About Us

Located in the college town of Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, a near suburb of Philadelphia, Swarthmore Presbyterian Church (SPC) has been an integral part of the community since the town’s earliest days. Throughout the church’s 120 years, the congregation has been blessed with bold vision for mission and ministry, responsible leadership, and a quickness to serve the community. We all come from different backgrounds, bringing different gifts. We are called to be Christ’s body, here and now, ready to serve.

Swarthmore Presbyterian Church is a member of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and the Philadelphia Presbytery. To learn more about being Presbyterian, click here.

Called to be missional and relational in all that we do

We believe in being missional. Christ gave the church its mission: to spread the gospel to the ends of the earth and to work for the kingdom of God. This “missional” orientation makes a difference in everything we do, in our choices about how we spend our time, our money, our space, and our efforts.

We also believe in being relational. We deeply believe that building relationships is the way the Spirit works. Moving from heart to heart and hand to hand, the Spirit generates new ideas, abundant resources, and invaluable relationships. With our neighbors and mission partners, we can add to each other’s strengths for the good of God’s kingdom.

Our relationships are local and global. They are long established and newly formed. They are interreligious and ecumenical. They begin in conversation and take shape in cooperation.

Our relationships include:

  • Interfaith Council of Southern Delaware County: The Interfaith Council for Southern Delaware County provides a forum for interfaith dialogue on matters of mutual concern. Their mission is to cultivate relationships of trust and solidarity among religious leaders in order to enable a public witness that draws upon our deepest religious values.
  • Partners in Ministry: (http://www.swarthmore.edu/interfaith-center/campus-religious-groups) Partners in Ministry (PIM) is a local consortium of churches that supports the Protestant Ministry of Swarthmore College, which is right in SPC’s backyard. The Rev. Joyce Tompkins, who serves as Religious Advisor, provides spiritual counseling to students and coordinates a program of worship and activities.
  • Interfaith Center of Greater Philadelphia: (https://www.interfaithcenterpa.org/) The Interfaith Center of Greater Philadelphia advances mutual trust, understanding, and cooperation among faith communities in order to work together for the common good of the region.
  • Religious Leaders Council of Greater Philadelphia: This council was formed in 2006 to unite religious leaders, to build relationships of mutual support, to offer a moral and spiritual voice, and to take action on issues of critical concern in our region.
  • Fellowship of Urban Suburban Exchange (FUSE): (http://www.fusedelco.com/) Intentionally interfaith and cross-cultural, FUSE has as its mission to enable building relationships across our neighboring communities.

Contact Us! We Would Love to Hear From You

Upcoming Events

March 21, 2024
  • March 21, 20249:30 am - 11:00 am

    HOE Volunteers (Memorial Garden)

    The "Holy Order of Environmentalists" (HOE) welcomes all who have a heart for tending to our green spaces.  This morning's gathering will be the first in a weekly series of cleaning up the memorial garden after a long winter's nap.

  • March 21, 202410:15 am - 11:15 am

    Bell Choir rehearsal (Loeffler Chapel)

    Weekly rehearsals to prepare music for sharing in worship once a month.
    Interested?  Contact Minister of Music, Meghan Meloy Ness.

  • March 21, 20247:15 pm - 9:00 pm

    Chancel Choir Rehearsal (Fellowship Hall)

    Weekly rehearsal to prepare for music for offering in worship Sunday mornings.  New singers always welcome! 
    Led by Minister of Music, Meghan Meloy Ness.

  • March 21, 20248:00 pm - 9:30 pm

    AA (McCahan Hall)

    Swarthmore Presbyterian Church welcomes AA participants to weekly meetings in McCahan Hall. Entrance is via a door on the west end of the parking lot (across from the ABC House) under a covered walkway there.
    For those who are fully vaccinated against COVID, masks are optional. For those not yet fully vaccinated, or working with children, masks are required. Seating/distancing is at the comfort level of the individuals attending.

March 23, 2024
  • March 23, 20248:30 am - 12:00 pm

    Campus Cleanup! (check-in in Fellowship Hall)

    The days are getting warmer, signs of God’s re-creation are poking up in our beloved green spaces, and the afternoon sun shines brightly on many cloudy windows and dusty surfaces.  We are eager to look our best for Easter, so the Property Committee has scheduled a spring cleanup this morning. All are welcome! 
    This is a fun way to work alongside other churchgoers with a similar goal. Check-in will be in Fellowship Hall, where you may also enjoy a cup of coffee or tea and some breakfast snacks. 
    Interested in helping? Click here to let us know. Walk-ins will be welcome of course!

March 24, 2024
  • March 24, 20248:00 am - 9:00 am

    Early Worship (Loeffler Chapel)

    This 45-minute service allows worshippers to engage with scripture through guided discussion in lieu of a sermon. Communion is served on the 1st Sunday of each month.

  • March 24, 20249:30 am - 10:00 am

    Choir rehearsal (Sanctuary)

    Sunday morning preparation for worship

  • March 24, 202410:00 am - 11:00 am

    Parade of Palms (Sanctuary)

    Palm Sunday Procession!
    We begin Holy Week just like Jesus did – with a parade.  Our children will gather at 10:00 a.m. in the large transept (Sanctuary), and from there, will head outside to the covered sidewalk to lead the procession into the Sanctuary.  Walkers of all ages are invited to join them.  Together we will wave palms and be part of the procession with our choir and pastors, coming into God’s presence with singing.

  • March 24, 202410:15 am - 11:15 am

    Lord's Day Worship (Sanctuary and Livestream)

    SPC's Lord’s Day services embody a classic reformed worship tradition. The Word is proclaimed through liturgy, song, and preaching. Scriptures are generally read by lay liturgists. Music leadership is anchored by our choir. Our pastors share leadership and preaching responsibilities from week to week. Communion is offered on the 1st Sunday of each month.

    Services are livestreamed via YouTube beginning at 10:15 a.m. Sunday morning.

  • March 24, 202411:15 am - 12:00 pm

    Sunday Fellowship (Fellowship Hall)

    Our Parish Life team provides beverages and snacks every Sunday following the 10:15 worship service and invites everyone to enjoy one another's company in Fellowship Hall. Please make a point of saying hello to someone you don't yet know!

  • March 24, 20244:30 pm - 6:00 pm

    Middle School Youth Group (Fellowship Hall)

    Middle Schoolers gather Sunday afternoons for play, fellowship, service, and learning. All are welcome.  We conclude with dinner, shared with high schoolers.  Suggested donation $5.00.
    Weekly notes about plans for the upcoming Sunday are shared by text from Rev. David Norse Thomas. The registration form is available here: Youth Registration 2023-24

  • March 24, 20245:30 pm - 7:00 pm

    High School Youth Group (Fellowship Hall)

    High Schoolers gather Sunday afternoons for play, fellowship, service, and learning. All are welcome.  We begin with dinner, shared with middle schoolers, at 5:30.  Weekly notes about plans for the upcoming Sunday are shared by text from Rev. David Norse Thomas. The registration form is available here: Youth Registration 2023-24

  • March 24, 2024

    Palm Sunday

March 25, 2024
  • March 25, 20247:00 pm - 7:45 pm

    Holy Week Taize Service (Loeffler Chapel)

    Services held in the Taizé style, with a mix of music, silence, Scripture, and prayer, will be offered each weekday evening of Holy Week leading up to Maundy Thursday. This evening's service will include a liturgy of healing, with an opportunity to receive oil for anointing as we hear of Jesus' own anointing by Mary.