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Busy as our early settlers were
in establishing their homes, businesses, and town, they realized that they need
to worship God. In response to this need, Methodism was formally introduced into
Blairsville in 1822. At that time this territory was in the bounds of Baltimore
Conference and was part of the Mahoning Circuit until the formation of the
Pittsburgh Conference in 1825. Rev. Dennis B. Dorsey and Rev. Thomas M. Hudson
were the “preachers in charge” of the Circuit which was 300 miles in
circumference. It took four to six weeks to complete the Circuit. Services were
held in private homes or out of doors. Later, indoor services were held in the
log school house, which was used by all the denominations as a place of worship.
This log cabin was located on the northeast corner of North
Liberty Street and North
Lane.
The first building erected by the Methodist
congregation was a brick building started in 1828 on
South
Liberty Street, on a lot occupied by the parsonage. The
church cost $750. It was one story, 30 by 40 feet, and had a recess in one end
of the pulpit, some 4 or 5 feet higher than the floor, and was lighted with the
old “tallow dips”.
While our early Church served the religious needs of the community,
national issues were also present. About 1841, the anti-slavery sentiment had
become strong in the Church, and secession took place, with a new sect springing
up and assuming the name of “The True Wesleyan Methodist Church.” In the spring
of 1843, it was reported that we lost many of our influential members, many of
whom later returned.
In 1847, the second church was built on
South
Liberty Street. It was a one story building, 45 x 55 feet,
constructed of brick, and cost, furnishings and all, $1,700.00. Within 13 years,
the structure became inadequate and in 1860 it was torn down and a
two story
structure of brick was erected at a cost of $3,784.27. This brick structure is
still standing and is in use today. It housed the local Baptist Congregation for
a number of years and is currently in use as an apartment
house.
In June of 1972 the congregation celebrated the
Church’s 150th
Anniversary. Following the celebrations, the congregation decided to enter into
an extensive remodeling of the Church. Two new stops were ordered for our organ.
These came from Germany and took two years for us to receive them.
New sub-flooring and carpet were placed in the Sanctuary. Also a new drape
between the Sanctuary and Sunday School room was added
along with recovering the pew cushions. The downstairs Fellowship Hall received
a new ceiling and the rest rooms were remodeled. The church received a new coat
of paint inside and outside and a French drain system was installed along the
outside walls to combat a water problem. The church parlor was also refurnished
with new carpet and furniture.
All but a few of these projects were finished when in the early hours of
July 30, 1975 the church was
destroyed by a devastating
fire. We then purchased the Calvin building from the United Presbyterian Church
for a very generous price of $35,000.00. This building was to be used by our
congregation until we moved into our new building. After much deliberation and
many meetings the Building Committee presented plans for the new church at a
congregational meeting held May 9, 1977. The Congregation voted their approval of
these plans. The working drawings were prepared and on May 17, 1977 bids were
awarded with Gamble and Gamble Construction Co. of Bolivar, Pa; being the
General Contractors.
Ground Breaking services were held on
Sunday May 29,
1977 and
construction of the new church commenced. After what seemed like a long time of
little progress, the new building started to take shape during the summer of
1978. The corner stone was laid on
Sunday October 15,
1978. Plans were
made for the first service to be held in the new church on
Sunday
November 19, 1978.
With the
completion of this edifice. the congregation is
now in possession of one of the finest and most functional churches in this
area. The new church is designated and equipped to handle a wide variety of
church and community activities. It is of ample size and has a wide range of
educational facilities. The Sanctuary seats 350 with choir lofts providing 24
seats for adults and a like number for the children’s choir. The two choir areas
can be combined for community activities. Perhaps our biggest challenge now is
that we must make full use of this beautiful edifice. With such fine, ample
facilities, it would be most unfortunate if the church were not used to its
fullest potential. We overcame a huge hurdle in building this fine church, now
we must see that it is used by all.
Robert
Ferguson
Church Historian
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