Review of 1903 through 1908

As Sewickley Methodist Episcopal Church celebrated the 60th Anniversary of its incorporation and the 75th Anniversary of its organization on Sunday, November 17, 1912, they reflected on the recent history of the church. Here is a review of 1903 through 1908.

In 1903 the present steam heating plant was installed, at a cost of $1,458, to which the Ladies Aid Society contributed $150, and the Mothers Jewels $100. Previous to that we had various experiences with the hot air furnace, which were anything but satisfactory. The present system is giving good service.

In this year also electric lights were placed in the chapel. Also in this year an advance was made in the matter of church management. Before that time the Trustees had their meetings and the Stewards had theirs, with the results that the Official Board was not given the recognition which it deserved. It was felt that better work could be done if the boards worked more together, and to this end the Board of Stewards was reduced from 13 to 7 members, to correspond with the number of Trustees, thus giving each Board the same representation on the Official Board.

This was a wise move, and since that time the Official Board has accomplished a great deal by this harmonious working of all concerned.

On November 23rd of this year Edw. R. Kramer, our treasurer, died. Brother Kramer had been treasurer of our church for a great many years, and in those troublous days when we were often confronted with urgent bills and no money in the treasury, he would arrange somehow to get the money. We never went to him in vain. He was like a rock in a weary land. His father, John P. Kramer, was on the Board as far back as 1856, and his son, Tracy, is on the Board now. Three generations. This is a record to be proud of. We have a number of instances where son has succeeded father on the Board; there are the Gastons, Whites, the Johnstons, the Ritcheys and others.

In 1904 a new parsonage was discussed at a corporation meeting, and the Trustees were requested to take the matter up. Also in that year a new dining room was put in at a cost of $1,100. Concrete walks were put in from the pavements to the doors at a cost of $130.

Also in this year the present individual communion service was presented to the church by the little band of irrepressibles the Mothers Jewels, under the management of Miss Ringley and Miss Moore.

Doctor Crissman became pastor of the church this year.

In 1905 on February 13th the question of building a new parsonage was again discussed, also improvements to the Chapel, and a committee was appointed to examine the building and report. Also to employ an architect.

On March 13th the architect reported that it would cost to remodel the parsonage $4,450, and to improve the chapel $5,500.

After thoroughly considering the matter it was felt that this was too much money to put in an old building, and on March 20th the committee was authorized to secure plans for a new parsonage and report the cost. On May 6th at a corporation meeting the Trustees were authorized to build a new parsonage at a cost of not over $9,000, and on May 15th it was decided to prepare plans to improve the chapel at the same time. Accordingly on June 4th the matter was presented to the congregation and between $9,000 and $10,000 was subscribed.

On July 11th the Official Board adopted plans for a new parsonage to cost $8000.

It was decided to raise $16,000, payable in three years. 1,333 shares were issued at $12 a share, payable quarterly at the Sewickley Valley Trust Co.

In this year the pastor’s salary was increased from $1,800 to $2,100.

In 1906 the leader of the choir was paid $300 a year. Before that the choir was entirely voluntary. Also a new pavement was laid on Thorn Street and Broad Street at a cost of $200.

On March 29th of this year, John N. White died. Brother White had been for a quarter of a century superintendent of the Sunday School, had held every office in the gift of the church, and was a loyal and faithful supporter of Methodism, a duplicate in that respect of his father the late Judge White. This is another of the old Methodist name in the Valley, his grandfather, John White, having been the first preacher in 1839. God’s workmen die, but the work goes on.

In 1907 in July Doctor Crissman was appointed president of Beaver College, and Appleton Bash was appointed by the presiding elder Thomas N. Boyle to fill the unexpired term.

In May this year a committee was appointed to go over the charter and suggest such changes as seemed desirable to bring it more within the needs of modern methods in church management, and under the rules and regulations of the Discipline.

In 1908 on May 2nd at the corporation meeting the committee to revise the charter made its report, which was adopted, and the committee instructed to take the necessary legal steps to have the amendments made.

In this year gutters of copper were placed on the church at a cost of $385. Before that we had constant trouble and damage from leaky gutters, but since that time we have had no trouble whatever. It has been policy of the Board to make permanent improvements, even if the first cost does seem high, knowing that it is cheaper in the long run.

In March this year a general revision of the church membership was made. There were names on the books of persons who had moved away years ago, and some whose whereabouts were unknown. This weeding out brought the membership down to 587 names; but they were all bonafide members in good standing.