More than 80 people gathered at St. John's Episcopal Church, Compass, to celebrate the congregation's 290th anniversary on Sept. 15.
The service included a Mass of Confirmation and Holy Eucharist, led by the Right Rev. Daniel G. P. Gutierrez XVI, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania. Gutierrez was assisted by the Rev. Joan Wylie, deacon at the Episcopal Church of the Holy Trinity, Coatesville.
Organist Richard Hacker and the choir offered three anthems, and the guest trumpeter was Vinnie Shickora of Parkesburg.
Three adults who were not originally Episcopalians were confirmed into the church. They are Gail Smith and James Hershey, both of Parkesburg, and Liz Palwick-Goebel of Lancaster.
The parish received congratulatory proclamations from Gov. Tom Wolf and U.S. Sen Pat Toomey and the Pennsylvania State Senate. The proclamations were read aloud during the service. State Sen. Katie Muth was in attendance.
A historic pewter Communion set dating from 1766 was used during the Mass.
A luncheon and time of fun and fellowship followed the historic church service. Members and guests shared recollections and perused hundreds of historical photos on display.
According to a written history of the church, St. John's was established in 1729 as a mission of the Church of England, meaning that it predated the Episcopal Church and even the United States of America. Later, the church became an independent Episcopal parish, then a mission of the Diocese of Pennsylvania, and finally, an independent parish again.
Today, the church is led by the Rev. Dr. Nina George-Hacker, rector.
St. John's, located at 1520 W. King's Highway, Gap, holds Sunday Eucharist at 10:30 a.m. For more information, readers may call the church at 717-442-4302 or visit http://www.saintjohnscompass.org or http://www.facebook.com/stjohnscompass.
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