Our Story
As America was celebrating its 400th anniversary of Columbus' discovery, about 100 families were moving into Walurba.
In 1892 a group of 14 Methodist families petitioned the conference to organize a church.
Rev. Henry J. Hickman was sent to help in the organization of what has become today's Center Avenue United Methodist Church.
October 10, 1892 Mrs. Priscilla Lloyd deeded a lot for the Walurba Methodist Episcopal Church for the sum of one dollar.
Included in the gift was a provision that building must be erected by July 1, 1893, or the land would be reverted back to Mrs. Lloyd.
The people met in Maddox Hall until the first building was erected by July 1, 1893.
February, 1893, the court granted a charter to the group, under which the first three gentlemen listed were the initial Board of Trustees.
These men were G.P. Roby, H.B. Duff and H.H. Robb.
Construction began spring of 1893 and by fall the building was occupied.
The congregation freely volunteered their time and labor to build the first church.
Rev. William Hall became the second pastor serving Pitcairn and Wilmerding churches but growing membership demanded full-time pastors for both churches.
By 1895, the fourth pastor, the Rev. R.L. Miller, had a membership of 46 and a salary of $300.00.
In 1897 Rev. Lester Smith became the pastor and increased the membership as well as helped with his carpenter skills, repairman abilities, and an organ builder helped engage the people in the importance of mission work in the church.
Mrs. Smith helped begin the Women's Foreign Missionary Society.
Rev. Smith was elected to the Episcopacy and became one of the outstanding bishops of our church.
Under the leadership of Rev. Shield W. McCurdy in 1903, the church realized the need of a larger building.
The church purchased the lots on Center Avenue for $2,800.00.
In 1905 Rev. Calvin Reckard developed the musical area by developing a choir as well as purchasing hymnals.
Rev. Reckard also saw the need of a larger church structure and the trustees accepted a bid of $16,253.00 from H.J. Brendlinger and Smith.
One hour after the children's Christmas program on December 23, 1906, in the Agatha Street church, the people had left the church in celebration and anticipation of Christmas, disaster struck.
The people heard cries ringing out through the area, "The Methodist Church is burning!"
The wooden frame edifice was soon a smoldering ruin.
The congregation moved into the empty third floor of the No. 2 school building up the street.
The people worked and in the spring of 1908 the congregation moved into the present Sunday School rooms on Center Avenue.
On June 27, 1909, the congregation dedicated our present structure.
The next twenty years were filled with pastors decreasing the church debt and bringing members into the fold.
Rev. Reckard brought the membership from 267 to 512.
Rev. Lewis R. Jones died of pneumonia while serving as the pastor on March 7, 1924.
Rev. Elliott S. White retired from the ministry from Center Avenue in 1928.
Rev. Lawrence Stahl became the pastor in 1935 through 1945, during those hard depression years.
He spiritually uplifted the congregation, improving the appearance of the building (twice redecorating the sanctuary, carperting the upstairs, rebuilding the organ, extending and refurnishing the choir loft) as well as financially keeping the church above water.
Membership grew from 512 to 823.
Stories still abound of Rev. Stahl passing the plate two or three times to help with the church's finances.
Rev. Charles A. Hartung served 1945 through 1949 and inspired three young men to go into the ministry (James Edwards, Hubert Jicha and Paul Whitfield) from Center Avenue.
Rev. Hartung retired from Center Avenue and three weeks later went on to meet his Maker.
Rev. Dr. Newton Fritchley served from 1949-1952, brought thoughtful "British" flavor to the pulpit of Center Avenue.
Born of missionary parents in India, Dr. Fritchley went on to be one of the church's great pulpiteers.
Rev. Arnold M. Beggs was pastor from 1952-1963 but a severe heart attack limited his abilities as our pastor.
During the early 50's the railroad yards closed and the fortunes of Pitcairn slowly and gradually decreased the population, work and finances.
1963 through 1970 Rev. David Youngdahl brought his skill as a carpenter, painter, mechanic and organ repairman, helped to have the organ rebuilt for $9,000.00, sanctuary painted, pews sanded and varnished and the youth fellowship becoming very active.
The youth fellowship contributed new carpeting and decorative side-lights.
The remodeled sanctuary was dedicated in December of 1969 by Bishop Roy C. Nichols of the Pittsburgh Area.
1970 brought Rev. Dale Smith and the church continued to grow in its mission emphasis.
Center Avenue was the top contributor in the Pittsburgh-East district in the "Care and Share" emphasis.
During this time our congregation sent two more young men into the ministry - John R. Tyson and Allen O. Grimm, III.
1978 through 1983 Rev. Dr. John C. Kees was the pastor who helped to increase the Sunday School attendance.
1984-1989 saw Rev. Jerry Berman as the pastor.
The Sunday School classrooms were remodeled and painted to help with the continued growth.
The church and parsonage were painted in preparation for our 100th celebration the summer of 1989.
1989 to the present brought the first woman pastor, Rev. Dr. Olivia E. Graham.
We will never forget Palm Sunday, April 8, 1990, when we kicked off the fund drive for remodeling the sanctuary in preparation for the centennial.
We raised $10,500 with additional pledges giving a grand total raised of $16,000.
Palm Sunday was "Miracle Sunday" as our eyes were filled with tears of joy.
We carpeted our sanctuary, choir loft, choir room and the Wissinger Room, offices and stage area in fellowship hall, put new four ceiling fans in the sanctuary.
Bishop George W. Bashore helped to begin the centennial by preaching at Center Avenue on March 29, 1992.
The church building is prepared, the pictorial directory is a visual way to remember people as we celebrate our 100 years in mission serving Jesus Christ.
We also look forward to many more years in sharing the good news of the gospel to all.
In 1892 a group of 14 Methodist families petitioned the conference to organize a church.
Rev. Henry J. Hickman was sent to help in the organization of what is now known as Center Avenue United Methodist Church.
The 1992 Directory celebrating 100 years of Ministry shares our history to that point.
Now for the rest of the story...
The church centennial was celebrated while Rev. Dr. Olivia E. Graham served from 1989 through 1994 as our first woman pastor.
During her pastorate, the sanctuary was remodeled.
Rev. Dr. F. Robert James served as pastor from 1994 through 1999.
DISCIPLE Bible Study was a turning point event in the lives of many members moving them to a deeper commitment to Christ and their church.
July 1, 1997 dropped buckets of rain over Monroeville and Pitcairn.
Many homes in the community were lost to the flood waters.
Pitcairn Elementary School had severe damage to the cafeteria and lower floor.
Likewise, the basement Sunday School rooms were flooded almost to the top.
Several weeks of clean-up and several months of rebuilding have left us with remodeled Sunday School rooms better than ever.
1999 brought another change of pastors as Rev. Alan J. Morrison became our 32nd pastor.
Much of this chapter in the life of Center Avenue is yet to be written.
As the end of the first year is being neared the parsonage is under renovation and the outside of the buildings are being painted once again.
Contemporary worship featuring S.O.S., a Christian rock band, is now becoming a periodic part of our worship life.
Two temporary homes, two permanent church buildings, and 32 pastors later this congregation continues to celebrate five men who went into the service of the Lord as ordained pastors and thousands of lives that have been touched through the mission and ministry of Jesus Christ both locally and around the globe.
We look forward to many more years in sharing the good news of God's love for you and me.
-- History Account published in the 2000 Church Directory
As the millennium changed, so has the face of nearly 40% of our worshipping congregation.
McGinnis Presbyterian Church closed July 15, 2001, First United Methodist Church of Wilmerding closed December 1st, 2002, and Highland Avenue United Methodist Church closed March 2nd, 2003 with many of the active congregations transferring to our church family.
We now seek to forge a new history together as one body.
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