Winfield, Pennsylvania, January 24, 2025
Photo: eadiocese.org
Several years of work and construction culminated in December as the parish of St. John the Wonderworker, which has been worshiping in rental spaces around Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, for nearly a decade, moved into and held services in its own church building.
The new church, in the jurisdiction of the Eastern American Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, sits on a 6-acre plot in Winfield, Pennsylvania, including a small cemetery and room for future expansion.
It is the only ROCOR church in central Pennsylvania. Most of the parishioner are converts, and the parish is connected to the Orthodox community at nearby Bucknell University, where rector Fr. Paul Siewers is a professor of Christian literature and chaplain, the diocese reports.
Photo: eadiocese.org
A cross was erected on the future site of the church in 
Cross erected on future site of St. John of San Francisco Church in rural PennsylvaniaThe small town of Winfield, Pennyslvania, will soon be home to a new Orthodox church named for one of the greatest saints to have served in America.
“>June 2021, and the groundbreaking was celebrated in 
Pennsylvania: Groundbreaking for new Russian Orthodox church in central Susquehanna ValleySt. John Russian Orthodox Parish is building a Church temple in Winfield, with groundbreaking being celebrated this week.”>October 2023.
“Members and friends rejoiced in the new space, and they continue with beautification efforts both inside and outside, including plans for an ‘onion dome’ and cross to be installed on the roof hopefully this spring.”
The mission’s move to its new building coincides with expanded outreach: an online catechism course, Fr. Paul’s weekly Bible study at the Bucknell bookstore, and daily Gospel reading videos with Patristic commentary. The community is planning to hold regular student dinners and has increased its liturgical schedule to include weekly Vigil and all major feast services.
Learn more about the mission and donate to the further beautification of the church at www.stjohnthewonderworker.com.
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