The Cranberry Community United Presbyterian Church (CCUPC) was officially chartered on the last Sunday in September 1982 with 75 members, having been established as a new church development in the growing community of Cranberry Township. The Rev. Tom Thornton was called and installed as the pastor of the church.
The Congregation conducted worship services in Haine Elementary School until property was purchased on Rochester Road in Cranberry Township and began the task of constructing the first building.
In June 1986, the congregation moved into their first building on Rochester Road. Long before it was popular, CCUPC had an informal atmosphere in worship while still maintaining an order of worship that respected and appreciated the traditions of the Christian church.
Construction began in 1999 on a large expansion project to enable the growing congregation to better house their expanding ministry. That same year, an additional 2.5 acres was purchased giving us an entrance at the traffic signal on Rochester Road. The addition to the building tripled the size of our facility and was completed in April 2000.
In March of 2005, the Rev. Thomas J. Thornton announced he accepted a call at the Murrells Inlet Presbyterian Church, Murrells Inlet, South Carolina. His last Sunday at CCUPC was on May 15 that same year. The Rev. Dr. William N. Jackson consented to be our interim pastor and guided us as we continued to grow and seek God’s direction. On March 1, 2007, Rev. Jackson accepted an Interim position in Lancaster PA, and the Rev. Leland R. Stoops began to serve as part-time interim pastor until the new senior pastor was called.
On May 20, 2007, the congregation unanimously voted to call the Rev. Dr. James M. Moran as our new senior pastor. Dr. Moran began his ministry here on August 1, 2007. In September of 2020, he was called home to the Church Triumphant.
The Rev. John W. Porter served as our interim pastor while the Pastor Nominating Committee conducted the search for a new full-time senior pastor.
On June 19, 2022, the congregation unanimously voted to call the Rev. James A. Benson as our new senior pastor. Rev. Benson began his ministry here on August 1, 2022.
We are thankful for the ministry God has blessed us with here in Cranberry and the surrounding areas and look forward to where He is taking us in the future.
Historical Highlights
1981 Nov – First Worship Service held in Haine Elementary School
1982 Jan – First Sunday School Classes begin
Sep – Beaver-Butler Presbytery officially chartered Cranberry Community Presbyterian Church
1983 Sep – 5 acres of property purchased
Sep – Formally chartered as Cranberry Community United Presbyterian Church
1984 Dec – Membership exceeds 100
1985 Mar – Groundbreaking for the current facility
1986 Jun – Dedication service of new facility
Dec – Average Attendance breaks the 100 mark
1987 Sep – Added second worship service
Dec – Membership exceeds 200
1988 Sep – Began a weekday Christian preschool program for 3 and 4-year-old children
1989 Sep – Lower Level is completed; Sunday school expands
Dec – Membership exceeds 300 and average attendance exceeds 200
1992 Sep – Modular classroom is added for additional classroom space
1993 Dec – Membership breaks the 400 barrier
1994 Oct – H.O.M.E. Group Ministry begins
Dec – Average Attendance over 300
1995 Sep – Appointment of Building Committee to design expansion project
1996 Feb – Building Committee hires an architect
Feb – Rev. Dr. Stephen L. Polley hired as Parish Associate
1997 Jan – Membership exceeds 500
Mar – Average exceeds 400
Apr – We celebrate baptism number 200
May – Congregation gives conceptual design to Building Committee
Sep – Added third worship service
1998 May – Celebration Sunday Worship event at the Sheraton
Sep – Preschool program expands to include 125 children weekly
Dec – Christmas Eve sets worship attendance record with 728 participating
1999 Feb – Membership breaks the 600 barrier
Feb – Cranberry Township grants site plan approval for the building expansion
Apr – Anticipated date of groundbreaking for expansion project
Apr – We enter into a purchase agreement on 2.5 acres of additional property
May – Groundbreaking on Building Expansion
2000 Apr – Building Expansion completed
Aug – Futuring Conference with Herb Miller
2002 Mar – Rev. Dr. Stephen L. Polley resigned as Parish Associate
2003 May – Michael J. Koch hired as Assistant to the Pastor and to work with youth
2005 May – Rev. Thomas J. Thornton accepted call from the Murrells Inlet Presbyterian Church in South Carolina
Aug – Rev. Dr. William N. Jackson contracted as Interim Pastor
Dec – Mission Study Team formed
2006 Jan – Ordination service for Rev. Michael J. Koch
Feb – Rev. Michael J. Koch accepted call from the Presbyterian Church of Wenonah in New Jersey
2007 Jan – Nadine L. Roy hired as part-time Assistant to the Pastor and to work with youth
Feb – Interim pastor Rev. Dr. William North Jackson leaves CCUPC
Mar – Rev. Leland R. Stoops contracted as Interim Pastor
Jul – Rev. Leland R. Stoops leaves CCUPC as new senior pastor is called
Aug – Rev. Dr. James M. Moran called and installed as Senior Pastor
2010 Apr – Ordination & Installation Service for Rev. Nadine L. Roy as Associate Pastor
2012 Sep – CCUPC celebrates 30 years of ministry!
2020 Mar – Livestream worship began due to COVID-19 pandemic
Sep – Rev. Dr. James M. Moran was called home to the Church Triumphant
Oct – Rev. John W. Porter contracted as Interim Pastor
2021 Jan – Transition Team formed
Jul – Pastor Nominating Committee formed and commissioned
2022 Jul – Rev. John W. Porter leaves CCUPC as new senior pastor is called
Aug – Rev. James A. Benson called as Senior Pastor
