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

February 23, 2025

  • February 23, 20258:00 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.

  • February 23, 20258:15 am - 9:30 am

    Wind ensemble rehearsal (Sanctuary)

  • February 23, 20259:30 am - 10:00 am

    Choir rehearsal (Sanctuary)

    Sunday morning preparation for worship.

  • February 23, 202510:15 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.

  • February 23, 202510:40 am - 11:20 am

    Godly Play (Loeffler Chapel)

    Following "Time with Children" (which happens just before the Sermon) children age 3 through 5th grade are invited to attend Godly Play, a Montessori-based method that engages children through their innate meaning-making language: Play.

  • February 23, 20259:00 am - 12:00 pm

    Bear Hugs

    SPC’s Presbyterian Women invite contributions to its annual “Bear Hugs” program. We will be collecting new and gently used teddy bears that will be donated to children who have experienced emergencies or trauma. Bears will be collected every Sunday in February in Fellowship Hall and welcomed in the church office throughout the week.

  • February 23, 202511:15 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!

  • February 23, 202511:30 am - 12:00 pm

    Alleluia! & Agape Singers (Loeffler Chapel)

    Our Alleluia! Singers deepen their sense of discipleship and faith through singing and develop their capacity for strong musical leadership for worship!  They will share for worship in October, November, and December.
    Who? Grades 3-5  

    Our Agape Singers spread God’s love through singing and share strong musical leadership for worship. They sometimes sing by themselves and other times with one of our other choirs.  They will share for worship in October, November, and December.   
    Who? Grades 6-8

    Led by Meghan Meloy Ness, Minister of Music

  • February 23, 20254:30 pm - 5:15 pm

    Hosanna! Singers (Loeffler Chapel)

    Our Hosanna! Singers gather to sing and move to music while growing in faith, love, and kindness!  

    Who? K-2nd Grade 
    Where? for just this Sunday, Loeffler Chapel
    Led by Meghan Meloy Ness, Minister of Music

  • February 23, 20255:30 pm - 8:30 pm

    Youth Group (with First Pres Springfield)

    Coordinated Youth Ministry: Wiffle Ball & Games   
    We will be heading to First Presbyterian Church Springfield, 356 Summit Road, Springfield, PA 19064. You can ride the bus from SPC or meet us there! When we arrive, we will meet at the back of the church in their Fellowship Hall. Lights will be on, and doors will be open!

February 27, 2025

  • February 27, 20257:00 pm - 7:30 pm

    Shane memorial rehearsal (Loeffler Chapel)

  • February 27, 20257:30 pm - 9:00 pm

    Chancel Choir Rehearsal (Loeffler Chapel)

    Weekly rehearsal to prepare for music for offering in worship Sunday mornings.  New singers always welcome! 
    Led by Minister of Music, Meghan Meloy Ness.

  • February 27, 20258:00 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.

February 28, 2025

  • February 28, 20256:30 pm - 10:30 pm

    Party Gras (Fellowship Hall/Courtyard)

    Party Gras: A Mardi Gras Themed Fundraiser to Support SPC

    Save the Date: Friday, February 28 / 6:30 – 10:30 pm (in Fellowship Hall)

    Save the date and join us February 28 for a Mardi Gras inspired fundraiser to support Swarthmore Presbyterian Church! Enjoy an evening in a transformed Fellowship Hall with delicious food, game-show style games, silent auction, raffles, music and more! Friends, family, and neighbors are invited to attend this special (adults only) night at SPC. Admission per person will be $65 pre-purchase ($85 at the door), which includes an open bar (wine & beer & soft drinks), hors d’oeuvres, and games. For more details and to purchase tickets, click here. https://swarthmorepres.org/spc-party-gras/