Times were good and there were prospects of immediate success in building a new church. Four lots located at 639 Spearman Avenue were purchased from the Beechwood Improvement Company. Previous to this time the church had been known as the South Sharon Methodist Episcopal Church. Now Mr. James S. Spearman came forward with an offer to contribute five hundred dollars for the new edifice providing the church he named the Spearman Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church. Later Mr. Spearman made additional donations. Rev. D. C. Plannette worked hard with gratifying effect. During the year he gathered a membership, started subscriptions, and commenced the foundation of the new church.  

Then hard times came to the community when the giant steel mills shut down for a year and many people left the town. Many who remained had no means of support. A relief committee was formed with Mrs. Plannette as president and nothing could be done but endeavor to relieve the needy.  

During these hard times, the church worshipped in the Opera House on Broadway. After December, 1903, the congregation moved to the Carnegie Steel Company’s office building on Adams Street, where the Company gave free use of a large room. This was a material help to the weakened congregation.  

By the time industrial conditions had returned to normal the Trustee had decided on the architectural design of the new edifice. The estimated cost was $15,500 and the contract was awarded to A. Wishart, a contractor in Sharon.  

In 1904 Erie Conference granted Mr. Plannette permission to visit the charges of the conference to solicit funds for the new church. Much of the money was raised in this way.  

The new church was completed and dedicated, Sunday, December 3 1905, by Bishop C. C. McCabe. He was assisted by Reverend R. F. Randolph, Presiding Elder; Dr. Smith, Editor, Pittsburgh Advocate; P. A. Reno, First Methodist Church, Sharon; and D. C. Plannette. The sum of $4,000 was raised at this meeting and much of the balance pledged.    

Before the dedication of the church in 1905 the young people had organized a chapter of the Epworth League. A Junior League was also organized and capably supervised by Mrs. S. C. Crow. These active organizations of the church had excellent training schools for leadership and spiritual growth.  After the Uniting Conference of 1939 they became the groundwork for the modern Methodist Youth Fellowship. 

MINISTERS OF FARRELL 

METHODIST CHURCH

SOUTH SHARON CHURCH

1902-06     D. C. Plannette

1907-10     William Branfield

FARRELL CHURCH

1911-12     1911-13    J. A. Parsons

                                       Deceased Feb. 28, 1913 

                                       Roy Welker

                                       Supply until Sept. 1913

1913           R. A. Buzza

1914-16     A. B. Smith

1917-19     H. G. Dodds

1920           J. A. Cousins

1921-23     J. E. Jams

1924           Will H. Fenton

1925-35     H. M. Stevenson

1936-37     D. J. Blasdell

1938-40     C. C. Mohney

1941-44     C. L. Hayes

1945-47     David Harbrouch

1948-[present 1959]   

          E. V. Rupert  

The Men’s Bible Class was organized early in the history of the church and carried on an active program with its greatest period of activity being from 1910 to 1915. The transition of the organization to that of Methodist Men took place under the pastorate of Rev. C. C. Mohney.  

The church, having had its beginning through the Sunday School, has never been without this fine recruiting station where the religious instruction of children has received careful attention to fit them for future membership in the church. The superintendents who have served through the years are: S. M. Mark, J. A. Snyder, C. G. Cannon, C. M. Kennedy, W. E. Cochran, and W. I. Williams.  

In the Adult Department of the Sunday School, Mr. J. S. Frantz taught the Men’s Bible Class and Mr. John E. McCreey taught the Loyal Ladies Class. Through the efforts of Mrs. W. E. Cochran the Brenner Class was organized to meet the needs of the young women of the church. It was the forerunner of the Berean Bible Class of today and is among the older organized Bible Classes of the Valley.  

Three sons of former ministers of this church entered the ministry— Rev. Roy Plannette, Rev. Lee D. Smith, and Rev. James Cousins.  

From 1910 to 1915 an Italian Methodist Mission was held in the basement of the church. Ministers were supplied by the Italian Methodist Church of New Castle. The work was productive and some converts were still living in Farrell in 1952.    

History Continued