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 28, 2024
  • March 28, 20246:30 pm - 7:15 pm

    Maundy Thursday Potluck Supper (Fellowship Hall)

    We gather as a church family to share supper together before worship.  Could you please provide a dish to feed 8-10?  Please bring your dish, including serving utensils, ready to be served, and add it directly to the serving tables in Fellowship Hall.  Please provide a list of ingredients if possible; this is helpful to anyone with allergies.  Labels for gluten-free offerings are particularly appreciated.

  • March 28, 20247:15 pm - 7:45 pm

    Maundy Thursday Communion (Fellowship Hall)

    After supper together we will transition into a communion service around shared tables that echoes the meal that Jesus shared with his friends on the night he was betrayed and arrested.  Communion will be served by intinction.  From here, we move then in silence to the Sanctuary to observe a Service of Tenebrae.

  • March 28, 20247:45 pm - 8:30 pm

    Tenebrae Service (Sanctuary)

    A Service of Tenebrae is also a Service of Shadows, moving methodically through the final stages of Jesus’ life and ending finally at the cross.  Passages of scripture, music, and prayer are each followed the extinguishing of light, until the entire sanctuary is in darkness.  We depart in quiet for the vigil of loss and expectation.

  • March 28, 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 29, 2024
  • March 29, 20242:00 pm - 3:00 pm

    Labyrinth Walk (begin at Garden entrance)

    You are invited this Good Friday to find some time for reflection and meditation using the ancient spiritual practice of walking a labyrinth.  This will begin with a time of gathering and centering.  The walking of the labyrinth will be in silence, after which participants are invited to meet for reflection and a blessing.  The experience will be led by Harriet Henderson, a labyrinth facilitator.

  • March 29, 2024

    Good Friday

March 30, 2024
  • March 30, 202411:00 am - 12:00 pm

    Easter choir rehearsal (Sanctuary)

    Special rehearsal in preparation for Easter Sunday!

March 31, 2024
  • March 31, 20247:00 am - 8:00 am

    Easter Worship in the Garden (Memorial Garden)

    This is a joyful early morning celebration of the resurrection held in the Memorial Garden.  We come with the women to the tomb and peer in. Among the new day light, the trees, and the early morning birds, we raise our alleluias! 

  • March 31, 20247:45 am - 8:30 am

    Easter Breakfast (Fellowship Hall)

    Christ is Risen! Shout Hosanna!  Celebrate this days of days over a cup of coffee or tea and light breakfast that features fresh grilled fish and "communion bread pudding."

  • March 31, 20248:00 am - 8:45 am

    Choir rehearsal (Sanctuary)

    Sunday morning preparation for worship

  • March 31, 20249:00 am - 10:00 am

    Easter Worship (Sanctuary and Livestream)

    This service embodies a classic worship tradition. Biblical and faithful preaching bring God’s Word to life. Musical leadership comes through the Chancel Choir and our pipe organ and for Easter includes a brass ensemble. Bring a flower for the cross!

  • March 31, 202410:00 am - 11:00 am

    Easter Fellowship (Fellowship Hall)

    Hallelujah!  He is Risen!  Our Parish Life team provides beverages and cookies this morning in between services 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 31, 202411:00 am - 12:00 pm

    Easter Worship (Sanctuary)

    This service embodies a classic worship tradition. Biblical and faithful preaching bring God’s Word to life. Musical leadership comes through the Chancel Choir and our pipe organ and for Easter includes a brass ensemble. Bring a flower for the cross!