In the early 1700s Chester County became home to 3,100 settlers who were Presbyterians from Ireland. Over time that population doubled. They established churches in Upper Octorara (1720) and New London (1726). The New London Church was said to oppose the establishment of Fagg's Manor parish since they feared the community couldn't support two churches that are six miles apart. Despite the fear, Fagg's Manor Presbyterian was organized in 1730, the new community named after Sir John Fagg, an acquaintance of William Penn.

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In 1740, English preacher George Whitefield wandered into eastern Pennsylvania to spread the word of God. He then wandered into Chester County where he preached at Fagg's Manor. Whitefield was one of America's most famous evangelical preachers as the statement below suggests.

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"At his first visit the crowd was estimated at twelve thousand. The interest was intense. 'Look where I would,' writes Whitefield in his journal, 'most were drowned in tears. The 'word was sharper than a two edged sword.' Their bitter cries and tears were enough to pierce the hardest heart. Oh, what different visages were then to be seen! Some were struck as pale as death, — others lying on the ground, — others wringing their hands, — others sinking into the arms of their friends, — and most lifting up their eyes to heaven, and crying out to God for mercy. I could think of nothing when I looked at them so much as the great day. They seemed like persons awakened by the last trump and coming out of their graves to judgment.'"

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- History of the Presbyterian Church of Fagg's Manor, Chester Co., Pa. 1730-1876