PARK UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

formerly known as The Zelienople United Presbyterian Church

THE CHURCH, THE PEOPLE

At the June 1894 meeting of the Butler Presbytery of the United Presbyterian Church of North America, Rev. J. A. Clark presented the need for a church in Zelienople-Harmony area. Rev. R. A. Gilfillin was appointed as chairman of a committee to explore the matter.

At the October 1894 meeting of Butler Presbytery, Rev. Gilfillin presented a favorable report and was directed by the Presbytery to “proceed with the organization of a United Presbyterian Church of North America congregation in Zelienople.” In November of 1894 “the work was adjusted to a mission and placed under the pastoral care of Mr. M. A. Eakins, a student in the Theological Seminary in Allegheny, PA. (Old Allegheny is now a part of Pittsburgh and the seminary is now known as The Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.)

“Under the faithful and efficient labors of Mr. Eakins the work was found to be ready for permanent organization by April 1, 1895.” The provisional session from the Union Congregation with Rev. Gilfillin as moderator met at Zelienople on April 19, 1895, “and after public worship” organized the congregation with 18 persons accepted into full membership by certificate, and one person accepted by profession of faith. “Mr. J. C. Wright, formerly a member of the Camp Run Session, Mr. George W. Dodds, and Mr. J. C. Milleman were elected to the office of Ruling Elder in the United Presbyterian Church of Zelienople. “Session records indicate that the provisional session met again on May 17, 1895 and installed as Ruling Elders the gentlemen mentioned above. J.C. Wright, having been ordained in Camp Run, was installed, and George W. Dodds and J. C. Milleman were ordained and installed. The congregation then elected John Dindinger, William J. Wright, and S. D. Grant as Trustees with W. J. Wright as treasurer.

The first meeting place of the congregation was a vacant store room on Main Street, Zelienople. In February 1896, Rev. Gilfillin moderated a call for Rev. J. M. Dight of Allegheny Presbytery for half-time. He was also the Pastor of the Mt. Pleasant U. P. Congregation which later became Warrendale. The services were next held in The Zelienople Reformed Church on Sabbath afternoons.

THE CHURCH, THE BUILDING

At the session meeting of May 14, 1896 it was resolved, “We, the Session of Zelienople U. P. Congregation believe the time has fully come, when the Trustees should look after a site for the church, and we recommend they should perform this duty at the earliest opportunity, and report the same to the Congregation.”

Rev. Dight and John Dindinger made a trip to Pittsburgh to discuss with the Board of Home Missions the possibility of obtaining financial assistance for the erection of a church building. Rev. A. G. Wallace, Secretary of the Board, came to Zelienople and made a survey. He reported favorably and a loan of $2,500 was arranged. The members and friends of the congregation subscribed a like amount. For a time, Rev. Dight directed the trustees to place his salary into the building fund.

The church building was erected at its present location on Grandview Avenue. It was completed in 1897 and Rev. John McNaugher of the Seminary in Pittsburgh preached the dedication sermon.