Youngstown Presbyterian Church presents free play performances for its bicentennial

Free ice cream social after shows

Youngstown First Presbyterian Church invites the community to “We Gather Together,” a one-act play with music that features the church’s 200-year history in under one hour. Free performances will happen at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Sept. 29-30, at 100 Church St., Youngstown. It will be followed by free, old-time ice cream socials.

“We Gather Together” is narrated by two founders of the church from 1823: Judge Ashbel Hinman and Rev. Ebeneezer Everett. The 20-member cast introduces many of the people who played a part in the growth of the church, with references to village and world events that influenced the church's growth. The story is accompanied by hymns and music that represent different time periods. Images of the church and village will also be shared on screens during the performances.

The play was written by church members Claudia Andres and Dr. Jerry Andres of Youngstown. Dr. Andres is a local physician, musician and history buff who drafted the play based on his research of the church and village history. Claudia Andres, who is a school music educator, local musician and lifelong member of the church, took the draft and edited it, adding stage direction and music. This is their third play together. Jean Siddall and Mark Miller assisted the Andres by gathering information and photos to support the storyline and production.

The play is one of the ways that the church is commemorating its bicentennial. The congregation is also engaged in 200 acts of kindness; compiling a history book; marching in parades; collecting members’ photos, memories and stories of church events and people; assembling video photo display; and selling memorabilia items.

More information about the church and its ministries is available at www.youngstownpres.org and www.facebook.com/youngstownpres.