The Beechview United Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh held its final service at the end of 2023, marking over 100 years of operation. The church closed due to its inability to maintain upkeep and support the building costs.
“You thought it would always be here, so I really teared up right away,” congregant Patricia Faloon told CBS News Pittsburgh.
“I taught Sunday school for 10 years,” Faloon said. “It’s just sad to see the changes today.”
The woman attended the 106-year-old church for over 70 years, but now will have to congregate at the nearby Holy Trinity Lutheran Church.
“Some were baptized in this church,” said Pastor Bob Maravalli. “They raised their children. They were married in this church.”
“It’s a very sad time for them,” the pastor added.
The church, established in 1917, has been unable to support the costs required to maintain its infrastructure and operate the building. This reportedly left the pastor with no choice but to close the doors.
“Wherever we go and whatever we do, God guides us constantly,” Reverend Paul Pfeuffer added. “So, even though this is the ending of one chapter and the moving of the congregation out of the building, I have all the faith in the world that the Lord will provide for the congregation as they move into the next worship space.”
Even at 106 years old, the Beechview United Presbyterian Church is not anywhere close to the oldest church in the state.
Those honors are disputed by two different locations. The Old Norriton Presbyterian Church was first founded by Dutch settlers in 1698, with an adjoining grave plot that dates back to 1678, as reported by Only in Your State.
However, Uncovering PA reported Gloria Dei Church (also known as Old Swedes’ Church) as the oldest in the state. The Episcopal church was reportedly built between 1698 and 1700 with its inaugural service taking place on July 2, 1700.
It was a rough couple of weeks for Pittsburgh landmarks as 2023 came to an end; U.S. Steel was sold just two weeks earlier after 122 years under American ownership. Founded in 1901 by J.P. Morgan and Andrew Carnegie, the steel giant was sold to Japanese company Nippon, but will keep its iconic headquarters in Pittsburgh.
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