The Octorara Covenanter Presbyterian foundation will host its annual Celtic/Traditional Advent service at 3:00 PM on Sunday, December 7.
The service will be held at Middle Octorara Presbyterian Church (1199 Valley Rd), Quarryville (Rt 372). The Octorara Covenanter Presbyterian Foundation is a group is a charitable and educational non-profit organization established in part to restore and maintain the Octorara Covenanter Presbyterian Church/Bart High School that sits north of Rt. 372 and the Middle Octorara Presbyterian Church.
Our Foundation dates back to the early 1960’s. It is the goal of the Board to return the building to its original appearance, including an east-faced portico with period appropriate ornamentation. The Church is the oldest Covenanter Church in North America dating back to 1754. The schoolroom, a Presbyterian Academy, was added to the Church about 1880. From 1903 to 1927 the schoolroom housed Bart Township High School. The building serves as a museum of local artifacts. Artifacts from Bart High School, the Covenanter Congregation, the Middle Octorara Congregation, and Bart Township are displayed in the schoolroom. From the details of the Covenanter radical patriot leadership prior to the Revolutionary War to the desktops from the Bart High School carved with vintage emblems, there is a rich legacy to pass on to future generations.
Prior to the service at the Middle Octorara Church, attendees are encouraged and welcome to visit the Octorara Covenanter Church and schoolhouse museum which will be open from 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM. Performers will offer music and readings with a taste of Scotland and many traditional selections. Donald Henderson will read the Christmas story from Luke 2 and Matthew 1 in Braid-Scots dialect. Special music will be provided by the Henderson and Marchant families. The Hendersons will also teach the congregation to sing in the Scottish/Gaelic language
Instrumental music features Middle Octorara organist Boni Henry, Solanco HS trumpeter Kenton Green, and Ceol Neamh Piper, Rhys Weibel. Weibel, a high school student from Greencastle, Pa. recently earned a tuition paid scholarship to a piping school, he has been recognized as “piper of the day” at many events over the past season, he graduated from the Ceol Neamh Piping School and is now a member of the competition band. Please join us for this time of reflection, joy and thanksgiving as the meaning of Advent is felt deeply by all. Refreshments will be served following the service.