Meadow Run church to celebrate 150th anniversary
Meadow Run Community Church will acknowledge a milestone as the congregation celebrates its 150th anniversary on Sunday, Aug. 22. The church, located on Meadow Run Road in Stewart Township, will begin the celebration with a worship service at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Ken VanSickle, pastor.
The Rev. Dr. Arthur Gotjen of Somerset County will serve as guest speaker. Vocalist Karen Bennett Jackson of Uniontown will provide special music.
“People will have then have an opportunity to speak about the church and what it mean to them,” said Carol Van Kirk, who co-chairs the anniversary committee with VanSickle, and whose ancestors are among the church’s earliest members.
A dinner, catered by Hartsek Catering, will be held afterwards. There is a charge for the dinner. Anyone who wants to attend should make reservations by Aug. 16 by calling VanSickle at 724-438-4260.
At 2 p.m., VanSickle will officiate at a dedication of two time capsules. They are to be buried on the church grounds near a red oak tree that was planted in April. The time capsules will be covered with a large stone.
The time capsules will include almanacs from 1860 and 2010, an Aug. 22, 2010, church bulletin, a 2003 photograph of a special occasion at the church and a commemorative Lenox crystal paperweight with an etching of the church on the back.
Van Kirk said, “People will also have an opportunity to put in anything they wish into the time capsules.”
The day will end with the distribution of prizes, such as oldest person present, person with the most grandchildren and person who came the farthest.
According to a history provided by the church, “A history of Fayette County records that soon after 1800 the Methodist itinerants sought to establish a church in the township, holding meetings at the house of Moses Mercer, and at other hospitable mountain homes. These efforts were rewarded by the accession of a few members to the faith, although not of sufficient number to form a class. After 1830, preaching was in the house of Elizabeth Potter, and after 1840 the meetings were held at schoolhouses about once every three weeks, and generally on weekdays. Among the preachers of this period were the Revs. McGowan, Sharp, Swazie, Tipton, White and many others that followed.
“In 1860, Benjamin and Sarah Leonard donated land and the church was built that year. The deed was recorded on Nov. 16, 1869 to trustees Cyrus Edmundson, Ruben Leonard, George P. Potter, John B. Potter and Joseph Stark.
“Benjamin Leonard was for many years the superintendent of the Sunday School. Over the years a lot of people have filled the position with their service and dedication. The original interior of the church was renovated in 1900 by Frank Rholfe and other renovations have been carried out since that time.
“The white church was built on the edge of a field, at the bend of a country road, beside Meadow Run.
“New pews were made by Hampton Potter. The oil lamps were replaced by electric lights about 1935. In 1949, the church was covered with shingle siding and new floor was laid. To make the churchyard larger, a strip of land was donated by William Wable and another strip was donated by Hazel Leonard to enlarge the yard behind the church and make it 99 feet square. The congregation of Meadow Run bought 11 acres of timber on the hill in 1956 to make sure no timber man’s axe ever touches it and that the site will remain beautiful. A new belfry was built in 1959.
“In 1960, a commemoration service was held to celebrate the centennial of the church of 100 years. Former ministers taking part in this service were Henry Minotti, J.L. Kooser, J. H. Breakiron, C. Smith Hixon, and William Keys. At this centennial, the pastor was James F. Smiley.
“In 1969 new pews were purchased. In 1981, the road was paved in front of the church. An addition to the rear of the church includes a wheelchair ramp and another entrance. It contains a furnished classroom and restrooms.
“In 1982, the name was changed from Meadow Run Methodist Church to Meadow Run Community Church.
Officials said, “We believe in the divine inspiration of the Holy Scriptures as the infallible Word of God.”