Westminster Presbyterian celebrates 125 years in Trenton
Shalom. Westminster Presbyterian Church celebrated a 125-year anniversary Sunday with a mid-afternoon service followed by a dinner reception.
Memories meshed with dance, music and joyful noises as the quasquicentennial attracted parishioners, politicians and guests that packed the popular church in the 1100 block of Greenwood Ave.
Pastor Karen Hernández-Granzen recalled her arrival in 1995 and the dire predictions that the predominantly Caucasian church with a neighborhood flipping to Latino and Black had no chance of flourishing, let alone keeping open doors and hearts.
“Twenty-eight years ago when I came to Westminster, I was told we would close in five years,” Hernández-Granzen recalled. Instead, Westminster Presbyterian morphed into a multicultural, diverse, faith-based religious juggernaut with a members roll call that includes a nearly 60 percent African American congregation along with 25 percent European, and 15 percent Latino while adding others from myriad walks of life.
Hernández-Granzen added Westminster, “has been able to thrive because of the amazing people,” who call the church home.
According to historical accounts, Westminster Presbyterian opened in September 12, 1898 as the “Little Brown Church” at Walnut and Walters Ave. with Rev. Isaac M. Patterson installed as the first pastor. WPC relocated to 1140 Greenwood Ave. in 1918.
By the 1960s, a changing demographic landscape forced WPC to make a decision — move out of Trenton or accept change as an opportunity for expansion of faith.
Of course, Westminster Presbyterian Church adapted, remained in Trenton and exists as a radically-transformed worship home, alive and invested in the spiritual and physical wellbeing of residents and world citizens. WPC maintains 120-plus partnerships, programs and collaborations.
Westminster Presbyterian Church identifies as a “House of Prayer and Praise for People of All Nations”.
Rev. Dr. David A. Davis sermonized a message entitled “Finding Shalom”. Davis is the pastor of Nassau Presbyterian Church where he has served since 2000.
Shalom.