First Baptist Church of Huntingdon Valley, 2451 Murray Ave., on Nov. 9 celebrated its 125th anniversary.
Guest speakers at the quasquicentennial service were Jay Bown, president of the Jefferson Abington Hospital Board of Trustees; Maurice Tony Davis, president of the Willow Grove NAACP; state Sen. Maria Collett, who brought a citation to mark the occasion; and Denise Kuritz, president of the Lower Moreland Township Board of Commissioners, who brought a resolution to recognize the anniversary.
Church Trustee Loretta Willaims presented the Rev. Bruce W. Petty, the longtime pastor, with citations from Gov. Josh Shapiro and U.S. Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick and Madeleine Dean.
Petty has served as pastor since 1997 and, since 2023, been a chaplain with the Lower Moreland Police Department.
The church offers about 30 ministries, including a newly established Grief Club that meets the second Thursday of the month.
“This is what I call, ‘Jesus ministries,’ “ Petty said.
Petty and Williams each received flowers from Chelsea Foster, former Head of School at Valley Christian School.
Pastor Brian Jenkins, executive director of Chosen 300 Ministries – an outreach to the homeless – offered the Preached Word. He encouraged congregation members to work, worship and witness. Like Chosen 300, First Baptist Church of Huntingdon Valley has a homeless ministry.
“This is a great church,” Jenkins said, “and this is a great pastor.”
Deacon Gerald Thompson offered scripture and prayer.
“One-hundred and twenty-five years here in the Valley,” Thompson said. “Hallelujah!”
The service also included a second collection for hurricane victims in the Caribbean. ••
First Baptist Church of Huntingdon Valley worships every Sunday at 11 a.m.
