CALLERY — Organizers hope the celebration of the 125th anniversary of Crestview Community Church PCUSA, 210 Kline Ave., will be a homecoming.

Barbara O’Barto, a church deacon and member of the anniversary committee, said the event will begin Sept. 27 with a 10 a.m. coffee hour and displays at the church, followed by an 11 a.m. homecoming worship service with a catered luncheon to follow. There will be music and face painting for children.

The Rev. Bob Goossen, Crestview pastor, said former pastors have been invited to the event and that anyone who attended, got married in or was baptized at Crestview is welcome. Goossen asked those who are planning to attend to contact the church by calling 724-538-8559 and by e-mailing crestviewpcusa@embarqmail.com so anniversary organizers can compile a head count.

Goossen said Crestview’s congregation of nearly 100 still worships in the original building. The 125-year-old pews in the sanctuary date to the church’s founding in 1890.

“This is the original building,” said Goossen. “It was a group of families who wanted to have a church in Callery who were affiliated with Plains Presbyterian Church four miles to the west of here.”

“When it started out there were 30 members,” said O’Barto.

Goossen said the church was originally named Crestview Presbyterian Church but changed its name to Crestview Community Church in 2000 in an effort to be more community oriented.

“Our peak membership was nearly 185,” said O’Barto.

“Lately, there’s been a lot of people dying. We’re down at least 20 in the last five years,” said deacon and anniversary committee member Wanda Balfour.

“We have an aging congregation and that’s just part of the reality we have right now,” said Goossen.

“It’s a small country church. You never leave. You just keep coming back,” said O’Barto, who has been going to Crestview Community since she was 6 years old.

“I’ve been here 42 years and I’ve seen six pastors,” said Balfour

O’Barto said, “It’s just a wonderful church. I feel comfortable here. I feel it is my place to be.”

Goossen has been pastor for four years since his arrival in October 2011.

He said he just returned from a two-week visit to Crestview’s sister church in Malawi, Chiphoola Central Church of Africa Presbyterian of Africa. “

Goossen said, “I was in Africa two weeks for partnership building. It’s really all about getting to know people there and strengthening the partnership with them.”

Goossen said the 11-year-old sister church program and visitor exchange with Chiphoola was just one of the community projects the church has taken on.

Others included the Pine Valley summer camp for inner-city children from Pittsburgh and supporting the Pittsburgh Food Bank.

One of the future projects is building a playground on the edge of church property.

Another project is increasing the church’s community involvement.

Goossen said, “I think we are looking forward. One of the things we are working on is engagement with the community, discover what God’s up to in our neighbors’ lives.”

“The playground is part of that process,” he said. “It’s a place where you can sit with young parents and share the good news.”