HISTORY
Lower Merion Baptist Church in 1879
Lower Merion Baptist Church was founded in 1808, the first church in the Bryn Mawr area, by nineteen members who had been worshipping in a meeting house at "Harriton," the estate of Charles Thomson, Secretary of the Continental Congress. In 1809, Charles Thomson donated a nearby tract of land for the erection of a Baptist Meeting House and became a regular worshipper at the church services. Lower Merion Baptist Church in 1879
The Rev. Dr. Horatio Gates Jones became the first pastor and served the Church for forty-six years. Eighteen soldiers of the Continental Army, sixteen descendants of William Penn, thirteen veterans of the War of 1812, and thirty-six veterans of the Civil War are buried in the adjoining churchyard cemetery. Veterans of later wars are also buried here.
A pioneer work in the Church School movement began in 1824. Subsequently, its mission program resulted in the establishment of churches in Newtown Square, Ardmore, West Conshocken and what is now known as the Saints Memorial Church in Bryn Mawr. Since that time many changes have taken place, but the main purpose and ministry of our church have remained the same.
For a more detailed recounting of our history, read the excerpts from the booklet prepared by Gavin Morton Walker, D.D., pastor of the church from 1929 to 1936, entitled Lower Merion Baptist Church, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania.
The Rev. Dr. Horatio Gates Jones became the first pastor and served the Church for forty-six years. Eighteen soldiers of the Continental Army, sixteen descendants of William Penn, thirteen veterans of the War of 1812, and thirty-six veterans of the Civil War are buried in the adjoining churchyard cemetery. Veterans of later wars are also buried here.
A pioneer work in the Church School movement began in 1824. Subsequently, its mission program resulted in the establishment of churches in Newtown Square, Ardmore, West Conshocken and what is now known as the Saints Memorial Church in Bryn Mawr. Since that time many changes have taken place, but the main purpose and ministry of our church have remained the same.
For a more detailed recounting of our history, read the excerpts from the booklet prepared by Gavin Morton Walker, D.D., pastor of the church from 1929 to 1936, entitled Lower Merion Baptist Church, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania.
"That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and his Son Jesus Christ." I John 1:3
ADDITIONAL InFORMATioN
Please click on the links below for further information about our history.
Excerpts from Dr. Gavin Morton Walker's history of the church
Beginnings
Creed
Covenant
Charles Thomson
Horatio Gates Jones
Meeting House
Membership Registry, 1809-1909
The Years Tell of Changes
Woodrow Wilson
Rev. War Memorial
Gavin Morton Walker
Recent history
Jonathan A. Malone
Timothy Ray Dalton
Rev. Angel Pagàn, Jr.
Lower Merion Baptist Cemetery
Cemetery
Revolutionary War Veterans
War of 1812 Veterans
Civil War Veterans
Excerpts from Dr. Gavin Morton Walker's history of the church
Beginnings
Creed
Covenant
Charles Thomson
Horatio Gates Jones
Meeting House
Membership Registry, 1809-1909
The Years Tell of Changes
Woodrow Wilson
Rev. War Memorial
Gavin Morton Walker
Recent history
Jonathan A. Malone
Timothy Ray Dalton
Rev. Angel Pagàn, Jr.
Lower Merion Baptist Cemetery
Cemetery
Revolutionary War Veterans
War of 1812 Veterans
Civil War Veterans
911 New Gulph Road, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010 ~ 610-525-1855
© 2016 Lower Merion Baptist Church
© 2016 Lower Merion Baptist Church
