Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church

Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church
Map
Location625 Montgomery Avenue, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania 19010
CountryUnited States
Language(s)English
DenominationPresbyterian
Membership2,174 [1]
History
StatusOpen
Founded1873 (1873)
Associated peoplePresident Woodrow Wilson
Architecture
Functional statusActive
Administration
SynodSynod of the Trinity
PresbyteryPhiladelphia
Clergy
Senior pastor(s)The Rev. Dr. Agnes W. Norfleet
Pastor(s)The Rev. Rebecca Kirpatrick
The Rev. Rachel Pedersen
The Rev. Kriby Lawrence Hill (Interim)
Laity
Organist/Director of musicJeffrey L. Brillhart
Organist(s)Edward Landin-Senn
Session clerkWilliam McKee
Music group(s)Bryn Mawr Chamber Singers, Handbell Choir, Sanctuary Choir (adult), Singing for Life (senior choir), Youth and Children's Choirs,

Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church is a church in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania; founded in 1873, it is currently a 2,500 member church of the PC(USA). It is located on the Main Line, just west of Philadelphia. Being a large congregation, the church is active seven days a week.[2]

Worship in Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church is traditional: the architecture includes stained glass windows, and the music is provided by a pipe organ and choir, which is directed by Jeffrey Brillhart.[3]

Besides worship on Sunday mornings, the congregation takes part in a variety of opportunities for faith enrichment, education, fellowship, and outreach on behalf of others. The church's theology is inclusive and emphasizes diversity, receiving people regardless of race, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status. [4] [5] [6] [7] [8]

Notable members

Dr. Wiliam James Wanless circa 1888, likely at the New York University School of Medicine
Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church Manse pre-1923
Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church pre-1923
Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church Chapel pre-1923













Publications

Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church

  • The Story of Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church by Rex Stowers Clements in celebration of the 75th anniversary of the church. Published in 1948. [9]
  • Bon Appetit Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Community Cookbook. Published in 1966 [10]
  • Spirit of a Century - 100 Years of the Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church by Hugh Best in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the church. Published in 1973. [11]

Pastor authored:

Rev. Dr. David B. Watermulder
  • Proclamation: Aids for Interpreting the Lessons of the Church Year by David B. Watermulder and Gerhard A. Krodel. Published in 1973. [12]
  • Pastoral Prayers for the People of God: An Anthology of Classic Pulpit Prayers by the Reverend Dr. David B. Watermulder edited by Paul Watermulder and Martha Watermulder. Published in 2017. [13]

Burials

Current

Currently, there is no traditional burial grounds maintained by the church. However, Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church in the late 1970s explored and in 1980 opened an outdoor columbarium contained within the Church property for disposition of cremated remains.[14]

Pastors

Pastors of Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church
Image Pastor (Called) Years Other Pastors

(Supply, Interim, Associate, Student, etc.)

The Rev. Dr. Andrew Mutch [15]

Spouse: Petrice Dow Young [16]

1912-1936
The Rev. Dr. David Brainard Watermulder [17]

Spouse: Ruth Gullyes [18]

1962-1986
  • The Rev. Dr. George Bryant Wirth (1972-1977)
  • The Rev. Barbara A. Chaapel (Valentine) (1977-1981)
1987-2006
  • The Rev. Adan A. Mairena (2003-2005)
The Rev. Dr. Wesley Avram [19]

Spouse: Lynne Avram [20]

2006-2009
  • The Rev. Robert McClellen (2007-2010)
The Rev. James Leighton Carter (Interim) [21] 2010-2012
  • The Rev. Robert McClellen (2007-2010)
  • The Rev. Kellen A. Smith
  • The Rev. Jacqui Van Vilet
  • The Rev. Susan Rice
  • The Rev. Elizabeth Lovell
  • The Rev. R. Charles Grant (-2014)
  • The Rev. Sherri Hausser (-2013)
  • The Rev. Louisa Watkins-Umphress
  • The Rev. Joanne Fong
The Rev. R. Charles Grant (Interim) [22] 2012-2013
  • The Rev. Kellen A. Smith
  • The Rev. Jacqui Van Vilet (-2014)
  • The Rev. Susan Rice
  • The Rev. Elizabeth Lovell
  • The Rev. Sherri Hausser (-2013)
  • The Rev. Louisa Watkins-Umphress
  • The Rev. Joanne Fong
The Rev. Dr. Agnes W. Norfleet [23]

Spouse: Larry Arney [24]

2013-
  • The Rev. R. Charles Grant (-2014)
  • The Rev. Dr. Nicole Duran (2013-2014)
  • The Rev. Richard Wohlschlaeger
  • The Rev. Mary Steege
  • The Rev. David B. Smith
  • The Rev. Andrew H. Mann, Jr.
  • The Rev. Rachel Pedersen (2014-
  • The Rev. Rebecca Kirkpatrick (2015-
  • The Rev. Franklyn C. Pottorff (2017-2024)
  • The Rev. Leigh DeVires (2019-2024)
  • The Rev. Brian Ballard (2019-2023)
  • The Rev. Kirby Lawrence Hill (2023-
  • The Rev. Andrew Greenhow (2024-

References

  1. ^ https://issuu.com/brynmawrpresbyterianchurch/docs/2023_annual_report
  2. ^ "About Us." Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania: Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church, retrieved online February 23, 2019.
  3. ^ Schaefer, Mari A. "Singing in a choir may be one key to health, happiness for older adults." Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: The Inquirer, December 20, 2018.
  4. ^ https://www.bmpc.org/welcome/new-here
  5. ^ https://bmpc.org/ministries/mission
  6. ^ https://www.bmpc.org/ministries/mission/mission-at-bmpc
  7. ^ https://bmpc.org/ministries/adult-education-fellowship/education-bible-study
  8. ^ https://bmpc.org/ministries/adult-education-fellowship
  9. ^ https://www.ebay.com/itm/385416046028
  10. ^ https://www.etsy.com/listing/1392261687/bryn-mawr-pennsylvania-vintage-1966
  11. ^ https://www.amazon.com/Spirit-Century-Presbyterian-Church-Pennsylvania/dp/B003DID09Y
  12. ^ https://www.isbns.net/isbn/9780800640514/
  13. ^ https://www.amazon.com/Pastoral-Prayers-People-God-Watermulder/dp/1524580058
  14. ^ https://www.reformedworship.org/article/june-1992/better-cemetery-presbyterian-church-offers-alternative
  15. ^ https://www.chadwickmckinney.com/obituaries/JMargaretAda-Mutch-575/#!/TributeWall
  16. ^ https://www.chadwickmckinney.com/obituaries/JMargaretAda-Mutch-575/#!/TributeWall
  17. ^ https://www.inquirer.com/philly/news/20150417_David_B__Watermulder__94__pastor.html
  18. ^ https://www.chadwickmckinney.com/obituaries/Reverend-Dr-David-Watermulder/#!/Obituary
  19. ^ https://www.pinnaclepres.org/staff/dr-wesley-avram#:~:text=He%20has%20a%20bachelor%20degree,and%20the%20University%20of%20Chicago.
  20. ^ https://www.pinnaclepres.org/staff/dr-wesley-avram#:~:text=He%20has%20a%20bachelor%20degree,and%20the%20University%20of%20Chicago.
  21. ^ https://issuu.com/brynmawrpresbyterianchurch/docs/2010annualreport
  22. ^ https://issuu.com/brynmawrpresbyterianchurch/docs/2010annualreport
  23. ^ https://bmpc.org/welcome/clergy-staff
  24. ^ https://bmpc.org/pastoral-staff/40-agnes-w-norfleet

40°01′19″N 75°18′41″W / 40.0220°N 75.3113°W / 40.0220; -75.3113