Constant Fixture
RICHLAND TWP — When First Presbyterian Church of Bakerstown became an independent place of worship in 1871, former Union General Ulysses S. Grant was president of a country still reeling from the deep wounds and divisions of the Civil War.
Since that time, much has changed, but the church has endured. That endurance will be celebrated beginning Friday as First Bakerstown marks its 140th anniversary with a full schedule of activities designed to commemorate its long and fruitful history.
The history began in 1867, when a band of farmers bought the land that currently houses the church and cemetery.
Forged with handmade bricks and timber from nearby trees, the group completed the small, one-room sanctuary in the spring of 1868.
Initially regarded as a branch of the nearby Cross Roads Presbyterian Church, the new church became independent three years later and has been known as the First Presbyterian Church of Bakerstown ever since.
Now, more than 140 years later, the handmade bricks of the original church can still be seen on an exterior wall despite major additions to the church in 1905, 1954 and 1959. The original one-room church is now part of the sanctuary.
According to records kept by the church, two pounds of spikes were bought for 20 cents, 34 pounds of nails were bought for $3.40 and a broom cost 40 cents.
Further research also uncovered that early parishioners often walked to church. Since shoes were still rather expensive commodities at that time, people usually walked barefoot and would trudge to within sight of the church before putting on their shoes.
Church records also show various expenses paid in the church's earlier days.
For instance, one record shows the pastor's salary was raised to $775 a year in 1877 while another record shows an expenditure of $24 for insurance in 1893.
There is also a record that sheds for horses were built along the north side of the church in 1872 for people attending church. Those sheds were removed in 1928.
Senior Pastor Dan Muttart, 52, is in his fourth year of leading the congregation at First Presbyterian but already has a deep understanding of the history and continuity of the church.
He is the 14th pastor to lead the church since 1871, but only the fourth pastor in the last 64 years.That kind of constant leadership creates a real sense of “stability and continuity in terms of the Lord's message being delivered,” Muttart said.The senior pastor also said he's honored to lead a church so rich in history, a church that started with a handful of dedicated worshippers that has now turned in to a congregation that has almost 1,000 members.“It is an honor to be brought by God to become part of a great, sweeping story,” he said. “And it is a continuing story.”The church will celebrate its heritage with a number of weekend activities to begin Friday.While all members of the community are invited, the church has also invited back former pastors like the Rev. Richard Moreledge, who served the church for 35 years, and the Rev. David McDonald who currently lives in Georgia.Beginning at 7 p.m. Friday, the church will present “Bakerstown: A Historic Celebration,” followed by an old-fashioned ice cream social in the Fellowship Hall. Greeters at the church will dress in period costumes for the event.On Saturday, there will be an outdoor festival and picnic complete with games and refreshments scheduled from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.The afternoon activities will be followed by a concert at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary.The events will wrap up Sunday with a worship service at 10 a.m. followed by birthday cake in the church's Fellowship Hall.
