Silver Pitcher Re-Connects Church History
--by Paul Collier

Margaret Schwoegl and Marjorie Theys

When John "Jack" Schwoegl was our custodian, he found a metal pitcher in the unexcavated basement of the Sewickley United Methodist Church.

The physical condition was such that there could be no decision other than putting it in the trash.  It did show some signs of engraving and John, being John, tucked it away for a future decision.

He wondered if it was somehow used for communion services, and subsequently showed it to Marjorie Theys, the coordinator for the communion stewards.  Margie, being a saver, tucked it away in a dark corner of the basement, where it was lost for several years.

One day, it was rediscovered.  Bill Roberts, of Roberts & Sons Jewelers in Pittsburgh, advised it could be restored to the original piece.  And so it was done.

This item, back in its original beauty, was presented to the church in memory of John Schwoegl, the finder, and Joe Hibala, one of our communion stewards for many years.

The original engraving was restored.  It reads:  "Sewickley M.E. Church, From the Pastor James R. Mills, 1873."

The pitcher is used for all communions and baptisms.