(215) 257-2880 | Worship every Sunday @ 10:15 a.m.
(215) 257-2880 | Worship every Sunday @ 10:15 a.m.
Learn more about our church, history and team.
This church acknowledges as its sole Head Jesus Christ, the Son of God and the Savior of all people.
It acknowledges as siblings in Christ all who share in this confession.
It looks to the Word of God in the Scriptures and to the presence and power of the Holy Spirit to strengthen its creative and redemptive work in the world.
It claims as its own the faith of the historic Church expressed in the ancient creeds and reclaimed in the basic insights of the Protestant Reformers.
It affirms the responsibility of the Church in each generation to make this faith its own.
In accordance with the teaching of our Lord and the practice prevailing among evangelical Christians, it recognizes two Sacraments: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper or Holy Communion.
One expression of this faith is this:
We believe in God, the Eternal Spirit,
who is made known to us in Jesus our brother,
and to whose deeds we testify:
God calls the worlds into being, creates humankind in the divine image, and sets before us the ways of life and death.
God seeks in holy love to save all people from aimlessness and sin.
God judges all humanity and all nations by that will of righteousness declared through prophets and apostles.
In Jesus Christ, the man of Nazareth, our crucified and risen Lord, God has come to us and shared our common lot, conquering sin and death and reconciling the whole creation to its Creator.
God bestows upon us the Holy Spirit, creating and renewing the church of Jesus Christ, binding in covenant faithful people of all ages, tongues, and races.
God calls us into his church to accept the cost and joy of discipleship, to be his servants in the service of the whole human family, to proclaim the gospel to all the world and resist the powers of evil, to share in Christ’s baptism and eat at his table, to join him in his passion and victory.
God promises to all who trust in the gospel: forgiveness of sins and fullness of grace, courage in the struggle for justice and peace, the presence of the Holy Spirit in trial and rejoicing, and eternal life in that kingdom which has no end.
Blessing and honor, glory and power be unto God.
(Updated version of The Statement of Faith prepared by the late Dr. Robert Moss, former president of the U.C.C., and presented to the General Synod in 1977.)
St. Andrew’s United Church of Christ is an inclusive community rooted in God’s incredible love. At St. Andrew’s we strive to make God’s message a living reality.
Our faith inspires us to explore how the scriptures guide us to live and grow as disciples of Jesus Christ.
We are dedicated to Christian Education and the nurture of spiritual growth for people of all ages.
We are committed to reaching out to serve our local and world communities in Christ’s name, offering ourselves and our resources to promote healing, understanding, forgiveness, and love.
We recognize and honor the image of God in all people. We believe that our relationship with each other is a reflection of our relationship with God.
We understand ourselves as stewards of many God given gifts. We seek to honor God by lifting up these gifts and dedicating them to the realization of God’s vision for a just world.
Welcome to St. Andrew’s United Church of Christ , where everyone is welcome! We are a come-as-you-are church, a family, a fellowship of faith, and a community of hope, helping the people of Pennridge and surrounding communities discover Jesus in the everyday places where we live, work, and play. We’re glad you are here. We’d love to hear your story and share ours with you.
St. Andrew’ Union Church had its inception in 1866 when the residents of Bridgetown were given the missionary attention of the Reverend Peter S. Fisher of the Tohickon Reformed Church, Weisel, PA and the Reverend Ferdinand Berkemeyer of St Peter’s Lutheran Church. Fricks, PA (Hilltown Township). At an informal meeting of the men of Bridgetown was called by Steven Young and held at his Tavern (now known as “The Perk”) and this meeting resulted in agreement to build a “Union Church.”
The property for the church was purchased in 1867 from Jesse D. Hartzell, who was John Andrew Strassburger’s son-in-law, for $300 and was 100′ x 490. The foundation stones came from a small quarry on Walnut Street next to the Strassburger home. The gray stones for the church above the basement were secured free of charge from Samuel Mood’s quarry on Ridge Road. The cornerstone dated June 10, 1867, was actually laid on June 11, 1867, due to heavy rainfall on the 10th. Construction was delayed due to a lack of money and enthusiasm, until Stephen Young invited construction workers from the Old Zionsville area and housed them and their wives at his expense. The building was completed and dedicated in May 1867.
The name of the church was chosen to honor the ministry of the Rev. John Andrew Strassburger, who served several churches in this area for 36 years. In 1890 the tower and bell were installed, and the Chancel was changed from the South to the North wall. The church was refurbished in 1908 including repainting, new pews, new pulpit, new rugs, and a steam heating system. In 1911 a new Estey pipe organ was installed at a cost of $1,750 thanks to a donation from Andrew Carnegie of $750. In 1925, the sanctuary was again refurbished, and the glass windows were replaced with the art glass windows that are still in place today. In 1988, the windows were restored, and the steel framing was replaced with aluminum.
In 1956, the union church was dissolved and the Reformed congregation bought out the Lutheran congregation who erected their new church on Dill Avenue. In 1971 St. Andrew’s UCC added a Christian education wing for church school classes and fellowship opportunities. In 1987, the Sunday School rooms were used by the Pennridge School District for kindergarten aged children due to overcrowding. In 2012, the property on the west side of the building was donated to St. Andrew’s upon the death of the owners, Charles and Nancy Keenan. The buildings on that property were removed, the parking area was expanded, and a new picnic pavilion was added.
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