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 17, 2025
-
-
April 17, 20256:30 pm - 7:15 pm
Maundy Thursday Potluck Supper (Fellowship Hall)
On this holy evening, we will gather in Fellowship Hall as a church family for food and fellowship. All are invited to bring a dish for the buffet and to gather around tables for a shared meal. Please click here to RSVP so that we may plan well.
-
April 17, 20257:15 pm - 7:45 pm
Maundy Thursday Communion (Fellowship Hall)
From our time of fellowship, we will shift to a brief service of communion, recalling the last Passover meal Jesus shared with his disciples and observing the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper at our dinner tables. Following Communion, those attending the Service of Tenebrae will process to the Sanctuary in silence.
-
- April 18, 2025
-
-
April 18, 20251:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Labyrinth Walk (begin at Garden entrance/Loeffler Chapel in case of rain)
On Good Friday we are pleased to offer a labyrinth walk led by a trained labyrinth facilitator. The session will begin with a brief introduction to this meditative practice for those who are new to praying in this way, and will be offered rain or shine, thanks to the canvas labyrinth that we are able to set up indoors.
-
- April 20, 2025
-
-
April 20, 20257:00 am - 8:00 am
Easter Worship in the Garden (Memorial Garden & Labyrinth)
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!
-
April 20, 20257:45 am - 8:30 am
Easter Breakfast (Fellowship Hall)
Christ is Risen! Shout Hosanna! Celebrate this day of days over a cup of coffee or tea and a light breakfast that features communion bread pudding.
-
