Church History
For 275 years, members of the First Presbyterian Church have worshiped God here in the Cumberland Valley. Our heritage goes back to 1734, when a large settlement of sturdy, God-fearing Scots-Irish from Lancaster County established a Presbyterian Church at Meeting House Springs, located on the Conodoguinet Creek about two miles west of the Carlisle Public Square. (Read additional history articles listed under “Church History.”)
Two new books are now available!
– If These Stones Could Talk, by Richard Sommers, Charles Thompson, and Richard Tritt. This hardback book can be purchased from the church (see below), as well as from the Cumberland County Historical Society, History-on-High, and the Whistlestop Bookshop. Purchase price (from the church) is $22 (make checks to “First Presbyterian Church”), with all proceeds going to the anniversary celebration.
– Here Lyes the Body, The Story of Meeting House Springs, by Richard Tritt, is available at the cost of $22. All proceeds go to support the “MHS Cemetery Perpetual Care Fund” (make checks to this fund). Other locations where the book is available are Cumberland County Historical Society; History-on-High; and Whistlestop Bookshop.
If you wish to purchase either of these books from the church, and live out of the immediate area, add $4 to the purchase price and we will mail it to you. Contact us at fpcarl@pa.net; or call (717)243-4612.
Specific topics in our church’s history are covered in sub-pages of the “CHURCH HISTORY” heading.