Guide to the Presbyterian Church of Sewickley, Pa. Records, 1839-1962 AIS.1995.03

Arrangement

Repository
ULS Archives & Special Collections
Title
Presbyterian Church of Sewickley, Pa. Records
Creator
Presbyterian Church of Sewickley (Sewickley, Pa.)
Collection Number
AIS.1995.03
Extent
3 microfilm_reels
Date
1839-1962
Abstract
The Presbyterian Church of Sewickley was one of the first Presbyterian congregations to organize and build a church in this part of Pennsylvania in 1818. The Church has moved twice throughout its history but still remains active in the Sewickley community. The Church's records consist of six books, which have been microfilmed, that contain the records of annual meetings, board of trustees, treasurer reports, congregational meetings, constitution and by-laws, and the charter of incorporation, for the years 1839-1962.
Language
English .
Author
Archives Staff. The finding aid was revised by Andy Newman in September, 2004.
Publisher
ULS Archives & Special Collections
Address
University of Pittsburgh Library System
Archives & Special Collections
Website: library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections
Contact Us: www.library.pitt.edu/ask-archivist
URL: http://library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections

History

The Presbyterian Church of Sewickley, Pennsylvania began in 1818 as a log building on Division Street. Before this time Presbyterian services were held sporadically in the area led by three preachers, Mr. McClain, Mr. McDonald, and Mr. Vennemon. James McLaughlin led Sunday school and was the most popular leader of the early church. In 1840 the congregation built a new church in Sewickley at 101 Beaver Street. The church was built by John Chislett , an architect from Pittsburgh, who gave the building an elaborate Greek style entrance followed by Gothic style windows. However, by 1860 the Church outgrew the building and moved across the street. The new church was built by Joseph W. Kerr, another prominent Pittsburgh architect, who designed the church in the Gothic style and used stone from the Sewickley Quarry. Since its dedication in 1861 the Church has been used as a meeting place for the people of Sewickley. The Presbyterian Church was also used as a gathering place for two popular women's groups, the Young Ladies Sewing Society and the Ladies Circle of Industrial Society.

Scope and Content

The collection consists of six books, which have been microfilmed, that contain the records of annual meetings, board of trustees, treasurer reports, congregational meetings, constitution and by-laws, and the charter of incorporation. The early books of 1832-1880 are almost entirely handwritten and the books from 1880-1962 are a combination of handwritten and typed records. Most of the material is in chronological order with the exception of the list of church members in the U.S. military which is alphabetical by year. The researcher should note that books 1-3 share a microfilm reel with Emanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, Castle Shannon, Pa., 1886-1994 (AIS.1994.15).

Access Restrictions

No restrictions.

Acquisition Information

These records were microfilmed with the permission of the Presbyterian Church of Sewickley, Pa. in 1995.

Preferred Citation

Presbyterian Church of Sewickley, Pa. Records, 1839-1942, AIS.1995.03, Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System

Previous Citation

Presbyterian Church of Sewickley, Pa. Records, AIS.1995.03, Archives Service Center, University of Pittsburgh

Presbyterian Church of Sewickley, ais 95:3, Records, 1839-1942, Archives of Industrial Society, Hillman Library, University of Pittsburgh

Processing Information

This collection was inventoried by Archives Staff in 1995 and then encoded by Andy Newman in September 2004.

Revision for the encoded version of the finding aid provided by Andy Newman in September, 2004. Information about the collection title and the controlled access terms was extracted from the MARC record in the University of Pittsburgh catalog Voyager ID number: 4250041

Copyright

Permission for publication is given on behalf of the University of Pittsburgh as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.

Subjects

    Corporate Names

    • Presbyterian Church of Sewickley (Sewickley, Pa.) -- Archives

    Other Subjects

    • Presbyterian Church -- Pennsylvania -- Sewickley
    • Churches and Synagogues

Container List