A Brief History of
PCFL…
The Presbyterian
Church of Franklin Lakes was founded in 1960 as a “counter-culture”
church. Pastors have led us in societal
concerns, and building a church that cares for neighbors. We are active in Paterson Habitat for
Humanity, the Center for Food Action, and the Interreligious Fellowship for the
Homeless.
The organizing pastor
of the church was Robert Strom, a dramatic and creative leader who lived in
Greenwich Village and commuted to
After a considerable
internal debate the church decided to build a structure that would serve the
community as well as the church. The
sanctuary is a multipurpose room without pews. In addition to Sunday worshipers, the space hosts yoga mats, cots for the
homeless and voting booths. In July,
we host “Heavenly Treasures,” a glorified garage sale that recycles tens of
thousands of dollars worth of used items. We also support the Creative Living Counseling Center, a Men’s AA
discussion group, daycare and nursery school, and a monthly art show.
Pastor from 1963 to
1976, Donald Purkey was very popular in both church and community. He went on to serve in a variety of
ministries in churches and as pastor to the
The church’s third
pastor was Ruth Ann Clark, who taught a feminist theology and a love of visual
and verbal arts. She had an active
counseling ministry and now works full-time as a counselor in CA.
Pastor Jack Lohr served from 1985 to 2008. He oversaw a renovation of the church building and a
deepening of our spiritual life to complement our mission to others. He welcomed the increasing variety of
spiritual practices at home in this community, including yoga and meditation.
Since 2000, Associate
Pastor Esther Yung Sun Kim has helped us to become in fact as well as in faith
a truly multi-racial and multicultural church. Through English-language teaching ministries and a more Evangelical
perspective in her work in membership outreach, she has broadened and deepened
our spiritual community.
