The First Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh is an active congregation in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. The church structure in use today was completed in 1905.[1]

Architecture

The church structure, designed by architect Theophilus Parsons Chandler, was built in 1905 in the neo-Gothic (Gothic-revival) style. 13 of the 253 stained-glass windows were hand-painted by Tiffany Studios. The main worship hall also feature a pair of 30 foot, two-ton oak doors, still in operation, which can be rolled open to the choir.[2]

History

An exact date for the formation of the congregation may never be known. There is evidence going back as far as 1783 in the account of Mr. John Wilkins:

. . . I arrived in Pittsburgh November 10 . . . it seemed odd to me that the Presbyterian ministers were afraid to come to the place . . . something ought to be done toward establishing a Presbyterian church in this place and encourage it. After some time a Rev. Samuel Barr came to town and preached a few sermons. We seemed pleased with him and made him an offer, which he accepted, and was ordained in what is now called the First Presbyterian congregation in Pittsburgh.[3]

A bill was passed in the Legislative Assembly at Philadelphia to incorporate a Presbyterian Congregation in Pittsburgh on 29 September 1787.[4]

Images

  • First Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh in 2016
    First Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh in 2016
  • One of the stained glass windows created by Tiffany Studios
    One of the stained glass windows created by Tiffany Studios
  • Wooden ceiling and the eastern wall of stained glass windows
    Wooden ceiling and the eastern wall of stained glass windows
  • The cemetery
    The cemetery

References

  1. ^ "First Presbyterian Church | Historic Pittsburgh". historicpittsburgh.org. Retrieved 2018-08-10.
  2. ^ "Old Pittsburgh Churches are a Sight to See - Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation". Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation. 2010-11-29. Archived from the original on 2018-10-29. Retrieved 2018-08-10.
  3. ^ First Presbyterian Church (Pittsburgh, Pa ) (1884). Centennial Volume of the First Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh, PA., 1784 . New York Public Library. Wm. G. Johnston & Co., Printers.
  4. ^ First Presbyterian Church (Pittsburgh, Pa ) (1884). Centennial Volume of the First Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh, PA., 1784 . New York Public Library. Wm. G. Johnston & Co., Printers.