USA > Pennsylvania > Lebanon County > Lebanon > A history of Lebanon : prepared on the occasion of its two hundredth anniversary > Part 3
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These were the years of World War II and marked the beginning of growth for Lebanon Church which continues to this day. But contained in those years was a real concern for the very life of the church as it had existed for over 160 years. Correspondence dated 1940 from Miss Frances Neel to the Reverend William Shriver, son of a former minister and frequent visitor to Lebanon Day services, expresses the concern of the members over a potential expansion of the Allegheny County Airport. The Trustees had been consulted about a proposed plan which would have placed the church and a portion of the cemetery in the midst of the airport. Several members of the congregation were approached as to their feeling regarding removing the church and cemetery to a new location. The answer was a resounding "no." It was known, however, that the government could declare a war emergency and simply take the property. It was a trying time for the congregation. But as is now obvious, expansion went in another direction and Lebanon continues on in its original location.
The members of the Mifflin United Presbyterian Church located at the edge of the airport near Route 885 had shared worship services with the Lebanon congregation. A notation from minutes in 1942 indicate that Elder William A. McKee assisted at Communion. In 1944 the Mifflin Church ceased to function as a congregation and five families were added to Lebanon's roll -- the William A. Mckees, Mrs. Joseph Livingston, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Huston, the Andrew Walters and Mr. W. E. McClurg.
The Ever-Ready Class, an organized Sunday School class met for a few years from 1941 to the early 1950's. Under the inspiration and leadership of Mrs. John Watkins (Mildred) a group of teen-age girls organized in June 1945 to become the Christian
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Servitors Church School Class. A complete recording of the activities of this active group is included at the end of this history.
A new pipe organ was installed in the church in time for the Lebanon Day services in September 1946. An indication of the renewed life and growth is a note in the Session minutes for 1946 naming a committee to survey the congregation to increase the financial, social, and spiritual life. The congregation numbered 214 that year.
Dr. William A. Jones served as Stated Supply 1947 to 1949. The congregation was adding regularly to its numbers as new homes and new industry continued to change the appearance of the south end of West Mifflin Borough.
In December 1948 the Atomic Energy Commission awarded the Bettis Atomic Laboratory a contract to design and develop an atomic power plant to prove nuclear power could be used to propel a submarine. Bettis Atomic plant was built on the Old Bettis Airport site, the first commercial airport in Pittsburgh. Bettis occupied approximately 200 acres and (in 1976) employed upwards of 2000 people.
America's largest corporation, General Motors, established its Fisher Body Pitts- burgh Plant in West Mifflin in 1949. The plant occupies 17 acres and employs an average of nearly 2000 employees in the manufacture of auto body parts and sub- assemblies for General Motors' huge corporate needs. It also fills the vital role of producing tools, dies and fixtures needed to manufacture the principal items of metal body parts and sub-assemblies.
The Reverend Charles Blaker was ordained and installed as pastor in 1949 with the membership listed as 323. Mr. Blaker had served as a Student Minister before his ordination from 1947 and in December 1949 Pittsburgh Presbytery requested Mr. Blaker to set up the Westminster Foundation at the University of Pittsburgh. Accordingly he resigned his charge at Lebanon effective the last day of 1949.
The Session was increased in 1949 from a board of six members to eight. The Every Member Canvass was initiated as the means to gain financial support for the growing needs of the congregation.
Another Seminary student, Laird O. Miller, grand nephew of Obadiah Haymaker Miller
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and brother of present member, Robert, came to Lebanon early in 1950. William K. Irwin retired in 1950 as Clerk of Session having served in that position for 56 years. It marked the end of an era since with the system of rotating elders no Session member is elected to serve a life-long term. Benjamin Dickson was named Clerk in 1951 and served until 1954.
A letter from Miss Neel to the Reverend William Shriver requested information on a book of plans for parish houses. She wrote, "When 45 boys turn out for a Scout meet- ing you can see that we need this type of building." This need to provide additional space resulted in a Building Committee appointed in 1951. The committee was composed of all Trustees, Edward Kuckuck, James F. Smith, William R. Wise, James Hamill and Frances F. Neel plus five members from the congregation, Mrs. William Wise, Louis Kahrl, Lloyd Keeney, William Brownlee, and Carl Schink. The Finance Committee members were George Smith, Robert Wolfe, Benjamin Dickson, Mrs. William Stevens, Mrs. Karl Christofel, Mrs. Hester Jack, Robert Brown, Harold Cramer, Edward L. Kemp, James L. Green, Sr., and Carl Short.
The final decision of the committee was to finish the basement of the church to provide the needed space. The project was completed in the spring of 1953 at a cost of $74,904.08. Steel beams for the support of the church building were donated by the Scott family in memory of John L. Scott. The platform in the basement was built by James L. King. With the exception of the initial under-pinning and lowering of the basement walls, all of the basement was completed by men of Lebanon Church. Hundreds of hours were spent in wiring, plumbing, plastering, painting, carpentry and general laboring at the church. During the steel strike several men worked full time for the church; it was during the strike that the entire cement floor of the basement was laid.
Following his graduation from Seminary and ordination, the Reverend Laird Miller served until 1953. His pastorate covered the beginning of the building of homes in the Livingston and Lebanon Manor plans begun in 1951.
The industry developing in the borough saw another plant in operation when the Continental Can Company opened its doors on Route 885 in 1950. Covering 13 acres, the
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plant employed 1000 people until 1965 when the work force was reduced to 450. The plant makes commercial sized steel pails for lard, shortening, tar, gas and oil as well as beer and pop cans.
With all the building of homes and industry, activities within the life of the congregation expanded in every direction. Session committees were established as
follows: Christian Education, Music, Worship, Evangelism, Program and Calendar, Liaison. Session minutes for 1953 reveal the planning for Laymen's Sunday. A daily Vacation Bible School was held, supervised by Mrs. Myrtle Robinson. Mention is made of a Bowling League and an Easter Sunrise Service early in 1954.
Dr. Murray C. Reiter came as Interim Minister in 1953 and left when the Reverend Harold G. Keen was installed as pastor April 4, 1954.
At a meeting of the Session February 7, 1954 a Building Committee was appointed for the purpose of building a new manse. Again, the Trustees, namely Edward Kuckuck, Lloyd Keeney, Frances Neel, James Smith and William Wise, served on the committee in addition to the following members from the congregation, Charles Thatcher, Chairman, Edward L. Kemp, W. W. Smith, Jr., Carl Schink, and Mrs. William Wise. The Manse was built at a cost of $19,624.43. Glenn Crawford Construction Company excavated for the foundation and Frank Corace, builder, furnished materials and labor to build the foundation. Also donated was the heating system by Edward L. Kemp and light fixtures by Mr. Kemp and Mr. Thatcher.
The house thus finished for the minister's family is a two-story brick home built into the slope of the land so that it shows two floors from the front and three from the rear. It contains four bedrooms, three baths, living room, dining room, and kitchen with a full basement with fireplaces in the living room and basement family room. Many of the trees and flowers in the yard were planted by members of the congregation.
An indication of the life of the church is shown in the notation of 37 boys and girls attending summer church camps in 1954. In addition 18 adults and 13 children attended Leadership Training School at Wilson College. Plans were begun for an organi- zation of Presbyterian Men. Junior High and Senior High Westminster Fellowships
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were begun. A Thanksgiving Service was held. The Youth Budget was organized. Presbyterian Life, a magazine published for church members of the Presbyterian Church, was sent to each family.
The old Manse continued to be used for Church School classes for the children and every available corner was jammed with young life as long as the building stood. This same crowding was evident in the school system and in 1954 Walnut Grove, the first of four new elementary schools was opened.
Alfred Rogers was named Clerk of Session in 1955 following the resignation of Benjamin Dickson. It was this year that the Rotary System for Session members was begun and Mrs. John Watkins (Mildred) was the first woman to be nominated for the office of elder.
Women in the congregation had through the years made a valuable contribution to the life of the church through the Missionary Societies and the organized Church School classes. In 1955 plans were presented by Miss Frances Neel and Mrs. Edward Kuckuck (Grace) for a Women's Association. All the women of the church would be divided into circles for Bible Study, fellowship and support of the Missionary work of the Presby- terian Church. 1957 found the group ready to organize.
The original plan called for ten circles to be formed. As the years passed the interested women were consolidated gradually into the three circles which meet monthly September through May and meet as an Association four times during the year. They are related to Pittsburgh Presbyterial and continue to support the mission of the church through study and prayer and offerings. Members seek to interest the whole Church in the needs of God's people everywhere and have found support for their sewing projects, Church World Service projects and the Donation Days at The Presbyterian Homes in Oakmont and Washington. Mrs. Edward L. Kemp (Virginia) served as the first President.
With a membership of 432 and church school enrollment of over 600, 1956 was another year of activity as the church moved to keep pace with this community. Increased activity brought Allan Wallenberg as a Seminary Youth Assistant October 1956 to April 1957. Mrs. Karl Christofel (Betty Jean) was engaged as the Church Secretary on a
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part-time basis. The One Great Hour of Sharing offering was received on Palm Sunday and Easter. Good Friday services were held in conjunction with neighboring ministers. Two worship services were held on Easter Sunday.
The Geneva Married Couples Class came to life in 1956 under the guidance of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Rogers. A complete history is included at the end of the writing. The first Maundy Thursday Dinner was served in 1957. The meal was served in silence and Communion was served following the dinner. Christian Education Day was observed with a Church School picnic at the Clairton Sportsmen's Club.
Nineteen hundred and fifty-eight marked the Bicentennial celebration of the city of Pittsburgh and the merger of the former United Presbyterian Church in the United States and the Presbyterian Church, United States of America, at the General Assembly meeting in Pittsburgh. Members of the church attended a pageant at Pitt Stadium marking the Bicentennial.
Clara Barton Elementary School was completed in 1958 with twenty classrooms to serve the needs of the rapidly growing residential community.
Miss Mr. Fred Wyngarden served as a Student Assistant October 1959 to April 1960. Annetta Porter was appointed Church Organist beginning in April 1959 after the years of faithful service given by Miss Mary Orr. Mrs. R. Ward Holder was named Choir Director and Director of Christian Education in September of that same year.
The last regularly scheduled Lebanon Day was held in 1959. A homecoming tradition since 1907 it was discontinued because of a lack of interest -- perhaps a casualty of a growing, changing congregation.
A significant development in church life occurred in late 1959 with the first edition of a church newspaper with Mr. and Mrs. Jack Shoup as editors. Revelations has not only served to inform members of activities and outreach of the local church but serves as a valuable written record of its life.
For some time there had been concern for the unsafe condition existing in the old manse. The membership was now over 600 with an average Sunday Church School attendance over 300. A Building Needs Committee was appointed to study the problems of space. At about the same time a committee for the sale of the old manse property was established.
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From the Trustees - Carl Schink and Thomas Stockdill; from the Deacons, Carl Dickinson; from the Session, Albert Widock and Ralph Gault and the congregation-at- large, Charles Thatcher, Edward L. Kemp and Mrs. Jane Guffey. Their work as a commit- tee culminated in the sale of the original Manse property to Sears Roebuck and Company for the purpose of building a store.
And so the Building Needs Committee proved the need and a Building Committee was set. From the Trustees - Thomas Stockdill, Donald Weimer and Carl Schink were named; from the Session, Eugene Hughes and Albert Widock; Deacons, Carl Dickinson; congregation- at-large, Mrs. Donald Lynch and as Advisors, Miss Frances Neel, James Smith and Edward L. Kemp. Many and long were the hours, indeed years, during which this committee functioned. Among the first of the many decisions they were required to make was the choice of the architect. This was done in 1961 when Mr. Charles McConnell agreed to draw plans.
Architects had been at work in other areas of the community. South High School, the second High School in the borough, opened its doors in 1961 thus ending the parade of students to high schools in the cities surrounding West Mifflin. The building has twenty-eight classrooms and was built at a cost of $2,209,828.02.
Mrs. Holder resigned as Choir Director and assistant in Christian Education in January 1961. Later that year Mrs. William Sober (Irene) accepted the position of Choir Director.
John Kennedy, a son of Lebanon's congregation, was accepted as a candidate for the ministry by Pittsburgh Presbytery in September 1961 and Donald, a son of the Reverend and Mrs. Keen, assumed his first pastorate following his ordination.
Reverend Keen resigned his charge at Lebanon in September 1962. He served as pastor of the Overbrook Presbyterian Church (Pittsburgh) until his death in 1964. Dr. Frank Ramsey came as Interim Minister in 1962 and served until the installation of the Reverend Hugh M. Crawford in June 1963.
The Alliquippa Sabbath School Association was formed following the disbanding of the Alliquippa Sabbath School. From its invested assets, the Association has for years made contributions to churches in this vicinity for the work involved in the
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training of young people in the Christian faith. This practice, begun in 1962, continues each year. Miss Frances Neel, Mr. George Lynn and Mr. Robert Kerber, members of Lebanon, have served on the Board of the Association.
After building plans for a new church were presented to the congregation, plans were made for a financial campaign.
Ground-breaking for the Christian Education Unit of the new building took place following the morning worship service on a crisp, cold Sunday, November 3, 1963. Mrs. Jessie Reed, the oldest member of the congregation was present. Ground was turned over by Rev. Hugh M. Crawford, Minister; Mrs. William S. Wise, The Clerk of the Session; William P. Reilly, The Chairman of the Board of Trustees; Walter Ayers, The President of the Board of Deacons; Donald W. Weimer, The Chairman of the Building Committee; Albert Widock, The Chairman of the Building Fund Campaign; Mrs. Donald Lynch, The Chairman of the Christian Education Committee; Mrs. Carl A. Schink, The President of the Women's Association; Miss Frances Neel, Representing our Senior Members; Angelo DaBaldo, Representing our Newest Members; and Miss Amy Schelat, Representing our Children and Youth. Then the children of the church formed the outline of the educa- tional building and simultaneously, with their own shovels, broke ground where they stood.
The spacious yet functional new facility was opened for the Christian Education of the children and adults of Lebanon Church in December 1964. The initial unit con- tains rooms for Christian Education plus the Lounge and the Library for meetings and study as well as the administrative rooms with offices for the ministers and secretary. The Lounge and Library are equipped with mini-kitchen facilities. Classrooms are divided by folding doors to make them flexible for a variety of uses. The sunny crib room has built-in sound system bringing the service from the Sanctuary for mothers who may be staying with babies.
It had been the plan to build the first unit and delay a period of time before beginning construction of the Sanctuary unit. An unexpected bequest from a friend of the church, Miss Ruth Law, in memory of her parents, provided the impetus for the com-
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mittee to urge that in view of rising costs it would seem wise to proceed immediately with the completion of the building.
There is a considerable feeling of excitement as a new house of worship rises from its foundation. It would be safe to say this feeling was evident throughout our com- munity and thanks to newspaper and television coverage was spread through the Pittsburgh area. This was most notable on a snowy day in February 1966 when the 57-foot steeple, topped by a gold Celtic cross, was placed on the roof of the partially completed building.
The program printed for the Dedication of the Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall September 25, 1966 gives the most complete description of the sanctuary, the organ, and the carillon.
In the sanctuary our attention is immediately focused on the chancel which is elevated three steps above the nave floor for good visibility. The two sacraments of our Protestant faith -- communion and baptism -- are highlighted by the placement of the communion table and the baptismal font. It was the objective to have the table as close to the congrega- tion as possible to give the impression that we are all gathered around the Lord's table at the communion service. The baptismal font symboliz- ing the entry into the family of the Church is prominently displayed in the chancel.
In addition to the sacraments, our church also places strong emphasis on the Word of God as it appears in the Holy Scriptures and on the preaching and teaching from the Bible. The pulpit, therefore, is placed well to the front of the chancel for good visibility and to bring it and its teachings closer to the people.
The massive 12-foot cross mounted on the rear wall of the chancel reminds worshipers constantly of Christ's crucifixion for our salvation as well as His victory over death.
The location of the choir in the balcony at the rear of the Church is calculated to add to the worshipful atmosphere of the sanctuary. Since the choir is definitely a part of the congregation, it was felt that this would place them among the congregation facing the pulpit. Place- ment of the choir in the chancel would have required a screen which would separate them from the congregation. The rear placement is also calculated to aid congregational singing.
The sanctuary provides comfortable seating for a congregation of 500. A built-in sound system will be used to augment the fine acoustical qualities of the building. It also can be piped to other parts of the building by the use of extension speakers. Lighting is flexible and can create a variety of different settings for worship. A forced air ventilation system is provided.
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The fellowship hall is equipped with tables and chairs to provide banquet seating for 350 people. If chairs alone are used, it can accommodate 50.0 people. Provision has been made for a flexible system of stages to pro- vide a speaker's platform or a stage for dramatic or choral presentations. A spacious kitchen is equipped with the most modern cooking and serving facilities.
The interior and exterior walls of the church are constructed of a pink sand-finished brick which lends a warm atmosphere to the inside and blends nicely with the outside surroundings. The building is capped by a 57-foot spire featuring a 10-foot gold anodized Celtic Cross at its peak. The attractive grillework on the belfry encloses the carillon speakers. The floodlights which illuminate the steeple are automatically controlled by a time clock.
The New Organ
We are very pleased that the new organ is an enlarged and rebuilt version of the instrument which was originally installed in our sanctuary in 1946. That instrument was dedicated "that the ministry of music may be to the glory of God and in loving memory of Miss Zella H. Payne, Lt. J. Alvin Strauser, Dorothy Ruth Livingston, and James and Rachel Roth."
The new organ was specifically designed for the acoustical environment of our new church and combines the tonal grandeur of early European instru- ments with the quick-responding brilliance of a modern American organ. The organ was built by this country's largest organ builder, the M. P. Møller Company of Hagerstown, Maryland. ..
The instrument has two manuals or keyboards and is constructed in strict conformity to the standards of the American Guild of Organists. It has a total of 604 pipes, ranging in size from a soda straw to 16 feet in length. The instrument actually has three organs or divisions -- Swell organ, Great organ, and Pedal organ. In contains nine ranks of pipes. The two manual console which controls the organ is a masterpiece of functional beauty constructed of oak to conform with the architecture of the church.
About 30 varieties of wood have been used in the construction of the organ including sugar, pine, oak, cherry, gum, poplar, mahogany, maple, bass, birch and ebony. There are hundreds of sterling silver contacts for the electrical system and more than 13,000 feet of wire ... The contract price of the organ was $16, 462 and it took over 18 months to build ...
The Carillon Bells
The carillon bells come to us as a result of the efforts of the Christian Servitors Class which initiated a bell fund in 1961. Since that time they have gradually accumulated funds which were used for the purchase of the bells.
Technically, the bells are called a "Coronation Carillon." They were pur- chased from Schulmerich Carillons, Inc. of Sellersville, Pennsylvania. The instrument consists of 25 miniature bell units of bronze bell metal which are struck by metal hammers, producing true bell tones almost inaudible to the human ear. These vibrations are then amplified over 100,000 times by means of specially designed electronic equipment, producing true bell tones far superior to the tones of traditional cast bells of massive proportions.
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Our instrument provides the tonal equivalent of 79, 462 pounds of cast bells tuned to the finest English standards. The range is G below Middle C to G two octaves above and it is interesting to note that the low G is equal in tone to a cast bell weighing 13, 250 pounds.
The "Coronation Carillon" will be played from a special keyboard located at the organ console. Selector switches will permit the bells to be heard within the church alone, from the tower alone or both together.
Daily programs on the carillon will be provided by means of an automatic pre-set playing apparatus. This instrument, which is neither a phono- graph nor a recording device, actually plays the bells through the use of perforated plastic rolls. These rolls actuate the circuits which strike the bell units, duplicating the performance of an artist at the keyboard. Automatic operation of the bells is controlled by a clock which can be set to play the carillon at any time of the day. The Session is determining the program and schedule which will bring the great hymns of the church into the daily lives of the people of the community.
The Dedication took place September 25, 1966 with special services through the week culminating in World-Wide Communion October 2. Dr. William F. Ruschhaupt, Jr., General Presbyter of Pittsburgh Presbytery, preached the sermon as Dr. Oliver Stang, Field Director for Christian Education of Pittsburgh Presbytery had done for the Dedication of the Christian Education unit. Open House for friends and neighbors was held during the afternoon. Tuesday night a congregational dinner was held followed by a Night of History marking the 190th anniversary as well as the dedication of the new sanctuary. Wednesday marked the dedication of the organ and carillon bells with Gerald S. Crawford, Director of Music at Mt. Lebanon United Presbyterian Church as guest organist. Dr. Frank C. Ramsey had the meditation. Youth Dedication night on Thursday featured the Reverend A. Vanlier Hunter and Dr. Oliver Stang.
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