In 1927, 47 people petitioned the Presbytery to charter a new church in the new community of Drexel Hill.

Those "pioneers" were enthusiastic.
They exhibited a strong faith.
They were hope-full.
They were optimistic, to be sure.
But, perhaps even more importantly, they had a strong sense that a church should be here in the heart of their community.
And, they dedicated themselves to the cause.

Who among them could have foreseen the deep depression that struck the country within months?

Since September 11, I have thought often of the folks that were trying to build a church here – only to find the bottom fall out of the whole economy. For them, priorities changed rapidly. Certainly, monetary resources dried up. But, somehow, in some way, their faith, their hope, their dream did not. In fact, in many ways, the church thrived. Within ten years talk turned to expansion. A new building was deemed necessary – and while the economy was still depressed, plans were made to start construction.

These folks believed in the future. These folks believed they needed a church in their community.

And then, a world war broke out. Even in the midst of a war. Those people financed and built a facility dedicated to "the worship and service of Almighty God".

The past 75 years have seen wars and rumors of wars, faltering economies, uncertain times, and changing populations – and through it all, the community of Christ continued and witnessed and worked and worshiped.

There is no way those 47 folks in 1927 could have foreseen all that was to befall them and their neighbors. But, they had a vision.
They had a belief.
A church was needed.

And what about us?

75 years from now what will be said about us?

I know, there are some among us who say, "Who cares?"

75 years ago, there were people who cared.

60 years ago, there were people who cared.

35 years ago, there were people who cared.

Time was, folks here had a vision.

Time was, folks here had a belief.

Time was, folks here were convinced that a church was needed in their neighborhood.

But, what about now?

The opportunity is for us to capture a vision that we can believe in: a vision that projects out into the days and years ahead.

I ask you to join me in conjuring that vision,

a vision that we can believe in,

a vision that will inform our work and witness here for another 75 years.

See you in church,