Downtown Harrisburg in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Pine Street Presbyterian Church

Photographed by William Pfingsten, March 21, 2008

1. Pine Street Presbyterian Church Marker

Inscription. After having split from the Presbyterian Church of Harrisburg in 1858, the newly formed congregation, which built this church, first met in the Chambers of the Pennsylvania State Senate. Completed in 1860, the limestone-constructed Pine Street Presbyterian Church was designed in the English gothic style by Harrisburg architect Luther M. Simon and was a remembered part of the cityscape for Union soldiers encamped in Capitol Park across the street. The building was further enhanced in a more exuberant expression of the Gothic tradition when in 1926 the renowned New York and Boston architectural firm of Cram and Ferguson removed the second floor sanctuary, relocated it on the ground floor of the building and raised the roof, creating a striking clerestory space reminiscent of the medieval English church. The vast interior is awe-inspiring through the richly carved woodwork, exposed beams and rafters, beautifully executed collection of stained glass windows and fine acoustics particularly experienced through the sound of the church's grand pipe organ. Many sacred and secular musical performances by nationally and internationally

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Top Photo
Post card view of the Church's Third Street facade from Capitol Park prior to the 1926 renovations
Bottom Left Photo
1901 view showing the Church prior to the raising of the roof to the current clerestory configuration.
Bottom Right Photo
Early drawing of the Church shortly after its construction.

Erected by The Harrisburg History Project Commissioned by Mayor Stephen R. Reed.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1858.

Location. 40° 15.777′ N, 76° 53.038′ W. Marker is in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in Dauphin County. It is in Downtown Harrisburg. It is at the intersection of North 3rd Street and Pine Street, on the right when traveling north on North 3rd Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 240 N 3rd St, Harrisburg PA 17101, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in South-Central Pennsylvania, specifically in Pennsylvania Dutch Country,

and in the Susquehanna Valley.

It is also in the American Northeast

Pine Street Presbyterian Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Pfingsten, March 21, 2008

2. Pine Street Presbyterian Church

Photo taken from the Capitol grounds.

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Payne-Shoemaker Building (a few steps from this marker); The Old Executive, Library & Museum Building (a few steps from this marker); John Frederick Hartranft (within shouting distance of this marker); 104th Cavalry (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); State Capitol (about 400 feet away); Public Sector Unionism (about 400 feet away); Grace United Methodist Church (about 400 feet away); Present State Capitol Building (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Harrisburg.

Photographed by John K. Robinson, November 1, 2009

3. Pine Street Presbyterian Church

The church is seen from a nearby garage at dusk.

Photographed by John K. Robinson, November 1, 2009

4. Pine Street Presbyterian Church

The choir and organ are located in a gallery at the front of the church.

Photographed by John K. Robinson, November 15, 2008

5. Pine Street Presbyterian Church

The rear gallery houses the Tuba stop of the church's organ.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 5, 2019. It was originally submitted on March 28, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 2,013 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 28, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 9, 2010, by John K. Robinson of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.