Derry Presbyterian Church

Derry Presbyterian Church The first Presbyterians gathered for worship under the oaks in 1724, and now we're meeting online! Live stream worship 10:30 am Sundays on Facebook and YouTube.

Derry is a community of faith marked by joyful variety in its worship – by stimulating, creative Christian education for all ages – by opportunities for youth to be part of fellowship groups that minister to one another and to others – by hands-on mission outreach locally, nationally, and internationally – and by caring, nurturing support for one another as sisters and brothers in faith.

09/06/2026

Sermon on Sunday, September 6, 2026 by Rev. Dr. Stephen McKinney-Whitaker, pastor of Derry Presbyterian Church, Hershey, PA.

Scripture: John 6:25-35

What a joy to welcome back Rev. Charles (Buz) Myers, Ph.D., Emeritus Professor of Religious Studies at Gettysburg Colleg...
09/06/2026

What a joy to welcome back Rev. Charles (Buz) Myers, Ph.D., Emeritus Professor of Religious Studies at Gettysburg College for a four week series, The Bible and Modern Moral Issues.

Join him on September 13 at 9:15 am in Room 7B and streaming for a discussion on The Bible and Homosexuality.

09/06/2026

Join us for streaming worship live from our sanctuary in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

To sign the guestbook that lets us know you're worshiping with us, click this link: https://forms.gle/yQahGGZXt1CvCqPA9

09/06/2026

Throughout history Christians have used the Bible in two distinct ways: as a source and as a resource. When faced with important moral issues, Christians have turned to the Bible as a resource for addressing moral issues, such as the morality of war. On the other hand, it has been a source of motivation to feed the hungry, heal the sick, house the homeless, and educate the uneducated. But the Bible is also dangerous literature, which has been used and abused. It has been used as the justification to free and to enslave, to welcome and to exclude, to give life and to take it. And when the Bible is misused by some, history demonstrates, other people suffer. So biblical interpretation is not simply an irrelevant scholarly pursuit. Proper biblical interpretation, although difficult and time-consuming, is a necessity for 21st century Christians.

In this four-week series led by Rev. Charles (Buz) Myers, Ph.D., Emeritus Professor of Religious Studies at Gettysburg College, we will look at a variety of issues facing Christians today, with the intent of learning what the Bible says and does not say about:

Sept 6: Women and Ordained Ministry
Sept 13: The Bible and Homosexuality
Sept 20: Capital Punishment
Sept 27: Anti-Semitism

Grateful for these musicians musical talents in worship this morning!
09/06/2026

Grateful for these musicians musical talents in worship this morning!

On Monday these youth set up and served the workers dinner at Penn National Racetrack. They put into practice what it me...
09/05/2026

On Monday these youth set up and served the workers dinner at Penn National Racetrack. They put into practice what it means to share God’s love and practice God’s justice together.

Pastor Stephen begins a new sermon series, "I am," with a sermon titled "The Bread of Life." We celebrate communion and ...
09/04/2026

Pastor Stephen begins a new sermon series, "I am," with a sermon titled "The Bread of Life." We celebrate communion and meet Derry's new Pastor or Congregational Connection and Outreach, Destini Hodges-Sackey. Worship at 8 am in the Chapel or 10:30 am in the Sanctuary and live streaming.

Derry welcomes back Rev. Charles (Buz) Myers, Ph.D., Emeritus Professor of Religious Studies at Gettysburg College for a four week series, The Bible and Modern Moral Issues. Together we will look at a variety of issues facing Christians today, with the intent of learning what the Bible says and does not say about. This Sunday's topic is Women and Ordained Ministry. 9:15 am in Room 7 or streaming.

“Old Derry” Sanctuary was built in 1769, the third church building to be built by Derry Church. It replaced a smaller wo...
09/04/2026

“Old Derry” Sanctuary was built in 1769, the third church building to be built by Derry Church. It replaced a smaller wooden sanctuary on the same site. Derry Church congregation grew throughout the 18th century, particularly under the strong leadership of Reverend John Elder who served as Derry’s minister 1775-1791.

In the early 19th century Derry Church began a slow decline as Scot-Irish families who had founded the church migrated west and south. The years following the Civil War were ones of struggle. Membership continued to decline as more people migrated from the area, seeking better opportunities. As membership declined, the church struggled to have the resources to support a pastor. Reverend Andrew Dinsmore Mitchell, called in 1850 served until he resigned in 1874 to serve as an U.S. Army Chaplain.

Derry Church would not have the resources to call another pastor until 1909. Instead the church relied on pulpit supply pastors. The church building fell into disrepair and was demolished in 1883. During demolition, a few pieces of “Old Derry” were saved: the pulpit (now mounted on the wall of the Sanctuary’s east transept), the communion table, two chairs (both part of the Chapel’s chancel furniture), and our communion ware. These pieces remind us of those who have gone before us and who realized that to move forward, sometimes you have to let go of the past.

Photo: “Old Derry,” 1872

09/03/2026

Derry's own Amanda Bentley shows you how to make homemade Tru Fru - a great after school or late night snack.

Church staff celebrate the 104th birthday of Margie Bachman, Derry’s oldest and longest member — 86 years! Did you know ...
09/02/2026

Church staff celebrate the 104th birthday of Margie Bachman, Derry’s oldest and longest member — 86 years! Did you know Margie has lived along Derry Road her whole life?

Address

248 E Derry Road
Hershey, PA
17033

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4pm
Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 4pm
Sunday 8am - 12pm

Telephone

(717) 533-9667

Website

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