The Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Advent was formed by nineteen people on December 17, 1931. They decided to form their own Lutheran parish rather than travel weekly to Greenport, which, in 1931, was quite a trip. This venture had begun in 1929 when Mrs. Carrie Baldwin organized a Lutheran Sunday School in her home and eventually on the top floor of Fischer’s Hall (behind what is now Orlowsky’s Hardware) on Pike Street.
The Pastor of St. Peter’s Lutheran in Greenport, The Rev. Charles Menge, was called as Pastor of Advent concurrently. In 1931, the people of Advent rented a then-vacant former donut shop on Hamilton Avenue (now Rt. 48) in Mattituck, which became their sanctuary until 1944. Records indicate that communing membership hovered between 19 in 1931 to 25 in 1945. No wonder the Synod did not approve a charter for Advent until November 23, 1942. When World War II hit, maintaining their building became harder and harder, so from 1944 until 1954, the People of God at Advent used the building of the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer as their sanctuary, giving up the old donut shop for good.
With a tremendous leap of faith and the personal investment of the principal members and Church Council, in 1951, the property on which the church building now stands was acquired. A basement was built and used for worship. Membership grew to 87 adults and 29 children.
A local engineer, Gordon Ahlers, designed an “A-frame” structure that would fit over the existing foundation. Harold Reeve Construction Company was contracted to erect Advent’s new building. The finished sanctuary on Legion Avenue was dedicated on December 15, 1957 (the Third Sunday in Advent). The program listed 67 members and 23 in the church school at that time. Pastor Arthur Olsen pre¬sided at the dedica¬tion. Encouraged by Pastor Olsen in 1962, Advent called its own Pastor, The Rev. Richard Van Wyckhouse, followed by young Pastor H. William Johnson in 1963 and then by Pastor Harry Pfunke in 1967. Pastor George Summers began work on March 1.
Throughout the history of Advent, in the good years and the lean years, people gathered to hear the Word, to share the Sacraments, and to engage in ministry. Even on days that seemed dark, people were Baptized, people came to faith, and people were comforted in sickness, sorrow, and death. Jesus and his disciples never experienced worldly wealth and fame, yet salvation has been brought to all through them. As Pastor Summers retired in 2023, The Rev. Dr. Charles R. Vogeley is now the interim Pastor. These are the lessons we learn from the history of the People of God at Advent.
What will the church look like in the future? The church is, was, and will always be people–believing people, baptized people, who are shepherded by their Lord.
You are invited to participate in our weekly celebrations of Holy Communion as we gather in the name of God: the Father, Son and Holy Spirit to hear the Good News and share the Sacraments. We are a church where all ages can feel at home.