Mechanicsburg area gathered together to form a Church

On April 10, 1858, a  group of like-minded Presbyterians of the Mechanicsburg area gathered together to form a Presbyterian Church in the town of Mechanicsburg because it was difficult for them to travel to their church, Silver Spring Presbyterian Church.  Most of the charter members were former members of the Silver Spring Presbyterian Church.  The charter of the new church was filed on August 27, 1858, and recorded on December 10, 1858.  A church was erected on South Market Street that same year.

membership Growth and remodeling the church

During the next 21 years the membership grew from the original 50 charter members to 300.  Growth continued to be steady, and May 1945, a letter went out to members in an effort to raise $20,000 for the remodeling and enlarging of the church.  Times and thoughts changed so the congregation decide to purchase a corn field at the edge of town.  The present church building was dedicated to the service of the Lord on June 24, 1956.

Continued growth necessitated the addition of a Christian Education wing.  This was dedicated on September 15, 1963.  Membership had now reached over the 1,000 mark and the church was continually expanding its service to the community.  During this time, in addition to the Senior Pastor, the church had several Assistant pastors and installed their first Associate pastor in 1972.

Church expansions and new leadership

In the 1990’s the church facilities were renovated with a one million-dollar building and improvement program; and expanded with the purchase of the parish House/Youth Center, which is located at 303 East Keller Street.

Since the turn of the century, the Church has added an Associate Pastor of Youth and Young Adults, purchased a manse at 300 East Keller Street.

Today we are a congregation of 605 active members guided by a Senior Pastor/Head of Staff,  an Associate Pastor for Youth and Young Adults, and 17 ruling elders.

Indoor, in-person worship, including small funerals, has resumed along with in-person meetings.

Worship Schedule

May 23—8:15 indoor (streamed online)
1:00pm outdoor in parking lot (streamed online) - Confirmation Class joins
There will only be one indoor service at 8:15 because staff and volunteers are committed to the Sunday School classes that are still meeting online that day.

May 30—8:15 & 11am indoor (streamed online)
No Outdoor Service

June 6—8:15 & 11am indoor (streamed online)
Celebration of Pastor Mark and Family in person in between services, outdoors (weather permitting)
No Outdoor Service

June 13—8:15 & 11am indoor (streamed online)
No Outdoor Service  
We will communicate the rest of the summer worship schedule once we get a better idea of how many people are comfortable attending indoor, how the livestreaming is going, and if we need to add an Outdoor Service option back in. The livestream at first will be very basic until the new system is installed, hopefully by mid-June. Thank you for your patience as we continue to discern what is the Next Right Thing.

Conditions for Indoor In-Person Worship

sign up here

• There will be a limited capacity (based on 25% capacity, we will start with 50 seats).
• If you do not have internet access, you may still register for services by calling the church office at 717-697-0351.
• We have taken into account the possibility of “drop-ins” but please help us out by signing up ahead of time.
• Masks must be worn by everyone (Ages 2 and up) over the mouth and nose.
• 6’ of physical distancing must be maintained at all times. The pews will be marked accordingly.
• Worship leaders may be unmasked while they are speaking, but must be at least 13’ away from anyone in front of them. When they are not actively speaking, they will wear masks.
• There will be no congregational singing.
• There will be no shared resources (hymnals, Bibles, passed offering plates, etc…); please bring your bulletins home with you.
• The Nursery and CE wings will be closed.
• Children are welcome. The activity tables will not be out, but there will be individual activity packets.
• There will be no eating or drinking indoors.

Conditions for Indoor In-Person Gatherings for both MPC & Outside Groups

• Rooms must be reserved through the church office. The office will assign the room. There will be limited capacity.
• Group  leaders must record  attendance and contact information so that the group can be notified if a participant tests positive for COVID-19 at a later date.
• Masks must be worn by everyone (Ages 2 and up) over the mouth and nose.
• 6’ of physical distancing must be maintained at all times.
  
• Leaders may be unmasked while they are speaking, if they are at least 13’ away from anyone in front of them. When they are not actively speaking, they must wear their mask.
• No eating or drinking indoors.