St. Paul's United Church of Christ

Church History

St. Paul's Church traces it roots back to 1710, when a group of German and Dutch settlers founded a congregation in eastern Montgomery County. These were Christians from the Reformed Church in Europe and they met in a home near the present site of Chestnut Hill College. Known as the Reformed Church at Whitemarsh, the congregation worshipped regularly until the death of their founding elder and host, William DeWees in 1745. Having no building of their own, they ceased meeting and most members began worshipping in neighboring churches.

For a period of over fifty years there was no record of the Whitemarsh congregation. By the early 1800s, however, Reformed Church members in the area had joined with local Lutherans to erect a new church building. Dedicated in 1819, this structure was located about one mile south of our present church on Bethlehem Pike. Throughout the 1800's the Reformed and Lutheran congregations worshipped together in what was known as the "Union Church of Whitemarsh".

In 1894, by mutual consent, the two congregations agreed to separate. The Lutherans retained the old building and became Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church. The Reformed congregation purchased land further up Bethlehem Pike in Fort Washington. After completion of the new church structure, the congregation incorporated under the name, "St. Paul's Reformed Church of Whitemarsh at Fort Washington."

During the past century, St. Paul's has seen many name changes due to denominational mergers. In 1934, the Reformed Church merged with the German Evangelical Synod and the congregation became known as St. Paul's Evangelical and Reformed Church. Then in 1957, the E & R Church merged with the Congregational Christian Churches to become the United Church of Christ.

Today, St. Paul's UCC is a warm and friendly congregation, with both a rich history and a bright future. If you would like to know more about St. Paul's UCC, please contact our pastor at 215-646-1458

Payday loans are the best here!