Rev. Darrell and Gloria Knopp

EMLENTON — For the Rev. Darrell Knopp, pastor of Emelenton Presbyterian Church, July 2 was when everything came full circle.

That was the day Knopp added Nickleville Presbyterian Church to his current itinerary.

The congregation of nearly 50 was in need of a pastor after the Rev. Sue Montgomery retired May 31.

For Knopp, who began his ministry at the Emlenton church on New Year's Day, the move marked a homecoming for the pastor.

On March 1, 1976, Knopp began full-time ministry at the then-yoked parishes of Emlenton and Nickleville Presbyterian churches, serving both congregations for the next 13 years. His pastorship ended December 31, 1988.

Knopp's subsequent ministries were in Apollo, Blairsville and McKeesport. There, he served the Central and McKeesport churches and was a temporary supply pastor.

Part-time work as a chaplain with ViaQuest Hospice of Monongahela overlapped his years at McKeesport Presbyterian Church. He retired in 2012.

Jean Shirey, the Emelenton church secretary, said in 2014, the Rev. Lori Danielson concluded a lengthy ministry in Emlenton, and the church was without a pastor.

Shirey said, “We asked him to come back. We were without a minister. We asked him if he'd like to come back here.”

Initially it was just for Knopp to come for once-a-month pulpit supply. His visits became more frequent, and last October, he was offered the one-third time position.

That involves a 100-mile commute from his home in North Huntingdon Township about three times a month.

And then earlier this month, he added the Nickleville church, 169 Valley Church Road.

Knopp said, “I am excited to return to Emlenton and Nickleville, the places where I first started in ministry. My wife and I were here when our sons, Nathan and Andrew, were born.

“These two communities, the churches, and the people have always had a special place in my heart, and in many ways, I feel like I have come home,” he said.

He added the Emlenton congregation of nearly 50 has been very gracious toward the Nickleville church, sharing their pastor so that he now serves each at one-quarter time. They were also willing to change the time of their service.

Shirey said Nickleville has a 9:30 a.m. worship service and Emlenton, 508 N. Main St., an 11 a.m. service.

Shirey said, “We are not officially yoked. We are just sharing a pastor.”

Knopp said, “I have observed a number of changes in the community, but much has remained the same. I have enjoyed reconnecting with people from both churches and with folks from the community.

“I very much look forward to working ecumenically with the other pastors and churches in the AC Valley area,” he said.

Knopp's home church is Enon Presbyterian in the small town of Enon Valley, Lawrence County. He was ordained there by the Shenango Presbytery on April 25, 1976.

Also in Enon Valley, he married Gloria Rohm on Aug. 24, 1974. She works as administrative assistant to the head of staff at East Liberty Presbyterian Church. The couple have three grandchildren.

Knopp is a 1970 graduate of Youngstown State University in Ohio, where he earned a bachelor's degree in history

He entered Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in 1973 and graduated in 1976 with a Master of Divinity degree. During those years, he was a student assistant at the Jeannette First Baptist Church. In 1991, he completed a Doctor of Ministry degree in Church Revitalization Degree from McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago.

Knopp's vision for the two churches is “that they will grow in spirit, in numbers, in faithfulness and in service to the Emlenton area and to the world at large.”