First United Methodist Church

SHARPSVILLE METHODIST CHURCH    

The Sharpsville Methodist Church grew from the Hays Class, organized at the home of William Hays, a tenant on the Seth Fruit farm, just west of Clarksville, in 1835 when Ensign B. Hill and Ruben Peck were Pastors of the “Salem Circuit” which included this neighborhood. A class book of this organization for the period 1835-44 still exists, and supplies some very interesting information. It shows among other things, that careful record was kept of attendance at services; and opposite the name of more than one member appears the entry “Dropt for Non-attendance.” The first class leader was Robert Rice with nine members in the class. Others soon joined on probation and before the close of 1836 there were a total of twenty-two members. Andrew Byerly being one of those joining January 1, 1836.  

During 1836 the class changed its meeting place to the home of Andrew Byerly, who lived on a farm on the west side of Sharpsville, and here, on September 25, 1836, the Society was organized with James Hays as class leader. With this move the Hays Class became a Sharpsville group, and in time those members who lived near Clarksville became attendants of the Clarksville Methodist Church organized in 1821. The Hays class continued for several years to meet at the home of Andrew Byerly, who became the leader in 1837. Jonathan Beatty succeeded on January 26, 1839 but Mr. Byerly was reappointed on January 24, 1840, and remained class leader until his resignation on April 8, 1844; he also held this office at later times.  

The Hays Class belonged, when first organized, to the Salem Circuit, Meadville District (of which Isaac Winans was Presiding Elder),  Pittsburgh Conference, an was thus older than the Erie Conference, organized in 1836, in which Sharpsville is since included.  From 1837 until 1869 Sharpsville belonged with Greenville, Clarksville, Big Bend, Keel Ridge, Charleston, and Sharon to the “Old Clarksville Circuit.” In 1869 it became a separate station.  

The Methodist Society first met within the present limits of Sharpsville about 1847. Church services were in the original school building on the site of the present Deeter Building. This building was used by Methodists and other groups until 1858 when the First Methodist Episcopal Church, a 30x40 frame building, was erected on North Mercer Avenue just below Cedar Street. This building was enlarged in 1875.  

In 1866 the congregation, having outgrown the Mercer Avenue building, purchased a lot from Jonas J. Pierce for the sum of $500, which was paid for by the Ladies’ Aid Society, and erected the first church building at the present Shenango Street location. The ceremony of the “Laying of the Cornerstone” for this structure was held at half past six o’clock on August 27, 1886. Rev. Alfred Wheeler, D.D., Presiding Elder, had charge of the service and gave the address. Rev. S. M. Clark was the pastor.  

In 1915 the original structure was enlarged and completely remodeled. The building was raised up four feet and moved back nine feet. The basement was excavated and a new heating system installed. A brick veneer was added to the outside. Since that time, forty-four years ago, many minor changes and improvements have been made in the present structure in order to help meet the increasing demands that are made upon the church and her ever-broadening program.  

After emerging from the depression of the early 1930’s, like most churches, we had sonic indebtedness, and the church was badly in need of renovation, but we had a real incentive to work, for we were now almost one hundred years old and a centennial program was on the minds of the people. Under the capable pastorate of Grant L. Mottern, committees were appointed and plans were under way to celebrate One Hundred Years of Methodism In Sharpsville It was at this time the Memorial and Gift Committee was appointed to study the possibilities of a Memorial Organ.  

Saturday, October 29, 1936, the opening day of the Centennial program found all debts liquidated, the church completely renovated, a new carpet provided, and the congregation the proud owner of a Hammond organ. The three day program was one long to be remembered. Former members and friends returned to worship with us, and with the aid of the District Superintendent, Dr. T. E. Colley, and former pastors cooperating with Rev. Mottern, strong messages and inspirational music gave to us the spiritual uplift we had so needed and the urge to do big things toward the building of the Kingdom in the hearts of men and women.  

We impressively observed our One Hundred Tenth Anniversary, by dedicating the Carillonic Tower Bells, paying tribute to all our service men and women of World War II who had and were serving in the Armed Forces and to Benjamin A. Frye, Jr., who made the supreme sacrifice. Saturday evening, August 24, 1946, a Serviceman’s dinner was held and on Sunday, in the morning worship service, the Bells were dedicated and in the evening we dedicated the “Byerly Room” in memory of Andrew and Ruth Byerly in whose home the Methodist Society was organized. This was made possible by the gift of Mr. Byerly’s granddaughter, Mrs. Elizabeth Byerly Hum (Mrs. J.B. Hum).  

1949 marked the Seventy-fifth Anniversary of the Incorporation of Sharpsville as a Borough. Our church being the oldest religious society in town, we again planned to thank God by special services, and opened the doors to Home-comers with a special service on Sunday, July 3, 1949. The Memorial and Gift Committee presented items for dedication on that day.  

By this time our membership had increased by leaps and bounds, and there was a growing consciousness that our present building was in adequate for all the things we were trying to do, and so again realizing there was a great need in order for the work of the church to advance, the Official Board in 1951 authorized the appointment of a survey committee to investigate the various possibilities open to us.  

In the spring of 1952 an opportunity to purchase the Love property adjoining the church presented itself. With this property on which to expand the Survey Committee together with Architect, Walter U. Mallorie, worked out an addition at the rear of the church to house a part of the Sunday School. The Finance committee working under instructions from the Official Board set up a campaign to raise funds. The asking price was Thirty-five Thousand Dollars to be paid in installments over a period of one hundred ten weeks.  

Sunday, July 9, 1953, two years and three months after the Survey Committee had been appointed, Ground Breaking ceremonies were held, and a dream was on its way to become a reality. Because of the tremendous amount of volunteer labor that was given, it was possible to do much more with our Thirty-five Thousand Dollars than we had anticipated; consequently, it was decided to add a second story to the structure and finish it up for use. By the time it was ready for occupancy the total cost was Forty-three Thousand and we had a building valued at Seventy-two Thousand Dollars. The old part of the church was not neglected and many improvements were made and memorials added, making our total improvement program well over One Hundred Thousand Dollars.  

The Consecration service was held, Sunday, May 8, 1955. In the morning worship service, Bishop Lloyd C. Wicke was present delivering the sermon and then dedicated the new structure as an Educational building for the purpose of worship, study, fellowship, and service. In the evening a former pastor, Rev. William P. Sipe, gave the evening message, and a social hour was enjoyed in the dining room of the church.  

There was a feeling of closeness among our people during this building program as our men labored together, after their regular work day in industry, and our women were on hand to furnish hot lunches for these workers. Yes, it was a joyous occasion for we had seen the fruits of our labors.  

“God builds no churches. By his plan that labor has been left to man."

- Edgar A. Guest 

As the total program of one hundred thousand dollars was brought to a conclusion only fifteen thousand dollars remained to be paid. By May, 1957, this entire amount of the indebtedness had been liquidated and seven thousand dollars’ worth of other improvements had been completed which included the remodeling of the Intermediate Department, redecorating the social room of the church, refurnishing the  Byerly Room, the creation and equipping of a new church office. The added improvements were not restricted to the interior of the church. The entire area in front of our church was renovated; trees were removed and the entire area was resurfaced and landscaped. A new bulletin board adorned the newly seeded lawn. Even the front of our church took on a “new look.”  

But this was by no means a time for relaxation. Already the newly constructed educational wing was overflowing and added space was needed. To offer temporary aid to the crowded situation, a large ten room house across the street from the church was purchased from Dr. and Mrs. Benjamin Frye and was converted into an adult educational plant under the caption of “Wesley Manor.” With the acquisition of this new property, a new parking area, 30’x 165’, was created to alleviate the acute parking problem.  In June, 1958, the trustees of the church presented a three-year building and improvement program under the title “Operation 61.” The first phase of the three year program called for the construction of a new educational wing which would provide space for a new Primary Department and several other adult classes. Ground was broken in July [1958] and again the ladies of the congregation worked hand in hand to complete the first phase as rapidly as possible. On February 1, 1959, the new educational wing, valued at forty-nine thousand five hundred seven dollars, was consecrated. Again the challenge of the hour had been matched by the loyalty and dedication of the congregation. As we look forward to the completion of the two final phases of our expansion program before our 125th anniversary in 1961, we are confident that the same spirit of devotion and Christian vision which has punctuated the long history of our church will again prove our love to our Blessed Lord.

Christian teaching is the structure upon which the church’s life and activities are builded [built]. Our church school has been a strong influence in the lives of our people. The Lord has blessed this school and its faithful staff of devoted teachers and officers. 

Special recognition should be given to John A. Jackson, who served as a church school secretary for over forty years, and who was called home May 30, 1955. John  was one of God’s noblemen willing to walk the humble paths of life, his ambition only to render the best of service to the lord, and because of his interest, our church school has been of the most efficiently operated Sunday Schools in Erie Conference.  He was always available, kind to the sick and shut-ins and sent hundred of greeting cards and condolences each year. On May 29, 1958  John Jackson Fellowship Hall was dedicated as a lasting memorial to one “who served so long and well among us.”  

We have much praise for the Ladies’ Aid Society, which statistics show was in existence prior to 1886. Without their splendid support many times we would have ceased to carry on, and during our more prosperous years without these untiring workers would have accomplished much less. They bountifully fed not only our congregation but the public, so that the church could be saved from debts and many a Pastor’s salary from deficit. These devoted, consecrated, loyal women merit the highest praise. In 1940 this Society was replaced by Woman Society of Christian Service. Their programs are outlined by the Conference President and our Society seems to take for granted; that the program is to be accepted. They study, give of their time and talents, pray for the church and community, and by their gifts   

the message of love, hope and eternal life to many at home and around the world. We are thankful to God for women interested in the happiness of others through the missionary program.  

The church has impressed something of the spirit upon the cultural life of every generation to which it has ministered. Its spirit has found expression through the medium of music. It has been, and is, an appropriate instrument for religious expression. The spirit that prevails throughout a service is largely dependent upon the musical setting of the service. The names of those who have served as organists since 1886 [and through 1959] appear below:

Mollie Dunham Vance

Edward A. Roberts

Victoria Smith Roberts

Minnie RObison

Verna Jackson Hull

Edith Gemmill Lee

Myrtle Lockhart Fry

Mrs. Frye has capably handled the music for many years, in fact the only one to serve as regular organist since the purchase of the first Hammond organ. We have been fortunate to have one so talented as she to give us such excellent performance. She is faithful and always willing to give of her time. For many years we had only a Senior Choir, but in 1948 a Junior Choir was organized under the leadership of  Mrs. George Stahl. Our latest addition to the music setup is the Youth Choir.  Mrs. Larry Sproul,  our present Senior Choir director, is doing an excellent job. To have a volunteer choir so faithful is worthy of commendation.  

In evaluating the history of this church, we are fully aware that our ancestors left us material evidence of their labors. While there are striking differences of interest, ability, education and personality there has been one constant factor, that of service to our fellow men, and a deep desire to spread the gospel. We have inherited a legacy richer than gold. 

Do we appreciate this rich heritage left us by our forefathers, and what are we doing to continue this great work? The answer can be found in a quick look at recent figures which show a church membership of over seven hundred and a Sunday School enrollment of better than five hundred. We have real estate valued at $252.147. Our missionary giving has steadily increased to the point where we are accepting further advance specials. We partially support Walter and Millie Reitz, missionaries in Panama. But far more important we have seen men and women, boys and girls at the altar find the real Christ. They have gone from this church and proclaimed the Gospel in word and deed. It has been made a better place to live in, because of their affiliation with the church and its program. There is a sense of triumph, for we are well aware that under God victories have been won, and greater progress made in Sharpsville because of its churches.