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Church History
History of the First Church All things have a beginning, and so does Janes United Methodist Church. In 1897 William Nicholas organized a society to meet in his home, the old Peterson homestead, twice a week for religious services. This society consisted of less than a dozen members, who feeling a need of a church in their community, withdrew from the church in the neighboring town to center their interests nearer home. After meeting in the home for two years it was decided to organize as a church and find a more suitable place to worship. The following persons were enrolled as members on April 1, 1881 in the home of Mr. William Nicholas - George Denny, Maggie Denny, Conrad Eurich, Harriet Eurich, Henry Ball, Thomas Norman Jr., Maggie Norman, Edward Nicholas, Emma Nicholas, William Colgan, and E. Colgan. The first worship service was held in the Hites school building with the Reverend Frink of Springdale officiating as pastor, but members felt the time had come for a new departure, and with brave hearts and will hands they determined to procure a lot and erect a church. A board of trustees was elected from the organization; they were William Nicholas, George Denny, Conrad Eurich, Edward Nicholas, Samuel Klingensmith, Charles Uhlinger,Wesley Humphreys, and Thomas Norman, Sr. They appointed a committee of Samuel Klingensmith, Edward Nicholas and Wilson Rowe to relieve bids for building on the lot kindly donated to the group by Captain J. B. Ford. Samuel Sanders was finally delegated as contractor for constructing a new frame building at a cost of $2,000 at the corner of Ferry Street and Freeport Road. Difficulties were in the way, however, and some shrank, no doubt, from the anticipated burden of church debt; but the impulse to undertake the work seemed to be divinely given. This was the conviction of these men when they began the work, and it followed them to the end. They went to work with a determination which seemed to say, "The God of heaven, he will prosper us, therefore, we, His Servants, will arise and build." And it is to be said with thankfulness, that when the enterprise was once started, it was pushed forward with cheerful, generous unanimity. The church group worked on with energy and hopefulness, and gratefully acknowledged the help so kindly given by those who did not belong. Thus far the group had no pastor, but at the first session of the annual conference, after this work began, Brother R. Cartwright was appointed as pastor over this little flock, in connection with another appointment at North End, Allegheny. Meanwhile the work on the church building continued, and on December 18, a little over seven months from the organization of the group, the church stood open for dedication. Art. N. Boyle, presiding elder, who showed such a kindly interest in the work from the start, dedicated the church, this service to defray all expenses. We do not forget to mention that the furniture and carpet had been furnished by several ladies who did noble work, and that the beautiful organ which graced the rostrum was donated by Mrs. P. Y. Hite. During that year Brother Cartwright increased the membership to forty-three and the following year it numbered nearly one hundred. The first choir of the church was a sextet, with Samuel Klingensmith, Jr. as organist. The members of the choir were Minnie Klingensmith, Edward Nicholas, Charles Uhlinger, Conrad Eurich, Mary Denny, Samuel Klingensmith Sr.and the sum of $2,000 was raised at This church served the congregation for a period of twenty-two years and was served by the following pastors:
Reverend Richard
Cartwright The second Janes Church was erected in the summer of 1903 and dedicated on November 15, 1903. It was located on Ferry Street and built of brick for the sum of $12,000. The church continued to grow and in the year 1915, an annex was added to accommodate the church school. The entire cost of this building and its furnishings was assumed by Captain J. B. Ford, who had previously donated the ground for the first church building. The building was repeatedly subjected to damages caused by the flooding of the Allegheny River. In the year 1936, the water rose to an precedented height of 6 feet 9 inches at the rear of the church and caused much damage. The pews were rendered practically useless and two organs were lost, one of which was donated by Adam C. Davis. One of the most memorable events in the history of the second Janes church was the revival services under the leadership of the Reverend C. L. Cusick. Many young people accepted Christ as their Saviour then, and are now active leaders in the church. Two notable conversions were Alvie Bowser, Sr. who subsequently went into the Methodist ministry to better serve his Lord, and David E. Harris who went into the ministry of the Free Methodist Church and served as District Superintendent of the Uniontown District. Reverend Harris is now serving the Fairhaven United Methodist Church in Illinois. In the year 1939 when the Methodist Episcopal Conference joined with the Methodist Protestant Conference and the Methodist Episcopal Conference, South, Janes Methodist Episcopal Church became known as Janes Methodist Church. This building served as a place of worship for thirty-eight years at the end of which it was sold to the Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company for the sum of $25,000. Stewards: Samuel C. Kier, Paul Vigress, Sr., J.M. Denny, william McFetridge, Edward Nicholas, Charles Uhlinger. Trustees: William McFetridge, President, Charles Uhlinger, Secretary and Treasurer; Samuel C. Kier, Dr. Adam C. Davis, Edward Nicholas, J.M.Denny, William Ford, David Singleton, and George Summers. The following pastors served this church:
Reverend C.F.
Bollinger In the year 1941 a site was purchased along Freeport Road and erection of the new building was begun under the supervision of Homer Woods, building contractor and the building committee which was composed of A.H. Hill, president; Charles L.D. Jacques, treasurer; David E. Bowser, secretary, Charles Lord, C. R. Orris, Sr., Ralph Miller, Herbert Waugaman, G.F. Norman, and Attorney Charles J. Jacques. The cornerstone laying service was held on Sunday afternoon, June 1, 1941 and the address was given by Dr. D. R.Graham.The Reverend Harry M. Peterson was minister of the church at that time. On March 1, 1942 dedication services were held in the new church. Bishop James H. Straughn dedicated the church in an afternoon service, while Dr. J. D. Van Horn, District Superintendent, spoke at the morning service and Dr. A.G. Curry of the Goodwill Industries spoke at the evening service. This church cost $20,000 and was completely paid for at the time of the dedication service. The sum of a few hundred dollars owed on the new electric organ was paid shortly after the dedication and the church was debt free. Improvements have been made to the church from time to time with the major improvement the remodeling of the chancel in the late 1950's. The stained glass windows were also released and given a protective covering in 1977. A new electric organ was purchased for the sanctuary in 1960 and a memorial piano was installed behind the choir pews in 1980. Memorial chimes in 1974 and a Zimbalstern in 1980 have added much to the beauty of the church music. A public address system has been installed and in 1981 a memorial tape recording system was added which aids in our ministry to shut-ins. Two major improvements downstairs include the installation of folding doors in the large assembly room and the remodeling of the kitchen. In 1960 the first edition of our church newpaper, ''Janes Jottings'', was published. Mrs. Thomas Hughes Jr. was on the Staff at that time and is now the editor of this newspaper which keeps us informed of the happenings in our church family. The construction of the expressway, which came close to the Bellview Street entrance, caused considerable anxiety. Several church families were forced to relocate and there was uncertainty as to the future of the church building. However, the building remained intact. It was in 1961 that we were able to support a full time minister and we hope we will be able to continue to have a full time minister serve us. Reverend John McLeister was our first full time minister. Another change in our church name resulted in 1968 when the Methodist Churches and the Evangelical United Brethren Churches united and are now known as the United Methodist Churches. We are now Janes United Methodist Church. We are proud that one of our members chose to entry the ministry. Duane Morford was ordained as a minister of the United Methodist Church in 1972 and his first pastorate was in Sharon as associate minister. Later he served Monaca United Methodist Church and is now pastor of Bakerstown United Methodist Church. Duane was awarded a Doctor of Ministry Degree in 1978. Through the years the church has stood ready to assist when the need arose. Aid was given to the Millerstown United Methodist Church when a flash flood damaged their building. The Johnstown United Methodist Churches received help when they were flooded, as did local families whose homes were destroyed by fire. At the time of local high water our church opened its doors for whatever was needed. Janes Church has been the launching pad for 5 ministers in the last 25 years who have progressed in the ministry, one becoming a district superintendent. We hope we have been of help to these ministers as they began their ministry with us. The membership in our church has held steady in the past twenty-five years with a slight increase. The following ministers have served this church:
Reverend H.M. Peterson A project which consumed the time, talents, and money of members of the Janes Methodist Church came to fruition on October 23, 1955 when open house was observed in the new parsonage, with the Reverend Paul J. Meuschke welcoming all. Several years before, the need for a parsonage nearer the church was urgent but considered an impossibility. Today the beautiful brick structure adjoining the church property is proof of what perseverance can accomplish. After many false starts, postponements, and every conceivable problem, the shell was finally built. Now the talents and time of the men of the church came into use, as they did the electrical work to cut down on costs. After the parsonage was finished, the men again came to the fore in performing the grading and landscaping. The women came in for their share, too, as they measured and sewed drapes for every window and showered the minister with gifts for this new home. They also conducted many money raising projects and finally arranged his furniture on moving day. The children of the Primary Department can not be overlooked in this project as they faithfully brought their dimes to be placed in afund labeled - ''Preacher's Stove's. Finally enough dimes rolled in to purchase a spanking white electric range. The total parsonage cost was approximately $20,000 and shortly after completion the debt was cleared. The parsonage was dedicated on Sunday, November 25, 1956 with Bishop Lloyd C. Wicke presiding. On May 11, 1956 the Reverend Paul J. Meuschke brought a new bride, the former Lucille Lewis, to the parsonage to make it complete. This new parsonage really became a family home when they proudly announced the birth of a son, David. This announcement was proclaimed in the bulletin board on the front lawn of the church. This method of announcing the birth sparked the interest of the local newspaper and they photographed Reverend Meuschke standing beside the bulletin board. Subsequently, more children were born to young parsonage families serving our church including Paul, son of Reverend and Mrs. John McLeister, Melanie, daughter of Reverend and Mrs. Dean Byrom, Kevin and Traci, children of Reverend and Mrs. James Fogg, and Jeremy, son of Reverend and Mrs. Charles Jack. Grief also came to the parsonage family when dear Melanie Byrom died from cancer at the age of 3 years. Improvements have been made to the parsonage over the years including a lavatory in the basement. New carpeting in the whole Parsonage has been installed and installing storm windows.
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