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Congregation returns to restored church

By Frances Borsodi Zajac 5 min read

MASONTOWN – The 70-member congregation at Masontown United Methodist Church will come home this Sunday, starting a week of events celebrating a return to the church building, which was damaged last year in a fire. Bishop Thomas Bickerton of the Western Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church and the Rev. Frank Sherman, district superintendent for the Connellsville District, will be special guests at Sunday’s 10 a.m. dedication service at the church, located at the corner of Main and Cross streets. An open house and reception will follow.

The dedication kicks off a week of celebrating that includes a hymn sing, celebration worship service with area clergy, ice cream social, historical night that includes a portrayal of Methodist movement founder John Wesley, and a concert with the group Redeemed. Events Monday through Friday will take place at 7 p.m.

The congregation has been worshipping at this site since 1898.

“It’s not just for us but for the community to come and celebrate with us,’ said the Rev. Bob Lewis, pastor. “We’re opening the door, and whoever wants to celebrate with us can join in our joy.’

Fire destroyed the roof of the church July 15, 2004. When the rebuilding project began, church officials discovered that the walls and the air-conditioning system also were damaged. Changes also needed to be made to bring the building up to Pennsylvania code.

“A lot of changes had to be made to comply with Pennsylvania Labor and Industry standards, such as emergency lights,’ Lewis said. “The building was totally rewired to come up to 2005 standards.’

Outside changes include a ramp to make the building handicapped accessible and new red brick up to the windowsill.

Inside, new burgundy carpeting has been installed, the pews were re-stained so that all the wood is the same color, ceiling lamps were replaced, and the radiators in the back of the sanctuary have been taken out, providing more space.

The ceiling has been altered from a flat surface to a peaked design due to a change in engineering standards, giving the building a cathedral appearance.

Also, all of the stained-glass windows have been renovated, except for one that was replaced. This small window – which faces Main Street and features a dove in a setting of red, orange and yellow – has symbolic meaning for the congregation.

“The day of the fire, a dove flew and sat on the wall facing Parkvale Bank. It was 20 feet from the flames,’ said Lewis. “For many people, it was a sign of God’s presence, that he was with us.’

The church saw its musical instruments damaged in the fire, but it received separate gifts of a piano and an organ, and purchased another piano at a greatly reduced price. An organ that had been in the church was repaired and will be housed in the basement.

The hallway connecting the sanctuary and education building has been made handicapped accessible. Speakers have been installed in this area and the downstairs social hall to broadcast services there. Also, a restroom added to this section has a changing table for babies, sending a message to young families that they are welcomed, Lewis noted.

Additionally, in the basement, the church made improvements to the stairway and a restroom, and added a drop ceiling to hide wires and pipes.

The church purchased a new stove for the kitchen. And, the floors and contents of the building that had been in storage were cleaned of smoke damage.

As the congregation moves back to the building, it remains grateful to the community that offered it support in its time of need, including First Presbyterian Church of Masontown, which immediately offered the use of its facilities.

“The Presbyterian Church opened their doors and said, ‘Our church is your church for as long as you need it.’ And we never missed a beat. The fire was Thursday and we were there that Sunday. Everything we would have done in this church, we did over there,’ Lewis said. “But in many ways, we felt like visitors in somebody else’s house and there was a longing to go home.’

The congregation will have that opportunity Sunday.

“There’s a sense of it’s been a long time and they’re glad to go back,’ said Lewis. “And there’s a sense of excitement from people who have seen the building and how beautiful it is.’

The week of celebration includes the following: Sunday at 10 a.m., a dedication service with Bickerton and Sherman, followed by an open house and reception; Monday at 7 p.m., a hymn sing, followed by an open house and reception; Tuesday at 7 p.m., a celebration worship service involving area clergy, their choirs and congregations, as well as former pastors and special guests; Wednesday at 7 p.m., an ice cream social and open house with special events for youths; Thursday at 7 p.m., Historical Night, with the Rev. Larry Homistsky portraying John Wesley, founder of the Methodist movement, followed by an open house and reception; and Friday at 7 p.m., a concert with Redeemed, followed by an open house and reception.

For more information, phone Lewis at 724-583-9207 or visit the Web site at www.mumchurch.org.

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