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The First United Presbyterian Church is an
imposing building situated on a terrace on Ridge Ave. between Fifth and
Seventh Sts. Built of native stone from the Blaney farm east
of
Sharpsville, the structure belies the years of hard work and many
obstacles overcome in its actual construction, for it fell victim to
the "Great Depression."
The Early 1900's
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The First Presbyterian Church
Located on Ridge Avenue, Sharpsville
Photo
taken in the year 2000
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The history of the church begins May 12,
1879, when a committee of the Presbytery of Beaver organized a group of
28 charter members. The committee included the Rev. W. M.
Taylor of
Mount Jackson, Lawrence County, the Rev. J. M. Neely of New Wilmington
and Elder James Wilson of Sharon.Members of the new church met in
Pierce Hall (Park Way Apartments [in 1974]) and in other buildings
until 1882. At that time a frame church building was erected
on the
corner of Main and First Sts. at a cost of $4,000.
The Rev. Jesse W. Hamilton served the church
in 1872, and was the first regular pastor of the church.
Other early
pastors were the Rev. Mr. Newell, 1874; the Rev. Mr. Wilson, 1883; the
Rev. Mr. Wallace, 1885; the Rev. Mr. [Samuel L.] Boston, 1887; the Rev.
Mr. [Charles E.] Edwards, 1892; the Rev. Mr. [John R.] Finley
[Findley], 1896; the Rev. Mr. [John E.] Fulton, 1902; the Rev. Mr.
[Andrew F.] Heltman, 1907; the Rev. Mr. Rynder, 1910; the Rev. Mr.
White, 1914, and the Rev. Mr. Fohner, 1919.*The Rev. Harry E. Woods
became pastor in 1923, serving until 1945, and it was during his
pastorate that work was begun on the new edifice.
The site chosen for the building was the
exact corner of town, equidistant from Buhl Farm, West End, East End
and the viaduct. The house and lot chosen owned by the
McCracken
family, was purchased and the house moved. Since the property
was
situated on a steep rise in the street, there was considerable
excavating required, the cost of which was covered by selling the dirt.
In
1928, the cornerstone was laid, but the Depression made it impossible
for pledges to be fulfilled, with only $5,000 of the $50,000 pledged
paid. However, most men and women of the church provided help
by
actual labor, giving their time and talents to fulfill the dream of the
church.
Because money was so scarce, most of the work was done
by volunteer labor, progress was slow, and the congregation moved into
a very unfinished building in 1935.
Both church services and Sunday school
classes were held in the education wing, which was without plaster or
partitions and with only subflooring. Chairs were rearranged for
classes and worship, and many pennies from the children's offering were
dropped to fall through the wide cracks in the floor to the mud surface
of the basement.
A mile of pennies was sought, and as the
pennies became dollars the basement was cemented. A small
pane of
glass in a window in the educational wing cost a quarter, a real
sacrifice in the Depression days. The sanctuary was completed
by means
of an insurance program.The Rev. W. S. Blair became pastor in 1945, and
on July 9, 1950, the sanctuary was dedicated.
Highlighting the
sanctuary are the Resurrection, Clerestory and Gem windows, with the
Last Judgment depicted in the balcony window.
The Rev. Dr.
Edwin G. Sloan became pastor in 1950, serving until two years ago
[until 1972]. During this time work in the educational wing
was
completed.
The current [1974] pastor, the Rev. Carlton
N. Baker, went to Sharpsville from a pastorate in Michigan.
The
parsonage is adjacent to the church, on the west side, and a large
paved lot behind the church provides parking space for the congregation
of approximately 590. The governing body of the church, the
Session,
is comprised of Robert Cairns, James Crawford, Elmer Grimmer, William
Swanson, Joseph Conti, James Lawton, Jesse Lyon, Clarence Womer, George
Mathewson, Joseph Mihocko, Ellis Stewart and Donald Williams Jr.
from
"Methodists Had the First Church," an article that appeared on pages 80
- 81 of the Sharpsville Souvenir Tabloid section, of The Herald,
Sharon, Pa., Saturday, June 22, 1974.
*first names of pastors supplied from The History of the Shenango
Presbytery, 1808-1908
The
First Presbyterian Church of Sharpsville was organized on May 12, 1870
by a committee of the Presbytery of Beaver, which included Rev. W. M.
Taylor of Mt. Jackson, Rev. J. M. Neely of New Wilmington and Elder
James Wilson of Sharon. There were 28 charter members who continued to
meet in the Pierce Hall and in other buildings until 1882. In 1882 a
new church building was erected on the corner of Main and First Streets
at a cost of $4,000.
The first Elders of the
Sharpsville Church were David Agnew and David McMillen. Later Leander
Ormsby, C. F. Eldredge and John D. Hadley were added to the
Elders. The Rev. Newell of Clarksville served as supply
pastor
from the organization until 1872. In 1872 Rev. J. W. Hamilton became
the first full pastor.
The
new Presbyterian Church
located on Ridge Avenue is built of native stone. The congregation and
the pastor, Rev. Harry Woods, started construction in 1929. The new
building is spacious and adequately houses the congregation. The
minister is Rev. Canton N. Baker [1974].
From Sharpsville Centennial Commemorative Booklet, 1974, pages 40-41 |
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