Sewickley United Methodist Church

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 The Chronology of our Church

 

Did you know that at one time, SUMC congregants had "reserved" pews?...
Did you know that the bell cost about a pastor's yearly salary?...
Did you know that the first parsonage was furnished for under $700?...

1837

First Methodist Society formed within the Sewickley Valley.

1839

First frame church built on corner of Thorn and Broad Streets through the efforts of Reverend Charles Thorn, Reverend James Gray, and John R. Garrison.  The lot was given by children of Thomas Huey, whose daughter, Sophronia, had married Reverend Charles Thorn.

1852

"First Methodist Episcopal Church of Sewickleyville" was incorporated, presented by J.W.F. White.  The deed is recorded and can be seen today in the Recorder's Office of Allegheny County, located in downtown Pittsburgh.  (The Deed Book, volume 105, page 25, dated November 13, 1852.)

1853

The brick church on the present site was erected for $3,112.52 and dedicated on January 14, 1854.

1855

Reverend John White, father of famous SUMC member Judge White, was the first preacher.  The frame church was moved to the back of the present lot on Thorn Street and was used mostly for Sunday School and official board meetings.  There were 139 members at this time.  The pastor's annual salary was $310.

1858

Sewickley and Blackburn become one station for itinerant Methodist preachers.

1860

The first bell in the Ohio Valley was installed at SUMC at a cost of $400.  (Compare to pastor's annual salary in 1855.)

1862

To raise money, reserved pews were rented to the congregation.  They were not popular and were scrapped the following year.

1863

Sewickley becomes a station by itself with a full-time minister.  S.Y. Kennedy was the pastor at this time.

1864

The first organ was purchased after a close vote by the Trustees.  The dissenters secretly removed the organ on Saturday night, and placed it in Thorn Street lest its presence desecrate the church.

1868

The lot next to the church was purchased from Samuel Morrow.  the first parsonage was built for $4,815.91, including the lot itself.  The parsonage furnishings cost an additional $688.

1880

Reverend Thorn bequeathed $15,000 toward the new church with a matching condition from the congregation.

1881

The last service in the old brick church was held on September 18, with Reverend William Lunch presiding.  The new chapel, now the Simpson Room, was completed and dedicated on November 21.

1882

The cornerstone was laid on July 25.  A glass jar, acting as a time capsule, was placed under the cornerstone.  The jar contained a Bible, hymnbook, a copy of the Christian Advocate, names of all the church officers and members and copies of some daily newspapers of the day.

1884

The current sanctuary was completed and dedicated on June 20 by Reverend Bishop Fowler.  Reverend Sleppy was the pastor.  The total cost was $45,000, including the organ, clock and bell! Judge J.W.F. White, an Allegheny County judge and SUMC member, loaned $2,138.11 for the improvements, but was never repaid, according to Reverend Sleppy's note of 1884.

1891

Women members were given the right to vote.

1898

The weekly envelope system was adopted.
 

 

 

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