Countless stores and venues have come and gone during Plymouth Meeting Mall’s long history, but Church on the Mall has remained constant, writes M. English for Daily Local News.

The 89-member congregation recently marked 50 years, mostly thanks to their commitment to welcoming everyone. To emphasize this, the church’s small chapel along with Rachel’s Way pantry is always available to help.

The church also hosts monthly First Friday dinners. These are open to the public with no need for pre-registration and no questions asked. The next is scheduled for April 7 at 6 p.m.

The church put its roots down in Plymouth Meeting Mall as it was the center of the town when it opened. When it moved into new premises, the church agreed on a lease of $1 per year for 50 years. Now its future is being discussed between the church and the Mall.

“That was important because it put the church where the people were, and that was vital to the congregations’ feeling that it had, and continues to have, a role to play in the community,” said Church on the Mall Elder Pete Scattergood.

Read more about the longstanding Church at Daily Local News by clicking here.