Mission Statement

To know God and make God known

Church History

The name epworth comes from the little village of Epworth in Lincolnshire, England, where the Rev. Samuel Wesley was rector of the Anglican parish. His sons, John and Charles, both Anglican priests, became founders of Methodism through their ministry to persons who were largely beyond the walls of the established church. In adopting the name Epworth, we preserve a significant portion of our religious and spiritual heritage.

In 1963, plans were set into motion by the Philadelphia Board of Missions to establish a mission church in Bethlehem Township. The Rev. David W. Flude, of the British Methodist Church, was appointed by Bishop Fred Pierce Corson as the first pastor of Epworth in September 1964. His wife, Norma, also a minister, is remembered for organizing the first youth Choir. The first service of the newly formed church was held on November 29, 1964, in the parsonage with 12 people in attendance; the following week, it increased to 30.

Groundbreaking for the church building was held on November 28, 1965. During the building process, the church welcomed it's second pastor, Rev. Edwin R. Green, in May 1966.

Under the leadership of Rev. Charles E. Weigel, Jr., who was appointed pastor January 1, 1976, Epworth took final steps towards becoming self-sufficient and on June 30, 1981, all financial support from the Annual Conference (now The Eastern Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church) was terminated and Epworth was no longer a "mission church."

Since then, Epworth has seen several pastoral changes, and recently welcomed the Rev. Sandy Ostman as pastor during the summer of 2006.