Salem Evangelical Reformed Church, Hellers, 2555 Horseshoe Road, Leola, has entered the third phase of its stained glass window refurbishment project carried out by Lancaster Stained Glass Designs. This phase entails reconstructing and preserving a 15-by-22-foot window complex consisting of 11 large panels featuring Gothic arches and an 8-foot-wide circular rose window.

The church building has more than 46 individual stained-glass windows symbolizing themes from the Bible and the local area. The window at the front of the chancel depicts a Bible to emphasize God's Word as the authority for the congregants' faith. Other windows depict a dove, the Lamb of God, Christ calling His disciples to be fishers of men, a flaming heart showing God's love for humanity, wheat and grapes symbolizing Communion, the cross and crown showing believers' heavenly reward, a star representing the one that led the Wise Men to Christ, an olive branch signifying peace, and a shock of wheat representing prosperity. In several places are three circles to remind viewers of the Holy Trinity. One window depicts a Conestoga wagon, which carried pioneers to new lands to spread the Gospel.

Founded in 1725, Salem Hellers is one of the oldest continuing Reformed Church congregations on the East Coast. The property originally belonged to the German Reformed Church of the United States, and services were conducted in German until 1838 when English became the favored language. The current masonry building, constructed in 1860, was fashioned in Romanesque Revival form with rectangular windows, red brick, and dark red adornments. In 1896, the rectangular windows were replaced with Gothic arches and stained glass, amounting to 35 stained-glass windows. The original bell still calls worshippers every Sunday morning. The main cemetery contains approximately 2,800 graves, with the earliest dating back to 1737.

The name Salem refers to peace, whereas Hellers refers to the vicinity of the original Heller farm. The church, frequently called Salem Hellers, will celebrate its 300th anniversary in 2025.

Salem Hellers exists to glorify God, to grow in the Spirit, and to go into the world with the Gospel. A worship service is held at 9:25 a.m. each Sunday, followed by Sunday school for adults. Guests are welcome.

For more information about the church, visit http://www.salemhellers.com or 717-656-9249.