Our History - Eastchester Presbyterian Church

Rev. Floyd E. McGuire, Founder of this Church and Minister 1930-1939

Rev. Richmond A. Fewlass, Minister 1940-1949

Rev. R. Millard Farrell, Minister 1950-1987 & Minister Emeritus 1987-1998

Rev. Dr. J. Perry Wooten Minister 1990-2014 & Minister Emeritus 2014

Rev. Dr. Brian D. John, Senior Pastor 2017-present

In the beginning…

The Presbytery of New York had a vision of establishing a church in the northeast Bronx. In the spring of 1930, that’s just what they did! Our first pastor, Reverend Floyd E. McGuire, of the Biblical Seminary in New York, was appointed to start a children’s Sunday School. June 1, 1930 marked the first Sunday School service at EPC with an attendance of 47 scholars. The first worship service was held just four months later October 5th, with Rev. McGuire as the minister.

The congregation was formally organized as the Eastchester Road Presbyterian Church with 84 charter members. In October 1932, the church moved from Eastchester Road to the nearby Gun Hill Road and became known as the Eastchester Community Presbyterian Church. Ten years later, EPC again relocated and on May 31, 1942, the first worship service was held at the church’s present location.

Since those first days, EPC has had six pastors, Rev. Floyd McGuire, Rev. Richmond Fewlass, Rev. R. Millard Farrell, Rev. Dr. J. Perry Wootten, Rev. Dr. Brian John, and Rev. Carlton Knight, who served as Associate Pastor. EPC was also served by Interim Pastor, Rev. Phil Tom.

Present day…

The continued growth of the congregation necessitated the expansion of our church and the establishment of two Sunday services. Today those services are our 8 am Praise and Worship and 10 am Worship Service. In April,1998, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for the church expansion project. One and a half years later, we celebrated the dedication of our new and beautiful sanctuary.

EPC has expanded its outreach ministries and initiated programs that foster spiritual growth. The Lord has blessed Eastchester Presbyterian Church with fine leadership, increased membership, a strong church school, and the commitment of its members. We pray that this church will continue to serve God in this corner of the Bronx and to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ by word and action for many, many years to come.

Our sixth installed Pastor, Rev. Dr. Brian D. John was ordained and installed on December 12, 2017. He served as pastor from January 1, 2018 through July 7, 2020.

We invite you to join us this Sunday to our worship experience!