Downtown Harrisburg in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

St. Michael’s Lutheran Church

Photographed by William Pfingsten, March 21, 2008

1. St. Michael's Lutheran Church Marker

Inscription. The evolution of the English and German-speaking Lutheran congregations in Harrisburg resulted in the establishment of a number of churches that has helped to enhance the city's fabric of sacred architecture and history. From the oldest site at which religious services were conducted in Harrisburg, at Chestnut and S. Third Streets where the German Reformed congregation built Salem Church in 1822, would emerge the Zion Lutheran congregation which built its original church on Fourth Street in 1814. Salem was German Speaking, and Zion was not, and members of the latter, who desired a German-speaking service and chose not to rejoin Salem, moved on to found their own congregation of St. Michael's in 1843. A year later, the first St. Michael's church was erected on the east side of S. Second Street. It stood until 1905 when the church and the remainder of the block were acquired by the Pennsylvania Railroad for the construction of the Railroad's freight depot where the Mulberry Station residential community now stands. In 1906, the second St. Michael's church was completed at its present location, the same year that the present

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Capitol Building was dedicated just up the street. The strength of St. Michael's German heritage is Particularly understood as its services were spoken in the native tongue as late as 1940. Among the church's treasures are a German Bible presented by Emperor Wilhelm II of Germany in 1906 and another German Bible autographed and presented by Field Marshall von Hindenberg in 1925. St. Michael's, through the beauty of its stained glass windows imported from Munich, Germany, and restored pipe organ dating to 1894, continues to serve the community from the foundation of its rich heritage.
Top Photo
Circa 1910 postcard view with St. Michael's at far left looking up State Street toward the Capitol.
Bottom Photo
Pre-1926 interior view of church sanctuary.

Erected by The Harrisburg History Project Commissioned by Mayor Stephen R. Reed.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Railroads & Streetcars • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR), and the Pennsylvania, The Harrisburg History Project series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1822.

Location. 40° 15.751′ N,

St. Michael Lutheran Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Pfingsten, March 21, 2008

2. St. Michael Lutheran Church

76° 53.274′ W. Marker is in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in Dauphin County. It is in Downtown Harrisburg. It is on State Street, on the right when traveling east. Between Front and Second Streets. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 111 State St, Harrisburg PA 17101, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in South-Central Pennsylvania, specifically in Pennsylvania Dutch Country,

and in the Susquehanna Valley.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Parish Church of St. Lawrence (Former) (here, next to this marker); J. Donald Cameron (within shouting distance of this marker); J. Donald Cameron Mansion (within shouting distance of this marker); William Maclay Mansion (within shouting distance of this marker);

Interior of St. Michael Lutheran Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by John K. Robinson, May 11, 2008

3. Interior of St. Michael Lutheran Church

The John Crain Kunkel and Katherine Smoot Kunkel Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); William Maclay (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Genevieve Blatt (1913 - 1996) (about 300 feet away); The Civic Club of Harrisburg (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Harrisburg.

Regarding St. Michael’s Lutheran Church. The correct name of the church is “St. Michael Lutheran Church,” not “St. Michael’s.” This was changed many years ago.

Resurrection Window image. Click for full size.

Photographed by John K. Robinson, September 26, 2007

4. Resurrection Window

This stained glass window was brought to the current church building (1906) from the congregation's earlier building on South Second Street near Washington Street.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 5, 2019. It was originally submitted on March 29, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 2,919 times since then and 85 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 29, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. 3, 4. submitted on May 17, 2008, by John K. Robinson of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.