Pastor's play recounts start of Mars church
MARS — Jill McDonald recognizes the names of people who started Old Union Presbyterian Church from headstones in the church's cemetery, but their story did not come to life for her until this year.
She is directing "From These Roots," a church play depicting the beginnings of the 200-year-old congregation. The church's pastor, the Rev. Peter deVries, wrote the play.
The play, partially named for the linden tree that sits in front of the church, is about the church's founders meeting in a grove of trees along Straight Run, near the present-day village of Brownsdale.
This is where the Rev. Matthew Williams founded Old Union Presbyterian in 1806. The play follows Williams and fellow founders James Glover, James Anderson and Joseph and Benjamin Douthett, among others.
Glover was the first permanent white settler of Butler County and an armorer during the Revolutionary War. His grave is now in the church's cemetery.
Anderson was a scout during the Indian wars in this region.
The Douthett brothers had immigrated from Ireland and settled with their family in Washington County before moving north to Butler.
The pastor said he first had the idea to write a play when he had difficulty finding plays of suitable length for his audience. In 2003, he began researching the church's history with the intention of putting the story in play form.
This is the fifth year the church has put on a play, but the first play written by its own pastor.
His research in 2003 delved into the history, but when it came to writing scenes for a play, he found he wanted to put in too many facts.
"I wanted something that wasn't just ... some historical monument," he said.
"I wanted something that would be entertaining for an audience."
With that in mind, he fleshed out the main characters. He calls the play a historical sketch about the congregation's founding.
"The personality, the quirks of the characters are pure imagination," deVries said.
For the facts, he did research at the Pittsburgh Seminary. "The more I learned, the more I wanted to put in," he said.
Originally, he said, "The play had a lot more cast members and a much more complicated plot. It needed to be whittled down."
The play has 11 cast members and runs about two hours.
This is the first play McDonald, of Jefferson Township, has directed. But as a member of the congregation for more than seven years and with a 14-year-old son involved in the church plays, she said she is comfortable with the project."Not that it doesn't come with its nerve-racking moments," she added, laughing.McDonald said the actors have "really gelled as a group."She said the balance between entertaining and depicting a historically significant period is easy to do with the script."It's well-written," she said. "I think (deVries) really did a good job getting the facts across, but also using some artistic license."As an example, she points to the character of James Glover. He is a pillar in the early church community who constantly refers to his Revolutionary War days with George Washington."He's humorous," McDonald said. "But also the audience can see him as a brave man."The play leads the way into the church's 200th year. In 1806, the church was founded, and in 1906 the church's current building was constructed.Now the church is in the midst of raising funds for another addition. The congregation needs more space for classrooms for the youth group and Sunday school, said deVries.Proceeds from the play are going to the building project. When the church began putting on plays in 2001, they were designed to raise funds, said deVries.The church owns the land adjoining its building, but has no final plan for construction, he added.The church will have an official bicentennial celebration on Sept. 9 and 10. The church is also selling CDs and T-shirts to celebrate turning 200.For more information, visit www.oldunionchurch.com or call 724-538-8672.
IF YOU'RE GOING
WHAT: "From These Roots," a play about the beginning of Old Union Presbyterian Church to mark the church's 200th anniversary
WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday through Sunday, with an additional 2 p.m. Sunday performance
WHERE: Old Union Presbyterian Church, 200 Union Church Road, Mars
COST: $7, children under 6 free
