If health or family concerns has kept you apart from us, please help support the many missions of Zion! Our assistance to those less fortunate continues during these challenging times, as well as for the ongoing upkeep of our church. Be a part of our gift-giving. Send your check to: Treasurer, Zion Reformed Church, 259 S. Main Street, Chambersburg, PA 17201.
Prior to the actual selection and cutting of the rose, there was much to discover in Fred's informative talk and some long-ago church history that many within our congregation were not familiar with!
Rev. Jeffrey Diller Named Pastor Emeritus in Special Ceremony
Zion's 1813 crystal chandelier always delights churchgoers and is lowered and lit only Thanksgiving Eve and Christmas Eve
Zion Reformed Church, UCC • 259 South Main Street • Chambersburg, PA 17201
A Church in the Penn Central Conference of the United Church of Christ
Phone: (717) 264-2854
Contact Us by Email
Click on the pamphlet at the upper left to read about Zion's legendary crystal chandelier, first hung in 1813 and then lost to history for many years until its restoration and re-dedication in the late 1970s. Today it is lowered only for Thanksgiving Eve and Christmas Eve services in the sanctuary.
Click on the pamphlet at the upper right to download, read and printout our Zion Reformed UCC church brochure. This piece is now available at our local visitor centers and Chamber, to help us spread the news of our history, heritage and family activities here at Zion!
Pastor Tom and young Harper select and prepare a red rose for the observance service about to begin. Zion's tradition of paying its rent with a rose dates back nearly 250 years
Colonial Era circular staircases, artifacts from the early 1800s and a welcoming sanctuary await your visit to Zion Reformed UCC
A Living Connection to the Past as an Historic "Rose Rent Church"
Our History
The Rev. Thomas Dunkle was installed as Zion's newest pastor in a special ceremony on Sunday, February 22, 2022. He becomes the 23rd church leader, dating back to the church's founding in 1778.
Each year a young member from Zion assists in the selection and cutting of a rose grown on our property – to be used that day to 'pay the rent' as stipulated in the church's deed
Click to see our services and observances. We begin Summer Worship the first Sunday in July, and end with Labor Day Weekend
Our Sanctuary and Social Rooms are Handicap Accessible
Now With Off-Street Parking for our Worshipers and Visitors
* Our website is also enabled for use by those with disabilities – simply click the round blue icon at the lower left for an accessibility menu!
Paying Our Annual Rent: Zion's Rose Rent Observance Held on Sunday, June 9, 2024
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Crystal Chandelier
On behalf of Zion, elder Fred Gosart presents one red rose as payment of rent, as stipulated in the deed of town founder Col. Benjamin Chambers, to the 8th and 9th generation descendants of the Chambers family
As has become a tradition, every year's Rose Rent Sunday begins with a delicious breakfast made by the men of the church, followed by a brief historic presentation
Inside Zion
One of America's original 'Rose Rent Churches,' Zion Reformed Church is on the National Register of Historic Places
A special worship service in music: Sunday, August 4 at 9:00 am
To learn more about Chiz Rider, click the flyer above!
On November 16 2021, Zion Reformed UCC and Rev. Tom Dunkle hosted Rev. Jeffrey Diller, past Interim Pastor Rev. Bob Mcfarlane, and several pastoral members of our Association, for the installation of Rev. Diller (center, rear) as Pastor Emeritus of Zion, following his 31 years of dedicated service from 1987 to 2018.
Church member Mr. Fred Gosart presented an interesting summary of Zion's past spiritual leaders and a history on the origins of the deed from town found Col. Benjamin Chambers
Pastor Tom Dunkle Installed February
2022 as Zion's New Spiritual Leader
Zion Reformed Church, UCC – Chambersburg, PA
Church School: 9:30 am – Regular Worship: 10:45 am – Summer Worship: 9:00 am
* Summer worship begins the first Sunday in July and ends with Labor Day Weekend
Rev. Thomas Dunkle, Pastor Rev. Jeffrey Diller, Pastor Emeritus
Our Services
The Latest Information: Zion has done away with its COVID-19 spacing guidelines and has returned to singing hymns. If you have a concern entering the church, please wear a facemask. The new Hi-Lites monthly newsletter is now available at the Latest News webpage.