Home About Us Sermons Events Youth Children Music News Contact Us

As far back as 1792 traces are found indicating that religious services had been regularly conducted by traveling Presbyterian clergymen. But not until August of 1817 did the Sharon Congregation begin its existence as an organized body of worshipers. The Reverend Mr. Andrew McDonald served as the first pastor of the church which was then known as the Flaugherty Run Mission.

Andrew McDonald was graduated from Jefferson College, Canonsburg, on October 27, 1803. He studied theology under the Rev. John McMillan, the founder and first president of that college, and was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Ohio in 1806. To his credit was the establishment of three churches in the Presbytery of Pittsburgh, Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A.; the Presbytery Church of Sewickley (then known as Sewickleytown); the church at White Oak Flats (now the Mount Carmel Presbyterian Church at New Sheffield, Aliquippa); and the Sharon Presbytery Church at Carnot.

As there was no church building in 1817, the founders of this congregation had to content themselves with meeting in the homes of fellow members. After a few years, however, the congregation did manage to buy a tent, which, when weather permitted, served as their temporary "house of worship." The site of their tent meeting place is described in the records of that time as "the grove on the side of the hill which lay toward Flaugherty Run." Hence, the Flaugherty Run Mission. The church was within the bounds of the Presbytery of Ohio, in the Synod of Pittsburgh.

Travel to and from church in the early 1800's was by no means an easy chore, and required dedicated Christians to accomplish Sunday after Sunday. Many parishioners had to travel miles on foot through thick forests, or on dirt roads which were unfailingly rough and dusty in the summer, and sticky mud traps when it rained. Beside the icy cold of Ohio Valley winters, deep snow and icy hills often interfered with their progress toward church. Even for those fortunate enough to have horses, the mode of travel was not much. However, the Mission was frequented by most people and often enjoyed an "over-flow" congregation. When church was in session, there was never any levity or frivolity to detract from the solemnity of the service; all were dead earnest about their need for God, and the services were serious and meaningful.

In 1828, the congregation managed to erect a new church building. The new 40 X 50 foot brick church was located below the present cemetery, near the intersection of the Beaver Grade and Carnot Roads. Because of its excellent location, many people chose to build their homes around it, and it soon became the center of the village of Sharon (later changed to Carnot). It was also about this time that the Flaugherty Run Mission became known as the Presbyterian Congregation of Sharon. This was not the official name, however, until the congregation's first charter was received in 1861.

In 1829, the Presbytery of Ohio ordained and installed the Reverend S.C. Jennings as minister of their eighteen member church. His call was to preach on alternate Sundays for an annual salary of $150.00. During his second year at Sharon, he was invited by the people of Mt. Pisgah to help them organize a church, and preach on alternate Sundays. On June 7, 1831, Mr. Jennings married Emma Passavant of Zelienople, and together the young couple made their home near Temperanceville, Pennsylvania. As the village of Temperanceville grew, so did the opportunity for Mr. Jennings to involve himself in evening preaching. During this time, Mr. Jennings also preached frequently at Long Island (Neville Island) and brought about a revival there which resulted in an organized body of worshippers. Previously, the Presbytery had assigned him to preach in the Sewickley Valley as missionary ground, on the headwaters of Big Saw Mill River, and on the waters of Chartiers Creek.

In 1846, Mr. Jennings had four organized congregations under his care and, needless to say, was beginning to feel the burden. Mt. Pisgah and Temperanceville, then asked him to devote all of his time to them, and Sharon and Long Island did likewise. In 1847 Reverend Jennings made his difficult decision, and accepted the calls from Sharon and the Island. Thus, he began his twentieth year at Sharon without interruption.

As there was no physician in this community, Dr. Jennings, having been described from a "long line of medical men," felt called to practice the art of healing for some twenty years. It was not uncommon for his medical bag and dental forceps to accompany him on a "pastor's call."

Preparations were begun in 1868 for a new and larger white frame church. The old brick building had been condemned, and had to be torn down. A nearby church willingly opened its doors to the congregation during the building period, so that they could uninterruptedly continue their public worship of God. The new building, which cost approximately $8,000, was dedicated in January, 1869.

In the year 1879, Dr. Jennings' long pastorate ended, with a fitting celebration. Statistical results of Dr. Jennings' fifty years work at Sharon were prosperous. During that time he baptized 769 infants, performed 321 marriages, and preached 5,200 sermons- preparing one each week in his study with notes, and the rest on horseback or without notes.

On June 18, 1880, Reverend Seth R. Gordon was installed as pastor, and served for three years. During this pastorate Jeremiah Meek donated ground to the church for a parsonage and surrounding lands. The Meek family, who was no small benefactor of Sharon Church, either donated or sold most of the property owned by Sharon today.

The next pastor to move into the new parsonage was destined to serve Sharon Church for thirty-four years. Installation services were held on Monday, March 3, 1884, for the Reverent J. M. Mercer.

On October 14, 1885, the Reverend Mr. Mercer had one of the hardest assignments of his career. His aged friend, Dr. Jennings, had died, and it was his duty to conduct the funeral services at Sharon. The entire congregation was deeply conscious of the death of their former beloved minister as they came to the end of an era.

After Dr. Jennings death, Mr. Mercer redoubled his efforts as pastor, with the people responding vigorously to his leadership. Perhaps the greatest single event in the church's history to that time was the "Three-Quarter Centennial," held in September 1892. The seventy-fifth anniversary was celebrated with over 1200 people from the tri-state area assembled for the occasion.

For the next quarter century the congregation faithfully performed its duties as a body ministering for Christ. One very notable change in Sharon was the growth and increasing importance of her Sunday School department. It was during Dr. Mercer's pastorate and because of his untiring efforts that the school reached its greatest peak in one hundred years. Attendance averaged 175 pupils and classes were extended to include the winter, as well as the summer months.

The One Hundredth Anniversary of Sharon Church was celebrated with joy and exuberance in September of 1917.

The following spring Dr. Mercer resigned as pastor of Sharon Church after thirty-four years of faithful Christian service, and was designated by the congregation as "Pastor Emeritus." For eighty-four years Dr. Mercer and Dr. Jennings faithfully guided the people of Sharon, leaving an impact on them that remains apparent even today.

It was not until September 17, 1918 that a new pastor was installed at "Old Sharon." Reverend L. B. Wissinger took over the duties that so long had been the responsibility of Dr. Mercer, and remained as pastor until September of 1920 when he resigned.

On April 22, 1921, the Reverend O. C. Griffith was installed as pastor, with the annual salary of $2,000, free use of the manse, and four weeks vacation- quite a raise from Dr. Jennings original $150 salary. On April 4, 1922, the session counted the number of communicant members and found it to be 168. In September of 1923, after two years of service, Mr. Griffith resigned.

The next minister to come to Sharon was the Reverend L. O. Smith. Mr. Smith was invited to come as Stated Supply in April, 1924, but was not installed as regular pastor until May 14, 1925.

One of the most significant events of the recent history of the church occurred in 1929. The church had been closed during May and June of that year for repairs and redecoration, preparatory to the holding of the centennial of the dedication of the first church building and the ordination of Dr. S.C. Jennings. The centennial observance was held June 30, 1929. Two weeks later, on July 12, a tornado wrenched the roof from the church building, bringing it down upon many of the graves below. The other framework of the church did not appear to be damaged, but the interior was almost ruined by heavy rains. It was truly a heart-sick congregation that gathered about the crippled building the next day. They had just spent $2,000 for repairs, going into debt to raise the money, and now faced the task of raising over $6,000 to restore the ruined church. Not only the congregation, but the entire community, and people from all over the state tackled the task of reconstruction. On October 27, 1929, a consecration and reopening service was held for the beautiful, "new" "Old Sharon."

In the years that followed, Sharon Church continued to steadily grow. With the development of the airport following World War II, the area surrounding the church also began rapidly to grow. By the mid-1950's, the congregation began experiencing "growing pains." The congregation now began to realize that her present facilities and programs, while having served the community nobly in the past, were fast becoming inadequate for the growing community and church. Prior to this year, her activities and growth had been slowly, but steadily moving. Now the bubble was bursting. Sharon was no longer a rural, country church. Later in the fall of 1956 the church's name was changed from "The Presbyterian Congregation of Sharon" to "The Sharon Presbyterian Church of Moon Township," and changed again in February, 1958 to the "Sharon Community Presbyterian Church."

Plans soon began to develop for the addition of another church building. This time a Christian Education Building was constructed and dedicated to the glory of God on June 7, 1959. But long-range planners did not end the expansion program there. The design of the Education Building was such that, one day, its walls would meet with the walls of a new church sanctuary, and be viewed as one, large building. After the initial "kick-off" program, the Sharon congregation began to raise money through their Building Fund for the new house of worship.

The congregation, however, did not wait for the contractors to even start the new sanctuary before launching two large-scale education programs. In September, 1959, the Sharon Church Weekly Kindergarten was organized, and, at that time, was the only kindergarten in the Township. Classes began with twenty-five students, and since then, have tripled. Reverend John M. Hulse, who was installed as Assistant Minister in May, 1960, and Reverend Johnson together headed the second and largest of the education programs. This was the Sharon Church Youth Club- a weekly three hour program for children and youth in grades four through senior high. The Youth Club provided an opportunity for almost all of the church's school aged children to receive Christian instruction in addition to the regularly scheduled Sunday School.

In 1963, the Building Committee members were busy planning the ground breaking ceremonies for the new sanctuary and fellowship hall. The ceremonies were held immediately following the morning worship service on Sunday, September 8, 1963.

With the spring of 1965 came the completion of the long-awaited sanctuary. The congregation was now able to move from the white frame church to their new brick home, which they dedicated to the glory of God on April 25 and May 2, 1965.

Hence stands the Sharon congregation of today- a large active body of communicant members working for the Kingdom of God; working with enough motivation that what they do in the present, will, too, one day become history. Each person who is part of this organized, witnessing branch of believers has his own heritage, and from this heritage, his own contribution to make for the life of the church in the future. When he combines his body with the bodies of his brothers, who all become one in Christ, he becomes the future of the church. For a church is people, and its future- like its past- is people who give it life, and keep it a living, functioning tool of Christ.

In 1963, the Rev. William Johnson resigned to take another pastorate, and less than one year later, on March 1, 1964, another Johnson, the Rev. Dr. Reuel E. Johnson was installed as the senior pastor. He was to become a beloved and long-serving minister in the church, here for sixteen years. During his tenure, the church grew dramatically, and new ministries were started, including the West Hills Area Food Pantry, which today serves groceries to as many as 100 needy families per week. Dr. Johnson was head of staff to several associate pastors and a faithful Director of Christian Education, Joan M. Humphrey, who led the Christian Education program of the church for seventeen years.

Also during the time of Dr. Johnson, several musicians served the church, perhaps most notably, William A. Payn, who introduced English handbells to the music program. The fine music program at Sharon has continued and become widely acknowledged.

During these first years of Dr. Johnson’s tenure, the current sanctuary was built. It was dedicated to the glory of God on April 25th, and May 2, 1965.

1974 marked the arrival of Rev. William Moore as Assistant Pastor.

In March, 1980, Dr. Johnson suffered a fatal heart attack. The congregation was devastated by the loss of their beloved pastor. The now Associate Pastor, the Rev. William F. Moore became the Interim Pastor. Later that year, he was called and installed as the senior pastor. Most notably during his time as pastor, the TV. ministry was newly initiated. The cablecast was originally provided for shut-ins who could not attend church, but today it is available throughout this area via the local community channel.

Soon after the erection of the new sanctuary, the “Old White Church” sanctuary was converted into a gymnasium.

In 1983 there was a dramatic change in scheduling as the first service went to an earlier time to permit a family service, and a single Sunday School session between the worship services. This was also the beginning of the new adult education seminar format that continues today.

In 1987, Helen Cochrane became the Associate Pastor. During her five year tenure, she served as moderator of Pittsburgh Presbytery for two years.

In September, 1993, Rev. Moore resigned to take another pastorate.

In October, 1993, the Rev. Barton Leach was retained as the Interim Pastor, and did a superb job in rallying the congregation to prepare for a new senior pastor. Under Rev. Leach’s leadership, the church held a financial drive called the “New Era Fund.” Through this fund, approximately $175,000 was raised to: repave the parking lot, replace the roofing on the buildings and establish a reserve to renovate the organ.

The projects of the New Era Fund were completed and the newly refurbished organ was completed and installed in May 1996.

In April, 1995, the current Senior Pastor, the Rev. Mr. Roger P. Howard, was called, and he began work with the church in June of that same year. Added to the staff since that time are: the Youth Director, Ms. Michele Burgess, the Director of Music Ministries, Mr. Richard E. Moser, and various support staff. We are pleased to have a student intern in Christian Education, Ms. Lee Ann Heinlein, and are planning for the hiring of a Director of Christian Educator in the near future.

In the spring of 1998 an offer was made to refurbish the “Old White Church.” The Session engaged an architect and others to investigate the condition of the building and to see what needed to be done. One year later the report was complete, and much to the disappointment of the Session and the members, the building was in dangerous condition. In May, 1999, the building was closed and in November it was torn down to make way for a new Sharon Youth and Community Center. Spring 2000 was the time for the financial campaign, and the congregation was successful in receiving pledges for the entire cost of the new facility. In July, 2000, the construction began. In the summer of 2001, the building was completed, and we are now enjoying a full program in the Center!

Sharon Community Presbyterian Church is stronger than ever. Average Sunday worship attendance is over 300. The Sunday School continues to teach the faith to our young people, and mission has increased many fold. The atmosphere is friendly and warm. The Adult Education classes utilize the availability of professional speakers, professors, and church members to create a superb program. Children are encouraged to worship with the congregation, and a special children’s time takes place during the service. The music program continues to be a highlight in the life of Sharon Church.