Architectural splendor is abundant throughout the Susquehanna Valley landscape in the many houses of worship. Each week in this space The Daily Item will feature a grandiose structure with information about its origin. Additional photos and historical information will be published about each structure featured as well as many others located in Northumberland, Snyder, Union and Montour counties. The full collection of beautiful treasures in the Valley will be published in a book titled "Domes & Spires." Look for it in September.

FREEBURG -- The beautiful steeple of St. Peter's Church, with the tri-partite design symbolizing the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, has stood as a beacon of God's presence in Freeburg since 1870. The three tiers of the tower represent the Trinitarian faith of the Lutheran and United Church of Christ congregations. The two have worshiped together in Freeburg since 1811 and in this building since its dedication on June 19, 1870. Every Sunday since then, the deep-toned bell, with its rich, majestic sound and sacred meaning, has been rung to call the people of the community to worship.

The exact date of the completion of the church building is not known, but the brick church was dedicated on June 19, 1870.

In 1995, the church steeple was in critical condition, the wood was rotting, and the 12- to 15-ton structure had an extremely noticeable lean. The structure had reached the point where it was not safe for church members or the community itself anymore. In a meeting on May 18, 1995, the council/consistory, after much deliberation, decided unanimously to recommend to their congregations the proposal laid out for them by Stroik Associates to restore the steeple.

Many fundraising events were held as work on the steeple project progressed.

On Nov. 20, 1995, the bell was removed from its wooden frame in front of the church and placed back in the newly reconstructed bell tower. A few days later, on Nov. 25, the top piece of the steeple with the spire, which had been molded back into shape, was reattached to the building. On Dec. 8, the crane hoisted the final components of the restored steeple to the top of the spire: its gold-coated weathervane. This is also a time capsule. On June 8, 1996, the bell of St. Peter's Church rang out in commemoration of the bicentennial of Freeburg. At that moment, the lights on the steeple were once again turned on. This occasion marked the first time they were lit since the steeple reconstruction began in August of 1995. The total cost of the restoration was $367,000.

St. Peter's Lutheran Church is located along Church Street in Freeburg.

n If you would like to share information about your house of worship's architectural splendor, please contact Lynn Bickel at lbickel@dailyitem.com or Karen Renninger at krenninger@dailyitem.com, or call them at 286-5671.