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The Structure's History |
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| Did you know
that our first church services were held in the barn of Elias Furman,
about 2 miles outside of town? These services were ministered to by the
Rev. Asa Dunham, who served under George Washington, had five wives in
succession, served as moderator of the newly formed (1811) Presbytery of
Northumberland and was active in the establishment of Princeton
Seminary. Did you know that, organized in 1817, our church was first
known as the English Presbyterian Church (which indicates the existence
of other language groups so characteristic of Pennsylvania)?
Did you know that the early English colonists, who settled in North America, considered both education and religion as vital parts of their daily lives? The settlers first built crude shelters to house their families, and then turned their attention to erecting a place to worship God and a school to educate their children. Following our 'hay days' in the barn outside of town, worship services were held St. Paul's Church, which we rented for the grand sum of $7 per annum. Did you know that our first building erected in Bloomsburg was on West Third Street between what are now Jefferson and West Streets? The building was a modest wooden structure, thirty-six by forty feet, with a plain interior, the high pulpit and high-backed pews characteristic of the period in "meeting house design". There was a gallery around three sides to increase the seating capacity. In the vestibule stood a bier with its coil of leather straps - a constant grim reminder of the transitory nature of this life. The congregation soon outgrew the little wooden church. And, in 1845 a constitution and charter of incorporation were adopted, and the project of a new edifice was launched. The building was erected at the corner of Market and Third Streets, and was of brick colonial structure with a white stone trim. The front entrance was imposing. The basement housed the Sunday School rooms. Total cost for the new structure was $3,245.92. The old church structure was sold for $105. The membership at the time of dedication was 136. Pause for just a moment here. In 1848, 136 families raised $3,245.92 to erect a new Church home. In comparison, I imagine their task was much greater than ours of today: to raise $300,000. If, in the harsh environment of 1848, the fore-families of our congregation could do it, then surely we can accomplish our goal over the next few years. By 1876, the brick church was now too small. Attendance was described "as large as can be expected with the present accommodations". In 1883, the ladies of the church presented a petition to the congregational meeting urging that steps be taken to erect a new house of worship. And in 1888, plans were adopted for our current sanctuary. In 1891, the year of the structure dedication, church membership was 200 with Sunday School membership at 222. One year later, these numbers had increased by 50 in each category. . In 1915, growth demanded the construction of the (old) Christian Education wing, and in 1964, construction of the (new) education wing and Fellowship Hall. Quite a legacy for such a magnificent structure. A legacy that must be sustained. That is what "Seeds of Faith" is all about. Remembering our past and the great works that were done by our church families beginning in 1745. And embracing those works with the promise that we will make it possible for congregations in the next 200 years to create a legacy of their own. For now, part of our legacy will be to preserve a syructure that was instrumental to the beginnings of Bloomsburg, Columbia County, Northumberland Presbytery, Princeton Seminary and Bloomsburg University. How many lives has First Church touched? Question: How many more can we reach out to? Answer: Whew doggies - it's a lot! |
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