Church’s Auto Parts – with locations in Ridley, Springfield, and Drexel Hill – recently celebrated its 40th anniversary with auto-trade show and customer celebration at the Springfield Country Club, writes Peg DeGrassa of Delaware County News Network.

The company began in 1976 when brothers Rich, Ray, and Roger Church of Norwood opened up a small speed shop in Prospect Park. The trio enjoyed tinkering with cars in their driveway as a pastime, and they thought the business could help support their drag racing hobby.

To evolve the store with the times, however, their older brother Bob came into the business, changing the store’s focus into an auto parts store.

Church’s Speed Shop moved to Ridley Park in 1978 and became Church’s Auto Parts. Raymond left the business a year later for other pursuits, and Richard was tragically killed in a drag race car accident in 1990.

According to DeGrassa, Bob and Roger continued in the business, eventually opening two more stores, one in Springfield in 2004 and the other in Drexel Hill in 2008.

With 400 customers attending the anniversary celebration, the event included dinner, entertainment by comedian Big Daddy Graham, and an automotive trade show with over 50 vendors.

The three Church’s Auto Parts stores employ 62 people, have 30 delivery trucks, and provide service to about 850 customers in Delaware County alone.

Click here to read more about Church’s Auto Parts from Delaware County News Network.