On May 8th, 1884, a committee consisting of Rev. J.H. Stewart, Rev. T.S. Negley and Elder James McCurdy of Clarion Presbytery met in Brockwayville and organized a Presbyterian church consisting of 11 members: Mrs. S.M. Niver, Mrs. Mary Curry, Mrs. Amelia Smith, Mrs. Sophia Morrison, Mrs. Matilda Keys, Mrs. Elizabeth Burkhouse, Mr. and Mrs. John Atwell from Beechwoods Presbyterian Church, Mr. and Mrs. John Cochran and son Mr. Frank E. Cochran from Richardsville Presbyterian Church. Mr. John Cochran was elected and installed as the first Ruling Elder and Mr. John Atwell was installed as the first Trustee.
Rev. Alexander B. Fields presided over the first Holy Communion of the Lord’s Supper on May 11th, 1884. The church worshipped in the Brockwayville Methodist Church until August 1st, 1884 when worship was moved to a room above the R.W. Moorhead Store (now True Value Hardware). As early as 1885 action was taken towards erecting a church building.
The realization of those plans came on September 9th, 1888 when a congregation of 63 members dedicated the church building. Four years later, in April 1892, a manse was constructed. On April 11th, 1927 the name was officially changed to the Brockway Presbyterian Church. Major improvements of these properties occurred in 1920, 1928, and 1941.
By 1953 the recognized need for more church school space demanded greater action. Under the guidance of Rev. Harvey M. Smith the congregation initiated a building program. The original manse was converted into education space in 1953 and land was purchased to build a new manse. A new manse was erected between 1954 and 1955. In 1958, a committee was formed to study the feasibility of building a new education building and sanctuary.
The last church school classes and worship service in the original buildings were held on August 12th, 1962. Construction of our current church building began in 1962 and was completed in 1964. With the cornerstone dedicated on May 19th, 1963. The first worship service in the new building was held on June 14th, 1964 under the leadership of Rev. Lynn L. Illingworth.
List of Pastors of Brockway Presbyterian Church
Rev. A.B. Fields (1884-1886)
Rev. J.B. Caruthers (1887-1890)
Rev. J.R. Baker (1891-1896)
Rev. Chas. L. Bradshaw (1897-1905)
Rev. P.J. Slonaker (1906-1910)
Rev. W.H. Chipman (1911-1917)
Rev. N.B. Wilson (1917-1922)
Rev. Willian Owen (1922-1925)
Rev. Leo L. Tait (1926-1952)
Rev. Harvey M. Smith (1953-1959)
Rev. Lynn L. Illingworth (1960-1965)
Rev. Dan Little (1966-1996)
Rev. Wayne K. King (1997-1998)
Rev. Jeffrey Potter (1998-2006)
Rev. John F. Helgeson (2006-2008)
Rev. Derek Van Pelt Campbell (2008-2011)
Rev. Joe Tagliaferre (2011-2014)
Rev. Clair Lundberg (2014-2016)
Rev. Christopher J. McCloskey (2016-2023)