About Us

As Lutherans, We Believe…

In the Bible… as God’s revealed Truth, as our guide to Christ, and as a source of our wisdom.

In God … as the Holy Trinity – the Father, the living creator of all; the Son, who offers all of us salvation by His Cross; the Holy Spirit, Counselor, and Helper of his people.

In Faith … as God’s gift, we know that Christ, our Lord, died on the cross in our place, taking upon himself the punishment for our sins, freeing us for a life of service in His name.

In the Church … as the fellowship of the redeemed, including all people who look to Christ as Lord; and as one important channel through which God reveals his will to us.

In the Priesthood … in which all of us have open access to God, receiving from Him the forgiveness of sins and the wisdom to lead others to know His love and care for them.

In the Worth of Each Human Being … As God calls all of us, in deep social concern, to serve each other in love.

Our Mission Statement

We have been called, empowered and sent to: Welcome all people as we gather for worship; gather to learn and grow in faith; love and service; share, comfort, and be a blessing to those in need – in our community and around the world.

Our History

The German Reformed and Lutheran Church of Fisherville was organized in 1848 on land donated by George Fisher, Esquire. Shortly afterwards, the sum of $1.00 was paid to Squire Fisher for the legal transaction and the cornerstone was laid on September 9, 1849.

Berrysburg pastors served the new Fisherville parish until 1855 when it became an independent pastorate. At that time, it also became a member of the Fisherville Charge of Evangelical Lutheran Church of Dauphin County.

No records can be found to show when the church officially became known as Messiah Lutheran Church although reference to this name is given in several church council minutes of the 1870’s. The Reformed membership was not strong and eventually dwindled out by the late 1800’s.

More than 24 pastors and a number of supply ministers served the Messiah Church throughout the years. Recently William Krenz served the longest term from 1971-1993. Currently Pastor Nancy Brody serves the Messiah Lutheran Church.

The Messiah Lutheran Church Sunday School was originally known as the Fisherville Union Sabbath School and had a large membership for such a small country church. In addition to regular Sunday School, German Bible classes were also taught for the German speaking people of the area.

With an ever-growing church school, a new Education Center was completed in 1989, consisting of a basement, two levels of classrooms and a pastor’s study. All of the labor in constructing the new addition was done by members of the church, both young and old. It is this type of devotion and fellowship which first built the church in 1849 and it is this same fellowship which strengthens our faith today and tomorrow.

List of Pastors Serving Messiah:

Berrysburg Pastors 1848-1855

Rev. L. K. Secrist 1855-1858

Rev. John H. Davidson 1860-1862

Rev. M. Fernsler 1863-1866

Rev. J. G. Breininger 1867-1868

Rev. E. Daron 1869-1872

Rev. F. Aurand 1872-1874

Rev. S. S. Engle 1874-1875

Rev. Charles Hay 1876-1877

Rev. J. K. Bricker 1877-1879

Rev. A. B. Erhardt 1879-1884

Rev. M. V. Shatto 1884-1886

Rev. H. A. Letterman 1886-1890

Rev. J. M. Stover 1890-1894

Rev. H. H. Flick 1894-1897

Rev. J. Peters 1898-1902

Rev. S. A. Garnes 1902-1910

Rev. S. A. Zimbeck 1910-1912

Rev. J. F. Stabley 1912-1931

Rev. R. M. Wise 1932-1943

Rev. L. C. Mortensen 1943-1948

Rev. John L. Rine 1949-1954

Rev. Edward G. Brame 1954-1962

Rev. David Strasser 1962-1965

Supply Pastors 1965-1971

Rev. William Krenz 1971-1993

Supply Pastors 1993-1994

Rev. Jeffery Laeger-Hagemeister 1994-1998

Supply Pastors 1998-1999

Rev. Michael T. Petresky 1999-2018

Supply Pastors 2019-2020

Rev. Nancy Brody 2020-Present