New Life Community Church
Sunday, March 21
We were up early to take the chapel to a missions conference near Philadelphia. I chose the sleeper for the two-hour drive so Bunny O’Hare did not have to drive separately. I think I had the most comfortable seat in the truck – and on the way home it made a great bed.
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We arrived in plenty of time to set up the chapel before Sunday School.
Several on the missions committee are in the same Sunday School class. After Bunny had been scheduled to speak during morning worship, and Cerwin was asked to bring the chapel, our friend Bill Rumpf asked if we would show his class some photos and tell a bit about our work in the ministry – especially chapel construction.
We had a wonderful morning with this group.
In morning worship the children presented “Jesus Loves the Little Children.”
The pastor welcomed us and invited Bunny to the pulpit.
Bunny telling the congregation about TFC and our ministry to the trucking industry.
Following the service the pastor encouraged everyone to visit the chapel.
I think almost everyone came to visit. We had a full chapel for half an hour or more, as people came through.
After everyone had time to see the chapel and ask questions, the missions committee took us out for lunch.
Bill, sitting next to Cerwin, was the one who coordinated the day. He was one of Cerwin’s helpers in chapel construction until his health prevented him from making the two-hour drive.
On the way back to the church (to get the chapel), we asked Bill about the large estate we had seen on the way to the restaurant.
He explained what he knew, and took us on a short tour of the exterior of Cairnwood Estate.
This was built by Pitcairn Family
The Pitcairns are among America’s wealthiest families. Corporate patriarch, John Pitcairn, was president of Pittsburgh Plate Glass from 1896 to 1906. In 1900, his company produced 65% of the plate glass made in America.
There are many details concerning this place where the Pitcairn family lived (which you can google if you wish).
Much of their life revolved around “The New Church” which was founded by Emanuel Swedenborg in the early seventeen hundreds. I had never heard of any of these names so checked it out a bit on the internet, and was interested to discover that Johnny Appleseed, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Helen Keller were followers of his teachings.
The college across the street is also linked to Swedenborg’s teachings.
The estate and the grounds are beautiful.
Pitcarins still live in the area, as do those who attend the large cathedral.
On the day we were there, these blossoms were beautiful.
It was a fabulous day for ministering at the church, visiting the estate, and traveling with the chapel.
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