A neighborhood church with a longstanding history has recently received a new name.
The Dickson City Community Church, formerly called First Primitive Methodist Church of Dickson City, 516 Jackson St., celebrated a new name dedication service on Nov. 23.
Dickson City Community Church has been part of the community since Feb. 27, 1890, according to Dylon Beamer, the church’s pastor. He has served as pastor since June 2021.
Changing the name of the church was discussed for several years by previous pastors, according to Beamer. The church was officially named the First Primitive Methodist Church of Priceburgh on paper record before the new name change. The new name will help keep the branding of the church consistent since it was often previously written a few different ways, according to Beamer.
The inside of Dickson City Community Church is seen at 516 Jackson St. (Danielle Karwaski/For The Valley Advantage)
Beamer said the new name will celebrate the church’s past and “continue the legacy into the future by God’s grace to serve the community.” Additionally, the new name will help with “getting back to the roots of being a community church in the area,” said Beamer.
The name was officially changed on Nov. 23 during a name dedication ceremony with about 60 church members in attendance, according to Beamer.
With the name change, some members were concerned the church was leaving the denomination. However, the church is still a member of the Primitive Methodist Church of the USA, according to Beamer.
“I think it is great,” said Joe O’Connell, Dickson City Community Church member since 2012, of the name change. He said the name change helps eliminate any confusing barriers to new church members.
“It was kind of overdue,” said Linda Sargent, Dickson City Community Church member. “It did not explain what kind of church it was.”
Sargent grew up going to the church and has been attending again since moving back to the area.
“It is a true-to-faith church,” she said. “It is a biblically sound church.”
Dickson City Community Church has been part of the community since Feb. 27, 1890, according to Pastor Dylon Beamer. (Danielle Karwaski/For The Valley Advantage)
The name change will help get to the foundation of what the church is all about in the current culture with less knowledge of denominational names, according to Beamer. When searching for local churches to attend, many people may not be familiar with the term Primitive Methodist, according to Beamer.
The Primitive Methodist denomination focuses on the Bible as the authoritative work of God. The denomination is also in favor of congregational authority with equal representation of the clergy and members of the church, according to Beamer.
Members of the Dickson City Community Church are interested in the tradition and foundations of why they believe what they believe, according to Beamer. During his sermons, Beamer teaches the significance of words in songs and symbols, uses the Old Testament and New Testament and a sermon series where church members can submit questions via email to be answered in the service. This helps to “give a diversity of teaching,” said Beamer.
There is a loving hospitality and love between members in the church and community, according to Beamer, where new members can feel just as a part of community no matter how long they have been a member of the church, according to Beamer.
As pastor of Dickson City Community Church, Beamer said he wants to help “bring back an atmosphere of hugs, high fives and handshakes,” help people connect with others and have the church “be a light in the community for the community.”
To reach out to the community, the Dickson City Community Church partners with the Valley Village of Volunteers to help local food drives. Because of the church’s donations, the food drive was able to give out servings of fresh vegetables.
The church also sponsors a children’s soccer team, of which Beamer’s two sons are members. Sponsoring the team helps the church be a “team player with the community,” said Beamer.
Beamer said the community can use the church as a meeting space venue to “be a resource for God’s kingdom to the community around us.”
People of all ages and backgrounds are welcome at the Dickson City Community Church, according to Beamer. “If you feel like you need Jesus, you are welcome here,” said Beamer.
For those looking for a church, “whatever you are going through or (have) been through, it’s OK,” said Beamer. “You can be messy.” As a pastor, Beamer said his job is about “loving people where they are in life and helping them in life.”
The Dickson City Community Church has a come-as-you-are service on Sundays at 10 a.m.
The church also offers Sunday school for adults on Sundays at 9 a.m. and junior church for children in sixth grade and under during Sunday service with a volunteer instructor who has undergone a background check. However, children can also stay with their parents at Sunday service, according to Beamer.
The church also offers an Olympians Children’s Program for children in pre-kindergarten through sixth grade on Sundays at 6 p.m.
For more information about Dickson City Community Church, call the church at 570-489-3452, visit the church’s website at dicksoncitychurch.com or its Facebook page.