JEFFERSON CENTER — It was supposed to be just an interim assignment, but Jefferson Center Presbyterian Church, 390 Frazier Road, and its new pastor, the Rev. Janet Hufford, seem to be settling in for the long haul.

Hufford started her duties at the 116-member church Feb. 1.

Hufford said, “Since I started, we usually have 60 to 70 people who worship each Sunday. It used to be 40 to 50.

“It has picked up. People who had stopped going are returning. There is excitement and energy in the church, which is good,” she said.

Most of the added worshippers are returnees, people coming back to the church, she said.

Hufford said of her new church, “My understanding is it is Bible-based and scripturally discerning through the word of God.”

Her position in Jefferson Center wasn't supposed to be a permanent post.

“I was training to be an interim pastor,” Hufford said, “I thought I would work as an interim pastor.”

Hufford said, “I had been an interim pastor before, and it just worked out I was in New York when I was called by the Beaver-Butler Presybtery.”

Hufford thought she was just there in a temporary capacity, but the church gave her a three-year contract.

Hufford said, “It's a three-year, contract, but I am not installed. It is a three-year trial period, and it looks like the fit is very good.”

Hufford said after she had preached at Jefferson Center, the congregation liked her style.

Carolyn Paulson of Penn Township, the clerk of session for the church, agreed.

“Everyone was very impressed. Her theology is in line with the church. Spiritually and physically she is an asset to the church. She has been a blessing,” said Paulson.

Hufford said the last two pastorates were shorter stays.

The congregation goes through a period of grieving and loss.

“I'm helping them see if God is giving them a vision for the future,” she said.

Paulson said, “She is now the designated pastor. That means, basically at the end of the year she'll see how she feels thing are going. It does not mean her pastorate will end in three years.”

Hufford was the pastor at New Hope Presybterian Church in North Huntington for 12 years, then moved to a church in western New York state before coming to Butler County.

Hufford said she was born and raised in southwestern Pennsylvania, mainly in the Monroeville area.

She earned a bachelor's degree in liberal studies from the University of Pittsburgh, an MBA from Duquesne University and a master's of divinity degree from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.

She is not married. She has two adult children. One, Angela, is a biologist at a laboratory in the District of Columbia and the other, Holly Joy, just graduated from Seton Hill University and is an assistant manager at a retailer at the Westmoreland Mall near Greensburg.

Hufford lives on Main Street in Saxonburg.

Hufford said, ”I wanted to live very close to the church. I wanted to get to know the people in the area. I like it.”

“My mother still lives in North Huntingdon. It's nice to be close to family,” she said.

The church has one 9:30 a.m. Sunday worship service.

Hufford said she is assisted by Cindy Kennedy, adult Sunday school teacher; Sally Paulina, older elementary school/junior high Sunday school teacher; Chris Mitchell, early elementary Sunday school teacher; and Mark Keck, youth leader.

Hufford said of Keck, “He grew up in this church. He just graduated from college. He felt he wanted to give back what he received.”

Hufford said, “I am part of proclaiming the word of God and encouraging other Christians to do the same.”

“As we are unfolding, studying and discerning the vision through people and prayer, we see that the future is one of growth where all serve the Lord in a friendly, familylike congregation,” she said.