Step back in time and join us for a special annual church service where we honor the legacy of some of the earliest settlers in the area! We will have a worship service in Old Trappe Church built in 1743. Special Guest preacher Rev. Karl Krueger will be delivering a homily on our heritage. Following the service, a luncheon and presentation entitled, “Baking for Freedom: Christoph Ludwig, A Lutheran Patriot”, will be delivered. All are welcome - hope to see you there!
Christoph Ludwig, often spelled Ludwick, was a German‑American patriot. Born in Hesse-Darmstadt and trained as a baker, Ludwig settled in Philadelphia and became a trusted leader among the city’s German-speaking community.
During the Revolutionary War, Congress appointed him “Superintendent of Bakers for the Continental Army”. Refusing personal profit, Ludwig insisted on fair rations for soldiers and became known for his reliability and loyalty to the American cause. Washington called him his “honest friend.” Thanks to Ludwig, thousands of soldiers received daily bread, which often made the difference between endurance and collapse.
In his will, he left money to help poor children attend school, showing his dedication to education. His legacy continues through the Christopher Ludwick Foundation, which upholds his mission in 2026.
When Ludwig died in 1801, he was buried in the churchyard of St. Michael’s Lutheran Church in Germantown.
Come and discover the story of the little-known American Lutheran patriot, Christoph Ludwig!