Fourth Reformed Church (Harrisburg, PA)

The organization of this congregation was May, 1883 with a mission Sunday School in the Webster School building at 13th and Kittatinny Streets in Harrisburg, PA. the church was built on a lot 78x100 feet at the corner of 16th and Market Streets and dedicated on February 16, 1896 with 89 members enrolled. As the congregation grew, ground was broken in 1912 for a larger facility. The congregation had grown to 605 members by 1920. The original chapel was torn down and the new church filled the entire lot. The architect was Mr. Hamilton. In 1924 the trustees located a property at 1843 Market Street for sale at $12,500 which they purchased as a parsonage for Rev. Teski's family. A major portion of the mortgage was paid by the Women's Bible Class who held weekly bake sales of pies and doughnuts and noon lunches. This same group of women also paid $1100 for the new hanging lamp when the church was renovated during the 1920's. In 1936 there was a major fire in the church and the congregation worshipped at Christ Lutheran church's lower level while the church was rebuilt with North American Insurance covering the cost of construction and purchase of a new organ. During the 1970's as the culture of the "Hill" in Harrisburg changed, the leadership knew they had to do outreach with the changing community. Membership had dropped to 300 by 1981. Eventually Fourth Reformed Church merged with Park Street United Methodist Church for a shared ministry. A partnership agreement between the two churches was adopted and revised in 1990. this agreement established an advisory committee of six members from each church to be elected by their congregation for a term of three years. A copy of this agreement is found in folder #15 box 2 of this collection under the title "Shared Ministry". this church continued until 2014 when they closed their doors and sold the church.