Church Timeline

The group [of Scots-Irish Presbyterians] petitions New Castle Presbytery that they might be “taken under the care of the Presbytery and supplied with preaching.” In response, Reverend James Anderson is directed to preach to the Derry Church congregation every fifth Sabbath.

Derry Church constructs a building to serve as a study and meeting place for its new pastor. The building also serves as a classroom.

Derry Church Cemetery is established. The first burial is John Campbell, died February 20, 1734, aged 78.

Reverend John Roan serves as pastor to the New Side Derry and Paxton Presbyterians at Derry Church until his death in 1775.

Derry Church acquires its pewter communion cups and plates.
Article

Upon the death of Reverend John Roan, Derry Church congregations reunite. Reverend John Elder serves as pastor to the two reunited congregations at Derry Church and Paxton Presbyterian Church until his death.

Reverend Joshua A. Williams serves as pastor to Derry and Paxton Churches. He leaves in 1802 to accept a call to Big Spring Presbyterian Church.

Reverend James Russell Sharon serves as pastor to Derry and Paxton Churches until his death in 1843.

Reverend Andrew Dinsmore Mitchell serves as pastor to Derry and Paxton Churches until he resigns in 1874 to serve as an army chaplain.

The “Old Derry” church building is demolished. Congregation has dwindled to 6-7 members.
Article

The cornerstone for a new Chapel building is laid.
Article

Reverend Albert Barnes Williamson serves as Derry’s Stated Supply pastor while also serving as called pastor to Paxton Presbyterian Church.

Reverend John M. Groff serves as Derry’s Stated Supply pastor. He is also the called pastor for Middletown Presbyterian Church.

Derry organizes its first choir.

Reverend John MacDonald serves as stated supply pastor.

Reverend George Snavely Rentz serves as pastor until he resigns to accept a call to Market Square Presbyterian Church.

Derry Church establishes its first Board of Deacons.

Milton S. Hershey finances the construction of a glass house to enclose and protect the Session House. The Session House is considered to be the oldest structure in Derry Township.
Article

Derry breaks ground for an addition to the Chapel, which is renamed “John Elder Memorial Chapel.” The addition includes four classrooms on the first floor and an assembly room and kitchen on the ground floor.
Expansion Article
Cornerstone Article

John Elder Memorial Chapel is dedicated during a special worship service.
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Reverend Sheldon Blair serves as pastor until resigns to accept a new call.

Derry Church breaks ground for an addition to the Chapel. It is known as the Christian Education Building.
Article

Reverend Dr. Ira O. Reed serves as pastor until he retires.

Derry Church elects and installs its first female Elder, Josephine Baum, for the class of 1972.
Women and Leadership

Derry Church launches the Vespers Series, an annual calendar of cultural and educational presentations. The Series includes musical concerts, theatrical presentations, and educational symposiums. It is renamed Arts Alive in January 2004.
Vesper Series Article

Derry Church celebrates its 250th anniversary.
Anniversary Logo Article
Colonial Craft Fair Article

Reverend Dr. Richard “Dick” Houtz serves as pastor until he retires.

Derry Church undertakes a major remodeling and expansion project to expand and improve the church facilities.
Redesigning the sanctuary Article
1992-93 Sanctuary Renovation Project Video

Derry Church’s Men’s Lenten Breakfast group, led by Charlie Koch and Mark Smith, volunteer to prepare a Buffet Breakfast for Derry’s family and friends. The menu included omelets, pancakes, egg casserole, baked oatmeal, muffins, toast, juice, and coffee. All for a $3.00 per person donation.
2013 Easter breakfast Article

As part of Derry Church’s 275th anniversary celebration, a group travels to Derry, Northern Ireland and meets with John Hume, co winner of the 1998 Nobel Peace prize for helping to broker the peace accords ending the decades of conflict and violence in Northern Ireland.
275th Anniversary Celebration Article

Derry is one of the founding churches establishing Love INC of Greater Hershey, an organization working to mobilize the church to transform lives and communities in the name of Christ.

The first Tuesday night “Praise and Communion Service” is held from 6:45 to 7:30 p.m.

Derry Church completes extensive renovations to the church building, including improvements to the roof and gutters, a new HVAC system, and cosmetic improvements to the Sanctuary, Narthex, Nursery, Lounge, Fellowship Hall, John Elder Classroom, Choir Room, Ruth Codington Lending Library, Courtyard, and Mission House . New Chancel furniture is constructed from wood taken from oak trees that had been previously felled on the church campus. Members John Holtzman and Don Holtzman build the wooden components. Mark Smith creates the iron structures that form the bases of the Communion table, pulpit, and baptismal font.

Reverend Pam Meilands serves as Associate Pastor for Youth and Families.

Derry Church acquires a Steinway 9 foot concert grand piano that is dedicated during worship.