290th Anniversary–Old First History Timeline

1727 – September 21 Rev. Michael Weiss and 109 men and their families from the Palatinate region of Germany land in Philadelphia.  (1^st group to sign oath of allegiance to Crown)   Share worship space with Lutherans in a falling-down butcher shop near 5^th & Arch.

1741 – Franklin Square land for burial ground deeded to church by Proprietors Thomas, Richard and John Penn

1745 – Parochial school built facing Cherry St.

1747 – Hexagonal church built on 4^th below Race; coetus forms the German Reformed Church

1762 – Rev. Rothenbuehler resigns and splinter group builds St. George’s

1765 – Charter of Incorporation granted by Proprietors Thomas and Richard Penn

1772 – Large church replaces hexagonal building

1777 – British use church as hospital during occupation of city; Rev. Weyberg preaches to the Hessians and is briefly imprisoned

1793 – Yellow fever epidemic; Rev. Winkhaus dies

1796 – New school building behind church replaces first building

1798 – Chain law enacted

1798 – Yellow fever epidemic; Rev. Hendel dies

1806 – Sunday school established in schoolhouse

1806 – Language schism: English speakers leave to establish Crown St. Dutch Reformed Church

1828 – Charles Grandison Finney & Second Great Awakening

1830 – Language schism: German speakers leave

1831 – Chain law repealed

1836 – PA Supreme Court decision returns Franklin Square burial ground to city

1837 – Modern building replaces 1772 church; dedicated Easter Sunday, March 4

1844 – Rev. Joseph F. Berg, virulent anti-Catholic, fuels the Philadelphia Nativist Riots

1845 – Mercersburg Controversy

1882 – Sale of 4^th & Race St. property to John Lucas

1884 – 10^th & Wallace dedicated

1917 – Congregation decides to build a new building at 50^th & Locust

1923 – The Gleaner – 1^st church publication

1925 – 50^th & Locust church dedicated

1926 – General Synod of the Reformed Church in America held at 50^th & Locust

1934 – OFC becomes a congregation of the Evangelical and Reformed Church

1957 – OFC becomes a congregation of the United Church of Christ

1966 – Congregation accepts offer from the Redevelopment Authority to buy back 4^th & Race

1967 – October 1, first service back at 4^th & Race

1971 – First live animal Christmas Crèche

1976 – Ground breaking for Christian Ed (parish house) building

1981 – Congregation calls a woman pastor, Rev. Geneva Butz

1996 – Congregation resolves to be “Open and Affirming”

2009 – First E-pistle