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weekend arts show
at the
First Presbyterian Church of
West Chester
Located at:
130 West Miner Street
West Chester, PA 19382
Phone:
610-696-0554
Date of this event:
Next Date will be Announced
Event hours:
6:30 to 9:30pm
Parking is Available
Cost:
No admission charges, no collection – a voluntary donation if you wish
Appearing at this event:
A Jazz Sanctuary Quartet
Music from 7 to 9
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First Presbyterian Church
of West Chester
.
.
Serving the heart of West Chester for 175 years
In April of 1831, The Rev. William A. Stevens was assigned as organizing Pastor for a group of Chester County citizens of Presbyterian Ancestry. The cornerstone for this new church was laid on July 3, 1832. However, the building went on more slowly than was expected and it was not covered until the summer of 1833. Not until January 1834 was it in a condition to be occupied for public worship. A Sabbath School Society was organized on July 22, 1832. Public worship was held in the church for the first time on January 7, 1834 with 52 original members.
On January 15, 1834, the charter was obtained from the Supreme Court of the United States incorporating the program as “The First Presbyterian Church of the Borough of West Chester.” The church design was the first commission of Thomas U. Walter, America’s preeminent Greek revival architect, who later designed the dome of the Capitol building in Washington, D.C.
In the 1840’s the small congregation began to grow and reach out. Things went so well that by 1861-62, the church was overflowing and an addition was added during the ministry of Rev. William E. Moore. The old Sunday School Chapel was constructed in 1893, where our educational facilities now stand. In 1905 a much larger pipe organ was constructed and new stained glass windows were added. The organ was electrified in 1934.
Additional property was purchased from 1955-57 to add the present educational facility where the old Chapel had stood. In 1962 the Kell Memorial Organ was installed in memory of a beloved pastor, the Rev. J. Garrett Kell, and changes were made in the Chancel area. New pews were added in 1966.
The church continued to grow, stretching all existing facilities for education and ministering. The church undertook a major renovation program in 1986 connecting the original sanctuary to the education building. The congregation undertook a similar renovation and expansion in 1995, adding an elevator, classroom space, air-conditioning and remodeling throughout the building. The strengths of the congregation are worship and music, mission outreach, education, ministry to its youth and families, and its preschool program.
The building now known as The First Presbyterian Church has continued to grow and meet the religious needs of the surrounding communities. There are currently three full-time pastors serving our 2,200+ members, who call this church their home.
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