from Cornerstone Program, Wilkinsburg Public Library Digital Archives
“The Presbyterian Church and the manse were in the square across from us and even now I can see the spire among the trees and the glow of the setting sun as it sank into the west. For there was quiet beauty about the place that was very impressive. The square in which we lived was surrounded by the trees which were planted by Mr. R. G. Davis when he owned the property and which he sold because it was too far for a business man to travel night and morning who had a store at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Wood St. Pittsburgh.”
. . . .
“The churches numbered but a handful of members compared to these days and when it was known that we were Presbyterians it seemed to me that all the 180 members or at least the female part of it called at our house after the first preparatory service to communion which was held a week or so after we came to the town.”
. . . .
“I think. . . . Of Dr. Semple a physician of the old school who always found time to attend church. Of Prof. Ludden who decorated the pulpit of that Presbyterian church so beautifully and was always so faithful and prompt in his duties at the Sabbath School and who every few Sabbath’s would forget his glasses and send over to our place for a pair.”
–Sue Duff Jackson, “Old Wilkinsburg,”
Wilkinsburg Historical Society, Wilkinsburg Public Library Digital Archives
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The congregation began because of the difficulty in reaching Beulah Church from Wilkinsburg. They first met at a small carpentry shop and later at the Wilkinsburg Academy. On May 10, 1866 at Academy they formally organized. William Boyd Duff writes,
This small group of Presbyterians had decided to forego the Sabbath day’s journey, which led past the tollgate up the long hill to the forks of the road then to the left by the Northern Turnpike over the brow of the summit to Beulah. Instead of that ascent through winter’s mire and summer’s dust they proposed to erect a place of worship nearer home and to share the valley with the Methodists, Covenanters and United Brethern who had already built meeting houses in the village.
Ground breaking for the new church took place in April 1868 on land donated by James Kelly. The basement was completed in January 1869. The congregation met in the basement until the construction of the superstructure. On August 29, 1869, the congregation dedicated the church. An addition in 1887 doubled the seating capacity.
Sue Duff Jackson writes,
The square between South and Ross west side of Wood St. was donated to the Presbyterian Church by James Kelly and when the price of ground had risen to $300 a foot front it was deemed extravagant to hold it for church purposes when so much good could be done with the money if used in other ways. Great was the discussion for and against the selling of the property.
From time to time the congregation sold lots fronting on Wood St.
In 1887 the board of trustees authorized purchase of a lot at Wood Street and Wallace Avenue with a view toward a new church building. The cornerstone was placed on July 23, 1899.
The church property at Wood and South where the addition stood was sold in lots “with the reservation of the right of the congregation to use the church building until July 1, 1900, or for a month or two longer at a monthly rental of $100." The addition was removed and the land became a Kessler and Powers store.
The congregation dedicated a new church building at Wood Street and Wallace Avenue on June 23, 1901.
A Bible School formed by the American Christian Missionary Society began meeting in the basement of the Presbyterian Church on South Avenue and then on March 24, 1901, also rented the auditorium. In April 30, 1901, the group became the First Christian Church of Wilkinsburg.
The Christian Church purchased the building in 1901 and did renovations. A fire on January 7, 1915, took the building on South Avenue away.
Rev. Taylor writes, “The original bell was rescued and is in our possession through the kindness of C. S. Marshall.”
The 75th Anniversary Program in 1941 notes, “Only the bell from the old church is a part of the new. It is in the tower, but not not been rung for many years.”
However, the Rededication Service Program of 1951 tells, “It is in the tower and is still rung before each service.”
The 117 Years in Christ’s Service Program in the history highlights section reports the bell from the earlier church is in the tower and “is still rung by hand each Sabbath morning.”
The congregation in 1938 purchased the southwest corner of Wood Street and North Avenue that made possible the construction of the Educational Building dedicated in 1955.
On January 1, 1960, the Hamilton Avenue United Presbyterian Church merged with the First Presbyterian Church.
On Sunday, June 12, 1983, the First Presbyterian Church and the Edgewood Presbyterian Church voted to merge. They formed the First Presbyterian Church of Edgewood with the first service of the merged congregations taking place on September 11, 1983.
The church homepage tells, “Believing we are called together by God’s love through Jesus Christ, our mission as the First Presbyterian Church of Edgewood is to love God, to love each other, and to love our neighbors.”
The First Presbyterian Church of Edgewood has two Baptismal fonts that represent the heritage of the two congregations. Baptisms alternate between the fonts.
The First Presbyterian Church wanted to transfer the church building to a congregation committed to faith and community involvement. They gifted the building to the Covenant Church of Pittsburgh in November 1983.
The Covenant Church of Pittsburgh began as the Three Rivers Fellowship. They had met at a church building on Charles Street in Knoxville, moved to Monroeville, and sought a building in the city. In September 7, 1983, the congregation officially, with incorporation, became the Covenant Church of Pittsburgh.
The Elders called Rev. Joseph Garlington, a co-founder of the church, to return as Senior Pastor in June of 1985. Over the years, congregation greatly grew.
Historic Wilkinsburg in 1988 notes,
The goal of the church is to train and quip people that they might extend the Kingdom of God. Therefore, evangelism and teaching are a very integral part of the life of the church. This is birthed from a spirit of worship and prayer which would be two of the cornerstones of the church.
In all that we do it is recognized that Jesus Christ is the Chief Cornerstone. He is Lord! Our desire is to Glorify the Father in all we do.
The front of a church brochure tells, “affirming people through love, care, and instruction.”
Never Alone Ministry Outreach, Prison Ministry, and MAD Dads are among the ministries of Covenant. Never Alone focues on people in nursing homes and people who have challenges in getting out and around. The Prison Ministry honors Hebrews 13:3, “Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them. . . .” The mission of MAD DADS “is to mobilize, train and guide men to impact the issues of drugs, gangs and violence in the community.”
Covenant took on the leadership role in the creation of Hosanna House at the former Wilkinsburg Junior High School (Horner Middle School) on Wallace Avenue. Covenant, working with churches and volunteers throughout the community, made Hosanna House possible. Hosanna Inc.—Wilkinsburg Community Center of Western Pennsylvania opened in 1996.
Hosanna House partners with a wide variety of organizations to offer health and person to person services. One of the organizations is the Wilkinsburg Family Support Center. The people active in the Wilkinsburg Family Support Center have a sense of community, and care about and encourage one another.
Covenant Church renovated a former Bell Telephone building into a church sanctuary at 2110 Andrew Drive. Worship service began on Andrew Drive in October 1997 with offices and outreach continuing at the 1111 Wood Street.
In 2011, when the members of the Jerusalem Church on Graham Boulevard were working hard to bring around a church building that had gone through a major fire, the Covenant Church helped out with the heating system and gave encouragement and support.
George Taylor, Jr., A Brief History of The First Presbyterian Church, Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania. Pittsburgh: Reed & Witting, 1916, bell: p. 51.
Rick Nowlin, “Church’s journey to new worship site ends in Wilkinsburg,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, March 29, 2012.
Wilkinsburg Public Library Digital Archives:
Daniel Carhart, Sc. D., “History of the First Presbyterian Church, Wilkinsburg,” The Presbyterian Banner, October 20, 1910, lots: p. 9.
William Boyd Duff, “Centennial Year Marked by Church” The Sentinel, August 4, 1966, portions on Wood St.
“The First Presbyterian Church, Seventy-Fifth Anniversary of Church, May Eleven–May Eighteen, Nineteen Hundred and Forty-One“ Program, bell, Kessler and Powers: p. 6.
“The First Presbyterian Church Rededication Service, June 17 to 24, 1951,” bell: p. 9.
Everett E. Wicker, “Highlights of the History of The First Presbyterian Church of Wilkinsburg,” in “First Presbyterian Church of Wilkinsburg: 117 Years in Christ’s Service 1866–1983” Program, bell: p. 13.