History of Covenant-Community Presbyterian Church
(From the 40th Anniversary Program)
On the six and one-half acres now occupied by Covenant-Community Presbyterian Church, there once stood the second oldest building in the area.
When construction on the original church began in 1955, the old Johnson homestead stood on the site. Workmen dismantling the farmhouse uncovered a three-room log cabin within its walls dating back to pre-Revolutionary War days. It was a tavern on the old Washington Pike, the last stop before leaving the Pittsburgh area. At one time it was known as "Twin Oaks Tavern".
The ancient structure probably was built by Thomas Redman, a Colonial farmer, about 1769. Later, the building was purchased by the pioneer Dunlevy family who operated an inn in the cabin. Farmers driving their cattle to market in Pittsburgh herded the animals into fenced enclosures nearby. Lucille Cassel's grandfather, who worked for a company that drilled oil and gas wells, often spoke of driving a team of horses carrying drilling equipment out old Greentree Road. They would stop at the Old Stone Tavern at the foot of Greentree hill to water their horses and get something to eat. It then took them until early evening to get to the tavern where our church now stands. There they would stay for the night.
The upper end of Whiskey Hollow is located at the rear of our parking lot. During the Whiskey Rebellion, the Federal troops poured the home-made whiskey of the local settlers into the hollows when the settlers would not pay the newly required federal tax.
On March 12, 1953, Pittsburgh Presbytery authorized the purchase of a plot of ground of over six acres on our present site for $18,000. In December 1954, Presbytery authorized building the first unit. On July 18, 1955, bids were opened and the contract awarded. Ground was broken in November 1955.
In January of 1956, the Presbytery sought the services of the Rev. E. John Roof, a dedicated and ambitious graduate of Princeton Seminary, to organize the church body. Jack and his wife, Marion, then began the task of "ringing doorbells" to interest the community in being part of this new congregation. Covenant-Community Presbyterian Church was formally organized by Pittsburgh Presbytery on October 7, 1956 with 257 members on the Charter. The first worship service in the new building (which is now the area used by the ABC Center) was held on March 18, 1956.
Dr. E. Charles Smith became our second Pastor, being formally installed on April 19, 1959. During his pastorate, the church bought the house next door to handle the "bulging condition" of the Sunday School and to provide additional space for Christian Education, administrative offices and storage. After it was decided to enlarge the church, the property next door was no longer needed and was sold.
The congregation then began raising funds for a building project. During the construction period, classes and services were held at Beth El Synagogue and later at Foxcroft School. On Sunday, December 12, 1965, the new Sanctuary (with seating capacity of 300, plus 60 in the balcony) and new Christian Education wing were dedicated.
Dr. Smith left in 1968 and was replaced by Dr. Richard J. Rapp. During the time that Dick and his wife, Jeanette were with us, they instituted many new programs, including the Hanging of the Greens, the Mariners Club and youth programs.
During Dr. Rapp's tenure, membership was at an all-time high. The Rev. Joan Fenner was Assistant Pastor, 1970-1971. For a number of years we also had Student Ministers helping with the service. Dr. Gracey was one of those Student Ministers.
After Dr. Rapp left, the Rev. David Cassie became our new Pastor in 1976. David and his wife, Diane, worked hard instituting new programs and helping our church to grow. The Cassies left Covenant in 1981 and moved to Philadelphia where he worked with the Presbytery.
The Rev. Richard G. Goss came to Covenant-Community in 1981 and ministered to the flock until 1988 when he left to go to Long Island. Among other things, he brought back the cottage meetings which were initiated by Jack Roof. The Rev. Carol D. Roth became Associate Minister during this time. carol was here at C.C.P.C. from 1986 to 1989.
In 1990, Dr. Willima I. Gracey became our new Pastor. During his ministry, Bill has initiated many programs which look to the needs of the lonely, the hurting and the handicapped, not only in our church but in the community as well. His wife, Shelby, enriched the choir and blessed us with her musical ability by leading the Children's Choir and playing the organ and piano. Bill and Shelby also initiated many new traditions, such as the Williamsburg Dinner, and were responsible for a new period of growth in our church.
When construction on the original church began in 1955, the old Johnson homestead stood on the site. Workmen dismantling the farmhouse uncovered a three-room log cabin within its walls dating back to pre-Revolutionary War days. It was a tavern on the old Washington Pike, the last stop before leaving the Pittsburgh area. At one time it was known as "Twin Oaks Tavern".
The ancient structure probably was built by Thomas Redman, a Colonial farmer, about 1769. Later, the building was purchased by the pioneer Dunlevy family who operated an inn in the cabin. Farmers driving their cattle to market in Pittsburgh herded the animals into fenced enclosures nearby. Lucille Cassel's grandfather, who worked for a company that drilled oil and gas wells, often spoke of driving a team of horses carrying drilling equipment out old Greentree Road. They would stop at the Old Stone Tavern at the foot of Greentree hill to water their horses and get something to eat. It then took them until early evening to get to the tavern where our church now stands. There they would stay for the night.
The upper end of Whiskey Hollow is located at the rear of our parking lot. During the Whiskey Rebellion, the Federal troops poured the home-made whiskey of the local settlers into the hollows when the settlers would not pay the newly required federal tax.
On March 12, 1953, Pittsburgh Presbytery authorized the purchase of a plot of ground of over six acres on our present site for $18,000. In December 1954, Presbytery authorized building the first unit. On July 18, 1955, bids were opened and the contract awarded. Ground was broken in November 1955.
In January of 1956, the Presbytery sought the services of the Rev. E. John Roof, a dedicated and ambitious graduate of Princeton Seminary, to organize the church body. Jack and his wife, Marion, then began the task of "ringing doorbells" to interest the community in being part of this new congregation. Covenant-Community Presbyterian Church was formally organized by Pittsburgh Presbytery on October 7, 1956 with 257 members on the Charter. The first worship service in the new building (which is now the area used by the ABC Center) was held on March 18, 1956.
Dr. E. Charles Smith became our second Pastor, being formally installed on April 19, 1959. During his pastorate, the church bought the house next door to handle the "bulging condition" of the Sunday School and to provide additional space for Christian Education, administrative offices and storage. After it was decided to enlarge the church, the property next door was no longer needed and was sold.
The congregation then began raising funds for a building project. During the construction period, classes and services were held at Beth El Synagogue and later at Foxcroft School. On Sunday, December 12, 1965, the new Sanctuary (with seating capacity of 300, plus 60 in the balcony) and new Christian Education wing were dedicated.
Dr. Smith left in 1968 and was replaced by Dr. Richard J. Rapp. During the time that Dick and his wife, Jeanette were with us, they instituted many new programs, including the Hanging of the Greens, the Mariners Club and youth programs.
During Dr. Rapp's tenure, membership was at an all-time high. The Rev. Joan Fenner was Assistant Pastor, 1970-1971. For a number of years we also had Student Ministers helping with the service. Dr. Gracey was one of those Student Ministers.
After Dr. Rapp left, the Rev. David Cassie became our new Pastor in 1976. David and his wife, Diane, worked hard instituting new programs and helping our church to grow. The Cassies left Covenant in 1981 and moved to Philadelphia where he worked with the Presbytery.
The Rev. Richard G. Goss came to Covenant-Community in 1981 and ministered to the flock until 1988 when he left to go to Long Island. Among other things, he brought back the cottage meetings which were initiated by Jack Roof. The Rev. Carol D. Roth became Associate Minister during this time. carol was here at C.C.P.C. from 1986 to 1989.
In 1990, Dr. Willima I. Gracey became our new Pastor. During his ministry, Bill has initiated many programs which look to the needs of the lonely, the hurting and the handicapped, not only in our church but in the community as well. His wife, Shelby, enriched the choir and blessed us with her musical ability by leading the Children's Choir and playing the organ and piano. Bill and Shelby also initiated many new traditions, such as the Williamsburg Dinner, and were responsible for a new period of growth in our church.