Congregation of Port's oldest place of worship installs pastor guided by God

By Sharon E. Siegel

PORT JERVIS, NY -- A Service of Installation was held last weekend at Port Jervis' oldest church building, the historic church that has overlooked historic Orange Square for the past 164-years.

On Sunday, May 3, 2026, The Rev. Zachary K. Pearce was officially installed as Pastor and Teacher of United Presbyterian & Reformed Church of Port Jervis (formerly The First Presbyterian Church of Port Jervis) at 60 Sussex Street.

Pledging to lead the newly renamed place of worship, always "with God's help", the church's new pastor recalled feeling guided by God along many paths to his present charge. Pearce, who was installed before dozens of fellow clergy, his church's Council of Elders and congregation, and members of his family and community, pledged to continue following his faith on life's paths and journey.

Pearce was installed by the Hudson River Presbytery (PCUSA) and the Classis of the Hudson Valley (RCA) in what he sees as a mission that was meant to be. Historic church histories and fate seem to back this up.

As history shows, the church now led by Pearce was initially organized in 1851 by a group of former members of the Deerpark Reformed Church back then. Those 1851 former Deerpark Reformed Church parishioners were given land at the time by Henry H. Farnum. They constructed the current historic church at the corner of Sussex and Broome streets and named it The First Presbyterian Church. Dedicated in December of 1852, this church now holds the combined congregations of both historic churches.

It was Rev. Pearce who led the decommissioning service in Deerpark Reformed Church when it permanently closed in 2023. The histories of the Presbyterian and Reformed congregations came full circle when the two churches officially merged, forming the current United Presbyterian and Reformed Church of Port Jervis (UPRC), led by Pearce.

Pearce recalled how he wrestled with his own thoughts and expectations as he learned to receive the unexpected, growing up in and becoming the pastor of one church and then attending and becoming pastor in another. He recalled always finding his way by accepting and following the paths he felt God leading him toward.

"Today is not about me. It is about God. It is always about God," Pearce told those gathered as part of the official installation service, prayer, and reflection. "We do not know what lies ahead, but God is our journey. Let the journey be a good one."

Note: For an article written by The Rev. Zachary Pearce about the many signs he received and choices he made to follow over recent years, click on the link that follows. It's definitely worth the read!

https://reformedjournal.com/2026/03/02/a-call-a-random-library-book-a-new-creation/

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/5ea8cd_d65281399a4f418ca2ef710d89d30b6d/1080p/mp4/file.mp4