Presbyterian Church of Manchester- Presbyterian Church of Manchester
Presbyterian Church of Manchester Presbyterian Church of ManchesterThe history of the Presbyterian Church of Manchester is a testimony to the Lord's faithfulness in planting, preserving, and growing His church. No Church is an island. No Church springs forth, fully grown, from the earth. But every Church has its planting, its tending, and its growth. Yes, it ever owes God for its blessings, but the Lord ever works through means, through the faith and faithfulness of His servants.
Our story begins in 1962, not in Connecticut, but in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, on the outskirts of Philadelphia. Established, there, was Calvary Presbyterian Church—then part of the Reformed Presbyterian Church Evangelical Synod (RPCES). Calvary, under the ministry of Dr. Richard Gray, and the help of their Presbytery, sought to establish a new work in New England.
A church building was found in Manchester, on Spruce Street, near Main Street, which was purchased from the Swedish Covenant Church (now Trinity Covenant). And Rev. James Ransom was called from his pastorate in Lansdale, Pennsylvania—where he had also organized a congregation—to serve as the organizing pastor of this new work.
Rev. Ransom (1962-65) arrived to a building and parsonage but no congregation. Through faithful prayer and labor, the church grew to 85 members within three years. It has been fondly remembered how Rev. Ransom would daily climb Bolton Notch to pray over the city of Manchester and the new church. Services began on June 10, 1962, and the church was officially organized in the fall of '64.
His labors done, Rev. Ransom preached his final sermon before PCM on June 23, 1965, and accepted a call to Indianapolis, leaving behind a young but thriving congregation.
Rev. George Smith (1965-74) became the first long-term pastor, being called from his ministry as the Assistant Pastor to Calvary Presbyterian Church in Willow Grove. During his ministry, a balcony was added to the sanctuary (1969), and a sister church was planted in Coventry (1973).
The late 1960s and early 1970s saw significant collaboration among leaders including Dr. Richard Gray, Rev. Arthur Kay, and Rev. Bob Edmiston. Coventry House, a summer retreat center, was established during this period, along with internship opportunities for seminary students. These years were marked by growth, cooperation, and church planting. In this season in the life of PCM it had been the Church's purpose to be a planting Church, establishing the work in New England.
From Rev. Smith's departure in 1975, to the arrival of Rev. Richard (Mack) Gray in 1977, the Church was taught to wait upon God's goodness and faithfulness as it experienced turmoil and conflict within its body. And the LORD proved Himself faithful in the kind work of Stanley Armes, an intern at Coventry House. Through Stanley Armes and Reverend John Vance of the Rock Tavern, New York Church, God faithfully shepherded the church.
Rev. Richard (Mack) Gray (1977-96), the son of Dr. Gray, served nearly 19 years. His early years focused on rebuilding after the Coventry church plant and a period without a settled pastor. A gifted teacher, he emphasized Christian education and frequently preached from the Old Testament, weaving together theology and history. Among the older members of our body, there are fond memories of his labors. Today, retired, he attends his son's church in West Hartford (Christ Community Presbyterian Church).
During this era, the RPCES was received into the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), and the Southern New England Presbytery was formed, consisting of Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island.
Rev. Mark Scholten (1997-2007) received the call to come to Manchester from a Christian Reformed Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He oversaw, both, the planting of our sister church, Christ Community Presbyterian Church, as well as the purchase of new property on Lydall Street in 2004, moving from a building that held 120 to one which could accommodate over 250. These were years of expansion and renewed outward focus.
Rev. C. R. Wiley (2008-21) was called from serving as Church Administrator in the Coventry Church. During his tenure, the congregation grew, the sanctuary was renovated, and PCM hosted conferences exploring themes of the arts, philosophy, and the Christian Household.
In 2013, Rev. Mike Robison was called as Assistant Pastor of Education, later serving as Associate Pastor for the congregation.
In March 2022, after serving a year as interim pastor, Rev. Mike Robison was called to serve as Senior Pastor. A graduate of Westminster Theological Seminary (Philadelphia), he seeks to emphasize the faithful preaching of Christ from both the Old and New Testament and the careful shepherding in the aim of bringing glory to God.
In this season, even as the church is filled with children and babies, we are beginning to see the younger men and women stepping forward to take their place in the ministry and worship of the Church. The young mothers gather in fellowship and encouragement. Two new elders have been ordained. There are new Sunday School teachers. The ministry of the Church is flourishing.
For over sixty years, the Lord has sustained this congregation. We have seen churches planted, children baptized—and their children after them. We have worshiped through seasons of growth and transition. God has led us safely through times of hardship as well as times of bounty.
Through seven pastors and many faithful elders, deacons, and members, Christ has proven Himself faithful to His promise:
I will build My church.
Matt. 16:18
We give thanks to God for His steadfast love. Jesus Christ has been, now is, and shall be, Lord of His Bride, His Church.