The United Presbyterian Church on Brookline Boulevard, built in 1913. The mission celebrated it's 100th Anniversary in 2000. The church building is now over 90 years old and still one of the most magnificent on Brookline Boulevard.

Below is a photo of the ceremonial laying of the cornerstone for the new Christian Education Wing at the United Presbyterian Church on Brookline Boulevard in 1953. The minister is Reverend Dr. Stillman Alan Foster, who headed mission from 1951-1959. On the right hand side of the platform in the back row is Samuel McClelland, and to his right Nettie McClelland, grandparents of Bob Pavlikowski, who provided this picture. The McClelland's were members of the mission since February, 1913.

A short history of the Brookline United Presbyterian Church

This church dates back to December 9, 1900, when Mr. C.F. Mulholland of Bell House, West Liberty, suggested to his pastor, Robert H. Hood, that a Mission Sabbath House be organized to provide Christian instruction for the neighborhood children. Thirty-five young persons responded and a Sabbath School was started with Mr. Mulholland as Superintendant.

The first building used by the Mission was an old blacksmith shop located near the south entrance to the yet unheard of Liberty Tunnels. A chapel was built in 1902, and formally dedicated on June 11, 1903. Due to the growth of the area, the Mission was relocated to West Liberty Public School in January, 1907.

A congregation was established a few weeks later and services were held in the Public School Building until March, 1908, when the "Knowlson M.C. Church" was purchased and renovated. At this time the Session was known as the West Liberty United Presbyterian Church.

The growth of the congregation was impeded by the unfavorable location of the church, and in 1911 steps were taken to find a new place to worship. This brings us to the present location on Brookline Boulevard.

The present lot was purchased for $4050. The existing structure, which is now considered the Old Chapel, was used for Services while the main church was constructed. In May 1912 the congregation voted to change the name to the Brookline Boulevard United Presbyterian Church. In June 1912 an additional adjacent lot was purchased for $3500.

The original cornerstone was laid on September 29, 1912, and the new building dedicated on February 13, 1913. For the next 37 years the church remained the same, with the Old Chapel and the new Sanctuary.

In the early 1950s construction began on the new Christian Education Wing, with the cornerstone (pictured above) being dedicated and installed by Reverend Foster in 1953. Recent changes to the church include a handicapped ramp, installed in the mid-1980s and some foundation work in the mid-1990s.

Note: The son of the Reverend Dr. Stillman Alan Foster (pictured above), also named Stillman Alan Foster is the Minister at Southminster Presbyterian in Mt. Lebanon.

Also, interestingly enough, during the heyday of trolley transportation in Brookline, our route was #39. Mrs. Carolyn Wood, my source of information on the above history of the church, pointed out that the Sunday school children were always taught a nifty way to remember the Brookline route number. Thirty-nine is the number of books in the old testament, and 3 times 9 is the number of books on the new testament. There's one for the Brookline trivia buffs.

Photo Links

United Presbyterian Church - 1924
Womens' Bible Class - 1939
Cub Scout Pack#18 - 1943
John Calvin Choir - 1960