Here is what our church looked like in 1777
The Reverend William Tennent, a graduate of the University of Edinburgh, class of 1695, sailed to the New World with his wife, four young sons and a daughter in 1718, landing in Philadelphia. In 1726, they had settled "near the forks of the Neshaminy" where he found enough Scotch-Irish Presbyterians to organize a congregation. In 1727 a Meeting House was built on the grounds of the present cemetery. All that remains today of that original structure is its datestone, which is embedded in the south wall of the cemetery.
Around 1730 William Tennent built his home near the intersection of York and Street Roads, and shortly thereafter constructed the school that was to be known as "the Log College". It was in this building that Tennent taught his sons and other young men a variety of subjects, including Latin, Greek and Hebrew. The origin of 63 colleges and universities can be traced to the influence or work of the men Tennent had trained in this small and humble structure.
The Log College closed in May 1746 at Tennent's death. That September the College of New Jersey (later Princeton University) opened, greatly supported by Tennent's former students.
Shortly before William Tennent retired as pastor of the Church in 1742, a division had occurred in the church membership. One group continued to worship in the old building, and the "New Side" faction built a new church a few hundred feet east within sight of the original sanctuary. Though this second Meeting House has been renovated, enlarged and continually "modernized" for more than two centuries, it is essentially the same house of worship you see today.
Charles Beatty, who had received his training at the Log College, became the second minister of Neshaminy Church. He remained as minister until 1772, during which time he had also served as chaplain under Colonel Benjamin Franklin. Beatty is credited with having preached the first Protestant sermon west of the Alleghenies (at Fort Pitt, during the French and Indian War). In 1758, under Beatty's leadership the "New Side" and the "Old Side" were reunited into one church.
In 1775, during the Nathaniel Irwin's ministry at Neshaminy (1774-1812) the church building was enlarged to accommodate the increased number of people who now came from miles away.
In August 1777, George Washington crossed the Delaware at Coryell's Ferry (Now New Hope) and with 11,000 men marched down York Road to begin a thirteen day encampment near the Cross Roads (now Hartsville). During this encampment, Washington issued an order for a general court martial "for the trial of all prisoners of the horse which shall be brought before them."
The court martial was held in the church sanctuary and included the trial of Captain Henry Lee, charged with "disobedience of orders". After hearing the evidence, the Court's unanimous opinion was that the charges against him were groundless and he was "acquitted with honor". Lee went on to a legendary career as "Light Horse Harry", governor of Virginia, congressman and father of Robert E. Lee.
An Interesting and more thorough history of Neshaminy Church can be found in A History of Neshaminy-Warwick Presbyterian Church 1726-1976 which was written by Helen H. Gemmill to commemorate its 250th Anniversary.