Bensalem United Methodist Church

Since 1810. . . still shining HIS Light

It's Journey In His Light

by Joyce Dworsky

It has been said that, "Every journey of a thousand miles begins with but single step." Bensalem Church's first stop began in 1805. After attending a camp meeting in Newtown, a Mrs. Martha Vansant experienced, "a renewed heart" and began to organize prayer meetings held in local farm houses. Jesus' light had begun to shine in the darkness of the community of Bensalem.

As more and more lives were touched, it was decided to build a permanent meeting house in 1810. Joseph Todman donated a plot of ground and General Willett supplied timber from his woods. Capitol for the structure was raised through the efforts of James and Ann Ridge, Percy and Thomas Hambleton, Garrett and Asbury Scott, Charles Vansant, Martha Lot, Charles LeRue, and George Siplet (from whose estate the church continues to receive funds). Through the efforts of these and many other early workers for Christ, a frame structure with small windows and a gallery running around three sides was erected. Thus, a second step of Bensalem Church's journey in His light was firmly taken.

The Methodist Church at this time was still young in America. After all, out nation was only 34 years old., George Washington had been dead only 11 years, and James Madison was still President of the United States. Pastors still rode circuits on horseback, and Bensalem was no exception. The little church became part of the Attleborough circuit of Philadelphia, comprised of Newtown, Attleborough (now Langhorne), and Bensalem communities. It was this early meeting house (then called Bensalem Chapel) that was visited in 1811 by Frances Asbury, who later became the first bishop of the Methodist Church.

In 1832, a revival in the church added many new members. Interest that had been started in the Bensalem congregation journeyed to Hulmeville, where a church was established there in 1840. In fact, some of the trustees of Bensalem Church also acted as trustees of the Hulmeville branch.

A second revival occurred in 1853, during the pastorate of Rev. J. Y. Ashton. The congregation increased so much that the building had to be enlarged to its present day size, with the stone wall added to surround the original property.

In 1874, it is said that, "a religious fervor swept the neighborhood", and under the guidance of Rev. P.R. Cook, "nearly one hundred people were received into fellowship with God. The worshipers came from many miles around and in 1887, Rev. L. M. Hobbs, the pastor of Old Bensalem and the Hulmeville branch, started meetings in Cornwells which led to the building of the church there". From these early steps of faith in Bensalem, God's light shone as a beacon into the neighboring communities hungry to receive the message of love and salvation.

In 1910, to celebrate Old Bensalem's 100th anniversary, Frank Reynolds had the bell tower erected and he presented "a clear toned bell to call worshipers together." This was done as a memorial to his father, John H. Reynolds. This bell still pierces the "darkness" and calls worshipers to come journey in the light.

As the ministries and activities of Old Bensalem grew and expanded, so did its need for updated facilities, such as a parsonage, a social hall and additional Sunday School rooms ( see: Milestones along the Journey). In 1959, another group of people, along with their Pastor, John A. Shannon, took a giant step of faith in Bensalem Church's journey of light. A study committee met, and after much consideration and prayer, recommended that a new sanctuary and an education wing be built. This was to accommodate the growth within the little country church and within the Bensalem community as well. Among these committee members are the names that we still recognize today: Horner, Kurtiz, Lorenzo, Rutherford, and Vansant. The journey of faith continued, and in 1962 His light shone from the members worshiping in a new sanctuary, Fellowship Hall, and classrooms.

In 1968, during the pastorate of Rev. J. Val Hastings, Sr., and in leadership with his wife, Audrey, the Bensalem Christian Day School was organized. Also, that year, the Mission Thrift Shop was begun. Between 1968 and 1975, Bensalem Church opened its facilities to fledgling groups from Neshaminy Valley Baptist, Temple Shalom Reform Synagogue Religious School, and the Korean United Methodist Church. Shortly after that, a Sunday School class for physically and mentally challenged adults was begun. These ministries opened new windows of opportunity to shine God's light to the diverse, ever changing, and modern suburban community of Bensalem.

In 1984, under the pastorate of Rev. Blake E. Nicholson, Jr., a "Step in Faith" program was initiated. It sought to add updated parsonage facilities, and a new education building to help prepare for future needs. This step along Bensalem United Methodist's journey, brought our facilities to their present-day status.

The year 1989 marked the establishment of two services year-round. Rev. Russell U. Stahley urged this development to accommodate the changing lifestyle of today's Christians. In a world which can often seem impersonal, 1993 marked the return of home bible studies, during the Lenten season, helping Christians to get to know Christ and each other in a more personal way., In this, and perhaps in other ways as well, Bensalem United Methodist's journey in His light has come full circle, from the farmhouse of the past, to the townhouses, etc. of today.

The year 1995, as Bensalem United Methodist Church celebrated its 185th anniversary by adding colored stained glass to the windows on the driveway side of the sanctuary, this reflection by an unknown author, once again seems appropriate:

"People are like stained glass windows.
They glow and sparkle when it is sunny
and bright, but when the sun goes down
their true beauty is revealed only
if there is a light from within."
~unknown

For 196 years people of faith have kept the "light from within" burning through the good times and the bad at our church here in Bensalem.

Now, in 2006, this light is still ours as a congregation. It is our challenge for the future. Let us never be people of darkness here! Let us walk in His light, so that Bensalem United Methodist Church may continue to shine out into the world, especially "When the sun goes down."

Jesus answered; “the light will be among you a little longer.
Continue on your way while you have the light, so that the darkness
will not come upon you, for the one who walks in the dark does not know where he is going.
Believe in the light the, while you have it, so that you will be people of light."
John 12:35-36

photo courtesy of Kathleen Stahley

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