St. Paul’s (Blue) Lutheran Church, a rural congregation located just west of Coopersburg, recently celebrated its 275th anniversary. Its history stretches back to Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, who once provided pastoral care to the congregation. At a dinner celebrating the anniversary, one of the members shared the story of a St. Paul’s ministry demonstrating that God is on the loose at “Blue Church.”Blue Church Art (BCA) began in 2003. BCA founder, Helene Parnell, searched for a location in Coopersburg to start after-school art classes. St. Paul’s said yes, and the program began with six students.

News of the little art school in the picturesque old stone church spread, and within a year Helene added eight more classes. Enrollment jumped to forty-two students.

Today Blue Church Art offers eleven classes for pre-K through adult students in three sessions per year, from September to May. Classes are held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Average enrollment is now seventy-five students per session.

On a Saturday in the spring of each year, BCA holds its annual student show. The show is a popular community event, drawing more than 200 people.

Blue Church Art and the welcoming, supportive congregation at St. Paul’s are doing what matters in the Saucon Valley region of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod by connecting with and serving the people of their community.

Click on the pictures below to view them at full size.