The Newberry Church of Christ

The Newberry Church of Christ was founded in 1881 by George C. Zeigler; Frank Packer, for whom Packer Street was named; and Thomas Funston, for whom Funston Avenue was named. The purpose of the church was to reach people in what was then "rural" Williamsport.

"The first meetings were held in the old Evangelical Church on Race Street with 17 members present. From 1883 to 1900, the church worked on many projects including Social Action, a group that was sent to pursue city and state government in laws that were up for vote; Evangelism, through which a trust fund was set up by the church to send its young men to seminary; and Christian Education Women's Work which was mostly charity and soup kitchens set up to serve the local lumber and factory workers, and Missions through out the world"(2).

"The church continued to grow rapidly from 17 members to 52 members and soon needed more space to accommodate its congregation. In 1900, Foster Fuller came to be minister at Newberry and formed a building team to locate a good place for a new church to be built. An empty store building and large lot were found about a block south of Diamond Square on Fourth Street"(1).

Through a grant from Mr. and Mrs.Thomas Funston, the land was purchased for $125. G. Stanley West and Foster Fuller fitted the first floor for public worship and Bible classes, and the second floor was fitted for offices and private classrooms. A remodeled parsonage Mr. Fuller would live in was completed.

The Newberry Church of Christ dedicated its first church building February 15, 1907. The building stood there for 75 years until it was torn down in 1984 to build another building to fit the needs of the still growing church. The second church was dedicated on November 3, 1985 and still stands in the same place on Diamond Street.

The Newberry Church of Christ celebrated its 100th Anniversary in September 2000 With a four-day celebration. The church now has 234 members and offers two church services.