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.