Plan Your Visit

For Swarthmore Presbyterian Church to truly be a dynamic and growing congregation, we need new voices to join our own in proclaiming God’s word. We need new hands to help us fulfill God’s mission and help care for God’s people. We need new ideas and perspectives to help us see and hear what may be hidden to us. For 120 years, SPC has opened its arms and heart to all of God’s children, and now we hope to welcome you into our church family. So please, come and take a closer look!

We want you to feel welcome and comfortable during your first visit to SPC. Here we’ve attempted to answer a few common questions.

What time should I arrive?

If you are looking for a full morning of education, worship, and fellowship, plan to arrive around 8:45 am. Christian education classes begin at 9:00 am for adults, youth, and children, and you may need a little extra time to find your way around to our various education and nursery spots, plus you need some time to grab a cup of coffee or tea before settling in for the adult education class of your choice.

If you want to just join us for worship on Sunday, our traditional services start at 10:15 am. Again, plan to arrive a little early to allow time for parking and making your way into the Sanctuary or Chapel. If you are an early riser, you might want to check out our less-formal early worship service at 8 am in the Chapel.

Following our 10:15 worship service, we hope you will drop by Fellowship Hall for snacks and a chance for our members to greet you.

What should I wear?

Please feel free to wear whatever you feel most comfortable wearing. On Sunday morning you will see dresses and skirts, slacks, suits and ties, polo shirts, jeans, or shorts. Whatever you wear, you will be welcomed here!

Where should I park?

Parking is available in the lot behind the church building. If there are no spots available there, you may park along Harvard Avenue, the street in front of the church building. We also have a gravel parking lot on the opposite side of Harvard Avenue, directly across from the main church entrance.

What door should I use?

There are several ways to enter the building. We recommend that visitors enter through one of the two main entrances facing Harvard Avenue. Ushers, church members, and building signage will direct you to where you need to go.

Is there handicap accessibility?

Yes, we have several handicapped parking spaces available in the parking lot behind the church. Our first floor is handicap accessible, with ramps located at each end of the building, as well as in front of the building, leading into Fellowship Hall.

What will my children do on Sunday morning?

At SPC, we want all of God’s children, at every age, to be engaged. Christian education is provided to all children ages 3 and up beginning at 9:00 am. Following our Sunday school classes, children are always welcome to join us in worship. In our Sanctuary, worship bookshelves are filled with items to keep little hands busy and older minds engaged, if needed. During worship, children are called forward during “A Time with Children” for a special lesson geared specifically to their young minds and interest. Afterwards, they are welcome to either stay in worship, or head up to McCahan Hall for enrichment activities until worship concludes.  In our Chapel worship service, considered our most “kid-friendly” service, participants are invited to worship God with hands and feet, as well as words and songs.

Is childcare available?

Of course! Childcare is available from 8:45 am to 12:15 pm in our Nursery, located in the back corner of McCahan Hall. Our Childcare Coordinator is there every Sunday, providing a fun, safe, and consistent presence for the children.

For more Frequently Asked Questions, go to the Connect with Us page

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.