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

April 25, 2024

  • April 25, 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.

  • April 25, 20247:30 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.

  • April 25, 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.

April 27, 2024

  • April 27, 202410:00 am - 12:00 pm

    Missa Gaia concert rehearsal (Sanctuary)

    Joint rehearsal for singers and instrumentalists preparing for Sunday afternoon's concert.

April 28, 2024

  • April 28, 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.

  • April 28, 20249:30 am - 10:00 am

    Choir rehearsal (Sanctuary)

    Sunday morning preparation for worship

  • April 28, 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.

  • April 28, 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!

  • April 28, 202411:30 am - 12:30 pm

    Alleluia! Singers (Loeffler Chapel)

    Our Alleluia! Singers develop their capacity for strong musical leadership for worship while deepening their sense of discipleship. All children ages 8-10 are welcome here.

  • April 28, 20244:00 pm - 5:00 pm

    Missa Gaia Concert (Sanctuary)

    All are invited to this choral concert celebrating the beauty of the earth, featuring Paul Winter’s Earth Mass, or “Missa Gaia.” The Swarthmore Presbyterian Church Chancel Choir, Agape Singers, and Alleluia! Singers, under the direction of Meghan Meloy Ness, will be joined by soloist Liz Seymour, guest choristers from the community, and an instrumental ensemble made up of professional musicians and church members. 
    This concert is shared as a gift to the community, in celebration of all of creation. A free-will offering will be accepted and a reception will follow.

  • April 28, 20244:00 pm - 5:30 pm

    High School Youth Group (Sanctuary)

    High Schoolers gather Sunday afternoons for play, fellowship, service, and learning. 
    Today we are attending the Missa Gaia concert!
    All are welcome.  We will enjoy 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

  • April 28, 20244:00 pm - 5:30 pm

    Middle School Youth Group (Sanctuary)

    Middle Schoolers gather Sunday afternoons for play, fellowship, service, and learning. 
    Today we are attending the Missa Gaia concert!

     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

  • April 28, 20245:00 pm - 5:30 pm

    Concert reception (Fellowship Hall)

    All who enjoyed this afternoon's concert are invited to share some light refreshments and one another's company.

April 30, 2024

  • April 30, 202412:30 pm - 5:00 pm

    Presbytery Meeting (Thompson Memorial Pres)

    Quarterly stated meeting of the Presbytery of Philadelphia. All Commissioners are invited to attend.
    Information available here: Presbytery Meeting