History

The Presbyterian Church of the Upper West Conococheague

1794-Present

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 about two miles East of Mercersburg at a place now known as Church Hill.  The early log church structure at Church Hill was supported by the Rev. John Steel.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 the current church structure on West seminary Street in 1794 on land given by the Hon. Robert Smith.

It was during Dr. Creigh’s pastorate that the first major renovation was completed.  In 1844, the interior of the church was reoriented.  The pulpit was moved to the south end and a Greek revival style portico was constructed in the north for the current entrance.  Remains of the original construction are still visible on the south exterior of the church.  One colonial window with shutters remains in the storage area above the ceiling of the Chapel and one exterior window remains in the wall in the west vestibule of the Chapel. In 1886, another major renovation was completed.  The double-hung colonial windows were replaced and the original u-shaped balcony was removed. The current Romanesque style windows replaced the colonial double-hung windows.

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.  Pipes from the original 1903 pipe organ were incorporated into the current balcony organ chamber.