Grace Presbyterian Church

Grace Presbyterian Church. . , First Presbyterian Church was formed in 1869 by the Northumberland Presbytery. It is the oldest church in Montgomery. On land given by the Barber and Henderson families a cornerstone was laid in 1872 and the building completed in 1875. The first church service was held in 1875 with Reverend Alvin Cutler Campbell leading worship. In 1931 First Presbyterian Church merged with the Grace German Reformed congregation to form Grace Presbyterian Church., The original building looked a lot different than it does today. It lacked a center aisle, had colonial style box pews and coal oil lamps lowered from the ceiling. Electricity was added in 1902 and central heating in 1903. A manse was built on the adjoining lot in 1906 and was later demolished in 2008. A basement was dug in 1914., In 1931 memorial windows and altar furnishings were among new items dedicated. The stained-glass windows were made by the Haskins Studio, using imported cathedral glass with light tints. They give the effect of antique windows. The "Rock of Ages" mural was painted on the chancel wall in 1946 by Heilhecker Sign Studio of Williamsport. In 2022 the mural was reproduced by a local artist., Center for Community , The church has always been a focal point for community gathering: Memorial Service for President Grant sponsored by the local G.A.R. post, a Memorial Day service after WW2 honoring the Decker boys who were killed in action, and the basement has been used as a canteen for teens and for Scout groups., Church Bell , In 1877, the church was given a bell by one of the railroads. Inscribed on the bell is "Vanduzen and Tift Cincinnati Buckeye Bell Foundry." The bell has been rung to mark significant National events: the 1901 deaths of President William McKinley and Queen Victoria and the end of World War II in 1945. In the year 1981, the church bell was rung at noon for the freeing of the hostages taken at the American Embassy in Iran., Recent Renovations , The most recent renovation of the church was done in 2022. A new blue tin roof was placed on the church and the interior walls and ceiling were repaired and painted. During the years the church pulpit has been filled by numerous pastors and lay people and continues to have a vital ministry in the community today., [Photo captions, clockwise from top center, read] , . Old Exterior Pre-1906 photo of the chic note the lack of building in the back, . Old postcard showing the church whitewashed with the manse next door., . Renovated church interior in 1946 with the "Rock of Ages" Mural in the Chancel, . Original church interior, . Grace German Reformed Church founded in 1898, completed the basement of a new church building on Wagner Avenue (pictured here) before merging with 1st Presbyterian in 1931 to form Grace Presbyterian Church.