EVANS CITY — Members of Westminster Presbyterian Church, 330 E. Main St., filled the pews two weeks ago to get a glimpse of their new pastor who hopes to expand the ministry.

The Rev. Tom Harmon, originally from Richmond, Va., filled a permanent position occupied by the Rev. Tom Clyde, interim minister, on Feb. 16.

“My family and I are really happy to be here,” Harmon said. “I felt called to work with a congregation that had very real, genuine and authentic people.”

Harmon received a bachelor's degree in commerce from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville in 2003.

But after interning in the commerce field, Harmon realized the work was not for him.

He then enrolled in a three-year program at the Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, N.J., which was also where he met his wife, Beaver native Kelley Angleberger.

Both of Angleberger's parents, Gary and Judy Angleberger, are preachers as well.

After seminary school, the Harmons both took positions in Dayton, Ohio.

After preaching in Ohio for seven years, Harmon said he was contacted in September by Westminster's six-member nominating committee and began the interview process.

“The committee is a group of people called by the congregation to engage new pastors and see if Jesus is making the call for a relationship,” Harmon said.

Harmon was successful with the interview process and was named the church's new minister.

Pastoral nominating committee member Jeff Magill of Cranberry Township said the committee was looking for a candidate who showed a passion for Jesus and exhibited passion and compassion for the word of God.

“We were looking for someone who was family oriented, a willing learner, a good teacher and a good learner as well,” Magill said.

“Rev. Harmon is an excellent candidate for our ministry. He is such a minister of the people and such a down-to-earth person. He is not an 'us versus him' preacher but more of a 'we' minister,” Magill said.

Harmon said he and his family were very excited for the news.

“We want to be a strong witness to Jesus Christ in Evans City and the areas around it,” Harmon said. “This is where we need to be.”

The Harmons moved to the area with their son, Austin, 2½, and their 6-month-old daughter Clare.

His wife, who is also a Presbyterian minister, is taking care of the children until she can find a position, Harmon said.

The toughest part of coming to a new church was learning everybody's name, Harmon said.

“This is a congregation where everybody knows everybody's name,” Harmon said.

Elaine Mulneix of Evans City has been a member for 51 years and said Harmon is doing a wonderful job so far.

“Seems like new people have been coming since he has been here,” Mulneix said. “He is doing very well and learning names quickly.”

Mulneix jokingly added that Harmon was young enough to be her grandson.

Magill said Clyde was the perfect transition pastor for the church.

“Rev. Clyde was a stabilizing factor within our congregation,” Magill said. “It was bittersweet. We were excited about the arrival of Rev. Harmon but it was an end to the ministries of Rev. Clyde.”

Harmon said he wants to assemble and expand the young adult ministry and strengthen the youth group program.

The church, which has nearly 190 members, was established in the 1830s as one of the first churches in Evans City.

The current building was dedicated in 1888.