Rev. Paul Aiello Jr., pastor, Wilkinsburg Baptist Church, in the 1987 Wilkinsburg Centennial Edition writes,
Harry C. Gilchrist, in his 1940 book History of Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania describes the founders of our borough as people whose “lives were centered around the church and school house for religion, entertainment, and things of a literary character. Of these two, the church seemed to be the greatest factor in shaping the lives of our people.” It’s no wonder, then, that our town has been called “the city of churches.”
When you page through the 25th, 50th, and 75th anniversary booklets of Wilkinsburg you can’t help but sense the enduring and central influence of the churches and her people as they shaped much of Wilkinsburg’s life. The first schools were founded by the churches. Columbia Hospital (now Forbes Metro) was started by a church. Homes for the care of the aged also saw their genesis in the church. Why, even our first elected Burgess was a clergyman—Rev. C.W. Smith. Gilchrist adds, “It is also significant that the councilmen chosen up to 1912 were men connected with, or in full sympathy with the standards of civic life endorsed by the church.”
The “Wilkinsburg Philosopher,” Joseph Daibler, wrote in the 50th anniversary booklet that the “churches have been such a power that often we are called ’the Holy City.’ “ Though that phrase was first uttered in derision by outsiders, we later adopted our own “city of churches” motto with pride.
In more recent years the Church has taken more of a back seat in the affairs of the borough. Nevertheless, her influence is still very much a part of the lives of thousands of people who live here or liveid here but now return here for worship. Likewise, the Wilkinsburg Community Ministry, a modern-day extension of the local churches’ social witness in the community, provides care and nurture, food and clothing, counsel and direction to many of those who otherwise would be “forgotten” by our secular society.
The Church in Wilkinsburg today serves as an anchor of stability for those who believe, a lighthouse for those in need of direction and a life raft for those overwhelmed by daily living. The Church has made a big difference in this town during the past 100 years. The future is ours to shape as men, women, and children of God willingly put their faith into action, stand up for what they believe and boldly allow their God to work through them in the events of daily life.
Rev. Paul Aiello Jr., “The City of Churches” Wilkinsburg, September–October 1987, Centennial Edition, 1887 1987, Wilkinsburg PR Network, Wilkinsburg Commission, Inc., p. 1.