Education: Princeton University, 1950-52
Bloomfeld College and seminary, 1954, B.A.
Union Seminary, 1971, M.Th.
Post Graduate work at Rutgers University,
Upsala College, Princeton University and
Pittsburgh Theological Seminary
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Ordination: June 16, 1957, Concord Presbyterian Church,
Fairfax, DE, Associate Pastor 1957-65
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Pastor: Olivet Presbyterian, Harrisburg, PA, 1965-71
First Presbyterian, Stroudsburg, PA, 1971-79
First Presbyterian, Woodbridge, NJ, 1979-99
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During the pastorate of Rev. Rathje, church attendance and giving increased. The Session boards and committees were diligent in the discharge of their duties and responsibilities under his leadership. Presbyterian Women and the White Church Guild were active in mission work and fund raising. The Heritage Committee made much progress in compiling and presenting early church history. The cemetery grounds were upgraded and many old stone markers were repaired or replaced. In 1993, the church and cemetery were placed on the American Presbyterian Reformed Historical Sites Registry. An Adult Sunday School Class was begun and was well attended. The decades old marshlands property disposition problem was finally put to rest with its sale to the New Jersey Conservancy Foundation. A 325th Anniversary Committee was formed and did a prodigious amount of work in preparing the church buildings and property for an anniversary celebration during May 2000. Rev. Rathje has served on the Ministerial Committees of the Carlisle & Lehigh Presbytery and of the Synod of the Trinity. He was Commissioner to General Assembly in 1977. While in the Elizabeth Presbytery he served as chairperson of the Candidates Committee and the Evangelism & Church Grounds Committee. He was also a member of the Nominating Committee and the Permanent Judicial Commission.
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