Welcome to Inside the Red Doors – Stories from the St. John’s Archives!

As we approach St. John’s 150th anniversary in 2026, we are digging deep into the church archives to connect with the stories that shaped us. John Hendricks, our Photographer and Archivist, has worked faithfully for 15 years to maintain and share important pieces of our history. Leaning on his extensive knowledge and storytelling ability, we are excited to share these artifacts and anecdotes as a way to honor the past and imagine what the next 150 years could bring.

Rev. H.F. Seiple – St. John’s First Pastor – Part 2!

by John Hendricks, St. John’s Archivist

Last month we wrote about the life of St. John’s first pastor, Rev. Henry Franklin Seiple, voted unanimously as our first permanent pastor by the St. John’s members on June 30, 1879, and serving as a ‘shared’ pastor for 5 years with the Reformed churches in Hilltown and Dublin. This month we will look at his pastorate here and after that time.

By his first anniversary in 1880, The Reporter wrote “during the year 27 persons were baptized, 41 added to the communicant membership of the church…the charge is in a prosperous condition, and by the blessing of the Great Head of the Church, a bright future is ahead.” On October 26, 1882, the Perkasie News Herald noted “Rev. H.F. Seiple of Lansdale, Hilltown and Dublin congregations has been with them for 3-1/2 years, in which time he has preached and lectured 650 times, confirmed and received by certificate 138 persons, solemnized 33 marriages, officiated at 71 funerals, and baptized 100.” His journeys to Hilltown, Dublin and parishioners were made by horse & wagon from his farm on West Main Street, Lansdale, where he lived the rest of his life.

In June of 1884, Rev. Seiple was injured in a fall from a third-story window in his home. He was granted a 3-month leave by the Hilltown charge, and Rev. Maxwell Rowland was appointed to fill in for him. He resigned as St. John’s pastor that August. Some versions of our history state that he resigned due to “ill health”. While he had health issues, it is more likely he resigned because at the time St. John’s became detached from the Hilltown charge to become ‘independent’, supported by the Tri-Synodic Board of Home Missions. However, Rev. Seiple continued as the pastor in Hilltown and in Dublin for another 13 years, still performing many weddings and funerals in Lansdale. In 1897, ill health finally forced his resignation from Dublin and Hilltown. He was afflicted with diabetes for 12 years and blind his final year, no longer able to serve as a pastor, and passed away peacefully at home on October 22, 1908, at age 65.

Although a ‘shared’ pastor with 3 churches, stories from the time tell of his popularity. In 1882, St. John’s members showed up at his home with gold coins, a study lamp, and other tokens of friendship. One evening in 1884, 60 members from Hilltown surprised him at his home with a picnic dinner, cash gifts and groceries, and after speeches, the party continued late into the night. Even in a short 5 years as pastor of St. John’s, Rev. H.F. Seiple became a beloved member of the Lansdale community for almost 30 years!