A West Norriton Congregation on West Main Street
Jeffersonville Presbyterian Church sits at 1921 West Main Street in Norristown, Pennsylvania, in the heart of West Norriton Township. Known locally as JPC, the congregation is a member church of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and has been gathering for worship in this part of Montgomery County for more than 180 years. The church describes itself as a small, friendly congregation living in the reality of God's grace, welcoming people from the varied ethnic backgrounds that now shape the neighborhood around it.
Members and neighbors alike know JPC for its relaxed traditional Sunday worship, its live YouTube stream, and the steady rhythm of church-life events that run through the calendar year: Ash Wednesday, the annual picnic, the Soup-r-Bowl tasting, the fall flea market and bake sale, the Christmas Eve candlelight service, and the Operation Christmas Child shoebox drive.
Two Fires and a Faith That Kept Rebuilding
JPC's history is shaped by the two fires that bookend the building it occupies today. The congregation was founded in 1843. A sanctuary known as Centennial Presbyterian Church was built in 1876 and stood for two decades before burning in 1897. The present Jeffersonville Presbyterian Church building went up in 1898, in the same era when West Norriton Township was incorporated in 1909.
Membership grew steadily through the early twentieth century and reached a peak of 702 members in 1965. Three years later, in 1968, a second fire destroyed the church building. The congregation rebuilt, and the present sanctuary was completed in 1970. The 150th anniversary of the founding was marked in 1993. Since May of 2010, the congregation has been pastored by Rev. David Larkin, whose ministry the congregation credits with bringing new life and a renewed sense of community engagement after years of strain.
Sunday Worship: Relaxed, Traditional, and Online
Worship is at the center of life at JPC. The Sunday service begins at 9:30 a.m. and is offered in two ways at the same time: in person in the sanctuary and live on the church's YouTube channel. The church describes its worship style as relaxed traditional, a tone that fits both longtime members and newcomers who want a service that feels rooted but not stiff.
Past recordings of the services are kept on the church's YouTube video page, so anyone who misses a Sunday can catch up. Music for worship is led by Beverly Sakity, who serves as the church's musician. Members and visitors are invited to share prayer requests through a form on the church's Prayer Requests page, and Pastor Dave often lifts up those requests during worship and in the weekly prayer time.
In the winter months, JPC keeps a close eye on the weather. When a Sunday service cannot be held safely in person, the church shifts to a Zoom prayer service at 9:30 a.m., with a meeting link circulated in advance and hymn lyrics shared so that those joining from home can sing along.
What JPC Believes
JPC sits firmly in the Reformed tradition. The congregation's statement of faith summarizes its beliefs as follows. There is one God, Creator of all things, existing in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ is the Son of God, incarnate, fully God and fully man, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He taught the principles of the Kingdom of God, suffered and died on the cross for the final and full forgiveness of sin, and was raised from the dead. He now sits at the right hand of God as the church's Advocate.
The Bible is the authoritative Word of God and the final authority for Christian faith and life. The true, invisible church is made up of all who have a saving faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Gifted by the Holy Spirit, the church continues the work of Jesus Christ in reconciling people to God, to one another, and to creation.
Because JPC teaches that God has completely forgiven believers in Jesus Christ, the congregation makes a point of welcoming and accepting all people. Members strive to avoid cliques, judgment, or litmus tests, and the church frames itself as a place where anyone can freely respond to God's call and serve Christ according to the spiritual gifts they have been given.
Leadership and the Shape of the Congregation
JPC is governed in the Presbyterian way, with a Session of elders and a board of deacons working alongside the pastor. The pastor is the Rev. David Larkin, with Ganesh Vinnakota serving as Assistant to the Pastor. Beverly Sakity directs the music for worship. Dr. Vance Kincade serves as Clerk of Session, and Elder Robert Kuehl serves as Treasurer.
The Session, JPC's governing body of elders, includes Kay Drevyanko, Gail Fusco, Perry Grisdale, Ed Gross, Gretchen Kincade, Vance Kincade, Sam Ramanjulu, Ganesh Vinnakota, and Jane Willig. The Board of Deacons, which carries out the congregation's ministry of care and service, includes Holly Clark, Catherine Cooney, Barbara Daddario, Pam Fulmer, Mary Ellen Grisdale, Bill Heyser, Shirley Lacrosse, Arun Moorthy, and Nissi Vinnakota.
A Year on the Calendar at JPC
Beyond Sunday morning, JPC keeps a steady rhythm of seasonal events that mark the church year and bring the wider community in.
The Season of Lent and Easter
The congregation observes Ash Wednesday with a service at 6:00 p.m., gathering to receive ashes on the forehead as a sign of humanity and mortality and to begin the Lenten journey toward Easter. Members order Easter lilies in the weeks leading up to Easter Sunday to adorn the sanctuary in memory or honor of loved ones.
Soup-r-Bowl Sunday
Each February, the Sunday before the Super Bowl, the fellowship hall fills with crockpots of homemade soup for Soup-r-Bowl Sunday. Volunteers contribute their favorite flavors, and members take home quarts to enjoy during the big game. The event is organized by member Bill Heyser and has become a tradition for the whole church family.
The Annual Picnic
Each fall, JPC hosts its Annual Congregational Picnic. In recent years the picnic has been held at Norristown Farm Park before being relocated indoors to the church's own fellowship hall, with appetizers, side dishes, and desserts contributed by the congregation. It is a chance for everyone in the church to gather outside of Sunday worship and enjoy a meal together.
Celebrate Grandparents
On a Sunday each fall, JPC sets aside a special day to honor the grandparents in the church family. Grandparents are invited to bring their grandchildren to worship, and the church points families towards So Much to Give Inclusive Cafe in Skippack for a breakfast buffet afterward.
The Annual Flea Market, Craft Fair, and Bake Sale
Every October, JPC opens its parking lot and fellowship spaces for the Annual Flea Market, Craft Fair, and Bake Sale, a long-running community fundraiser that has become a neighborhood tradition. Items for the flea market can be dropped off in the youth classroom on Sunday mornings in the weeks before, and the church welcomes donations of baked goods from some of the community's best bakers. Vendors can reserve a space for $25.
Veterans Day
The Board of Deacons honors Veterans Day on November 11 each year, recognizing the members of the congregation who have served in the armed forces.
Operation Christmas Child
Each Advent season, JPC takes part in Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child shoebox ministry, seeking to reach a set goal of children with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Supporters can build a shoobox digitally for a donation of $25, with Samaritan's Purse packing and shipping the box.
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
The year closes with the annual Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at 7:00 p.m. on December 24. The sanctuary fills with candlelight, traditional carols, and a Christmas message, and the whole community is invited to attend.
The Annual Congregational Meeting
Each March, the Session calls the Annual Congregational Meeting to order in the fellowship hall after Sunday worship. The agenda includes reviewing the past year, approving the upcoming budget, electing elders and deacons, hearing reports from the church's committees about their activities and accomplishments, and discussing important ministry directions. The meeting is one of the key moments when the congregation as a whole shapes the year ahead.
Giving and Prayer
Members and friends support JPC's ministry in two main ways. On Sunday mornings, offerings can be placed in the box in the Narthex, with pew envelopes available for those who wish to designate a gift to a specific mission such as the Building Committee or the Deacons. Members can also set up automatic bill-pay through their own checking account to give regularly. Giving is also available online.
Anyone in need of prayer is invited to submit a request through the church's Prayer Requests form. Pastor Dave reads James 5 as a call to pray for one another, anoint the sick with oil in the name of the Lord, and trust that the prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.
Staying Connected
JPC stays in touch with members and friends through several channels. The Sunday worship livestream and a library of past services are available on the church's YouTube channel. Updates, event flyers, and Pastor's Corner letters appear on the church's Facebook page. JPC publishes its full calendar of services and special events online.