2 Sewickley churches recognize past, celebrate future

The year was 1864.

Nevada joined the United States as the 36th state.

The Civil War waged on.

And two Sewickley churches were born.

A lot has changed since St. Stephen's Church, of the Anglican faith, and St. Andrew's United Presbyterian Church each laid down religious roots in the Sewickley Valley.

St. Andrew's began after members of the Presbyterian Church wanted to form a new church because they were opposed to having organ music in worship.

“That's how this church got started,” said Rev. John Dykstra.

In the beginning, St. Andrew's was called First United Presbyterian Church of Sewickley, and held strong opposition to slavery, any and all secret organizations, and psalmody — or use of psalms with musical accompaniment.

St. Andrew's started on Broad Street before moving to Beaver Street, Dykstra said.

Meanwhile, across town, St. Stephen's also became incorporated in 1864 and started with 11 families.

The original building was called “the Little Church,” Communications Coordinator Chelsea Harrington said. Three decades later as the congregation continued to grow, a new church was built.

In the 1970s and 1980s, the church saw another expansion.

“We love this city and these communities, and it has been a great honor to be one of the churches our Lord Jesus has placed here for all these years,” the Rev. Geoff Chapman said.

With about 50 members, the congregation at St. Andrew's is dwindling, Dykstra said.

“It is because of the hard work and the passion of the people of the congregation,” Dykstra said. “They are very committed to being here, making this a friendly, inviting church. They are just very good, kind, down-to-earth people and I think that's why the congregation is able to survive and move forward.”

From the Strawberry Festival to pancake breakfasts, the congregation pitches in to help during big events, Dykstra said, calling church members “an incredibly hard-working group.”

“I like that it's small,” he said. “It tends to create an intimacy and community that you don't find as easily in large environments, which is great. We treat each other and treat visitors and guests with the kind of love that God wants us to.”

Dykstra said he's thankful the church still is active in the Sewickley Valley.

“We look at it as a sense of purpose that God still has us in this community, so hopefully we have things to offer folks that will be helpful,” he said.

As St. Andrew's numbers decline, St. Stephen's continues to grow.

“God has really blessed our leadership,” Harrington said. “The three pastors we have are a super great team.”

Larissa Dudkiewicz is a freelance writer for Trib Total Media.