From the 75th Anniversary Program
The organization was effected under the direction of the Reverend Dr. C. B. King and the Reverend F. H. Crissman, with twenty-six charter members. The first place of worship was in Lohr’s Hall, Wood Street and South Avenue, beginning with Sunday Church School on September 16, 1896.
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1897 — May 30. The Reverend F. H. Crissman was installed as the first pastor. He had served as supply pastor up to this time. He served until November, 1898. The membership at this time was 77, and was a self–supporting congregation from its inception.
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1899 — June 28. A plot of ground on Center Street, 80 feet north of South Avenue was purchased for approximately $8,000.
1900 — During the summer the contract was let for a building. This building is that part of the present structure now occupied by the church offices and Chapel. It was constructed of brick.
1901 — April 14. The first Calvary Church, costing $20,000 was dedicated. Pews were purchased from the Fifth Avenue United Presbyterian Church for $200, but a portion of them was sold, at a later date, for $125 to the West Etna Lutheran congregation. The remainder were used for some time in the Sunday Church School after the building was expanded in 1915. Membership had increased to more than 400.
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1909 — May. The Reverend H. E. Clare was installed as pastor. The membership was then 528 confirmed members.
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1915 — March 10. Due to the increase in membership it was necessary to expand Calvary’s facilities and the plot of ground between Calvary’s property and the corner of South Avenue and Center Street was purchased for $5,500, and the contract was signed on March 10 for a new building (attached to the original building) and extending along Center Street to the corner of South Avenue. The new church structure was constructed of stone and the original brick structure was faced with matching stone at an overall cost of $75,000.
1915 — May 30. The cornerstone for the new building was laid.
1915 — December 12. The new Calvary Church building was dedicated. The organ was purchased from a Roman Catholic Church in Latrobe, Pennsylvania for $3,000.
Rev. Clare died December 26, 1918. Had been working on plans for the merger of St. Paul’s and Calvary Lutheran.
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1919 — December 17. After the merger of two great Synods to form the United Lutheran Church in America, and having had friendly relations with each other, the two congregations — St. Paul’s and Calvary — decided to merge and voted to adopt the name Calvary. The Reverend Herman H. Will served as supply pastor of the new congregation, the title being “Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Pittsburgh Synod of the United Lutheran Church in America.”
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1923 — April. A contract was let for an addition to the Sunday Church School. This was completed in the fall at a cost of $15,000.
With an increase in membership and the growth of Wilkinsburg, Calvary began a mission church for Wilkinsburg Manor in 1926. It became the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Advent and later moved to Graham Boulevard.
On December 15, 1929, “Calvary had a rededication service at the completion of a $35,000 building expansion and improvement program which added the tower, the Rose Window, the balcony and included the renovation of the Chancel.”
The congregation installed Rev. Albert W. Steinfurth in 1932. He served until 1961. The Chapel is named in his honor in 1971.
1945 — December 24. The Electronic Tower System was dedicated as a memorial to those who served and died in World War II.
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1952 — March. The Children’s Choir was organized. This organization of children from first through fifth grade began as a boy’s choir of twelve to sing in the Christmas program of the Sunday Church School the previous December.
1954 — Date unknown. The Youth Choir was organized as an outgrowth of the Children’s Choir to offer a choral opportunity to the youngsters who would have no place to sing and serve their church.
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1961 — December 31. The Reverend Earl G. Creps, Jr. preached his first sermon in Calvary. At the conclusion of the service, a unanimous vote of those in attendance recommended extending a call to Pastor Creps to become pastor of Calvary, and the call was accepted.
The congregation held ground—breaking ceremonies for the new Calvary Lutheran Center on September 8, 1968, after the morning worship service, with many participants including Rev. Earl G. Creps, Jr., pastor, Alexander Jaffurs, the mayor of Wilkinsburg, an honor guard of Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, and the Senior and Youth Choirs.
Construction of the building began on September 23. “The cost of the building project including acquisition of land, demolition of the buildings, renovation of the church building and construction of the new building totaled $437,000.” On June 8, 1969, the congregation dedicated the Calvary Lutheran Center.
The 100th Anniversary Program continues the historical narrative.
1977: “Fuel crisis causes congregation to hold 8:30 service in the Chapel and 11:00 service in the gym.” A new roof is completed at a cost of $25,062.
1979: The Energy Committee reports that worshipping in the gym during cold weather is far more economical than worshipping in the nave. The congregation approves $41,600 in repairs to preserve the inside and outside of the building. An every member visitation begins.
1981: The stained glass windows are repaired and plexiglass window guards installed.
1984: The International Folk Dance Festival is held to benefit the World Hunger Appeal.
1985: The International Food Festival is a benefit for the LCA World Hunger Appeal.
1986: An IBM PCX18 computer is purchased for word processing and financial records in 1996.
1988: “Calvary becomes part of the new Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, result of a merger of the American Lutheran Church, the Lutheran Church in America and the Association of Evangelical Churches. The merger became effective on January 1,1988.”
1991: “Exterior church doors are painted red.”
Rev. Earl Creps retired on September 1992 and a dinner was held to honor his years of service.
1992: A break-in “by persons unknown results in theft of typewriter, telephone, transcription machine, and a small amount of cash and stamps. The safe was overturned, but unopened. Locks were forced on drawers, doors and filing cabinets.” A security alarm system is installed. “Pastor’s Cupboard to be discontinued, and a Pastor’s Fund established to help church members in emergency situations.” Church members donate memorial stained glass windows in the Chapel. The choir loft is rebuilt.
100th Anniversary Program
1993: In April the church is used as a home base for Habitat for Humanity while they work on houses in the area.
1994: A pre-school program is begun at Calvary by Head Start.
1996: A red banner with white lettering “Celebrating Our 100th Anniversary 1896–1996” is placed above the sanctuary doors.
The listing in the 100th Anniversary Program of events through the years concludes with:
What these history pages do not chronicle are the private lives and acts of Calvary members. It is a significant aspect to consider, because our church’s real history should not be viewed as “100 years in Wilkinsburg;” rather, it should be viewed as 100 years of Calvary members serving God throughout the world. One might expect the greatest impact of a church to be seen primarily in the place where its facility, is located. But Calvary is not a building. Our “church“ is a living body of Christ which has spread in many directions. Many members now reside in communities other than where the bouse of worship stands, yet return regularly to this beloved building to offer their worship, to seek cherished and uplifting fellowship with one another, and learn and be refreshed. Then Calvary members go forth and serve God quietly with many unlisted ministries: at their places of work, interacting with their neighbors, or through charitable organizations of local, national, and even international impact. They do not often speak of these private acts of charity. And we do not need to know what they are. However, we do need to remember that these deeds of charity are happening, that it pleases God, and that this is Calvary’s true heritage, calling. and legacy.
The congregation voted to accept an outreach mission congregation that was started in September 2001. There would be two worship services on Sunday. The Nia Community Lutheran Church held its first service on February 2003. Nia is Swahili for purpose. The congregation had a tutoring program and a children’s fall carnival. The congregation averaged approximately 15 people at Sunday services.
The Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church, with a congregation down to 35 people, closed in the summer of 2003.
The Nia congregation continued on, and Rev. Karen Battle, the minister, saw hopeful signs. The Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod decided in September 2004 to close support for the congregation and sell the building. Advocates of the church held a prayer vigil. The Synod did not change its mind.
The Pittsburgh Urban Christian School purchased the church building in April 2005.
Wilkinsburg Centennial Publication Committee, Historic Wilkinsburg 1887–1987, One Hundred Years of Pride, 1988, p. 91.
Erin Dyer, “A protest of prayers directed at decision to close Wilkinsburg church,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, October 20, 2004.https://www.post-gazette.com/local/east/2004/10/20/A-protest-of-prayers-directed-at-decision-to-close-Wilkinsburg-church/stories/200410200327
Wilkinsburg Public Library Digital Archives:
75th Anniversary, Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church, Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, 1896–1971.
100th Anniversary 1896–1996, Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church, Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, Celebrating 100 Years of Ministry.
Michael J. Mazza, “Tapestry of Faith Profile: Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church,” Wilkinsburg Update.