Add an Article Add an Event Edit

First Presbyterian Church Of Bakerstown

5800 Heckert Road
724-443-1555

The church was growing out of their present building so a room, 30 ft. x 32 ft. was added to the south side of the church, also a belfry and porch were added on the west side of the church. This was in 1905 and while this was being built, the congregation was meeting in Heckert's Hall in Bakerstown. At this time, the pulpit and choir loft were moved to the north end of the church. Circular pews were installed in the old part of the church. To help defray the expense of the pews, several families purchased pews. Sometime after this addition was completed it was decided to dig out a cellar kitchen which could also be used as a Sunday School Room. New cement walks were laid around the church

During the 1930's and early '40's our attendance and finances were at a very low ebb. Average church attendance was between 50 and 60. It was a real struggle to keep going. Most repairs and upkeep were done by the members of the Church Boards. In July 1942, a fund was created to be used at some future date to erect a church school and social building in keeping with our financial circumstances. Needless to say, the fund did not grow very fast. The community began to change. Many new homes were built; farms were broken up into subdivisions; the area began to grow. This caused the Boards to dream of a larger church and Sunday School Building. It was decided to sell the old Manse and buy the old house and lot where the present Manse is located. On August 28, 1946, the old Manse was sold and the new location was purchased for the sum of $5,500.00. At about this same time, the adjoining ground was for sale (the present parking area along Route 8), but there were no funds and we had at this time enough parking space. Without this parking area, the dream of a larger church was out of the picture. The dream was sold to the congregation and the lot was purchased. Following World War II, the future of our Church did not seem very bright. However, the congregation then, exhibiting the faith of those who had preceded them, called James S. Little, fresh from the Seminary, to serve the Church. In June of 1947, Jim was installed and realizing the difficulty of the situation prepared for the task ahead. His leadership and faith in his purpose launched an ambitious program. The congregation responded with sacrificial giving till it hurt, but it was a good hurt.

At a special congregational meeting on November 9, 1947, it was decided to build a new Manse which was completed March 20, 1949. At this time, the congregation authorized the Joint Boards (Session and Trustees) to nominate a planning committee to study the needs of a growing church.The Committee's task was not easy; they had to project the future needs of the church as well as our financial ability to pay. Prior to this time, there was thought and discussion on the possibility of building a new church at another location where more ground would be available. With this in mind, a committee from the Bakerstown Presbyterian Church met with a committee from the Gibsonia Presbyterian Church to explore the possibilities of the two churches uniting and building a large new church and facilities at a new location with more available ground. These talks were not fruitful since neither church wished to lose its identity; also some seemed satisfied to remain status quo, happier in the smaller church. The planning committee reported the results of its study. On June 11, 1950, the congregation voted to build a basement addition to the north end of the church... this basement to be 45 ft. x 90 ft., but was later changed to 40 feet by 86 feet due to lack of ground. Construction began March 1951 and the building was dedicated June 24, 1951. At this time, a new financial campaign was begun to raise the necessary funds to complete the second and third floors over the basement.

John McKnight, an elder in our church for many years, willed the church a house and Jot on the east side of the church property which faces on Old Route 8. The adjoining Heckert property was purchased by the church in 1969. This gives the church flexibility for any future plans of expansion. The foregoing writing is a sketchy, but factual history of the material growth of our church. Many details and interesting events are preserved in the archives of the church. We would be remiss at this time not to give heed to our predecessors' hard work and prayerful thoughts in preserving and passing on to us this rich and proud heritage: The First Presbyterian Church of Bakerstown. We believe with the greatest of confidence and no mental reservations, that the unborn generations will move forward and keep this rich heritage heritage intact when they celebrate the bi-centennial anniversary on May 20, 2071. We surmise there will be changes in the church and buildings, but this we do know, the surrounding hills will still be here and our God, forever changeless, watching over all.