LVPC began in 1980 as a church plant of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, Evangelical Synod. The RPCES saw the need for a Reformed, confessional church in the Allentown area. Rev. David Brewer, an ordained evangelist in that denomination, started the church plant. Advertisements were placed in the Morning Call, encouraging those who would be interested in such a church to join the effort.
The church initially met as a small Bible Study in a private home, but was soon renting space from the local chapter of the Girl Scouts (which used to be on Lehigh Street, near Rt. 309). In 1982, the church called one of its own, Donald Stone, to be their organizing pastor. This happened just as the entire RPCES was joining the Presbyterian Church in America. (Pastor Stone had the interesting distinction of being licensed in the RPCES, but ordained just a few months later in the PCA!) The following year (1983), LVPC called its first elders and became a particular church.
In 1987, we purchased a property at 31 South 13th St. from Grace Evangelical Free Church. (The building has its own interesting history: It was built to be a synagogue, and was originally the home of Congregation Keneseth Israel, where the Hess Family had been members).
In 2018, the church called Matthew Franchetti to be our new pastor. He was ordained and installed in March of 2019, succeeding the Rev. Dr. Stone after his 37 years of faithful shepherding.
In August of 2026, recognizing the need for greater accessibility and room to grow, we sold our building and moved to 2510 W Livingston St (St. Paul’s Anglican Church, who graciously welcomed us into their space). It was hard to move, but we do so as Paul said “for the sake of the Gospel.” With a more welcoming facility, we are eager to see how Christ continues to build His Church here in the Lehigh Valley. Soli Deo Gloria!