|
|
|||
The Congregation |
||||
| Did you know
that (although records prior to 1840 are lost) our congregation has been
active since 1793? Presbyterian services were held outside Bloomsburg by
Asa Dunham, who served under George Washington in the American
Revolution. The Church (as we know it today) was organized in 1817 as
the English Presbyterian Church. The structure we worship in today is
the third building. Built in Gothic style of Hummelstown brownstone, it
was completed in 1891 at a cost of $49,000. Craftsmen skilled in the
construction of Hummelstown buildings were scarce in Pennsylvania, so
masons from New York City were contracted to help complete the building.
The first addition was made in 1915 with extensive remodeling to the
church itself and the construction of a Sunday School Building - also in
Hummelstown brownstone. The Christian education and fellowship hall
addition was constructed in 1964, and in 1994 renovation of the old
Christian education building (the 1915 addition) was completed.
Very soon, First Church will be embarking on a comprehensive Capital Campaign designed to maintain and sustain our beautiful and historical structure. Work has already begun on the re-roofing of the sanctuary building and the next stage (Phase II) includes the re-pointing of the Hummelstown brownstone, repair / replacement of the window sills and frames and necessary refurbishing to the marvelous stained glass windows (among other projects). Your help will be instrumental in the success of this campaign. Keep your eyes on this column over the next few weeks to see how you can be the next "mason" to help shore-up our Church home. |
||||
