EXEGESIS REPORT

Date: 12/22/2016

Location Community and/or Neighborhood:

New Bloomfield

Zip Code: 17068

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND:

History and Background of Community/Neighborhood:

The tract known as Bloom Field in its original land warrant was chosen, and a town was platted in June 1823. By 1829 (according to Harry Hain's History of Perry County, 1922), Bloomfield boasted 29 houses, four stores, five taverns, half a dozen lawyers, and about 220 souls. Later in the 19th century, in addition to the county government, Bloomfield’s economy included small industries such as a brewery, tannery, and foundry.

An oddity of the town is its use of two different names, simultaneously and randomly. The earliest references call it Bloomfield, the name under which the borough was incorporated in 1831. However, the first post office opened on May 23, 1825, as New Bloomfield. Some sources suggest that the Post Office Department was avoiding confusion with a borough near Pittsburgh called Bloomfield. The duality of names is reflected in the Bloomfield Times and the New Bloomfield, Pa. Times, consecutive versions of the same newspaper, under the same editor and proprietor, Frank Mortimer. Mortimer moved to Perry County in 1864 to open a mercantile business, which he moved to New Bloomfield in 1865.

In 1820 it became the county seat for Perry county. The Soldier's and Sailor's Monument situated in the center of the town square was placed there in 1898 as a tribute to the soldiers and sailors of Perry County who offered their lives as a sacrifice so this nation might live.

OBSERVATIONS:

Social Climate Observations:

A good size town with the Carson Long Military Academy on the edge of it. It is the county seat for Perry County with the Perry County courthouse located in the center of town by the only traffic circle in the whole county. There is new residential construction on the south side of town. They have a community pool surrounded by playgrounds and baseball fields. Most people are blue collar who own their own single family homes. Since this is a county seat there are jobs for the courthouse, children and youth services, and the county assistance office. Also PennDot has a big facility located in town and the military academy and public schools provide many of the jobs in the area.

Physical Climate Observations:

This is a small town surrounded by Menonite farms. People come into town to pay bills, shop, school, and court. There are no major physical divisions in town except for the traffic circle that confuses people.

Economic Climate Observations:

Good paying jobs throughout this town. Courthouse, county services, Penn Dot facility, public schools, military academy, and small businesses provide many jobs. This has also produced new house construction as well.

Spiritual Climate Observations:

There are some main line denominations, but also a younger church like River of Life Community Church. (http://www.riveroflifecommunitychurch.org/) This is a small church who is trying to reach families for Jesus. They have done different outreach events to build relationships within the community.

There is a good size mormon church in this town.

IDENTIFIED NEEDS:

Potential Needs Identified:

Sports camp (baseball, soccer)

Help children and youth (physical, emotional, spiritual)

Families of victims

Backyard Bible Clubs at local parks

CONNECTIONS:

Connections Made During Exegesis:

http://www.bloomfieldboro.org/

RECOMMENDATIONS:

Recommendation Summary:

On the surface it looks like there is potential for starting a new church. However, I think River of Life Community Church is doing a good job and can handle a town of this size. A new church might attract other church people and there isn't enough growth for there to be an influx of people to produce a healthy stable church. There is a lot of opportunities for ministry in this town. If a church started in another town nearby they may beable to provide ministries to New Bloomfield.