In 1754, the government, such as it was back then, supposedly purchased a large section of land which included the area that would eventually become Perry County. A Scotch-Irish immigrant named George Robinson acquired a parcel within that area that included a “strong spring” within a grove of white oaks.

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                The spring and cistern, thought to have once been used for baptisms

 

Reverend George Duffield was a traveling minister who held religious services across much of the area north of, what was called The North Mountain. Many of the settlers in surrounding properties requested that a permanent preacher be sent by Carlisle Presbytery to provide services for several small congregations that had sprung up in the newly acquired territory.

In August on 1766, Reverend Charles Beatty (Beattie) answered that call.

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Rev. Duffield and Rev. Beatty, led by a Christian Indian, left Carlisle on the 18th of that month, rode their horses over Sterrets Gap and stayed at Thomas Ross’ farm near what is now Sherman’s Creek. The next day they continued their journey to George Robinson’s farm, where he agreed to donate land by the spring, surrounded by large white oak trees as a site on which to build a church. The parcel consisted of 7 acres and 5 perches and was christened Devotion. The patent on this property was recorded in 1820, the same year Perry County was formed from the northern section of Cumberland County. Thus, on the evening of August 19th, 1766, Rev. Beatty preached the first sermon that began an unbroken legacy of Centre Presbyterian Church.

 

At first, services were held in a tent or just out under the trees, but in 1767 a log meeting house was constructed with dovetailed corners. It provided some shelter from rain and wind but had no heat in the winter. Guards were posted outside because many of the Indians did not accept the agreement with the government. A number of the settlers were killed during raids, and two children were kidnapped.

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In 1777, Rev. John Linn became the first permanent, and longest serving pastor of Centre and two sister churches, located about 10 miles away. He bought and worked a farm that is located less than a mile from Centre, for 42 years!

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A stone Meeting House was built in 1793 and served the congregation until 1850, when the current church was built. Possibly many of the stones from the old church were used to build the foundation of the newer one.

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During the late 1890’s until 1900, a wealthy church member, Scott Coyle, who had become a successful merchant in Carlisle, gave money to the church to erect a wrought iron fence around the cemetery, build a steeple, install a bell, and build a manse for the minister. The minister at that time was Rev. William Burchfield who was serving at least two other churches in the area. Mr. Coyle set aside enough money to pay Rev. Burchfield’s full salary so he could lead Centre full time instead of dividing his time among other churches.

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In 1944, during the Second World War it was decided to make a basement under the church. The few young men who were not old enough to serve used picks and shovels to loosen the ground beneath the floor, taking care not to disturb the foundation stone wall. As they had proceeded farther underneath, they employed a dirt pan pulled by a horse. The empty pan was pulled back over the freshly dug ground and then the horse would pull it forward scooping up a load of soil and stones, which was dragged up a ramp and dumped outside. When a large rock was encountered, dynamite was used to break it into manageable pieces. One blast cracked the South wall, but it was repaired. A floor of concrete was poured, and a cinderblock inner wall was laid up to complete the project.

In 1950, a pavilion was built below the church which served as a site of our annual Picnic and other outdoor activities. In 1962 that one was torn down and a new pavilion was constructed just west of the church.

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In 1958 a Sunday School wing was built. Much of the work, as well as most of the materials, were provided by church members. 
 

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The ceremonial groundbreaking shovel is located in the display case near the entrance to the Sanctuary. It symbolizes the spirit of Centre Church, even today in the way we as a congregation have willingly contributed our time, money, and varied talents in a spirit of CHRISTIAN cooperation and JOYFUL unity that has led us forward to where we are today.

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