Religion

Last Updated on Friday, 28 August 2015 00:31

By Ken Askew

Thousands upon thousands of congregants have reverently stepped through the doors of this church to attend Sunday services and observe the most important religious milestones of their lives—baptisms, confirmations, marriages, and funerals. On Christmas and Easter, the pews are filled to overflowing.

The complex of buildings as they stand today. The first structure (as renovated) is at the left side.

The Pleasant Hills Community Church was founded by Ina Hubbs and Victor Bryant in 1939. The first service was conducted in a concrete block building on Palm Sunday in 1940. Starting with 50 members, the congregation mushroomed to 2,000 in just 20 years. To accommodate the growth, additions to the original structure were completed in 1949 (main sanctuary), 1956 (education wing), 1962 (chapel complex), 1970 (major renovations to sanctuary, and installation of a pipe organ), and 1998 (started construction of multi-purpose/worship center). The entire building now stretches almost a block long. If these walls could talk, what a fascinating historical tale they could tell!
Just six dedicated and compassionate senior pastors have led the flock of Presbyterian believers in Jesus Christ over the last 75 years: Dr. Paul F. Hudson (1940); James E. Letcher (1960); Kirk E. Hudson—no relation to Paul—(1967); Dr. Michael H. Wenning (1977), E. Stanley Ott (1988); and the current senior pastor, Mark A. Whitsel (2012).

Local outreach programs include an annual clothing drive for residents of Rock Forge, WV. Short-term mission trips are sponsored to Haiti; Malawi, Africa; and the Sudan.

Spiritual development of the church members includes small group Bible studies, faith enrichment programs such as Dave Ramsey’s upcoming financial advisory Peace University, and Sunday classes for adults and children.

The church offers two worship services on Sunday: a traditional service in the Sanctuary at 9:30 a.m., and a contemporary service in the multi-purpose/worship addition at 11 a.m.

An early version of Pleasant Hills Community Church.

For more information, please contact the Office Manager, Linda Stout, linda@pleasanthillschurch.com, at Pleasant Hills Community Church, 199 Old Clairton Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15236, or visit their website at www.pleasanthillschurch.com