Second Presbyterian Church
                of West Chester
                                     
                     History

The Second Presbyterian Church of West Chester started as a mission Sunday School at the First Presbyterian Church of West Chester in October of 1880. The families of Jesse Kelley, George Fry, and James Spence constituted the first pupils of the Sunday School.

The school held its sessions in a second story room on the south side of Gay Street near Church Street and later moved to a vacant room in the Armory Building on West Gay Street.

About April 1, 1887, the officers of the Sunday School rented the present building from Henry J. Clouser, who purchased the building from the disbanded Berean Baptist congregation.

On May 2, 1887, the Mission Sunday School was organized by the Presbytery of Chester as the Second Presbyterian Church of West Chester. Certificates of Dismissal from the First Presbyterian Church were granted to: Jesse Kelley, Mrs. Jane Kelley, Abram Jackson, Mrs. Abia Jackson, John Hawkins, J.B. Frank Currey, Mrs. Rebecca Moore, Mrs. Sallie A. Fry, Mrs. Minerva Spence, and Misses Anna Price, Theresa Kelley, Janie Ferguson, Priscilla Herbert, and Katie Jackson. These, with Mrs. Catherine Teagle, were accepted as communicant members of the church.

Jesse Kelley and Abram Jackson were elected, ordained, and installed as the first Elders of the church.

The Church was chartered August 24, 1899, and twenty-two names were listed as charter members. The Rev. Dr. Thomas H. Amos of New York was the first minister to conduct regular preaching services for the Presbyterian Mission before it was organized into a church. Others who have served as pastors are: Rev. Ennals J. Adams 1888 - 1888 Rev. Charles Jefferson 1888 - 1893 Rev. William Brown 1893 – 1897 Rev. Conie L. Butler 1899 – 1902 Rev. A.B. McCoy 1902 – 1903 Rev. Adolphus Henry 1917 - 1921 Rev. Arthur D. Williams 1922 – 1923 Rev. McLain C. Spann 1923 - 1949 Rev. Gayraud Wilmore 1950 - 1952 Rev. A. C. Williams 1953 Rev. Anderson E. Porter 1959 –1970 Rev. Floyd H. Flake 1971 - 1973 Rev. Dr. Edward E. Williams 1973 -1999 Rev. Brenda Moore 2000 – 2020 Rev. Karen L. Johnson 2020 - 2022 (interim pastor) Rev. Karen L. Johnson 2022 - Present – (Covenant Minister) The present church building was purchased during the pastorate of Rev. Jefferson from Mr. Clouser for $3,500 dollars. (June 16, 1892).

Several pastors have left lasting impressions on the church congregation and the community of West Chester. The first was Rev. McLain Spann. During his time as pastor, the church was renovated on two different occasions. There were some renovations completed on the manse (W. Barnard Street) as well as having the mortgage greatly reduced on this structure. He was also instrumental in increasing the membership by 67 parishioners. This was a great feat as West Chester was not the town to which a great number of blacks were migrating during this time.

Rev. Spann worked to have the church’s benevolence contributions increased by six fold during his years as pastor. He held the view “….As children must be taught to give to the church before they reach the period of self-support, so must the members of a mission church learn to give to the benevolences of the church before they become independent of outside help.”

 Rev. Gayraud Stephen Wilmore Jr. was known for his role in the Civil Rights Movement and his scholarship related to the history of the African-American church and the history of African-American religious experience, as well as his contributions to black theology. He was appointed pastor of the Second Presbyterian Church in West Chester, Pennsylvania and served for three years. During his time in West Chester he helped integrate the local school system, with one of his sons becoming the first black student to attend an all-white school.

Rev. Anderson E. Porter who worked very hard to increase the membership of the church. Between 1962 and 1965, the church attendance at Sunday services numbered approximately 110 people. Rev. Porter came to the church as a supply pastor in 1958, and following his being graduated from seminary in 1960. He assumed the pastorship of the congregation.

A major renovation of the basement area was undertaken by the pastor and the congregation. Edward G. Krutsky completed this task in 1962. In August of this year, the new facility was dedicated as part of the 75th Anniversary year of the church.

With the mushrooming of the civil rights movement in America and West Chester, the pastor and some of the members of the church became involved in the movement on a national level by attending the March on Washington (1963). Rev. Porter was the chairman of the Chester County contingent to this most memorable event. Further involvements were seen through members being a part of the NAACP of Greater West Chester. Also, exchange dialogues were begun with the other Presbyterian churches in the borough of West Chester.

In 1965, the sanctuary was refurbished with painting, carpeting, and new pews being installed. After ten years of service to the congregation, Rev. Porter resigned.

From September of 1971 to June 1973, the Rev. Floyd H. Flake served as the supply pastor to the congregation.

In November 1973, Rev. Dr. Edward E, Williams began to serve the congregation. Under his pastorate, the Women’s Association and Men’s group were formed to advance activities in the church and the community. In the tradition of Rev. Porter, Rev. Williams has been an integral part of the NAACP and helped support the legal action taken to remove the at large voting system and restore the Ward voting system in the borough of West Chester giving better representation to all of the borough residents. . Further, he has been a member of the West Chester Area School District Board of School Directors.

The church was refurbished during his tenure and the church basement used by the Head Start early school program to house one of its classes.

The Rev. Brenda Moore came to the Second Presbyterian Church in 2000 as pastor and remained with the church for twenty years. During this time the church, experienced minimal growth of new membership, and continued as a small congregation. The church remained financially solvent, due to the dedicated congregational support of the church and community. Ministries under Rev. Moore's pastorate included adult bible study and a sewing group who made blankets that were donated to Brandywine Hall Nursing Home on Christmas Day. The church choir (Alice’s Voices) sang at various venues and occasions including the monthly and Christmas ministry at Brandywine Hall. The church as part of its community outreach, donated  back packs, and school supplies to school students and turkey dinners during the Thanksgiving holiday to families in need and non-profit organizations assisting low-income families,

There was a health crisis in March of 2020 (CoVID-19 virus) that impacted the world. Public buildings and most businesses had to close their doors or shut-down. The church reopened for worship in June of 2020. Because the church congregation was small,  members and visitors could safely distance themselves in the pews. Our church worshiped safely by wearing masks and using technology to connect members at home through the zoom platform.  Rev. Moore resigned shortly after reopening.

Rev. Karen Johnson, a minister at St. Paul’s Baptist Church, agreed to serve our church by preaching on Sundays and serving communion. Rev. Johnson was called by the session and became Second Presbyterian Church’s 15th pastor in November 2022.