A Bible-Centered Congregation in Avondale
Avondale Presbyterian Church (APC) meets in a single sanctuary on Pennsylvania Avenue in the borough of Avondale, in southern Chester County, Pennsylvania. The congregation has built its identity around three things: Bible-centered preaching at a single Sunday morning service, a well-staffed nursery for the youngest members, and a steady flow of practical outreach that reaches into the surrounding towns of West Grove, Kennett Square, and Oxford. Visitors stepping through on a Sunday will find a 10:00 a.m. service in English, a piano-led music ministry, and a congregation that has been quietly serving its neighbors for generations.
Sunday Morning on Pennsylvania Avenue
Worship gathers at 10:00 a.m. each Sunday. The church's own description, "Bible-Based," appears at the top of its materials, and the long-running sermon archive on Facebook and YouTube shows a steady diet of book-by-book Bible teaching. Pastor Rebecca Brown currently preaches from the pulpit. Earlier years of the archive were shaped by Pastor Dave Bergstrom, who led a fourteen-part verse-by-verse walk through the Pauline epistles - Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus, and Philemon - titled "Instruction Manual for Christianity." The pulpit's continuity has given APC a reputation for sustained exposition rather than topical series.
Christmas Eve and Easter services round out the liturgical year. Past Christmas Eve services have carried the theme "Cradle - Cross - Crown!" and Easter gatherings have been titled "Experiencing the Risen Christ!" Both services are recorded and posted alongside the regular sermons.
Music in Worship
Jeanette Bergstrom serves as Music Director and shapes the musical life of the service. The church shares a short audio recording under its Music Ministry section where Jeanette plays the music that frames Sunday worship. Her presence ties the service to a long Presbyterian tradition of choral and instrumental music supporting congregational singing.
The Nursery on Sunday Mornings
The nursery is one of APC's most visible commitments to families. Care is available every Sunday morning for children from six weeks through five years old. The room is stocked with age-appropriate toys, books, art materials, and sensory items, and the morning follows a rhythm of open play, snack time, story time, and art time.
Katie Rupard, B.S.Ed, leads the program as Nursery Director. Katie grew up at APC and has returned to give the same kind of blessed childhood to the youngest members of the congregation. She and her assistants hold the three Pennsylvania clearances required for anyone working with children under eighteen: the Department of Human Services Child Abuse History Clearance, the Pennsylvania State Police Request for Criminal Records Check, and the Federal Criminal History Record Information (CHRI).
Ruth Circle and the Women's Association
Ruth Circle
The Ruth Circle gathers on Tuesday afternoons at 1:30 p.m. in the Quarry at APC. The group meets to plan its projects, set its Bible study for the year, and reconnect after the summer. All women of the church are invited, with optional masks and social distancing, and light refreshments.
The Women's Association Rummage Sale
The Women's Association runs the twice-yearly Rummage Sale, held in the spring and fall. Donated items are sold to local residents from Avondale, Kennett Square, West Grove, and Oxford at very low prices. The sale has become a significant outreach into the surrounding communities and serves as the Association's first mission. After the sale ends, a second mission begins: donating everything left over to one or more of about two dozen charities, ranging from local food and family ministries (the S.P.C.A., Goodwill, Twin Pine, the Bridge, His Mission, Oak Ministry, Purple Heart, Patty's Pantry, Shoes 2 Share, Family Promise, Wayside House, Suiting Warriors, the Avon Grove Lions, Santa Maria Mission, Truth and Life Center, Habitat for Humanity, Neighborhood Services, and Thomas Charities) to regional and international causes (Moss Rehab in Philadelphia, the Paris Foundation in Elkton, Maryland, the Coatesville Veteran's Hospital, Tick Tock Early Learning Center, Glady's Reading and Nicaragua, New Garments through West Grove Presbyterian, and Gilpin Manor Elementary School in Elkton).
The Deacons' Mission Partners
The Deacons have maintained financial support for a roster of ministries for several years. Their partners include CCGM/Malichi Dads, Chester County Migrant Ministry, Cornerstone Pregnancy Care Services, Good Neighbors, Spanish Health Ministry, the Bridge, and the Garage. During the pandemic, APC members donated 650 pounds of rice along with black beans, pasta, and NutriGrain bars to the Bridge Ministry Food Bank in West Grove and funded hand sanitizer and other COVID-protection supplies for its clients.
Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes is another congregation-wide mission, with APC members packing shoebox gifts each year.
Gift Cards That Pay the Mortgage
One of APC's most distinctive stewardship programs is its Gift Card/Script Fundraiser, which has been running since 2002 and has raised well over $76,000 toward paying down the church's mortgage. The church partners with Giant, Acme, and Perkins. Gift cards are purchased at a discount (5% from Giant and Acme, 10% from Perkins) and resold at face value, so the buyer gets the full amount to spend while the church earns the difference. Acme gift cards work at the pharmacy counter, floral department, greeting cards, and food; Giant cards work at the floral department, food, and greeting cards, and can also buy gas at the Kennett store; Perkins script applies to eat-in meals, bakery counter purchases, and takeout orders. Four times a year APC schedules a Perkins Fun Night, where mentioning APC earns an additional 10% donation from Perkins on top of the script discount, raising the church's share to 20% of the meal. Joan Rosazza runs the program.
Leadership and Stewardship
The Session (the church's governing body) is led by Clerk of Session Carolyn DiCecco, with Kathy Barto, Charlie Beatty, Monty Davis, Betsy Eastburn, and Jan Ramberger serving as fellow elders. Cary Lambert serves as Treasurer. The Board of Trustees includes Dana Lysle, Ross Lloyd, John Stoltz, Ryan Ramberger, Tim Swisher, Bob Lee, and Brian Milley. The Diaconate is made up of Hilaire Lysle, Joyce Swisher, Gale Kegel, Sharen Davis, Carol Zaremba, KateLyn Ramberger, and Kathy Lloyd. Cheryl Kline serves as Administrative Assistant, holding the office and publishing the weekly APC Memo that keeps the congregation informed.
At 420 Pennsylvania Avenue
Worship is held each Sunday at 10:00 a.m. at 420 Pennsylvania Avenue, Avondale, with nursery care provided for children six weeks through five years old. Offerings can be made in person, mailed to P.O. Box 446, Avondale, PA 19311, or given online through the Presbyterian Foundation. Recorded sermons are kept on the church's Facebook and YouTube channel for anyone who wants to follow along with the current series or revisit past ones. The office can be reached at 610-268-2919 or at avondale.pcoffice@verizon.net.