The Congregation of Christ Temple Church on Birch Street Returned to its Building

KENNETT SQUARE — The congregation of Christ Temple Church on Birch Street returned to its building Sunday after a summer away from the structure. During that time, the members shared pews and services with the Presbyterian Church of Kennett Square on Broad Street.

Parishioners and clergy praised the alliance of the two parishes.

Christ Temple has a mostly black membership, while the Presbyterian church is mostly white.

Presbyterian Pastor Stephen Gutridge told his congregation one summer day, “They say 11 o’clock Sunday morning is the most segregated hour of the week. Well, not here.”

Christ Temple Pastor Mark Avery said he loves being back at the newly renovated building. “We will miss our brothers and sisters at the Kennett Presbyterian Church, though,” he said.

“I can’t emphasize enough how much each church grew,” Stephen Gutridge, senior pastor at the Kennett Presbyterian Church said.

The racial and denominational walls crumbled as the churches came together, and that really excited people, he added.

The two churches worshipped together during the Presbyterian church’s 11 a.m. service from April through Labor Day.

Then they cametogether again on Sunday to celebrate at Christ Temple.

The morning began with both congregations assembled at the Presbyterian church. A motorcade formed, and the congregations traveled as one group over to Christ Temple.

Gutridge led the way, blowing through a shofar, a ram’s horn trumpet.

At Christ Temple there was a feeling of excitement similar to visiting a friend who has a new house, Gutridge said.

Pastor Avery preached and the Christ Temple praise band performed the worship music.

Gutridge and his wife received gifts in thanks for their hospitality.

Although it was the Presbyterian church that helped out Christ Temple, both churches benefited, Gutridge said, adding, “It has been one of the best experiences that all of us have had.”

The two churches have vowed to continue co-sponsoring events, such as their annual Praise in the Park held at Anson B. Nixon Park each August.

Leon Spencer, mayor of Kennett Square and choir director at the Kennett Presbyterian Church, agreed with Gutridge and said the joint worship was a learning experience for both congregations.

“Both churches learned a lot about each other, all in the course of fulfilling the tenets of scripture, which say love one another,” he added.

“I believe when this arrangement began there were some apprehensions due to different styles of worship, but the bottom line is it is the same God we serve,” he said.

Christ Temple underwent about $125,000 worth of repairs including waterproofing, new rest rooms, new vinyl floors, upgraded office space, new floors in the office and new lighting.

http://www.dailylocal.com/site/index.cfm?newsid=2407786&BRD=1671&PAG=461&dept_id=17782&rfi=8

Greater Works Ministries in the Daily Local News, September 26, 2001