OUR HISTORY

The Presbyterian Congregation of Doe Run was established in 1740 when a group of Presbyterians in East Fallowfield Township erected a “house of worship” of rough, unsawn logs within the present Doe Run Cemetery beside Strasburg Road. George Whitfield preached in that building in 1742 during the Great Awakening.

In its early years Doe Run shared a pastor with the congregation at Upper Octorara. From 1817 it shared a pastor with Union Church, Lancaster County. In 1828 the same pastor had charge of the recently established Coatesville Presbyterian Church, Doe Run, and Union Church. From 1858 Doe Run has called its own minister.

In 1821 the present stone meeting house was erected, and Rev. Elkanah Dare delivered an address at the laying the cornerstone based on I Kings 18:44: “Behold there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man’s hand.” The “little cloud” has continued to bear witness to God and His Goodness up to the present day.

In 1960 the Congregation of Doe Run carried out extensive renovation of the meeting house expanding the basement, joining the old Session house to the meeting house, and adding an enclosed entrance. Today we enjoy the foresight and hard work of those who have gone before us with a renewed commitment to use these facilities for God’s work.