St. Paul's UCC History

Since 1830 our church has enjoyed a presence among the beautiful rolling hillside of Chester County, Pennsylvania.  Pre-dating the Civil War by 31 years, worship services and fellowship programs have convened at the intersection of Route 100 and Worthington Road for more than 170 years meeting the needs of our community through the dedication of our ministers, members and organizations.

Our congregation first came together for worship in 1830 under the leadership of Rev. Jesse Knipe.  The congregation and Sunday School met in a one-room schoolhouse, until 1838 when our first church building was erected.  On Christmas Day of that same year, St. Paul's congregation was officially organized.  Rev. Jesse Knipe was recognized as St. Paul's first Pastor, a position he held for 43 years, tendering his resignation on January 16, 1881.

The first organ was introduced into St. Paul's in 1877.  A choir was formed in 1889.

Our current church building was constructed in 1884 in Gothic style two stories high and trimmed in serpentine stone.  Thirteen rolled cathedral glass windows adorn the Sanctuary including a window given by the Sunday School in memory of Rev. Jesse B. Knipe.  An educational wing was added in 1958.  In 1998 the congregation completed a major, 100% membership financed, renovation of the church.

Today, St. Paul's remains a small, prayer-based community providing a friendly place of worship to anyone seeking an opportunity to learn, share ideas and experiences, and the freedom to question and discuss their faith.

St. Paul's United Church of Christ continues the tradition and welcomes change with the guiding hand of God, our Creator, Jesus Christ, our Savior and the Holy Spirit as Comforter.  Our future includes a strong community presence with dedication to our senior citizens and youth, ministry to the disadvantaged and ailing, as well as continuing the timeless traditions and contemporary ideas of a prayer-based community of faith that has made St. Paul's a welcoming place of worship for almost two centuries.

No matter who you are, or where you are on life's journey, you are always welcome at St. Paul's United Church of Christ!

St. Paul’s United Church of Christ is committed to providing equal opportunities to all persons regardless of race, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, economic, Veteran, health or marital status.  This policy applies to all members, prospective members, and employees of St. Paul’s. 

To read sermons and other writings by our Pastor, Jonathan I. Hauze, visit his blog at http://jonathanhauze.blogspot.com

St. Paul's United Church of Christ is a Church in the Ursinus Association, of the PA Southeast Conference, within the United Church of Christ, — a community of faith that seeks to respond to the Gospel of Jesus Christ in word and deed.

GOD is still speaking,