Review of 1909 through 1912

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 1909 through 1912.

In 1909, largely through the efforts of Doctor Bash, extensive improvements were made to the property; the auditorium was frescoed, seats re-varnished, electric lights put in, and a new pipe organ installed. Through the unceasing efforts of Doctor Bash, a contribution of $2,000 was obtained from Andrew Carnegie, which was one half of the cost of the organ.

On April 28th, at a meeting of the corporation, the Trustees were authorized to place a mortgage not to exceed $12,000 upon the church property, the proceeds of which were to be used in refunding the then present indebtedness and payment for the improvements and the pipe organ.

It should be mentioned that the leader of the choir resigned about this time, and the choir kept up a good organization and furnished excellent music for two years, generously donating to the organ fund the $600 which was the salary of the leader for that time. The Ladies Aid Society put in the new carpet.

When the organ was installed and the improvements made, we had a week of celebration during which Bishop Vincent delighted us all with his addresses.

In 1910 in October, Daniel L. Marsh, our present pastor, was appointed as pastor of our church. The success which has attended his pastorate is well known to all of us. Revival services were conducted for several weeks, resulting in many conversions and adding many members to the church.

In 1911, improvements were made in the main auditorium, panel work in front of the altar, and some changes made in the organ loft.

February 17th, Dr. Robert McCready, for many years an official member of this church, died. Doctor McCready joined Sewickley church shortly after its incorporation and was always solicitous for its success. His brother, D.A. McCready, was pastor for two years: 1848 and 1849.

On May 3rd of this year, the pastor’s salary was increased to $2,500 per year.

New rules for conducting the affairs of the church were adopted November 6th. The rules provided for the appointment of committees, each committee to be responsible for the particular work assigned to it. The Music Committee was authorized to secure three additional singers, thus forming a quartette, to lead the congregation in singing.

In 1912, Revival services, the second during the pastorate of our present pastor, were held, and a great many new members joined the church.

In the early months of this year, the suggestion had been made that payment of the mortgage against the church be provided for, and in accordance with this it was arranged that on April 28th an effort be made to secure the necessary funds. The amount, including accrued interest, was $9,720.50. This seemed a large sum to raise in one day, but when the day closed, there was much rejoicing to find that over $10,000 had been secured, not in subscriptions but mostly cash, the smaller part being interest-bearing notes, sufficient to pay the mortgage and also a floating debt and all bills due.

The current contributions, the basket collections, and the benevolences have all largely increased.

During the ten years just passed, the members of this congregation have contributed for all purposes over $100,000.

Since our semi-centennial, three names have been added to the long list of pastors who have had charge of our church. We have reason to be thankful, not only for the past, but also for the present prosperity of our church. The two years just passed, we might almost say were years of continuous revival, and the church is in a prosperous condition both spiritually and financially.

Of the present membership of this church but one belonged when the church was incorporated sixty years ago. Those who were members then, together with many who have joined since, have been transferred to “the Church triumphant.” They have gone from our midst. How we miss them. But the blessed influence of their lives remains with us, the remembrance of their words of counsel and encouragement is ours, and the anticipated glad reunion gives us joy.

The members of this church have been gathered from the various walks of life, and working together in the Master’s vineyard, doing what their hands find to do, is it surprising that its influence is so broad, and that it touches the lives of so many people?