CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. — Zion Reformed United Church of Christ will continue a more than 200-year-old tradition on Sunday, June 14, inviting the public to its annual Rose Rent observance.
The morning begins at 9 a.m. with a full breakfast prepared by the church’s men, followed by a brief historical presentation at 9:45 a.m. Anne Hull, executive director of the Franklin County Historical Society, will present a program titled “Chambers Town.”
At 10:30 a.m., a rose will be selected from one of the church’s bushes along Main Street and designated as the annual “rental rose.” The rose will then be presented during the Rose Rent service at 10:45 a.m. to a descendant of Benjamin Chambers, the town’s founder.
Zion Reformed UCC, located at the corner of South Main and Liberty streets, traces its history at the site to 1813. The congregation is one of three local “Rose Rent Churches,” along with the Presbyterian Church of Falling Spring and First Lutheran Church, that maintain the longstanding tradition of paying an annual land rent of a single rose.
The custom stems from a provision in the church’s original deed requiring that each June, in perpetuity, the congregation present one rose from its grounds to a Chambers family descendant. The practice is considered historically unique in the United States.
The public is invited to attend all events. Those planning to attend the breakfast and program are asked to contact the church office in advance.
In addition to the ceremony, a special offering will be collected to benefit Victory House, a local organization that supports veterans.
