Salem has a rich history which began over two centuries ago when the cornerstone was laid in June of 1815. Two years later, in June of 1817, the church was officially dedicated, marking the beginning of a longstanding tradition of worship and community in Reamstown.
 

At the time of the church’s dedication, the congregation consisted of approximately 40 families. The construction of the church relied on the members of the church, and materials from the area such as timbers that were floated down the Susquehanna River and then transported by covered wagon to Reamstown.
 

Originally established as a Union Church, the building served both Lutheran and Reformed congregations. Though they shared the same space, each congregation maintained its own identity and governance. The Reformed congregation was part of the Reformed Church in the United States (RCUS), a denomination deeply rooted in the theology of the Protestant Reformation.
 

Over the years, the church experienced several denominational transitions. In 1934, the RCUS merged with the Evangelical Synod of North America to form the Evangelical and Reformed Church. This body later united with the Congregational Christian Churches in 1957 to become the United Church of Christ (UCC). During this time of change, the Lutheran congregation departed in the mid-1960s to construct their own church building.

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In 2005, after prayerful consideration, the congregation voted by an overwhelming majority to withdraw from the United Church of Christ and reassume the name Salem Evangelical and Reformed.

 

Today at Salem, we are thankful for how God has provided for our church over the centuries as we continue to follow Jesus and listen to his word. For more information about what we believe, please click here. 

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