• Pastor James Hammond

    Pastor James Hammond

    I am happy to serve St. Paul’s Blue Church as your Pastor. I thought it might be helpful to share my background as we get to know each other. I was born in Pottsville,Pa on October 9, 1952. I had a large family of eleven. My family moved from Pottsville to Allentown in the early sixties. I attended William Allen High School and graduated in 1971. In 1972 I entered the U.S. Navy and was stationed in Norfolk, Va aboard the aircraft carrier the U.S.S. Independence CVA-62. I spent three years serving active duty and served three years in reserve. My active duty took place in the Mediterranean attached to the Seventh Fleet. I was discharged from active duty in1975 with an Honorable Discharge and began my schooling. I met my wife Janet in 1976 and we were married in October 1984. My undergraduate work was completed in 1985 at Kutztown University. I entered Gettysburg Theological Seminary in 1987 and completed my studies in May of 1992. My ordination took place on July, 1992 in the Northern Pennsylvania Synod under Bishop Harold Weiss. My first call was to a two point parish in Schuylkill County of that same year. I served Jacob’s- Outwood Lutheran Parish until July of 2002. In 2002 I accepted a call at Mt. Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church. I served Mt. Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church until February 1, 2015. From February until November 1, 2015 I have been supply preaching and currently have accepted the Pastoral position with St. Paul’s Lutheran Blue Church.