The Presbyterian Church of the Upper West Conococheague is a Protestant Christian congregation founded in 1738 in Mercersburg, Pennsylvania
Mission: To share the love of Jesus Christ in an environment where He is changing lives. Scottish-Irish immigrants from Northern Ireland began to settle in the area about 1730 and by 1738 the Presbyterian Church of the Upper West Conococheague was organized ab
out two miles East of Mercersburg at a place now known as Church Hill. According to Webster, in his History of the Presbyterian Church in the United States, says “Deer Creek, now Churchville, had been supplied by Donegal Presbytery from 1738, but its existence as a church is said to be owing to the labors of George Whitefield.” John Craig was licensed by Donegal Presbytery, August 30, 1738, and was sent to Deer Creek and to West Conococheague (now Mercersburg, PA). Thompson supply there first on Sabbath come a fortnight.''
April 5, 1739. Thompson and Paul were appointed to supply at Deer Creek each of them a Sabbath before our next.''
September 5, 1739, viz.: "Mr. Craig appointed to supply Deer Creek the second, third, fourth Sabbaths of September; the fifth, Mr. Thompson, and from thence to Conococheague till our meeting over the river for ordination.''
The Churchville congregation continues to this day and is a member of the Presbytery of Baltimore. The early church was therefore served by itinerant preachers until 1754 when the Rev. John Steel became the pastor. These were troubles times; the Indians had become bolder with Braddock’s defeat so that the Rev. Steel felt compelled to have his r***e close by the pulpit during church services. Security was also afforded by a stockade surrounding the church.
1n 1769, the Rev. Dr. John King was called to this congregation which had now grown to 130 families. Due to the increase in population in the new town of Mercersburg, it was necessary to build this church in 1794 on ground given by the Hon. Dr. King served the congregation for 42 years and his grave among those found in Church Hill Cemetery. Dr. Thomas Creigh arrived in 1831 and was pastor for 49 years. It was Dr. Creigh who guided the congregation through the trying times of the Civil War. The manse was built on the corner of California Street and Park Avenue in 1881 to provide a house for its ministers. The church at Church Hill was abandoned and the building was removed in 1885. The remodeling and redecorating of the church in 1914-15 included the stone structure of the present belfry, the chestnut paneling in the sanctuary, and the beginning of the installation of the memorial windows using Belgian glass, which was reportedly from the last shipment made before World War I. Another addition to the chapel, which included the Sunday School room, was built in 1953 and the sanctuary was completely redecorated in 1958. It was during this time that a new pipe organ was installed. Through God’s grace and goodness the members of this congregation have provided a place for worship and ministered to the needs of this community for over 275 years. With great expectations we look forward to continuing Christ’s work in the years ahead.
