At OGRC, you will find a church that:
- Believes that the Bible is the divinely inspired, true Word of God.
- Believes that we are saved by Grace alone, through Faith alone in Christ alone.
- Believes in the Gospel’s power to change lives, growing us in holiness for the Glory of God.
- Prioritizes the faithful teaching and preaching of the Word.
- Predates our nation, established in 1730.
- Values our history, yet longs to see the church flourish for generations to come.
- Is hospitable, friendly and family oriented.
- Will walk alongside you as you seek to grow in your relationship with the Lord.
Some of the programs for you and/or your family at OGRC:
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- Sunday Worship @ 10:00 am.
- Adult Sunday school, Sundays @ 9:05 am.
- Children’s Sunday school, Sundays @ 9:05 am.
- Prayer meeting Sundays @ 8:30 am.
- Ladies Bible Study, Wednesdays
- Youth Bible Study, Mondays
- First Thursday Men’s Fellowship, @ 7:00pm on the 1st Thursday of each month.
- Youth Group & Adult Study, 1st & 3rd Sundays @ 6:00pm.
- Vacation Bible School, one week in June, PreK-6th
- Firm Foundation Homeschool Co-op
As pioneers moved out of Philadelphia in the early 1700’s, they established a settlement at a place they called Old Goshenhoppen. The origin of this name probably has its roots in the Indian chief called Shakahoppa who controlled much of the land along the Perkiomen Creek. The early settlers adapted Shakahoppa’s name, Christianizing it to Goshen—referencing the biblical land where Israelites lived in Egypt—and incorporating “hoppen,” meaning haven. Consequently, Shakahoppa’s region became known as the Goshenhoppen region. Due to its proximity to Philadelphia and earlier settlement, the area was called Old Goshenhoppen (because it was closer to the ‘old city’, while the region around East Greenville, settled later, was termed New Goshenhoppen (farther from the ‘old city’).
The settlers in our area came out of the established churches of Germany, the Lutheran and Reformed (Calvinist) churches. The community established a unique Union church where two different congregations – Lutheran and Reformed – shared a single building for their separate services. The Reformed congregation first held worship services in the area on October 12, 1727. The Reformed congregation reached a significant milestone on November 12, 1730, when it received official recognition from its governing body, the Classis of Amsterdam in the Dutch Republic as a New World church plant. Two years later in 1932, the Reformed and Lutheran congregations jointly purchased 38 acres of land from William Penn’s sons. By year’s end, they had constructed a log building that served dual purposes as both church and schoolhouse. This historic structure, which still stands behind the present church building, has been carefully restored as a monument to honor the faith and dedication of our spiritual forebears.
In 1989, the Lutheran congregation separated and built a new church, five miles away in the Harleysville/Lederach area. However the Reformed congregation remains on the original church grounds. Our members come from not only Upper Salford Township but also from many surrounding communities. As we confess in the Apostle’s Creed, we are part of “the one, holy, catholic (i.e. universal) church. People from many different denominational and ethnic traditions have found a spiritual home at Old Goshenhoppen. Our life as a church family is centered in our faith in ‘the head of our household’, the Lord Jesus Christ.
In the ~290+ years since it was first established, Old Goshenhoppen Reformed Church has seen many changes, but for this church “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Heb.13:8) Set on its little side road, many people find it to be an island of peace in our fast-paced world. The basic teachings of the Christian faith, which have sustained believers for 2000 years, remain the foundation of our faith. The content of our faith is summed up in the first question of the Heidelberg Catechism, a Reformation Confession of Faith that was dear to the founders of our church, and is still dear to us.
Q. What is your only comfort in life and in death?
A. That I am not my own,1 but belong—body and soul, in life and in death2—to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ.3
He has fully paid for all my sins with his precious blood,4 and has set me free from the tyranny of the devil.5 He also watches over me in such a way6 that not a hair can fall from my head without the will of my Father in heaven;7 in fact, all things must work together for my salvation.8
Because I belong to him, Christ, by his Holy Spirit, assures me of eternal life9 and makes me wholeheartedly willing and ready from now on to live for him.10
1 1 Cor. 6:19-20
2 Rom. 14:7-9
3 1 Cor. 3:23; Titus 2:14
4 1 Pet. 1:18-19; 1 John 1:7-9; 2:2
5 John 8:34-36; Heb. 2:14-15; 1 John 3:1-11
6 John 6:39-40; 10:27-30; 2 Thess. 3:3; 1 Pet. 1:5
7 Matt. 10:29-31; Luke 21:16-18
8 Rom. 8:28
9 Rom. 8:15-16; 2 Cor. 1:21-22; 5:5; Eph. 1:13-14
10 Rom. 8:1-17
Although written back in 1563, its truth is timeless. We at Old Goshenhoppen Reformed Church invite you to join with us and find “your only comfort” in the same Lord Jesus Christ.
Join us for service on Sunday mornings, at 10:00 a.m.