The history of St. John's is actually a history of two churches. St. John's was founded in 1864; Central Lutheran Church in 1875. Both congregations were "born" in the Mennonite Meetinghouse, which generously shared their building with many of the young congregations of the town. In 1969, St. John's and Central Lutheran merged to strengthen the witness to the Gospel and the unity of the Church. Gifts from the hertiage of both congregations shape our mission and ministry. To learn more, click here...
St. John's is an intergenerational congregation that is passionately committed to sharing God's love through word and deed with one another, in our community and throughout the world. Our Lutheran heritage is a gift that continually opens us up to be surprised by grace. We are part of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. To learn more click here...
The proposed St. John's Columbarium is in the development stage of ministry. For more information please email the Church office at stjohnsphoenixville@verizon.net.
Title: The Circle February
Date: 2011-02-09
Click here to learn more
|
|
 Pastor Cynthia Krommes, Senior Pastor Pastor Krommes believes she has the best job in the world – called to love God and love people – and she gets paid for it! Along with serving as Senior Pastor at St. John’s, she and her husband John Stong delight in being the parents of Jonathan and Todd. Baptized at Christ Lutheran Church in Hazleton, PA, confirmed at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Allentown, she graduated from Susquehanna University and the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. In 2008, she earned a Doctor of Ministry degree in Preaching from the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, where she also serves as the Secretary of the Board of Trustees. After serving for thirteen years as Pastor of St. Bartholomew’s Lutheran Church in Trenton, NJ and for three years as an interim pastor throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania, she was called to St. John’s in 1996.
|  Pastor Tom Kochenderfer, Pastoral Associate Pastor Tom Kochenderfer was born and raised in Norristown, PA. He graudated from Norristown High School and Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA. After Muhlenberg he spent a year traveling in Europe mainly in Germany. He then returned to the U.S. and entered the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia. After graduation and ordination he served three congregations over a period of forty years: Mediator Lutheran Church in North Philadelphia, Tabernacle Lutheran Church in West Philadelphia, and St. Andrew's Lutheran Church in Audubon, PA. When he retired he became the Pastoral Associate at St. John's with his principle assignment being visitation. He lives in Trappe and enjoys gardening, traveling, and antique collecting. |  Dana Deichmann, Parish Educator Dana Deichmann joined the staff of St. John’s during the spring of 2002. A graduate of Elizabethtown College in Elizabethtown, PA, Dana is married to Walter, and they have three terrific sons. Dana oversees St. John’s very active Sunday School program. She also coordinates the annual Christmas pageant and serves as Director of St. John’s popular Vacation Bible School in June. Combining her love for God, children, and her occasional flair for the dramatic, Dana delights in helping the children and youth of St. John's to grow in their understanding of God’s glory and Jesus’ love. |  Lisa Daross, Youth Minister Lisa Daross joined the staff as Youth Minister in July, 2006. A native Texan, she moved to Pennsylvania in 1998 after snagging both an English degree (with a secondary education minor) and husband Jeremy at the University of Texas at Austin. Hook 'em Horns! They are now the parents of a wonderful son, Julian. And if the song "Hey Jude" comes to mind, yes, Lisa says Julian's name is a tribute to John Lennon and The Beatles, the greatest band ever. Lisa is very excited to oversee the Youth Ministry at St. John's, including two youth groups - one for middle schoolers and one for high schoolers. Lisa is focused on helping youth grow in faith and find their place as Christians in the congregation, community, and world. |  Jeanette Hopkins, Parish Administrator A graduate of Juniata College in Huntingdon, PA, Jeanette served as Executive Secretary with a Pennsylvania motor company for ten years. She then retired to raise a family. Jeanette and her husband Bob have two children and two terrific grandsons. During that time she was on the founding committee of the Pottstown Christian Woman’s Club, Pottstown, PA where she served in various volunteer leadership capacities for ten years. Jeanette came out of retirement in 1986 to work as Parish Administrator for St. John’s Lutheran Church.
|  F. Thomas Snyder, Music Director
Tom Snyder is a graduate of Susquehanna University with a BMus in Education. After teaching music in the public schools for one year he found his passion – music ministry in the church. He is an Associate in Ministry in the ELCA currently serving at St. John’s as Director of Music, a position he has held since 1990. He has also served on the SE PA Synodical Worship Committee and the planning committee for the 2002 ALCM regional convention. Fulltime employment is with the County of Montgomery as Chief Procurement Officer. Tom also serves as the conductor of the Providence Chamber Orchestra which makes its home at St. John's.
|  Joseph Lewis, Organist Joseph Lewis received his BS degree in Music Education from West Chester University, took teaching positions in the Radnor School District, and while still teaching, achieved a Master of Music degree from Indiana University, Bloomington, majoring in Choral Conducting with a minor in Organ. Choral mentors were Julius Herford and Donald Moses, and organ instructors were Robert Rayfield (a pupil of Langlais) and Clyde Holloway. After completing his degree, he continued private organ studies in the Philadelphia area with Dr. Robert Elmore, assisting him as a conductor at Tenth Presbyterian Church and serving as a copyist for the composer. Joe took early retirement from Radnor in 1999 and has since served the Philadelphia Chapter of the American Guild of Organists in many capacities. He was organist/director for Baptist, Methodist and Episcopal churches before coming to St. John’s in 1985.
|  Sondra Lisse Andrews, Pianist Sondra Lisse Andrews is the pianist for the Evening Light worship service at St. John's Lutheran Church as well as an active participant in the church's recital series. She holds a Bachelor's and a Master's degree in Music Education with a piano performance concentration from West Chester University and is also certified as a Reading Specialist and Elementary K-6 Educator. Sondra has taught elementary and middle school general/choral music in New Jersey, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Pennsylvania and has also directed numerous children's choirs and handbell choirs. She maintains an active private piano studio in her home and serves as accompanist for vocalists, instrumentalists, and adult choirs. Currently, Sondra works as a part-time reading specialist at the PASD Kindergarten Center and also as the director of the Barkley Elementary School chorus. She has been the pianist for St. John's Lutheran Church for the past 11 years. Outside the realm of music, she enjoys traveling, biking, swimming, and spending time with her twin daughters. |  Pat Fatale, Custodian Pat Fatale has served as the Custodian of St. John's since February 2000. He and his wife live in Spring City with their son, Matthew and daughter, Gina. Before coming to St. John's he worked as a cutter for Almay in Bristol and before that at Burlington Coat in Burlington, NJ. He enjoys the flexibility of his work, the people of St. John's and the variety of tasks he performs. He is especially delighted when we "pick up after ourselves." |  Arlene Hudak, Nursery Coordinator Arlene Hudak has served as our Nursery Coordinator since 2003. She has a degree in Elementary Education and served as a Paroichal School Teacher before beginning her family. She delights in watching children grows and develop. She oversees a wonderful cadre of youth and adult volunteers who help our Nursery to be a place of play, learning, sharing and love. |
|
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
The ELCA is a community of faith that shares a passion for making positive changes in the world. Our faith is built around a strong belief in God as made known to us in Jesus Christ. Through worship, service, and education, we practice our faith, grow our relationship with God and experience God's grace in our lives. Learn more about What We Believe
Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod, ELCA
The Southeastern Pennyslvanina Synod encompasses 172 congregations, more than 350 rostered leaders and more than 95,000 baptized Christians in the five-county Philadelphia area.
![]()
SEPA Youth Ministries
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod Youth Ministries web-site connects you to what's happening in Youth Ministry in the synod and congregations throughout the five-country area of the Delaware Valley.
Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia
Lutheran World Relief
Every day in 35 countries, Lutheran World Relief works to combat the causes of poverty and the dignity it robs from people’s lives.
ELCA World Hunger
ELCA World Hunger is a comprehensive and sustainable program that uses multiple strategies—relief, development, education, and advocacy—to address the root causes of hunger and poverty. ELCA World Hunger responds to neighbors around the corner and around the world. [learn more]
Lutheran World Federation
The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) is a global communion of Christian churches in the Lutheran tradition. Founded in 1947 in Lund, Sweden, the LWF now has 145 member churches in 79 countries all over the world representing over 70 million Christians.
Lutheran Disaster Relief
When disaster strikes in your community, the local Lutherans are the first form of Lutheran Disaster Response. Every time Lutherans act in service to their neighbors in need following a disaster, they are being Lutheran Disaster Response. [more]
|
