Our name "Presbyterian," rooted in the Greek word "presbuteros", which means "elder," is a clue to our form of representative church government by elders who are elected by the congregation. 1

As Protestant Christians, we gratefully acknowledge our indebtedness to Judaism. With other Christians we boldly profess faith in God, known to us in the "Holy Trinity" of Creator, Christ, and Holy Spirit. As spiritual heirs of the Protestant Reformation, we are especially influenced by leaders such as John Calvin and John Knox.

We emphasize key elements of the Protestant Reformation such as: salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone, the authority of Bible for faith and life, and the doctrine of "the priesthood of all believers" which calls each and every Christian to be a minister of Christ at all times and all places. 

In the 1830's, the Presbyterian Church was one of the strongest churches in the country. In 1837, the Presbyterian Church divided into two schools of thought, the Old school and the New school. The disagreement was about the beliefs and preparation of ministers in Calvinistic doctrine in the frontier states and territories. Eventually the problem was solved and the church reunited in 1869. This affected the founding of the Presbyterian Church in Downingtown.

By 1843, ministers of the new school began teaching in Downingtown. The first prayer meeting was held at a property on West Lancaster Avenue. On June 8, 1859, the First Presbyterian Church of Downingtown was founded. Gustav Heins, John Baugh and Thomas Ingram were active leaders. A neat brick building was built in 1860, but a few years later the congregation dissolved due to dissension. Their church building, later became part of Messiah Lutheran Church, was sold and became known as Central Hall. In spite of its short life, the First Presbyterian Church accomplished many good works in the community; and as time went on, many of its members joined the new church.

In 1858, about the same time as the First Presbyterian Church was developing, a tidal wave of Pentecostal blessings was spreading through Philadelphia and the vicinities. Noontime and evening meetings were held in many towns and villages for prayer and guidance from God. In the fall of 1858, Mrs. Ann Walker of East Lancaster Avenue, having heard of these meetings, invited her friends and neighbors to come and ask God to pour out his spirit on their community. Such meetings were attended by Old School Presbyterians.

At a meeting of the Presbytery of Newcastle, October 2,1860, Silas D. Yerkes of Downingtown, and Rev. J.N.C. Grier of the Forks of the Brandywine Presbyterian Church, made statements concerning religious interests in Downingtown. On April 10,1861, a petition signed by 30 residents of the town and vicinity was presented at Presbytery to appoint a committee to organize a church there. On July 24,1861, it was organized with 15 charter members and 4 elders. The first service was held at Mullin's Hall on East Lancaster Avenue.

Rev. Matthew Newkirk, newly graduated from Princeton Seminary, became our first minister. He was installed by the Newcastle Presbytery on April 24,1862. In session and Trustee minutes following the installation, the name Central Presbyterian Church was used. Our location in Downingtown was central to other Presbyterian Churches, and is central to Philadelphia and Lancaster. The document recording the incorporation of Central Presbyterian Church was dated November 13,1862.

The construction of our first church building was not started until 1863 because of the Civil War. Workman and materials were in short supply. The cornerstone was laid September 1,1863, and the church was built and dedicated one year later. The contract price for building the Church was $5,200. The church was built in the center of Downingtown and can still be seen at 216 East Lancaster Avenue.

This church building served us well from 1864 to 1972. It was decided in 1971 that a larger building was needed to accommodate the congregation. More room for parking and a church all on one level was needed so everyone could attend services. The worship hall at the church on Lancaster Avenue was on the second level and some members couldn't climb the stairs. The construction was started in 1971. In 1972, on Pentecost Sunday, the congregation walked from the old church to the new church on Uwchlan Avenue. For three years the congregation attended services in Fellowship Hall. On October 5,1975, the sanctuary was completed and service were held there. The third construction was completed in 1985, which gave us the offices, more classrooms and storage areas.

Since July 24,1861, 139 years ago, Central Presbyterian Church has been serving the community, and with God's help we will face the challenges of the future.

[ The information came from the booklet "The First Hundred Years, 1862-1962", written by Elder Jane Stauffer, at the time of our Church's Centennial Celebration.]