Christian Education

First Presbyterian Church has a rich history in christian education. We teach all ages on different a variety of topics. 

Sunday School

First Presbyterian offers Sunday school classes for children from age 4 and up. From September through May classes meet from 9:45 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. each Sunday morning. All students are combined into one multi-age class with adult and high school leaders.

The nursery for children under the age of 4 is staffed by hired workers and volunteers from the congregation from 9:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. each Sunday.

Young people are offered the opportunity to participate in a communicant’s class. The Youth Group is also active with a variety of activities beyond the classroom including retreats and community service opportunities.

Adult Forum

The Adult Forum meets on Sundays at 9:45 A.M. (September-May). Stimulating and challenging topics are addressed by scholars and experts. Recent series topics have included a History of the Holy Land, the major religions of South Asia, and the doctrine of the Trinity. Current programs can be found on the announcements and calendar pages found on the main menu.

The Adult Forum meets in the MacColl Room, which is located on the second floor of Old Buttonwood Hall.

Special Events

Cochran Lecture

The Cochran Lecture is held annually as part of the fall education program. Made possible by a bequest from the Fred and Clara Cochran estate, the lecture features well-known speakers who address such topics as recent events, theological issues, and social justice.

Fred and Clara Cochran were longtime members of our church. Mr. Cochran was an elder and served as benevolence treasurer of the church. He died in 1994. Mrs. Cochran was an active member and also served as a member of the board of managers of the Presbyterian Home on City Avenue in Bala Cynwyd. She died in 2000.

The first Cochran Lecture was held on January 23, 2003. Dr. George Hunsinger, who holds the Hazel Thompson McCord Chair of Systematic Theology at Princeton Theological Seminary, presented the first lecture. The topic was “The Theology of the Just War.”

Lenten Wednesdays

Wednesdays during lent we come together and participate in a themed lecture series. Past lecture topics have included blending science and religion & christian environmentalism.