The historic Tabor Church at 124 S. 10th Street is currently undergoing a $1.2 million renovation by Lancaster-based Lives Changed By Christ (LCBC).
When opened on April 7 it will be the 14th location for the church that practices a nondenominational approach to Christian worship.
The move was first announced in November, with LCBC saying that, “This property provides us with a unique chance to renovate a traditional church building, which may help unlock a model that could be replicated elsewhere across Pennsylvania in the future, allowing more people to be introduced to Jesus in their own communities.”
LebTown spoke today at the site with Matt Stoltzfus, current Student Ministry Director and incoming campus pastor for the Lebanon location. Stoltzfus explained that the previous church had sought out LCBC and created an opportunity for LCBC to lease the space pending what was described as a $1 purchase agreement that was close to finalization.
The church is set to open about one month before Tabor Day, June 10 this year, the celebrated anniversary of the historic agreement that saw church elders agree to pay a rent of a single red rose to George Stites or his descendants each year in perpetuity (the event is held on the first Sunday of June). The Lebanon Daily News has more history here behind the paywall.
Stolzfus said that the church currently sees regular attendance from about 1,200 Lebanon County residents across their locations. The Lebanon church will offer youth programs for students through 12th grade.
See more information and the map of their other locations after these pics of the construction.
Penn Live profiled the church back in 2010, when they explained:
It’s quite deliberately a church for people who seldom went to church.
To redefine Sunday worship, LCBC leaders deconstructed the typical religious service, removing everything that might stand as a barrier between ordinary people seeking a brand of Christianity that’s relevant to their hectic, harried and often disconnected daily lives.
The church has 14 locations across the state.
As a direct descendent of George Steitz, our family received the annual Rental Red Rose over the past decades every first Sunday in June at Tabor. Though we are saddened to see the congregation end at Tabor, we are glad that the building we continue to be used. Our family will miss traveling to Lebanon each June. Best to LCBC.
As a professional organist, I am curious about if — or how — the pipe organ will be used — or maintained — or if at all it’s beauty and art be appreciated, in such a diversified contemporary setting. So what does the future hold for the organ? Does anyone know?
Ernest, thanks for your comment. In talking to Stoltzfus, it sounds like the organ will be used, and furthermore that they have already identified an organist to play it during services. I will try to get some more information about this for a future post. Thanks for reading!