Andover Presbyterian Church (APC) was organized on September 25, 1858 by twelve members. It was not until October
of 1859 that this church had its first of 47 Stated Supply pastors, the Reverend J. Sanford Smith whose yearly salary was
$300 and which he supplemented by teaching school. Thus began the life of the little church on the hill.
By
the end of 1859, the congregation had 55 active members. Two Sunday services were needed to accomodate the increased
numbers. Despite membership fluctuation, this Church has survived with an average of 70 members throughout much of its
history.
In 1896 the sanctuary received a complete renovation, including new pews, which are the ones we use today.
In 1919 candles were used for the last time with the addition of electric lights to the sanctuary. Our tall steeple
was severely damaged by lightning in 1926 and was replaced by the short belfry we see today. A second interior renovation
was done in 1958.
Early records show 1911 for our first woman's group at our church. They were then
called the Ladies Aid Society. The group met and sewed aprons, bonnets, dust caps, towels, and laundry bags. In
April of 1911, the Society voted and approved charging Mrs. Beegle $1 for "quilting and finishing her quilt."
After the United States entered World War I, the ladies made garments for our soldiers through the Red Cross. In 1929
the Society became the Woman's Progressive Society and in 1979 was renamed in memory of Rose Schurr a long-time member.
The Rose Society endeavors to promote fellowship and support activities and mission efforts of our church.
Our Sunday
School was organized the same time as the church and met in the back building which was then Andover Borough Public School
House. In 1956 the building and property was donated to the church. Dedicated groups of teachers continue to inspire
our youth as they learn the teachings of Jesus and participate in community activities.
In 1975, the Kohr family
donated the beautiful Celtic cross that hangs in our sanctuary as well as our communion table. In 1983 a piano was donated
by Jessie Longcore, our organist at the time. A certainly memorable Palm Sunday was in 1985 when Reverend Bob Bugbee
entered the sanctuary with a donkey at his side!
In 1990 our church had its first woman pastor, Reverend Carolyn
Gillette, followed by Reverend Heather Morrison-Yade, then Reverend Kathy Jamhoury, who was the only full time minister in
our church's history. Then followed Reverend Mark Smith in 2008 and our current pastor, Reverend Kathryn Mustaro in
2010.
Today, our little church on the hill and its members continue to serve the Lord and its community with fellowship
and outreach.
