Wayne
Pennsylvania
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Wayne Presbyterian Church
History
As the oldest church in Wayne, PA, Wayne Presbyterian Church has continued for 135 years to be a witness to our Lord Jesus Christ in this community. In early 1870, thirty (30) stalwart residents of this area established a Presbyterian Church in what was at that time a very small, almost rural, community. Today, Wayne P.C. is a worshipping community of 2000+ members and inquirers from several densely populated towns and counties in the western suburbs of Philadelphia. Dr. John T. Galloway, Jr., who currently serves as Pastor/Head of Staff, is the twelfth pastor in the church's history.
In the Beginning
Dedicated in 1870, the original church building, which is the current Chapel Hall, was located on Lancaster Avenue at the center of the Wayne community, this impressive stone structure, 40 feet by 70 feet with a steeple that towered to a height of 108 feet, was truly a focal point on the landscape of a very small town throughout the latter part of the nineteenth century.
Our Present Sanctuary
By 1890, the congregation of 162 members had outgrown the original building, and construction was begun on a new sanctuary seating 600. The sanctuary was completed in 1893 and is still our primary worship space today. It was adorned with two Tiffany-style stained-glass windows. Fourteen additional windows have been added over the years to enhance the worshipful atmosphere of the vaulted ceilings and massive stone walls.
The music ministry at Sunday worship services is enhanced by a four manual, eighty-seven rank Austin pipe organ. The original organ of 63 ranks was installed in 1963 and was designed by Ken Simmons, Director of Music at that time. A twenty-four rank antiphonal organ housed in the church tower was added to the original organ in 1985 and a new console was installed in 2003. A Van Bergen electronic carillon replaced an older electronic carillon in 1993.
A Christian Education wing (now administrative offices) was added behind the sanctuary in 1939. The administration area today, which was renovated in 2002, accommodates offices for clergy and administrative staff, meeting and conference rooms, and a large rehearsal facility used by 12 choirs: eight choral, three bell, and one instrumental.
Christian Education Building
Realizing the need for additional space for a nursery school, Sunday School classes, and other church functions, the congregation voted to build a separate three-story Christian Education Building, which was completed in 1960 behind the chapel..
Within the Christian Education building are 33 classrooms, Cribland and toddler rooms, a reception parlor known as the Fireside Room, the church archives and an institutional kitchen serving fellowship events in Chapel Hall. Christian Education programs are enhanced by the use of many training aids, including audio/visual media. On the first floor of the building are the Mission Resource Center and the Bette Royal Library, which houses in excess of 5,000 books, periodicals, audio tapes, CD's and video tapes,
Connecting the Three into One Structure
By 1996, it was evident that the available space was not adequate for our growing programs and activities, so the membership committed to an extensive building renovation program. Its principal objective was the construction of a connector building to link literally and symbolically the worship, education, mission and fellowship ministries of the church and to provide a large assembly and reception area serving the three other buildings. The project also included upgrading the facility to provide appropriate access for the physically challenged and to provide year-round climate control. Work on the architectural marvel which is now called the Connector was completed in 1998.
The original 2800-square-foot structure, utilized today principally as a fellowship and assembly hall, has grown into a church facility of approximately 56,000 square feet. This facility is well-used and parking is at times a real challenge, but this congregation is most grateful for space in which we have opportunity to praise God through worship, seek knowledge and understanding through education and to minister to others through service in mission outreach.
As the oldest church in Wayne, PA, Wayne Presbyterian Church has continued for 135 years to be a witness to our Lord Jesus Christ in this community. In early 1870, thirty (30) stalwart residents of this area established a Presbyterian Church in what was at that time a very small, almost rural, community. Today, Wayne P.C. is a worshipping community of 2000+ members and inquirers from several densely populated towns and counties in the western suburbs of Philadelphia. Dr. John T. Galloway, Jr., who currently serves as Pastor/Head of Staff, is the twelfth pastor in the church's history.
In the Beginning
Dedicated in 1870, the original church building, which is the current Chapel Hall, was located on Lancaster Avenue at the center of the Wayne community, this impressive stone structure, 40 feet by 70 feet with a steeple that towered to a height of 108 feet, was truly a focal point on the landscape of a very small town throughout the latter part of the nineteenth century.
Our Present Sanctuary
By 1890, the congregation of 162 members had outgrown the original building, and construction was begun on a new sanctuary seating 600. The sanctuary was completed in 1893 and is still our primary worship space today. It was adorned with two Tiffany-style stained-glass windows. Fourteen additional windows have been added over the years to enhance the worshipful atmosphere of the vaulted ceilings and massive stone walls.
The music ministry at Sunday worship services is enhanced by a four manual, eighty-seven rank Austin pipe organ. The original organ of 63 ranks was installed in 1963 and was designed by Ken Simmons, Director of Music at that time. A twenty-four rank antiphonal organ housed in the church tower was added to the original organ in 1985 and a new console was installed in 2003. A Van Bergen electronic carillon replaced an older electronic carillon in 1993.
A Christian Education wing (now administrative offices) was added behind the sanctuary in 1939. The administration area today, which was renovated in 2002, accommodates offices for clergy and administrative staff, meeting and conference rooms, and a large rehearsal facility used by 12 choirs: eight choral, three bell, and one instrumental.
Christian Education Building
Realizing the need for additional space for a nursery school, Sunday School classes, and other church functions, the congregation voted to build a separate three-story Christian Education Building, which was completed in 1960 behind the chapel..
Within the Christian Education building are 33 classrooms, Cribland and toddler rooms, a reception parlor known as the Fireside Room, the church archives and an institutional kitchen serving fellowship events in Chapel Hall. Christian Education programs are enhanced by the use of many training aids, including audio/visual media. On the first floor of the building are the Mission Resource Center and the Bette Royal Library, which houses in excess of 5,000 books, periodicals, audio tapes, CD's and video tapes,
Connecting the Three into One Structure
By 1996, it was evident that the available space was not adequate for our growing programs and activities, so the membership committed to an extensive building renovation program. Its principal objective was the construction of a connector building to link literally and symbolically the worship, education, mission and fellowship ministries of the church and to provide a large assembly and reception area serving the three other buildings. The project also included upgrading the facility to provide appropriate access for the physically challenged and to provide year-round climate control. Work on the architectural marvel which is now called the Connector was completed in 1998.
The original 2800-square-foot structure, utilized today principally as a fellowship and assembly hall, has grown into a church facility of approximately 56,000 square feet. This facility is well-used and parking is at times a real challenge, but this congregation is most grateful for space in which we have opportunity to praise God through worship, seek knowledge and understanding through education and to minister to others through service in mission outreach.