Beechview United Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh celebrated 100 years of operation with its final service in late 2023. The church was closed due to lack of support for maintenance and construction costs.
“I immediately burst into tears because I thought it was going to be here forever,” said parishioner Patricia Falloon. CBS News Pittsburgh.
“I taught Sunday school for 10 years,” Falloon said. “It's just sad to see the change today.”
The woman had been attending the 106-year-old church for more than 70 years, but now she will have to meet at nearby Holy Trinity Lutheran Church.
“Some people have been baptized in this church,” said Pastor Bob Malavalli. “They raised their children. They were married in this church.”
“This is a very sad time for them,” the pastor added.
The church was founded in 1917, but was unable to meet the costs of maintaining the infrastructure and operating the building. This reportedly forced the pastor to close his doors.
“No matter where we go or what we do, God always guides us,” added Pastor Paul Pufer. “So while this is the end of a chapter and the congregation is moving out of the building, I have full faith in the world the Lord has in store for them as they move into their next worship space. Masu.”
At 106 years old, Beachview United Presbyterian Church is far from the oldest church in the state.
These honors are contested in two different places. Old Norriton Presbyterian Church was first founded by Dutch settlers in 1698, and the adjoining burial ground is reported to date from his 1678 date. within your state only.
but, Reveal PA reported that Gloria Dei Church (also known as Old Swedish Church) is the oldest church in the state. The Episcopal church was reportedly built between 1698 and 1700, and was inaugurated on July 2, 1700.
As 2023 comes to a close, it's been a tough few weeks for Pittsburgh landmarks. U.S. Steel was sold just two weeks ago after 122 years under American ownership. The steel giant founded by J.P. Morgan and Andrew Carnegie in 1901 has been sold to a Japanese company in Japan, but its iconic headquarters will remain in Pittsburgh.
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