WEST SUNBURY - The congregation of West Sunbury United Presbyterian Church, 216 E. Church St., will mark 50 years of worship in its present sanctuary with a weekend of activities open to the public.

The church will hold a community ice cream social and a tour of the church facilities from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday.

Festivities will continue at the 10:30 a.m. Sunday service of worship, praise and consecration, where there will be special music. Former pastors and members will be attending.

A fellowship lunch will follow in the church social hall.

In 1951, the church acquired land and began construction on a new church building. The cornerstone was laid on Sept. 20, 1953, and dedication services and an open house were held Sept. 26, 1954 with the Rev. George Woodcock and former pastors, the Revs. Samuel Louden and Homer Henderson participating.

The present building, dedicated Sept. 26, 1954, is the 144-year-old congregation's second building at the East Church Street location. Since then, the Ministry Center across the street from the church was completed in 1966.

An enlargement to the building in 1994 provided additional classrooms and other facilities for both church and community activities, including the recently established North Central Butler County Senior Center. A new custom organ in the sanctuary was also dedicated in 1998.

Today, the Rev. Wayne Bell, music director-organist Dale Rice, youth director Todd Eckstein, secretary Roxanne Lackey, and janitor Dick Madison serve the church's 250 members.