. Stone. Pastor Stone was subsequently elected pastor emeritus, in recognition of his 37 years of faithful shepherding.
Lehigh Valley Presbyterian Church 