Forest Hill June/July Community Update

June 25, 2026

Community of Forest Hill,

We have greatly valued your patience this year, as our Administrative Commission has worked to dissolve a worship community that has faithfully and wonderfully served this community for over 100 years. We continue to be available to members who seek to transition their membership (foresthillpresac@gmail.com).

We have also been seeking to faithfully carry on the legacy of Forest Hill Presbyterian Church, through maintaining the building as an asset to the community. We are excited to share that our proposal for a way forward in this regard was recently wholeheartedly endorsed by the Presbytery of the James. The now established proposal is as follows:

1. That the congregation of Forest Hill Presbyterian Church be dissolved, with gratitude for its many years of valuable and sacred ministry and the membership of members be transferred to congregations of their choosing.
2. That the Presbytery of the James receive transfer of title to the property of Forest Hill Presbyterian Church, with all church records, for the furtherance and advancement of God’s mission and ministry through the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
   1. For all records to be inventoried and sent via the Presbytery of the James to the Presbyterian Historical Society, Philadelphia, PA, for safekeeping. That all remaining non-monetary assets be distributed by the presbytery to other Presbyterian churches or entities.
   2. That all remaining funds be transferred to the Forest Hill Presbyterian Church account at the Presbytery of the James, with the intent that they be used towards the operation of a community center on the campus of Forest Hill Presbyterian Church.
   3. That the trustees sell the manse connected to the property of Forest Hill Presbyterian Church, as a residential dwelling, directing income from the sale towards renovation of the church property.
   4. That the ownership of the building and property of Forest Hill Presbyterian Church be retained by the Presbytery of the James for at least one year, while the task force has time to develop their detailed proposal.
3. That the POJ trustees populate a task force, including 6 members of Presbytery (preferably 3 elders and 3 ministers), and 3 members of the Forest Hill Community, to assist in management of tenants, oversight of staff, management and oversight of the building, and the formulation of a long-term structure to retain the property as a community center.
   1. That the POJ trustees arrange staffing for on-site building administration to maintain the building, communicate with tenants, manage finances, and serve as the liaison between the community center and the Presbytery of the James.
   2. That the mission council populate a new church development task force to begin exploring the potential of a new church development on the Forest Hill campus.

As the Administrative Commission concludes its work, some members will transition on to the newly forming Forest Hill Community Center Task Force. They will be the team that will secure a new staffing arrangement, manage the needs of the CCC and community tenants, and work to find a permanent solution for a community center to thrive in the Forest Hill Neighborhood.

The Presbyterian Church USA structure provides that the property of all congregations are held in trust by the presbytery to further the mission of our denomination. When a congregation dissolves, the presbytery is established as the primary owners of the property, and will manage said property following our call to ministry and mission. The Trustees of the Presbytery of the James will take on this task, and will work with the Forest Hill Community Center Task Force to discern the ministry and mission of this property.

Once again, we appreciate your patience as this new team takes effect and begins its work of creating a long-term thriving model to serve this community. We will be in touch!

If you have any questions or concerns, please direct them to foresthillpresac@gmail.com.

In gratitude and hope,

The Administrative Commission of Forest Hill Presbyterian Church