October 2 Today in OPC History

On Saturday, October 2, 1999, the congregation of New Life OPC in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, dedicated its new building to the worship and glory of God. Pastor Paul Browne led the service, joined by ruling elders John Hogg, Raymond Singley, and Joseph Smith.

New Life began as a mission work of the Presbytery of Philadelphia in 1986 under evangelist Robert Marsh. In 1990 the Rev. Theodore Georgian came out of retirement and pastored the church for five years, seeing the mission organized as a particular congregation in 1994. A year later the church called Paul Browne, and he was ordained on October 7, 1995. In 1997 the congregation elected a building committee that met nearly weekly over the course of the next two years.

The OPC Church Loan Fund helped to finance the new building that included a spacious fellowship hall and a sanctuary seating 200. Commenting on the dedication of the new building, Georgian wrote in New Horizons: "A new spirit of joy and excitement pervades the members of the church as we look forward to ministering more visibly and effectively in greater Williamsport. 'The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy' (Psalm 126:3). In all this, we are not unmindful that 'unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain' (Psalm 127:1)."

Homepage Picture: Paul Browne (right) and Craig Troxel in 1997

Picture: New Life OPC