St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, 47 South Whiteoak St., Kutztown, celebrated dedication Sunday on Oct. 8, dedicating improvements made over the past few years and gifts made by members of the congregation. Among those items dedicated is a newly restored mural “Let the Children come To Me” created more than 60 years ago by the late Henry W. Sharadin.
The nine-foot by 14-foot mural, “Let the Children come To Me,” was originally installed in the church’s former Sunday school building which has since been demolished. The mural was broken into eight pieces in order to remove it from the building. It has been restored by local artist Johnathan Bond, Kempton, and installed in the church’s new Sharadin Lounge.
Throughout St. Paul’s, beautiful music in harmony with the deeper meaning of the service was heard and enjoyed by all, as everyone viewed the autumnal decorations adorning the windowsills of the stained-glass windows, timeless in their brilliant-hued resplendence. Members and their families present truly felt a “reaching out’ moment, touching the hearts and souls of congregants and guests from the Kutztown community.
With the welcoming remarks by consistory President John Keiser, the service commenced. Reverend John Davies followed with an exciting connecting dialogue on the importance of the church reaching out to the community and building relationships. He spoke of the relevance of Henry W. Sharadin’s mural, “Let the Children come To Me” in today’s world, and how everyone is God’s children.
Particular care had been given to the musical selections that were so gloriously offered during the service. Choir anthems, “We are the Church” so powerfully rendered, and “Jesus Loves the Little Children” indeed, touched hearts and raised goosebumps on everyone’s arms! The Bell Choir’s choices also conveyed the reverence as well as the spirited feeling of the occasion.
Representing Kutztown University, Gerald Silberman delivered highlights and many enthralling biographical facts about the remarkable life and work of Henry W. Sharadin, whose name is now memorialized in St. Paul’s newly dedicated Sharadin Lounge, which now houses his immortal mural. It was truly enlightening to learn even more about this illustrious member of St. Paul’s history, when Kutztown University’s Dr. Peg Speirs spoke to us about his local prominence and impact on the university’s art department, which was the first to offer a degree in art supervision; and is today recognized as one of the best art education departments in the nation. Professor Henry W. Sharadin was a man whose life centered around education: of art and of enriched church experience.
The uplifting service lent itself to the dedication of other gifts, all equal in the eyes of God, and generously offered to St. Paul’s. Through the endless and spirited support of committees and members’ collective efforts, the long list of recent gifts and donors was exceptional.
Following the inspiring service, everyone walked through the Sharadin Lounge to enjoy the impressive mural in its new spot and in all its glory, thanks to St. Paul’s Property Committee and accomplished artist, Jonathan Bond of Kempton, who together professionally restored and preserved one of St. Paul’s unique historical assets and a significant part of its cultural heritage.
Everyone will reflect on this moment for a long time and how significant this treasure is to St. Paul’s, it’s meaning to its members, their outreach to the community to build relationships, the art world, and Kutztown University.
The beautiful afternoon event ended at a convivial gathering in the church’s Fellowship hall, festively adorned with a Fall motif. Everyone felt graciously welcomed, and enjoyed companionship and the delicious appetizers and sweets so lovingly arranged and served by St. Paul’s dedicated Women’s Guild.
Yes, on Oct. 8, St. Paul’s UCC reached out again, touched hearts and souls of others in the name of Jesus with another golden event that was gratefully shared with its members, family, special guests and friends, and its Kutztown community.
