Old First Reformed Church

read moreWith Us Teach Pray Walk Give Have Fun Create Dig Share Be Suprised Love JOIN ON ZOOM JOIN BY PHONE Yes, you are invited! I am a Massachusetts girl with an Alabama heart living in Philadelphia. I have lived in Philly since 2005 and started attending Old First in 2010. I am passionate about higher education, the advancement of womanhood, philanthropy, working out, food and your 2017 Super Bowl Champions - the New. I am passionate about higher education, the advancement of womanhood, philanthropy, working out, food and your 2017 Super Bowl Champions - the New England Patriots.

read moreOld First is a beautiful space for a sacred moment in a couple's life. In line with the openness of our faith tradition, we invite you to design the ceremony that matches your journey as a couple. We have had weddings at Old First that are as traditional as our historic sanctuary and ones modeled after a Quaker meeting. Choose the music, rituals, and vows that you prefer. As an Open & Affirming Congregation, we marry all couples, without regard to their gender. The United Church of Christ's Book of Worship reminds us that: The essence of marriage is a covenanted commitment that has its foundation in the faithfulness of God's love.

read moreDon't worry, church is not as intimidating as it looks. We have all the answers you seek such as, "where can I park?" "what do I wear?" or "where should my children go?" Check out some answers to out most frequently asked questions and don't hesitate to contact us if you have more. Old First has an "open table, " welcoming all, including the youngest children, to participate in the gifts of bread and cup, and thereby God's grace freely shared. Old First celebrates Communion during our regular worship services about once per month, typically the first Sunday.

read moreThe Rev. George Michael Weiss and 400 of his congregants arrived by boat to Philadelphia from the Palatinate region of Germany. They worshiped in members' homes for two decades before building a hexagonal church at Old First's current location at 4th & Race (then Sassafras) Streets. Our second pastor, the Rev. Michael Schlatter, who had been sent to America to "organize the ministers and congregations into a Coetus (synod)," had gathered and founded the German Reformed Church in America, that founding taking place in Old First's Sanctuary on the corner of 4th and Races Streets.

read moreWe offer Sunday School for children ages 6-12 during the school year. And children may begin Sunday School at any time. Children attend our worship service through the Time for Children, and then depart with the teacher. Old First baptizes during our Sunday service; the congregation, representing the whole church of Jesus Christ, promises to "welcome, support and love" the newly baptized person. If you want to be baptized, please speak with the pastor. Old First is a beautiful space for a sacred moment in a couple's life.