Reformation Lutheran Church is one of Milford’s newest congregations as a Lutheran church did not appear in Milford until 1955. A small number of Lutheran followers were living in the area and felt a new church was needed.
That year, the Board of Home Missions of the United Lutheran Church was invited by Marjorie Reichhold to investigate the potential for a church in Milford. After a survey, it was determined that a mission congregation would be welcome. The church was officially founded in 1956 and held services initially in the Odd Fellows Hall before moving to the Grange Hall. A parsonage was built on Lakeview Avenue and a new church constructed next door with a dedication on September 16, 1962.
The first pastor was Reverend John M. Scherch.
One of the best known pastors at the church was John Ranney who served for over 30 years before retiring. Ranney stated in an interview that Reformation Lutheran was his first and only calling. In 2003, Ranney underwent surgery that removed one-third of his colon and in 2004 battled prostate cancer. On October 14, 2012, Ranney substituted in the pulpit of a church in Cordova, Maryland, and stopped for lunch in Easton, heading to Ocean City for a meeting. The woman in line behind him noticed that he was fumbling with his change and insisted employees call an ambulance. Ranney resisted, but the woman was correct. He was having a stroke.
Ranney arrived at an Easton hospital still in his clerical clothing and appeared to be recovered. Just as he was being released, he had a massive stroke and was airlifted to a medical center in Baltimore. The community rallied around their beloved pastor. On November 7, he was transferred to Bayhealth’s Inpatient Rehabilitation. There he worked with Brie Willis Wyatt, a speech therapist and an alumni of Second Street Kids, a theatre group created by Ranney. Through arduous physical therapy, Ranney regained the ability to walk and talk again.
Before the stroke, in addition to being pastor of Reformation Lutheran before his retirement in 2008, Ranney was the conductor of the Southern Delaware Chorale. One of his first outings after the stroke was a concert and Ranney received a standing ovation. He preached again in 2017.
An after-school program held at the church became before and after care as well as full time care when school is not in session. Kid’s Inc. was originally part of Milford Parks & Recreation but moved to the church in 1996.
“This program is more to me than just a job,” Mary Lu Wilson, Director, said. “These children are not just someone’s children. They are my children. You have to look at these children as individuals with their own gifts and talents. I find it a blessing to be able to help encourage those gifts and talents. This is a ministry I feel called to doing.”
The pastors today are Reverend Eric Evers and his wife, Reverend Paige Evers. In person worship is held at 8:30 and 11 AM on Sundays. Online services are also available. The church is located at 613 Lakeview Avenue, Milford.
It would have been nice to have been contacted for this article. Someone involved with the church could have provided you with correct information, such as the fact that Reformation’s TWO pastors (plural) are Pastor Eric Evers and Pastor Paige Evers, rather than disrespectfully referring to Pastor Paige as just his wife. They also could have spoken about our Pastor Emeritus, The Rev. John Ranney, who had a profound impact on Milford, and Delaware, far beyond his powerful ministry at Reformation.
This article was part of a series on the history of churches in Milford. We did not reach out to any of the previous churches that were highlighted as we found significant information through the Milford Historical Society and Milford Museum. Most of this information came from the Milford Historical Society and the obituary of Margaret Reichhold. We apologize if you felt our reference to Pastor Paige Evers was disrespectful. We intended to reflect that both of you were the pastors. We will edit to make that clearer. We also apologize for not referencing Pastor Ranney and will add that to the article.