New Kensington tour shows link between history, holy places
The people of New Kensington and their legacy, as seen through local church histories, will be shared during a tour April 10.
“We have a rich history and really good people,” says Mary Calvanese, a volunteer and tour organizer. “Churches in our community are really important. We're starting off with four churches. The tour will be going to each of the churches and touring inside. We are making this an annual event.”
Tour participants will meet at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church, where they will board a bus to travel to Logans Ferry Presbyterian, Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist, Mount St. Peter and return to see the First Evangelical Lutheran Church.
The event is being held in conjunction with New Kensington's 125th anniversary celebration.
“The purpose of the tour is to not only feature the different architectural styles of the church buildings, but also show that New Kensington was and remains a dynamic place to live, learn, worship and connect with others through shared experiences,” says Maria Guzzo, a tour organizer and volunteer for New Kensington's 125th anniversary celebration.
“The tour can not only teach local residents about their town, it also can attract people from elsewhere, potentially leading to growth here,” she says.
“These churches show a significant legacy that the community carries with it, showing its longevity and variety,” Guzzo says.
“Future tours in years to come will reveal additional backgrounds and traditions of city residents,” Guzzo says. “All their stories come together to form a city that has cultural depth and a real spirit of fortitude, having lasted so long and overcoming growing pains throughout the centuries.”
The congregation of First Evangelical Lutheran first met in 1891, and now the church is celebrating the 100th anniversary of its building's dedication.
Logans Ferry Presbyterian Church's building was constructed in 1885 as the Parnassus Presbyterian Church. Gravestones in the adjacent cemetery date to the late 1800s. Fort Crawford, built by Continental Army troops, was located nearby.
Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church was started more than 100 years ago by the Rev. Robert J. Graves when nine families met in a living room. Construction for the current church building began in 1965.
“Mt. Calvary was a very important church in the time of civil rights in the 1960s,” Calvanese says. Mt. Calvary is located on Asa Roberts Way, named in 2014 after the long-term pastor who was involved in civil-rights activities and youth development.
The Mount St. Peter congregation was organized in 1902 for the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh. The current site of the church was previously owned by Stephen Young, a Civil War Army general. The parish purchased Young's property and mansion known as “The Knoll” in 1939 for $20,000.
The Romanesque-style church was completed in 1944, using many items from the Richard B. Mellon mansion, which was in what is now Mellon Park in Shadyside and was torn down in 1941.
“Everything they could get from the mansion was bought,” Calvanese says. “They wanted almost the entire mansion. The grand staircase is the altar. The fireplace is in the chapel. There are so many pieces from the mansion in the church.”
The church's Rivera marble altar was from the Mellon hallway entrance. The balcony railing of the choir loft was previously around the swimming pool. The angel holy-water fonts were from the mansion stairway while the holy-water bowl was an electric lightshade and the bronze chandelier came from the billiard room.
A plaster cast of one of the mansion's original gold ceiling panes was created. More than 300 panes were duplicated and hand-painted to form the sanctuary ceiling.
Guzzo says the 125th anniversary committee is looking for more volunteers.
“Through this year and into next, the 125th anniversary committee hopes to continue to offer fun, educational and historical programs that showcase New Kensington. We're still seeking others whose hearts and souls lie in New Ken to help plan various events. Everyone has something to offer. Call the mayor's office to volunteer.”
Also on April 10 though not included in the tour, the United Presbyterian Church of New Kensington will present a gospel choir concert at 6 p.m. at 601 Fifth Ave.
Debbie Black is a Tribune-Review contributing writer.
