About Grace UCC

At Grace United Church of Christ on Cleveland Street, we are a vibrant and welcoming congregation rooted in the heart of Southside Allentown. With deep historical roots and a fresh vision for the future, we are a church in a season of renewal—honoring the faithful legacy that brought us here while embracing the Spirit’s call to grow, serve, and love more boldly. Our worship is inclusive and Spirit-led, shaped by the life of Jesus, the wisdom of Scripture, and a commitment to radical grace. We follow the Narrative Lectionary, sing a blend of beloved hymns and accessible new songs, and invite people of all ages, backgrounds, and questions to join us at God’s table.

Grace UCC is a community that believes church should feel like home. Whether you’re seeking spiritual connection, a place to serve, or simply a space to breathe, you’ll find open hearts and open doors here. We are committed to walking alongside our Southside neighbors, partnering with local schools, nonprofits, and fellow congregations to embody Christ’s love in practical ways. From potlucks to prayer, advocacy to worship, we are here to love God, love neighbor, and discover together what it means to live as people of hope.

History

Grace UCC began as Grace Reformed Church and was organized as a congregation on July 9, 1897. It was an outgrowth of the Salisbury Mission Sunday School, which began in 1869. In 1894, Salem Reformed Church, whose pastor was Reverend George W. Richards D.D., adopted the Sunday School and guided Grace’s transition from a 19th-century Sunday School outreach into a congregational church.

The United Church of Christ (UCC), of which Grace UCC is a proud part, was formed on June 25, 1957, when two rich and diverse church traditions came together: the Congregational Christian Churches and the Evangelical and Reformed Church. This union wasn’t just organizational—it was a bold expression of unity in the body of Christ, rooted in the desire to bear a stronger, more inclusive witness to God’s love in the world.

These founding bodies each brought with them deep roots in the Reformation. The Evangelical and Reformed Church had formed earlier in 1934, itself a merger of the Evangelical Synod of North America and the Reformed Church in the United States. That Reformed Church included many German-speaking congregations, especially in Pennsylvania—including here in Allentown—whose theology, worship, and community life were deeply shaped by the traditions of the German Reformed Church. On the other side, the Congregational Christian Churches joined together in 1931, drawing from congregations shaped by both English and American expressions of free and faithful church life. Together, these stories make the UCC a church of many streams—diverse, open-hearted, still speaking, and united by God’s grace.

Who We Are

At Grace United Church of Christ, we extend a heartfelt welcome to everyone—no matter your race, background, sexual orientation, gender identity, faith story, or family shape. We believe that every person is made in the image of God, and every journey is sacred. Whether you are full of faith or full of questions, there’s a place for you here.

We trust that God is still speaking, and that each of us is being formed day by day through grace. We celebrate the uniqueness of each person and walk alongside one another with compassion and care. At Grace, we know that even small acts of love can ripple out with holy impact—whether it’s through community service, caring for our neighbors, or simply showing up for one another. We’re committed to nurturing families and friendships in an environment of warmth, openness, and joy. Together, we strive to embody the Gospel through lives of peace, justice, and love—bringing God’s living Word to life in Southside Allentown and beyond.

• We believe that each person is unique, valuable, loved by God and created with purpose. 
• We believe that each person is on a spiritual journey, and that each of us is at a different stage of that journey.
• We believe that small changes can make a big difference, as we lend our service to our community, and minister to those in need.
• We believe in supporting families as they grow within the warm environment of the church.
• We believe that a church that brings God’s Word to people in every situation, from all walks of life, helps them to grow in love and service to Our Creator and Lord.
• We believe in the power of peace, and work for non-violent solutions to local, national, and international problems.

We have many active ministries and groups. Learn more about them.