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History of Gladden United Presbyterian Church

The original building was dedicated on July 5, 1895 with a $75.00 debt remaining, soon to be cleared thereafter with $1.00 left over. The Dedi­cation Sermon was preached by The Rev. W. D. Irons, D. D. of McDonald. The Rev. A. P. Duncan of Oakdale offered prayer at the service.

In 1897, Mr. Thomas D. Gladden thought it would be a good thing to have something to let the people on the hills and valley know when they should start to church, so he gave $100.00 for a 600 pound bell to be placed in the cupola of the church. That bell was continuously used until the demolition of the former building after May 20, 1973. Currently it is in storage awaiting the development of an on site display. The total weight of approximately 1,300 pounds (including the steel alloy bell and “A” frames with pulley wheel) was deemed too great a stress for the roof of the new building.

In place of the bell, a VERDIN 680 CARILLON, keeps the thought of Mr. Gladden and lets the people of the hills and valley know when they should start to church. It rings automatically each Sunday morning at 9:30 a.m. and signals the beginning of the worship service at the 10:45 hour. The second phase of its operation permits it to be set for the playing of hymns at the 12:00 Noon and 6:00 p.m. hours each day of the week via pre-recorded bell and vibraharp tapes. The four speakers in the Steeple carry the carillon sounds up and down the valley.

At about the same time, The Rev. W. R. Thompson (Pastor from 1899 to 1901) began correspondence with Andrew Carnegie, the donor of a fine pipe organ used in the church from then until 1948. Later the intermediate electric organ in use from 1948 until 1960, was replaced by the present electric Allen Organ, donated by Mr. and Mrs. Henry Parkes in that year. This same organ has been fully overhauled and refurbished for use in the new building.

During the pastorate of The Rev. D. M. Cleland from 1902 until 1906, a lot was purchased from Mrs. Gladden for $500.00, and a parsonage was erected thereon for about $3,800.00. The following pastors made their residence in that parsonage: D. M. Cleland; The Rev. Hugh Lambie (1907 to 1915); Stated Supply Thomas Brown, (1914 to 1916); The Rev. W. W. Garges, died in the parsonage on March 13, 1917. The Rev. M. S. McBane served from 1918 until 1925 and later after his retirement from the active ministry served as Stated Supply from 1941 until 1946. The Rev. W. Hood, Mr. McBanes original predecessor, had served the congregation from March of 1917.

From the year 1925 until his death on July 31, 1941, The Rev. W. S. Carson was the installed pastor. It was during this time that the foundation of the church was dug out and a basement and furnace were added. In 1938 the church was remodeled with more up-to-date furnishings.

Students from the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary served as Student Stated Supply Pastors during the years of 1946 to 1955 inclusive. They were Cletus Baker (1946-1948), Jack Carr (1948-1951), and Harold ‘Barney’ Hanson (1951-1955).

In the early 1950’s concern was expressed over the adequacy of our sanctuary. Prior to that in 1948 the old parsonage was sold and a new parsonage was built on the rear of the church building. This is now the Christian Education Annex, and contains the only remaining wall from the former church building left standing at demolition time in May of last year.

This concern of the early 1950’s resulted in a Building Fund being established to work toward building a larger sanctuary. In the intervening years this fund grew to some $52,371.00, and was used as the basis for the new construction project.

On August 6, 1954 George William Dunn donated 2.58 acres of ground on Mosquito Hollow Road, and the church purchased from him an additional 1.75 acres for a new church building. Our new building is not located on that site because of the relocation of Route 50 South and the proposed four lane highway under construction now. After the Pennsylvania Department of Highways purchased all but 1.23 acres, there was not room for site development on that location.

Since Construction could not proceed in 1954, a second major renovation project was undertaken to the former building with the sanctuary being remodeled. New pews were bought; a new Oak Pulpit and Communion Table were placed in the Chancel area. All was done to the glory of God and the beautification of our church.

These same pews, pulpit furniture, and Communion Ware were placed in the new building when it was completed. Much loving care and concern was given them during storage and moving during the demolition of the old sanctuary. With elbow grease and plenty of polish, the finish of these 20 year old furniture pieces has been restored.

The Rev. Kenneth Rasmussen, a missionary on leave from the Congo, was the pastor from 1955 until 1957 as he worked on a medical doctor’s degree at the University of Pittsburgh.

The Rev. John L. Lewis, as student supply from 1957 to 1958 became the installed pastor upon his ordination in May of 1958 and served the congregation until 1961. He returned to preach the 75th Anniversary Service of the Dedication of the former building on July 5, 1970. During his pastorate the parsonage at the rear of the church was converted into Sunday School rooms and the current manse at the corner of Parkes Road and Millers Run Road was purchased.

The Rev. James M. Nash, Jr. was pastor from 1961 until 1966. The Nash family is located in Bellville, Ohio where he serves the First Presbyterian Church. The Rev. John L. Lewis is Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, Grundy Center, Iowa.

The Rev. William C. Shane, a son of this congregation, has served in the ministry for many years. Lately he has been the pastor of the Rose City Park Church in Portland, Oregon.

The Rev. Charles Howard Lee, installed in February of 1967, was the fortunate pastor to see the dreams of many years fulfilled with the dedication of this new sanctuary, fellowship hall, and accompanying Christian Education facilities. He served until ?????

What’s the history from 1967 to 2006 – if you read this and would like to update our information, please email PgeMaker@hotmail.com

The history of the Gladden Church has through the years been one of trying to supply the community’s needs, both spiritually and in the area of fellowship. We have been fortunate to have an active Sunday School, Youth Group, summer Vacation Bible School, Men’s Dartball Team and on appropriate occasions, the sponsor of social affairs. Without exception the Women’s Association merits special attention, for they have been the help-mates of the congregation for the last fourteen years.

The prime concern for people, evidenced by Mr. Thomas D. Gladden, has been the ongoing concern which this Congregation would seek to follow in its future history, yet unwritten. The History justly so is the People’s History, and rightly so, the future will be the People’s Future.

History of the Church Bell

The original building was dedicated on July 5, 1895 with a $75,000 debt remaining, soon to be cleared with a dollar left over. The dedication sermon was preached by the Rev. W.D. Irons of McDonald. In 1897, Mr. Thomas D. Gladden thought it would be a good thing to have something to let the people on the hills and valley know when they should start to church. He gave $100 for a 600 pound bell to be placed in the cupola of the church. The bell was continuously used until the demolition of the former building after May 20, 1973. When the new sanctuary was built it was determined that the 1,300 pounds was too great a stress for the roof. Currently, the bell rests on the porch of the Christian Education building as a testament to the church’s history of proclaiming the Good News of the Gospel to the residents of this area.