The lot on which the church stands was purchased in 1836. The plot of ground on Howard Ave., that is the church cemetery, was purchased in 1837. Work on the church building began in 1874. It was dedicate on February 4, 1880 as the First Presbyterian Church.
The Walker property next to the church was purchased in 1910. Reconstruction and enlargement of the church building, transforming the Walker residence into the current church house (offices), began in 1927. Until that time the altar in the sanctuary was on the east wall and the pews were arranged in a semicircle around the altar. During the reconstruction the altar was moved to the north wall and an enlarged chancel area was added and the pews were changed to their present position. Windows were cut into the east wall at that time and some of the stained glass windows from theSecond Presbyterian Church were reshaped to fit those openings after the merger.
On Sunday, June 30, 1968 the First and Second Presbyterian Churches consolidated to form the current United Presbyterian Church.
In 1969 the fourteen windows in the sanctuary, which are a combination from both the First and Second Presbyterian Churches, were rededicated.
The Medallion Window in the front façade was presented by the Sunday School in memory of Miss Jessie Schenck, daughter of Reverend John W. Schenck, the third Pastor of the church. The window consists of eight circular medallions surrounding a larger central one. Each of the eight medallions has four circular petals around a central one. In the large central medallion is shown an open bible.
The Reverend Schenck preached from July 16, 1868 to September 8, 1872.
The Resurrection Angel Window “And the Dead in Christ Shall Rise” given by his parents in memory of Philip C. Kaercher who died at the age of 17. The window was originally located in the Second Presbyterian Church.
Let the Field Be Joyful Window in Loving Memory of G. Wesley Mortimer by his wife Mrs. G. Wesley Mortimer was placed and dedicated Sunday, June 28, 1914. The window was designed and executed by the Lamb Studio in New York, under the personal supervision of Mr. F. S. Lamb.
The Good Shepherd Giveth His Life for the Sheep Window in memory of Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Epting Bechtel by her husband, the Honorable Oliver P. Bechtel, her son, the Honorable Henry O. Bechtel and her daughter, Caroline Elizabeth Knittle, wife of Albert D. Knittle, Esq. The window was designed and executed by Mr. M. M. Case of Reading, PA. It was dedicated Sunday, September 19, 1915.
Ho, Every One That Thirsteth, Come Ye to the Waters Window in memory of Major Heber S. Thompson, distinguished Civil War veteran. This landscape window was designed, executed, and signed by the Tiffany Studios of New York, under the personal supervision of Mr. Louis C. Tiffany with his Favrile glass. The window was placed and dedicated Sunday, January 18, 1914.
He Leadeth Me Beside Still Waters Window in memory of Sarah Ann Derr by her son Louis Derr. The window was constructed and signed at the Ecclesiastical Department of the Tiffany Studios of New York, under the personal direction of her son Louis Derr. The window possesses the usual richness of color found in Favrile glass, it was dedicated Sunday, March 7, 1920. Reverend Charles N. Williamson preached the sermon.
Lilies in the Field Window The Hause Memorial window is from the Second Presbyterian Church.
Circular Rose Window and small side Chancel Windows were presented by the Sunday School in memory of Elder Stephen Harris. Originally the circular window was installed in the north wall of the church above three vertical window panels in 1880. The church underwent alterations in 1927. The two small windows in the east and west walls of the chancel were taken from the original vertical panels. The medallion in the window on the west wall depicts a dove, symbolizing the descent of the Holy Spirit. The medallion in the window on the east wall depicts a Baptismal Font.
I am the Resurrection and the Life Window in memory of Franklin B. and George R. Kaercher is from the Second Presbyterian Church.
The Emmaus Supper Window in memory of Henry and Catherine K. Strauch is from the Second Presbyterian Church.
Behold I Stand At the Door and Knock Window in memory of Ellis Goodall, M.D. by his wife Daisy Morse Goodall and son, David Peabody Goodall. The window was designed and executed by Case, Reading, PA. The window was dedicated Sunday, February 28, 1954. A Litany of Dedication was conducted by Reverend Newell C. Grimes.
The Chalice or The Holy Communion Window in memory of Margaret J. Bush and Eliza Feltnagle is from the Second Presbyterian Church.
The Saint Paul Window in memory of Cyrus L. Pershing, Frank Carter, and Samuel H. Kaercher is from the Second Presbyterian Church.
Our organ is a Skinner Organ that was presented by Arthur W. Sheafer in memory of his mother Harriet Whitcomb Sheafer in 1927. It was dedicated on Wednesday, November 30, 1927 by Rev. Howard D. Talbott.
The Walker property next to the church was purchased in 1910. Reconstruction and enlargement of the church building, transforming the Walker residence into the current church house (offices), began in 1927. Until that time the altar in the sanctuary was on the east wall and the pews were arranged in a semicircle around the altar. During the reconstruction the altar was moved to the north wall and an enlarged chancel area was added and the pews were changed to their present position. Windows were cut into the east wall at that time and some of the stained glass windows from theSecond Presbyterian Church were reshaped to fit those openings after the merger.
On Sunday, June 30, 1968 the First and Second Presbyterian Churches consolidated to form the current United Presbyterian Church.
In 1969 the fourteen windows in the sanctuary, which are a combination from both the First and Second Presbyterian Churches, were rededicated.
The Medallion Window in the front façade was presented by the Sunday School in memory of Miss Jessie Schenck, daughter of Reverend John W. Schenck, the third Pastor of the church. The window consists of eight circular medallions surrounding a larger central one. Each of the eight medallions has four circular petals around a central one. In the large central medallion is shown an open bible.
The Reverend Schenck preached from July 16, 1868 to September 8, 1872.
The Resurrection Angel Window “And the Dead in Christ Shall Rise” given by his parents in memory of Philip C. Kaercher who died at the age of 17. The window was originally located in the Second Presbyterian Church.
Let the Field Be Joyful Window in Loving Memory of G. Wesley Mortimer by his wife Mrs. G. Wesley Mortimer was placed and dedicated Sunday, June 28, 1914. The window was designed and executed by the Lamb Studio in New York, under the personal supervision of Mr. F. S. Lamb.
The Good Shepherd Giveth His Life for the Sheep Window in memory of Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Epting Bechtel by her husband, the Honorable Oliver P. Bechtel, her son, the Honorable Henry O. Bechtel and her daughter, Caroline Elizabeth Knittle, wife of Albert D. Knittle, Esq. The window was designed and executed by Mr. M. M. Case of Reading, PA. It was dedicated Sunday, September 19, 1915.
Ho, Every One That Thirsteth, Come Ye to the Waters Window in memory of Major Heber S. Thompson, distinguished Civil War veteran. This landscape window was designed, executed, and signed by the Tiffany Studios of New York, under the personal supervision of Mr. Louis C. Tiffany with his Favrile glass. The window was placed and dedicated Sunday, January 18, 1914.
He Leadeth Me Beside Still Waters Window in memory of Sarah Ann Derr by her son Louis Derr. The window was constructed and signed at the Ecclesiastical Department of the Tiffany Studios of New York, under the personal direction of her son Louis Derr. The window possesses the usual richness of color found in Favrile glass, it was dedicated Sunday, March 7, 1920. Reverend Charles N. Williamson preached the sermon.
Lilies in the Field Window The Hause Memorial window is from the Second Presbyterian Church.
Circular Rose Window and small side Chancel Windows were presented by the Sunday School in memory of Elder Stephen Harris. Originally the circular window was installed in the north wall of the church above three vertical window panels in 1880. The church underwent alterations in 1927. The two small windows in the east and west walls of the chancel were taken from the original vertical panels. The medallion in the window on the west wall depicts a dove, symbolizing the descent of the Holy Spirit. The medallion in the window on the east wall depicts a Baptismal Font.
I am the Resurrection and the Life Window in memory of Franklin B. and George R. Kaercher is from the Second Presbyterian Church.
The Emmaus Supper Window in memory of Henry and Catherine K. Strauch is from the Second Presbyterian Church.
Behold I Stand At the Door and Knock Window in memory of Ellis Goodall, M.D. by his wife Daisy Morse Goodall and son, David Peabody Goodall. The window was designed and executed by Case, Reading, PA. The window was dedicated Sunday, February 28, 1954. A Litany of Dedication was conducted by Reverend Newell C. Grimes.
The Chalice or The Holy Communion Window in memory of Margaret J. Bush and Eliza Feltnagle is from the Second Presbyterian Church.
The Saint Paul Window in memory of Cyrus L. Pershing, Frank Carter, and Samuel H. Kaercher is from the Second Presbyterian Church.
Our organ is a Skinner Organ that was presented by Arthur W. Sheafer in memory of his mother Harriet Whitcomb Sheafer in 1927. It was dedicated on Wednesday, November 30, 1927 by Rev. Howard D. Talbott.
