MALTA — In the 25 years since his ordination with the Upstate New York Lutheran Synod, the Rev. Peter Klotz has guided St. Peter Lutheran Church in Malta through expanded membership, modernized church worship and fellowship buildings, and a growing presence in a town known for its rapidly changing demographics.

On Sunday morning, the Glenville native celebrated his 25th anniversay at the church. As he sat in his study at the new building on Route 9 for a short interview, activity buzzed all around as preparations for the celebration took place.

Someone was looking for safety pins to affix a corsage to a Sunday dress, but couldn’t find them.

“Check in the second drawers in the Sunday School nursery,” Klotz suggested.

Crisis averted.

Cake and congratulations were the centerpieces of the celebration of Klotz’s milestone Sunday morning.

“He’s spent half his life doing this,” said Rick Gaudet, the church council president. “He’s a great leader who inspires others; for me and my family, he was the single most reason that drew us to this church.”

Bishop Marie Jerge of the Upstate New York Synod made a special appearance in Malta for the occasion.

“His dedication is exceptional,” Jerge said. “This ministry is not just here in town but also connected to all across the state.”

Klotz went door-to-door to stir up interest in creating a Lutheran church in Malta 25 years ago. Working off a list of about 10 names, he inspired a small group of members who in 1983 held services in cramped quarters in a Grange hall behind the former site of the Malta Ridge firehouse.

“The heat and the bees were the biggest problems,” Klotz said. “The early congregation members never wavered in their mission of establishing this church.”

In the early 1990s, a new church was built at 2776 Route 9, and three years ago an expansion project was launched to build a larger sanctuary and reception area, as well as new classrooms and offices, supported by more than $45,000 in pledges from the approximately 100 parishioners, with more funds pledged for other phases of the expansion. Plans are already in the draft stages for another stage of construction.

The upgrades dramatically increased the church’s visibility from Route 9, but to finalize the revamped image, a crumbling, early 20th century house facing Route 9 needed demolition.

With its mildewed walls and slanted floors, one room served as Klotz’s office for more than 20 years.

“I told the church council the office was fine for me, but after so many years, they told me it wasn’t fine with them to have the pastor work from there,” Klotz said.

After a few hits with a wrecking ball, local fire departments burned it down for fire suppression drills. The dark smoke brought several calls to Klotz from worried Malta residents.

“They told me the church was on fire, and a few people called to say my house was on fire,” Klotz chuckled.

Linda Ciulla was one of the original members during the church’s humble beginning.

“We always hoped we’d be where we are today, but we always hoped we’d grow with the town of Malta,” Ciulla said.

Klotz has done everything, from leading men’s Bible studies to sharing a meal at the church’s annual chili fest to leading Sunday School children dressed as angels and sheep in Christmas skits.

“He’s great with kids and youth; he just connects with them,” Gaudet said. “He works with children on their first communions and at the other end of the spectrum, does marital counseling. Sometimes just a few gentle words make all the difference.”

A Glenville native, Klotz is a graduate of the State University of New York at Buffalo and the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, and was ordained in 1983. Klotz and his wife, Ann, have two sons, Peter, who is a recent college graduate who studied accounting, and David, a student pursuing business management.

In 25 years, Klotz has used every means available to promote St. Peter. With the Malta Drive-In located just across Route 9, Klotz takes his cue from the titles of movies displayed. When the movie “Finding Nemo” was being billed, the St. Peter sign proclaimed, “Finding God.”

When the collar comes off, Klotz assumes many other leadership roles in Malta, including immediate past chairman of the Planning Board, former chairman of the Ethics Committee, member of the committee that rewrote the town master plan and zoning code and member of the town and county emergency planning committees. In 2008, Klotz was elected to the Town Board, and will serve until 2012.

“I’m one of those people that stays busy and doesn’t feel comfortable going at less than full pace,” Klotz said.