Harrisburg ELCA Congregation Gives Building to Coptic Orthodox Church

ELCA News Service ^ | 31 December AD 2009 | Barbara Myers

[Nosterrex]

The first question that jumped into my mind was what happened to the membership of Memorial Lutheran? Judging by the size of the church building, it must have had a large membership at one time. There could have been a number of reasons, such as a changing demographics or urban fight. Well, at least they did not sell it to some cult or make into a night club.

[Tribune7]

ping

[SunkenCiv]

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)

Thanks lightman.

[married21]

When I think of all the truly awful things that are happening to Coptic Christians in Egypt, I am grateful that at least they are being given a chance to worship here.

[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

The Copts are the only Orthodox Church which is Monophysite rather than Trinitarian, if I am not mistaken?

[NYer]

What a beautiful way to begin the new year, with this selfless gift. In many ways, the story parallels that of my parish which acquired a 160 y/o Methodist / Episcopal Church which it is now transforming into a Maronite Catholic Church. As with the history of this church, the ME parish had flourished but eventually dwindled. It also attempted to merge with another congregation but that failed. 50 years ago, the building was boarded up and sold to a local hardware store, on condition that it never be sold for commercial purposes. The new owner turned down some lucrative offers from commercial enterprises, faithful to his promise. Not quite 10 years ago, our pastor approached the owner who was so relieved to have an interested buyer with a religious congregation, that he offered it for the same price he originally paid! The church and adjacent rectory, have been declared historic landmarks and are now on both the NYS and Federal Registers of Historic Landmarks. Meanwhile, the work of restoring the buildings, continues. Since the buildings were constructed before the invention of electricity, it is necessary to replace the rudimentary wiring and bring it up to code. There is no insulation in the walls, nor is there any heat or air conditioning. Grant writing has become my 2nd job ;-/

[Kolokotronis]

The Copts are the only Orthodox Church which is Monophysite rather than Trinitarian, if I am not mistaken?

Monophysism is a today pretty much meaningless verbal distiction in the Orthodox (and Latin I suspect) world having to do with the nature of Christ. Trinitarianism has to do with the Trinity, three hypostasia in one ousia. All Chrisyians are Trinitarians so far as I know. The Copts are not the only Non-Chalcedonian Christians. The Armenians are too.

[Kolokotronis]

“I do wonder what type of renovations they will have to do to make things conform to the Orthodox way of doing things.”

For starters, they’ll need to put up an iconostasis.

[redgolum]

What about the orientation of the altar? In other words, if it is at the north side do they have to move it?

[Kolokotronis]

"What about the orientation of the altar? In other words, if it is at the north side do they have to move it?

As a practical matter, no, I don't think so.

[constitutiongirl]

Great photos!!

[constitutiongirl]

How generous. What a nice story.

[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

Thanks for clearing up my confusion, I had thought the Monophysites were not Trinitarian. Always learning something new on FR.