St. Paul’s UCC

123 N 6th St.

Circa 1871, 1893

History: The original congregation to occupy this building, St. Paul’s Reformed, was organized by members of First Reformed Church, with services conducted in English to reduce the number of members at First Reformed. The original sanctuary space dates back to 1871, and a larger addition, now the main sanctuary space, was added in 1893.

Charis Community Church’s congregation originally worshiped on Schuylkill Avenue, then moved to N 9th Street. They soon outgrew their building and began renting their current property from St. Paul’s UCC. Eventually, St. Paul’s congregation dissolved and sold the building at 123 N 6th street to Charis around 1976, though it was under different spiritual leaders and a different name at the time. They are a Pentecostal church, but are independent of any hierarchy or religious institution.

Congregation/ space: This Gothic Revival-style brownstone church has a beautiful, large sanctuary space that features stained glass and intricately painted ceilings. Their back chapel area, the original worship space, contains an oil painting that is prized by Charis’ members. Finished in 1875, it is titled “Christ Blessing the Children” and was done directly for St. Paul’s by Bavarian-born Reading local George Seiling.

Programs: Charis holds bible study and youth group programs once a week. They host a monthly food bank in the building through Helping Harvest, and 1 to 2 times per month an outreach group of members goes into the community and gives out hot meals. They also do a bookbag program for students in the community, coat drives, and a back-to-school carnival each year.