Steffin Hill Presbyterian Church celebrates 100th anniversary in Beaver County

CHIPPEWA TWP. – Steffin Hill Presbyterian Church will celebrate its 100th anniversary with a special service and dinner.

At 10:45 a.m. April 23 comes the centennial anniversary worship service at the Darlington Road church "on the corner where Faith and Family meet."

Founded in 1918 as an inter-denominational church called Steffin Hill Union Chapel, members decided they needed denominational backing and petitioned First Presbyterian Church of Beaver Falls to take leadership in establishing a Presbyterian church on Steffin Hill, above Beaver Falls. First Presbyterian, now known as Calvary Presbyterian, accepted the task.

In 1919, construction started on the corner of Steffin Hill and Darlington roads in Chippewa Township. The building was completed and dedicated on Nov. 28, 1920. During the time of construction, Sunday school and church services were held in a building erected at the rear of the current church parking lot. This building was dubbed the Tabernacle, with a pastor, John Meloy, supplied by the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.

On April 25, 1923, Steffin Hill Mission Church petitioned the Beaver Valley Presbytery for a congregational charter. The request was granted and Steffin Hill United Presbyterian Church was dedicated and the Rev. Meloy was ordained and installed as the first pastor.

Over the years Steffin Hill has served as a center for Christian life on Steffin Hill, having services and Sunday school along with social activities for the local community.

As the congregation and Sunday school grew, in 1956, under the direction of he Rev. Orland Richie, a building program was undertaken to renovate the red brick building and add much-needed office and classroom space. The renovations and addition were completed in 1968. This is the current church located at 2000 Darlington Road.

The Steffin Hill church persevered through The Great Depression, World War II, The Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War. Activities like making apple butter, quilting circles, women’s and men’s Bibles studies, baseball teams, choirs and Girl Scouts all continued.

A manse was purchased and later enlarged. As the church grew, in the '50s and '60s, a youth choir and youth group were started.

In the '70s and '80s, another house was purchased, a church secretary was hired, and church activities like “Pairs and Spares” were started to support international missionaries.

In the 1990s and 2000s, many additions were made to the church. A ramp was added, the stained-glass windows were repaired, and protective coverings were added.

A Palm Sunday walk, with a live donkey was started, as were Stone Croft interdenominational Bible studies at the church. There were many plays, dinners, and activities as well as mission and outreach projects added.

The church's Community Ministries include Beaver County Christians United, Beaver County Jail Ministry, Beaver County Women’s Shelter, and Blackhawk Meals on Wheels, Beaver Falls Meals on Wheels, Beaver County Head Start and a Giving Tree with Blackhawk intermediate School.

"We are known as the Church on the Corner and have several mission projects that are known throughout the area; most known is our Prayer on the Corner and Community Dinner," church spokeswoman Laura Humbert said. "The Community Dinner has serviced meals the fourth Thursday of every month for the last 10 years. Even when the pandemic was declared, we did not miss a meal, we just revised our plan and developed a drive-thru system. In 10 years we have served over 18,000 meals free of charge. Prayer on the Corner is an opportunity for members to invite our community under the tent for a cool drink and prayer."

As times have changed so has Steffin Hill church, which has added technology to the sanctuary and now offers Zoom church services to shut-ins and others near and far wanting to hear God’s word.

The 17th and current pastor is the Rev. James Salyers.

Church dinner info

The anniversary dinner takes place April 22 at the Patterson Fire Hall at 319 Darlington Road.

The deadline for dinner reservations has passed. Attendees will see a Celebration of 100 Years History display.

Entertainment follows, featuring Diane's Joysong, Christian music and comedy.

More: Come help the Beaver Valley Amateur Radio Association celebrate its 100th anniversary

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY NETWORK: Steffin Hill Presbyterian Church celebrates 100th anniversary