The community is invited to join members of the Pequea Presbyterian Church in Gap as it celebrates its 300th anniversary on Saturday, May 25, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The day will feature food, a silent auction, displays of historical items and cornhole games for children. Live music will be provided by Summit Hill Bluegrass.

"We will have historical artifacts on display inside and we will have time period demonstrations like sheep-to-shawl," said Jim Kennedy, chairperson of the anniversary committee, noting that a barbecue food truck will be present. Food will be free, but donations will be accepted.

The historic buildings will be open throughout the day, including the stone church, characterized by its arched stained glass windows and curved pews, as well as the session house, which is a separate building from the church. It is situated next to the running waters of the Pequea Creek and surrounded by a prayer garden. Inside, the building is dominated by a large fireplace.

"Business meetings were not permitted in the church, so they had separate buildings," explained pastor Alfred Wanner. "Behind the fireplace screen is one of the church's original chandeliers. (The chandelier) was up in the ceiling and it had little gas lamps." Several of the lamps are also on display in the session house.

According to a written history of the church, it was organized on Oct. 13, 1724. The first church, a log building that was located in the present-day cemetery, was built sometime in the 1750s, followed by the construction of a small stone church. The church celebrated its 175th anniversary in 1899, when plans were formulated to construct a new church, which is the present-day building. It was completed in the fall of 1902.

"There is a time capsule in the cornerstone from more than 100 years ago, and later on in the year, we will open that and make up our own time capsule to replace it," Kennedy noted. "We will put in newspapers, church bulletins and pictures."

Visitors to the anniversary event will also learn about the church's history. In the 1740s, minister and preacher George Whitfield reportedly preached to 3,000 people who had gathered on the church grounds to hear him. The history states that Whitfield had to stand in the fork of a walnut tree to be heard. The tree has since been taken down, but a plaque was placed at the base of another walnut tree on the church campus to commemorate the event.

The site also includes a cemetery. "There is a lot of history in this cemetery," said Kennedy. "The cemetery has veterans buried there from the Revolutionary War and every war this nation has ever been in."

Wanner noted that current congregation members come from Gap, New Holland, Parkesburg and Honey Brook. Sunday school is held at 9:30 a.m. followed by worship at 10:30 am. A fellowship meal following Communion is offered on the first Sunday of the month.

Pequea Presbyterian Church is located at 273 Cambridge Road, Gap. For more information, search for "Pequeaeco1724" on Facebook. Those with questions may call 717-768-3324 or email pequeapres1724@gmail.com.