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

December 22, 2024
  • December 22, 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.

  • December 22, 20249:30 am - 10:00 am

    Choir rehearsal (Sanctuary)

    Sunday morning preparation for worship.

  • December 22, 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.

  • December 22, 202411:15 am - 12:00 pm

    Sunday Fellowship (Fellowship Hall)

    Please join us for beverages and snacks every Sunday following the 10:15 worship service.  Enjoy one another's company in Fellowship Hall and make a point of saying hello to someone you don't yet know!

  • December 22, 202411:30 am - 1:00 pm

    Pageant Rehearsal (Sanctuary)

    All who will be participating in the Christmas Eve pageant are invited to lunch at 11:30, followed by rehearsal in the Sanctuary from 12:00-1:00.
    Questions?  Contact pageant director, Rev. David Norse Thomas at david.norse.thomas@swarthmorepres.org.

  • December 22, 20244:30 pm - 5:15 pm

    Hosanna! Singers (Sunday School Wing)

    Our Hosanna! Singers gather to sing and move to music while growing in faith, love, and kindness!  They will share for worship in October and December.

    Who? K-2nd Grade 
    Where? "Pink Room" across from Godly Play room
    Led by Meghan Meloy Ness, Minister of Music

  • December 22, 20244:30 pm - 6:00 pm

    Youth Group (Fellowship Hall)


    Crafting & Chill Out with Coffee & Cocoa  

    Let’s chill. Bring a book, a favorite blanket / slippers, come in your PJ’s if you’d like. We will have fun coffees, teas, cocoa, snacks, plenty of games, and of course dinner! We will also be making candles for SPC’s Christmas Eve service and catching up.

December 24, 2024
  • December 24, 20244:00 pm - 5:00 pm

    Christmas Eve Pageant (Sanctuary)

    Come be in the presence of angels, shepherds, sheep, Magi, and the Holy Family. This year we’re excited to also welcome the Gospel writers Matthew, Luke, and John (Mark was too excited to write about Jesus’ ministry to write about his birth).  Each of them have their own take on the Incarnation, and they don’t always agree (was there a donkey? Was there no room in the guest room, or an Inn?!). Come learn about the Bible through humor, costumes, and awe. We will sing, pray, and share the light that has come among us.

    Please come early to ensure a good seat!

    Service will be livestreamed via YouTube beginning at 4:00 pm.

  • December 24, 20246:00 pm - 7:00 pm

    Choir rehearsal (Sanctuary)

    Christmas Eve choir rehearsal

  • December 24, 20247:00 pm - 8:00 pm

    Candlelight Service of Lessons and Carols (Sanctuary)

    On Christmas Eve we proclaim Christ’s birth with scripture readings, story-telling hymns and carols, and candlelight. After the singing of Silent Night in candlelight, a benediction sends us forth to bring light where there is darkness.

    Service will be livestreamed via YouTube beginning at 7:00 pm. (Please note that the 10:00 pm service will not be livestreamed.)

  • December 24, 20248:00 pm - 10:00 pm

    Youth Group Reunion & Service Project Church Office

    High School Students!  Come gather with former Youth Group members who are home for the holidays!  Stay after the 7 PM Worship Service or come early before the 10 PM.  Along with catching up, we will be preparing snack packs for “Welcome Church,” a congregation of folks experiencing poverty/homelessness in Philadelphia, to be distributed on New Years Eve.

  • December 24, 20248:00 pm - 10:00 pm

    Youth Group Reunion & Service Project Church Office

    Come gather for a reunion, and to help make snack packs for Welcome Church, a congregation that worships on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, with folks experiencing housing insecurity and homelessness. We will catch up, enjoy some tasty food. 

    Meet in the church office after the 7:00 pm candlelight service.

  • December 24, 20249:00 pm - 10:00 pm

    Choir rehearsal (Sanctuary)

    Christmas Eve choir rehearsal

  • December 24, 202410:00 pm - 11:00 pm

    Candlelight Service of Lessons and Carols (Sanctuary)

    On Christmas Eve we proclaim Christ’s birth with scripture readings, story-telling hymns and carols, and candlelight. After the singing of Silent Night in candlelight, a benediction sends us forth to bring light where there is darkness.

    Please note that this service will not be livestreamed.  Join us at 4:00 pm or 7:00 pm for livestreamed Christmas Eve services.

December 26, 2024
  • December 26, 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.

  • December 26, 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.