East End Presbyterian Church: The Beginning

Rev. George Taylor of the First Presbyterian Church writes,

It was in this period that the Church began to show her mother instinct and to seek some child whom she might foster. It was not long before the Park Place Mission, which began in June, 1880, presented the opportunity. For some time Lavinia M. Smith had taught Josephine Reed and her little playmates each Sabbath afternoon in her own home, which was located on the corner of Peebles Street and Park Place. This class grew so rapidly that the combined space of the dining-room and the kitchen was filled with scholars. Two earnest Christian workers, Mary Treffinger, and her sister Sarah, became active assistants in this new work.

On April 30, 1881, the class which had already been converted into a Sabbath School was temporarily taken under the care of the Sixth United Presbyterian Church. A building on Center Alley was secured for the work and J. D. McCune became the first superintendent.

In the fall of the same year, the Sabbath School had reached a membership of fifty-six with an average attendance of forty. The interest among the adult members was kept alive by the Tuesday evening prayer meetings which were maintained by the ladies of the district. J. D. McCune remained in the office of superintendent until April, 1882, when the club house on the cricket grounds became the headquarters for the Sabbath School and Jacob Weidman assumed the leadership.

It was at this time that the Wilkinsburg Church first became vitally connected with the mission, and much of the interest in that work was due to the untiring efforts of the Reverend Irwin who taught the Bible class every Sabbath afternoon, who very often conducted services at four o’clock to accommodate the people, and who frequently led a cottage prayer meeting during the week.

Early in 1882 a committee of twelve ladies was appointed to raise money for a chapel. Each one pledged to raise $200 for the fund. The lot was donated by George Peebles. The committee, which was composed of Mrs. M. K. Salsbury, Mrs. I. M. Patterson, Mrs. Nancy Porter, Mrs. Emma Gamble, Mrs. B. F. Long, Mrs. George Peebles, Mrs. Elizabeth Taylor, Mrs. George H. Atkinson, Mrs. Alexander H. Silvey, Mrs. Sophia Howland, Mrs. John H. Miller, and Mary Treffinger, agreed among themselves not to start the building until all the money had been raised.

The trustees of the new project were B. F. Long, G. H. Atkinson, John H. Miller, James Gamble, M. K. Salsbury, and I. M. Patterson, with the latter as the treasurer. The first check of $50 was contributed by H. C. Frick, and the chapel was dedicated October 1, 1882, without debt. It is interesting to know that Samuel Hamilton had charge of the music for that occasion.

It was a season of rejoicing for the good people of that district who had been struggling for a Sabbath School home in which to instruct their children. The School remained as a union effort until about 1886 when John Gates was made superintendent. He was succeeded by T. F. Bailey in 1888 and from that time on the work was recognized as a mission of this Church.

Among the consecrated teachers there should be mentioned Mary Treffinger, Sarah Treffinger, Mrs. Sophia Howland, Mrs. Elizabeth Taylor, John Gates, Sarah A. Hawk, and Mrs. M. K. Salsbury, all members of this Church. Such workers as these impressed upon the people of that district the type of Christian character which breathes out its fragrance to the world. Thus at the close of this pastorate the Park Place Mission was well established and was manifesting a life prophetic of permanence.

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The Park Place Mission which had been established during the previous ministry was growing steadily both in numbers and in power. John Gates was the superintendent at the coming of the Reverend Samuel H. Moore. But in 1888 the leadership was assumed by Thomas F. Bailey. His coming to the mission brought a new era. His labor among the people was so untiring, his support of worthy movements was so generous, and it was largely through his zeal and his efforts that the Church was organized. In the progress of its years as a mission certain names have been written upon its history.

In 1890, Elizabeth McKeever became a missionary visitor among the people through the kindness of Thomas F. Bailey, and her presence made homes brighter and hearts lighter in that community; so that out of her effective work there arose a desire on the part of the Board of Presbyterian Missions to aid in the support of the work. From 1892 until the organization of the Church was effected, students from the Western Theological Seminary preached every Sabbath evening. A. Kirkbride, W. S. Greves, and H. O. Gilson are among those who gave their time and energies toward the uplifting of this people.

What a treasured memory are those two communions conducted in the Park Place Chapel by the minister of this Church! The fourteen members who were received on December 18, 1892, and the four who entered on May 14, 1893, were among the foundation stones of the new Church.

The application for the Church organization was granted by the Presbytery of Pittsburgh in May, 1894, and the following committee was appointed: The Reverend Samuel H. Moore, the Reverend E. L. McCartney, and Elder Dr. John Semple. This committee met in the Park Place Chapel, Tuesday evening, June fifth, at seven o'clock and organized the East End Presbyterian Church with fifty-one charter members. A call was made out to the Reverend H. O. Gilson, who had been laboring for several months in the field prior to the organization. The liberal contributions which this Church made to the support of the work for the past few years ceased and the new organization branched out for itself with the best wishes of its foster mother. The Church has prospered ever since, reaching a membership of about four hundred and sixty-five at the present time.