Our History
Zion Presbyterian Church was officially organized on May 19, 1855, but its roots stretch back several years earlier when James G. Lowry generously donated land along now Elm Road for a place of worship. With the help of neighboring Presbyterian families, a simple one-room frame building was constructed, where services were held by the pastor of nearby Bethesda Church. A petition for formal organization was granted by presbytery in March of 1855, and under the leadership of Rev. P. E. Bishop, Zion was established with ten charter members. Elders were elected, and the first session was held following a worship service that also included the Lord’s Supper. For years, monthly services continued with sermons preached by the Bethesda pastor or seminary students, often accompanied by a shared noon meal. The original church stood where Zion Cemetery now rests — a reminder of the faith and fellowship that marked Zion’s earliest days.
Our Staff
Pastor Lewis A. Ward Jr. (Al)
Al Ward has served at Zion since 2009. He and wife Allison are natives of Alabama, and are blessed with 4 children: Jeremy, Joseph, Reade, and Anne. Prior to ministry, Al was in construction sales for approximately 10 years, and Allison was in elementary education. After answering a call to pursue ministry, they moved to Clinton, Mississippi, where Al received a Masters in Divinity with an emphasis in Counseling from Reformed Theological Seminary (2006). He served both as a pastoral intern and an Assistant Pastor at Providence PCA. His undergraduate degree is from Auburn University (1992). He preaches, teaches, leads youth, assists and leads mission trips and ministries, and offers pastoral counseling.
Pianist Ragena Farrar
Ragena is an accomplished musician, and leads our congregation with a variety of psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. She works as an educator in the Chester County School System, and is married to Joel. They have two daughters: Bethany and Brittany.