A Timeline of the First Presbyterian Church of Meadville
1788 - The city of Meadville is founded at the confluence of French Creek and Cussewago Creek |
1965 - Rebecca Borthwick becomes the church's first full-time Director of Music, faithfully serving until her retirement in 2006 |
1800 - Meadville's First Presbyterian Church is organized, with Joseph Stockton as its first pastor |
1970 - A fire of unknown origin destroys the Christian Education building and severely damages the sanctuary |
1818 - After nearly two decades of meeting in members' homes, the congregation erects a building on a lot bounded by Liberty St, East Center St, East Cherry St, and Chancery Lane |
1972 - The new classroom/office wing is dedicated, along with a three-manual pipe organ built by the Schlicker Organ Company of Buffalo, NY |
1839 - As a result of the "Old School" vs. "New School" controversy within American Presbyterianism, dissenters from First Church leave to form the Second (later called Central) Presbyterian Church of Meadville |
1983 - The United Presbyterian Church and the Presbyterian Church in the United States merge, forming the Presbyterian Church (USA); First Presbyterian joins the new denomination |
1873 - The 1818 church building is demolished and the site prepared for new construction |
1989 - The 8:30 service is added to the worship schedule |
1875 - The present church building is completed at a cost of $43,000 (about $1.1 million today) |
1991 - The church begins broadcasting worship services via local cable television |
1903 - Central Presbyterian disbands and its members rejoin First |
2000 - The congregation celebrates its 200th anniversary with the dedication of the chapel & choir room |
1924 - The Tellers-Kent company of Erie installs a four-manual pipe organ |
2020 - In response to the COVID pandemic, the church begins livestreaming worship services |
1932 - The original clear windows are replaced by stained glass |
2023 - The Rev. Brian Jensen announces his retirement; the church enters a period of interim ministry under the care of the Rev. Daniel Corll |
1948 - The organ screen is installed as a memorial to the young men of the congregation who were killed in action during the Second World War |
Today - the church continues its worship and ministry in the heart of Meadville |