175th Anniversary
CELEBRATION
Jefferson United Methodist Church, the
“friendly little church on the hill,” honors
its faith and service to the community.
BY W.B. FRESA
“I
f you stand in the cemetery on a clear day, you can see
the top of the UPMC building downtown,” says John,
a longtime member of Jefferson United Methodist
Church.
“We are the third highest point in Allegheny County,” says
Betty, another church member. She and John, along with several
others, make up the planning committee for the church’s 175th
anniversary celebration, and they’re determined to showcase its
long history of fellowship and worship.
Jefferson United Methodist Church, located on Gill Hall Road,
Jefferson Hills, first opened its doors in 1843, more than 20 years
before the Civil War began. It was a wooden structure built by
William Snee and was used for 80 years before Mr. Paul and Mr.
Nobel Dick built the current brick church on the same property
in 1923.
In 1955, the church expanded to include the Educational
Building and parking lot. But the most recent upgrade is a new
corridor.
“The corridor connects the church to the Educational Building
and has a concrete engraved list of all 86 ministers who have
served the church,” says John. “We have also included their
service years as a way of recognizing how long our history is
in this community and how many people have passed through
our doors in service to our
church.”
All of these details go a long
way in helping the planning
committee formulate ideas for
the yearlong celebration. The
committee of eight, including
Rev. Dr. Cyndi Bloise, has
been meeting in the church’s
Educational Building since
January to brainstorm and
bring together events and
people who have made the
church what it is today.
“Our first event was held
in March,” says Pastor Cyndi.
“It was a spaghetti dinner and
fundraiser and also included
one of our former pastors,
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“We’ll have a Fall
Festival complete
with costumes
reminiscent of the
times when the
church was first
erected, as well as
a petting zoo, and
traditional games
and food from the
mid-1800s.”
Sandra Marsh-McClain,
who provided ministry at
our Sunday service. It was
a nice way to kick off the
celebration and get the
ball rolling on what was to
come.”
Events that followed
included having former
District Superintendent
Rev. Paul Taylor and
former pastors Rev. Keith McIlwain and Rev. Kathy Clark return
to Jefferson United Methodist Church in May, July and August
respectively to preach, and then all attendees met for a covered-
dish lunch.
“The main event however will be held in September,” says
Pastor Cyndi. “We will have a Fall Festival complete with
costumes reminiscent of the times when the church was first
erected, as well as a petting zoo and traditional games and food
from the mid-1800s.”
In October, Bishop Cynthia Moore Koi-Koi, the first female
Bishop of the Western PA United Methodists, will arrive to
preach for worship at the church with a catered banquet to follow.
All of the events and
planning around the 175th
anniversary of Jefferson
United Methodist Church,
commonly known as the
“friendly little church on the
hill,” are really a continued
outreach to the community to
welcome new members who
may want to join the church
or even those who may be
interested in their rich history.
To learn more about the
events surrounding the
Jefferson United Methodist
Church celebration, contact
the church secretary at
412.653.3222. n