Philadephia Inquirer, Thursday, June 12th 2008:
Great Valley Presbyterian Church is committed both to its congregation and its mission work. Nurturing souls in Malvern - and beyond
Location: Malvern Affiliation: Evangelical Presbyterian Church
Size of Congregation: 250 members
History of the congregation: Before George Washington was born, Great Valley's first pastor was preaching the gospel from the crude pulpit of a rough log church. With the single exception of the First Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia (1698), it is the oldest Presbyterian Church in Pennsylvania. The founders of Great Valley Presbyterian were Welsh Presbyterians who left their country for conscience's sake. They came to America and settled in the shelter of Penn's colony in order to secure freedom of worship for themselves and their children. Since then, the historic Christian message has been faithfully proclaimed by Great Valley pastors.
It is this strong desire to be free to proclaim what it means to be a Christian as revealed in God's Word, the bible, that has led Great Valley to affiliate with the Evangelical Presbyterian Church denomination (EPC). As a member of the EPC, Great Valley believes in historic Christianity as taught in scripture, thus looking to the bible as its guide on moral issues and believing in the reality of sin, salvation and judgment. At the same time, it wants to hold convictions with charity toward others, allowing a diversity of views on non-essential issues.
What makes you proud of your church? The congregation is very excited about the dynamic pre-school program started in 2004 which now has over 100 students under the auspices of a dedicated director and staff. The pre-school is an outgrowth of the historic emphasis Great Valley has placed on the family and the importance of Christian education for all ages. There is Sunday School for the very youngest and oldest, Pioneer Club for elementary age, and very active junior and senior high youth groups. Our youth groups (www.gvyouth.org) enjoy their time together, but also take short-term mission trips and are active in the community. Just last year a senior high team went to share God's love at an English-speaking camp in France for 10 days.
Both a contemporary and traditional worship service is offered on Sunday mornings. Music plays a great part in both services, with choir members and instrumentalists assisting in the worship experience. Members also participate in the reading of scripture and prayer time. A time for fellowship is provided after each service.
One of the strengths of Great Valley has been its traditional emphasis on missions. It currently helps support more than 30 national and international missionaries, plus another 25-plus mission organizations. One of its biggest outreaches is providing tuition for 100 students to attend Christian school in Cance, Haiti.
Great Valley is also quite involved on the local level. It provides physical and spiritual nourishment to over 125 homeless in Philadelphia on the third Saturday of each month. In addition, it provides regular weekly and monthly support for House of Creation (home for teenage mothers), Hope Mission in Coatesville (rescue mission), Good Works (assistance for Chester County homeowners), and the delivery of holiday meals and Christmas presents to Chester County individuals and families.
Staff: Dan Stewart has been its pastor for 12 years, faithfully proclaiming the gospel. Jim Shackleton, Director of Equipping Ministry, is in a newly formed position to facilitate Great Valley's outreach to its neighbors and surrounding community. Evan Curry is the new Director of Youth Ministry. These men are complemented by our Director of Music Ministry, Herb Balian; organist, Sharon Smoker; church secretary, Karen Bittenbender; and sexton, Steven Leach.
Days and hours of services: Services are held on Sundays - a contemporary worship service at 8:30 a.m., Sunday School for all ages at 9:30 a.m., and a traditional service at 11:00 a.m. Please note: during the summer (starting June 29th) we will have one "blended" worship service at 10:00 a.m.
Street address: 2025 Swedesford Road in Malvern, midway between Routes 29 and 252.
Bulletin June 16h
In the beginning the members met in the woods or in homes. The first church building was made of logs and erected in 1720. During the 1777-78 Valley Forge encampment the log church had been standing for 57 years! The site of it is north of where the old vault building now stands and is marked by the grave of Thomas Hutchinson, who asked to be buried beneath its pulpit. The members contributed the material for the log church and most of the labor. It was constructed of unhewn logs, notched at the corners, and the cracks were filled with coarse clay mortar. The roof was covered with shingles split and shaved in the woods. The floor was hard clay. Except for the window glass, the material was all hand-made, even the nails. Since there was no provision for heating, the women brought heated blocks of wood or stone to church with them to keep their hands and feet warm. The log church served the congregation for 73 years.