Fellowship and brotherhood have provided the bedrock of the congregation’s foundation for First United Methodist Church, 149 W. Patriot St. in Somerset.
The church’s 184 members continue to honor those traditions as they celebrate the 125th anniversary of the house of worship’s origin.
In August 1887, the Rev. J.H. Pershing was welcomed as the first pastor of the Somerset congregation.
Members met in various homes until the first house of worship was erected in 1890 under the direction of the Rev. John S. Beull.
“First United Methodist Church has endured for 125 years because all members in the congregation from its beginning to now have simply done whatever was needed to see that their belief in the word of God sets people free from the pain of sin,” said Donna Deaner, chairwoman of a 10-member quasquicentennial anniversary committee.
“Members throughout the history of the church have known that they could receive the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
She said that living by the word of God is as essential nowadays as it was in days gone by.
In 1916, the building was expanded with the addition of two bell towers.
An educational center was constructed adjacent to the church in 1956.
The celebration will be marked by a number of special services over the next nine months that are intended to bring the congregation and community together.
The events will be held at the church and are open to the public.
Concerts will begin at 7 p.m. in the church’s sanctuary.
Sunday: Gospel concert with Mountain Anthems of the Allegheny Mountains of western Maryland and western Pennsylvania.
May 19: Gospel concert featuring the Keystone State Quartet of Ebensburg.
June 23: Church picnic in parking lot.
Aug. 18: Piano concert by Jeff Painter of Bakerstown, Allegheny County.
Aug. 26: Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton, spiritual leader of approximately 900 United Methodist congregations in the Western Pennsylvania Conference, will speak during the 10:30 a.m. worship service.
A covered-dish dinner will be held at noon in the fellowship hall.
Oct. 21: District Superintendent William Blair will be on hand to honor past pastors and their spouses during the 10:30 a.m. worship service.
The Rev. Dale Shunk became pastor in July 2007 and continues to serve.
There have been 24 pastors who have served First United Methodist Church.
Two former members of the congregation have gone on to become ministers.
The Rev. Lynn Long serves in Bunn, N.C., while the Rev. Roger Howard serves the Bellview Charge, Indiana District of the United Methodist Church Conference.
The church has endured many changes in the past 125 years.
What began as St. John’s church became First Evangelical United Brethren in 1946.
In April 1968, the Evangelical United Brethren and the Methodist churches merged forming the United Methodist denomination, thus forming the First United Methodist Church of Somerset.
Through the years, there have been renovations and improvements to make worshipping at First United Methodist more inviting.
Monumental moments include the purchase of an electric organ in 1940 and installing chimes in 1945.
During 2009, the sanctuary was updated with a multimedia center, which consists of a video projector, computer, sound mixer, dual monitor and a 120-inch screen.
Church members are active in supporting missionary work from the streets of Somerset to the plains of Kenya, Africa.
The church has an active Bible school program with a weekly Bible study, as well as Sunday school classes for all ages and several youth groups.
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