Sharing our FPCB Stories

Tuesday, February 9, 2021

A Long and Fruitful Partnership

For 105 of its 145 years, First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem has been the chartering organization for a Boy Scout Troop, now known as Troop 302. This makes it the longest continuous sponsoring relationship of a Boy Scout troop in Bethlehem.

Below: From 1925, this document shows the renewal for "The First Presbyterian Church" for its original charter from November, 1916, for Veteran Troop No. 2. The national Boy Scout organization was incorporated in 1910, and is one of the rare groups to hold a U.S. Congress charter, made on June 15, 1916.

The names of the troop committee include J. Alton Seacrest, A.J. Willis, A.N. Brown, and T.R. Nivin; the scoutmaster was Edward E. Morris; and Howard M. Link was the assistant scoutmaster.

The Boy Scout Journey

When a person becomes a Boy Scout, they advance to different levels. Younger kids start out as Cub Scouts and they advance through the ranks. When they achieve the Arrow of Light ranking, they advance to Boy Scouts, where they make further progress by earning badges.

The Eagle Scout is the highest achievement for Boy Scouts. Eagle Scouts must earn a minimum of 21 merit badges and demonstrate Scout spirit and leadership within their troop. Troop 302 has had 128 scouts earn the rank of Eagle since its founding; in the past ten years, 32 of their scouts have earned Eagle.

Eagle Scouts must also do a final project; over the years several have been completed for FPCB (including the recent installation of a chimney sweep tower by Elijah Sivick and his family and friends; read about it here).

As examples of some recent projects, several years ago all of the lampposts on the church grounds were painted as part of Drew Stonesifer's project (right).

Another scout, Dan Trempel, built the five recycling stations still in use around our church building.

Boy Scout Sunday

At both of this Sunday's services we will be celebrating "Scout Sunday", done annually on the Sunday closest to National Boy Scout Day, which is on February 8. Typically, members of our local troop would serve as ushers during the services.

As an alternative for this year, they have provided us with a short video to share their story; it will be played during each service.

We appreciate the hard work and dedication of the members of "our" troop over these many years, and are proud to continue our longstanding affiliation.

If you are interested in more information about Boy Scouts of America or our local troop, please contact Scoutmaster Sam Phillips at 484-547-9898 or Randy Stonesifer at 610-691-6376.