The Brookline Boulevard United Presbyterian Church was originally built in 1912, then expanded in 1924 and 1953. Although the Presbyterian Mission disbanded in 2018, the magnificent structure, one of the most iconic buildings along Brookline Boulevard, is now the home of the Tree Of Life Open Bible Church.

* Last Modified - January 14, 2024 *

FORMATION OF THE MISSION

The Brookline Presbyterian Mission dated back to December 9, 1900, when Mr. C.F. Mulholland, a resident of the Bell House on Warrington Avenue, West Liberty, suggested to his pastor, Rev. Robert H. Hood of the Mount Washington Church, 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, owned by Peter Schaffner, located near the south entrance to the yet unheard of Liberty Tunnels. A small chapel was built nearby in 1902, and formally dedicated by Reverend James Willard Hood on June 11, 1903. Due to the rapid growth of the area, and the Mission was soon forced to relocate to the West Liberty Public School, on Pioneer Avenue, in January, 1907.

THE WEST LIBERTY UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

A formal congregation was established a few weeks later. Services were held in the West Liberty Public School building until May 17, 1908, when the "Knowlson Methodist Church", at the corner of West Liberty Avenue and Brookline Boulevard, was purchased for $2000 and renovated. The Mission became known as the West Liberty United Presbyterian Church.

The West Liberty United Presbyterian Church building in 1908.

Due to the unfavorable location of the new church, the growth of the congregation was impeded. In 1911, the Mission took steps to find a new place to worship. A central location was soon agreed upon, and it was decided that a new church would be built along Brookline Boulevard, at the intersection with Queensboro Avenue and Chelton Avenue.

The former West Liberty United Presbyterian Church, located above the intersection
of Brookline Boulevard and West Liberty Avenue, shown here in 1915.

THE OLD STONE CHAPEL

Two vacant lots were purchased for $4050. The church building at the Brookline Junction continued to be used for services while the new church was constructed. It would be a small stone structure that would serve the Mission until a larger church building could be constructed.

In May 1912, the congregation voted to change the name to the Brookline Boulevard United Presbyterian Church and on June 8, 1912 the change became official. Also in June 1912, an additional adjacent lot was purchased for $3500.

The original Stone Chapel, constructed in 1912-1913.

The original cornerstone was laid on September 29, 1912. Services began with an invocation by Rev. J.W. Harris, pastor of the the Thirteenth United Presbyterian Church, followed by an address by Rev. R.H. Hood, the pastor. The scripture was read by Rev. J.T. Steffy, of the Brookline Methodist Episcopal Church. Addresses were made by Rev. E.C. McCowen, pastor of the Mount Lebanon United Presbyterian Church and Rev. James Willard Hood, pastor of the West Liberty United Presbyterian Church. The building would be made of Beaver County stone and cost approximately $20,000.

The new building was dedicated by new pastor James Willard Hood on February 13, 1913. The Old Chapel stood alone for eleven years, until such time when the increasing growth of the Mission called for an expanded sanctuary.

On June 18, 1915, the Ladie's Aid and Missionary Society of the church held its annual Brookline Lawn Fete. The weekend garden celebration included music and servings of ice cream, strawberries, coffee, cake, candy and sandwiches.

GROWTH AND EXPANSION

In 1922, the congregation called upon Reverend John J. McIlvane as their new pastor. Through his leadership the congregation continued to grow and he was tasked to oversee the construction of a church expansion.

On the evening of August 3, 1924, a ceremony was held for the laying of the cornerstone for a large church addition, known as the New Sanctuary. The stunning addition was built next to the Old Chapel, which was incorporated into the new structure. The Old Chapel became the Community and Child Education Room.

Pittsburgh Gazette Times - March 28, 1925.

The facade of the enlarged church featured three prominent red doors at the top of a stone stairway. The auditorium, with a capacity of 500, also had a custom-built Moller organ. There was also a lower floor suitable for organization work and social functions. The church was now positioned for future growth in a community whose population was growing at a rapid pace.

The purchase of the organ was accomplished with proceeds from a series of concerts held under the direction of Anthony M. Jones. A varied program of solo, duet, and quartet numbers were arranged. The quartet was composed of Mrs. Henry Schoenefeldt, soprano, Mrs. John J. McIlvaine, contralto, W.F. Brooks, tenor, and John M. Ferguson, baritone.

Mrs. Henry Schoenefeldt.

The new church was dedicated during a week-long celebration beginning on March 26, 1925. The festivities began with an organ recital by John A. Bell and soloist Anthony Jones. The official sanctuary dedication was held the following evening by Reverend McIlvane, with Dr. J.H. Kistler, of the board of church extension, and Dr. L. D. Logan, of the board of home missions, as speakers. A fellowship night, consecration service and formal reception rounded out the week's activities.

The newly expanded Brookline United Presbyterian Church in 1926.

For the next twenty-nine years the New Sanctuary and Old Chapel served the continually enlarging Mission.

BROOKLINE CHURCH BASEBALL LEAGUE

In 1923, the Brookline United Presbyterian Church fielded a team in the Pittsburgh Press' Brookline Church Baseball League, competing against other local church teams. That inaugural team was featured in a Press article on July 10, 1923. With a crafty pitching staff led by Reverend McIlvane himself, the team finished in first place with a 5-4 record.

Gazette Times article dated July 10, 1923, showing the Brookline United Presbyterian team (right) before the first game.

The Brookline United Presbyterian team returned for the second season in 1924, finishing in third place out of six clubs with a 7-6 record. The league was dissolved after the 1924 season.

THE EDUCATION WING

Reverend John McIlvane was reassigned in 1929. He was replaced by Reverend Raymond Copeland, who served until 1948. Reverend W. J. H. McKnight served as pastor the following two years until, in 1951, Reverend Stillman Alan Foster took over the pastorship.

By this time, a further expansion was needed to accomodate the growing educational needs of the Mission's youth.

In 1953, at a total cost of $175,000, construction began on the new Christian Education Wing. The cornerstone was dedicated and installed by Reverend Stillman Alan Foster. The new wing was the final building addition to the church.

Artist's Conception of the United Presbyterian Church and the new Educational Wing in 1952.

For fifty years after the opening of the Education Wing the Brookline Boulevard United Presbyterian Church thrived. The high point for the congregation was the early 1970s, coinciding with the peak population in the Brookline community.

During this time the Mission thrived. Among the many services provided at the church was the Brookline Christian Food Pantry, Scouting for boys and girls, Clothing Recycling Service and a pre-school program.

The Brownie Troop from the United Presbyterian Church in 1957. Some members of the troop were Susan Schmidt
Denise Jamise, Karen Hensler, Maureen McMillan, Karen Hoff, Lynn Domastoy, Gwen Haddad, Linda Pendercroft,
Jill Jamise, Gwen, Kitty and Doris Anderson. The troop leader was Mrs. Jamise.

In September, 1982, the church celebrated it's 75th Anniversary with a weeklong schedule of activities. Some of the featured events were three nightly sessions with Rev. Dr. Ernest J. Lewis, former pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, and addresses by Rev. George Howard, church pastor in the 1960s. Reverent Jack Hall Dawson, current pastor, kicked off the celebration on the 19th with his sermon "God's Servants Will Arise and Build."

While the church continued into the 1980s, the population in the community began to decline, and Mission membership began to suffer. Despite the decline, the Mission continued with its Christian Education programs and many community-oriented activities. Upgrades to the church included the addition of a handicapped ramp, installed in the 1980s and some foundation work in the 1990s.

CHANGING TIMES

At the dawn of the new millenium, church membership was in a steep decline and it was becoming increasingly difficult to find the funding to maintain such a large church building. All efforts were made to keep the Mission on stable financial footing, but eventually the burden became too great.

The Brookline Boulevard United Presbyterian Church in March 2013.

  
Images of the United Presbyterian Church in 2013. The image on the left shows parts of all three churches.
The picture on the right shows a section of the New Sanctuary and the Old Chapel along Chelton Avenue.

In 2016 the church building was sold to the Tree of Life Open Bible Church, a new and energetic non-denominational Christian organization. The new owners took on all responsibilities for building maintenance. Meanwhile, the Presbyterian Mission continued under a rental agreement.

CLOSING THE MISSION

Finally, on September 13, 2018, Pastor Marsha Sebastian announced publicly that the Brookline Boulevard United Presbyterian Church would be celebrating its final worship service on September 23. At the time there was only thirty active parishioners left in the congregation. It was the final chapter in the 118 year history of the Mission.

MISSION PASTORS (1900-1982)

Reverend Robert H. Hood (1900-1913)
Reverend James Willard Hood (1913-1921)
Reverend John J. McIlvaine (1922-1929)
Reverend Raymond F. Copeland (1929-1948)
Reverend W. J. H. McKnight (1949-1950)
Reverend Stillman Alan Foster (1951-1959)
Reverend George Howard (1960-1969)
Reverend George Reynolds (1970-1971)
Reverend Jack Hall Dawson (1972-1982)

Others that served include Reverend Clyde H. Goff (1990-1991).

* List is Incomplete *

THREE TIMES NINE

According to Carolyn Wood, here is an interesting anecdote on Brookline United Presbyterian history: During the heyday of trolley transportation in Brookline, the local route designation was #39. During Sunday school, children were taught a quick way to remember the Brookline route number. Thirty-nine is the number of books in the old testament, and three times nine is the number of books on the new testament.

THE THREE CORNERSTONES

The dedication, on August 3, 1924, of the cornerstone for the New Sanctuary.

The laying of the second cornerstone on the United Presbyterian Church expansion building in 1953. The minister is
Reverend 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 is Nettie McClelland. The McClelland family had been
members of the Brookline United Presbyterian Mission since February, 1913.

PHOTO GALLERY

A photo from 1913 that shows the newly constructed Brookline Boulevard United Presbyterian Stone Chapel, at the corner of Queensboro and Chelton Avenues. Also of interest in the photo is Resurrection Church high atop Creedmoor Avenue, and the Freehold Real Estate Office in the Boulevard Triangle.

The Pittsburgh Press on December 13, 1914, reported that the Men's Bible Class of the Brookline Brookline United Presbyterian Church, held its regular monthy meeting on December 7 to elect officials for the coming six month term. New official will be President, Howard Murray; Vice-President, John Sterling; Secretary, Allan Derbaum; Treasurer, R.T. Evans.

The meeting was well attended, and addresses were made by P.S. Space of Brookline, W.A. Lydick, president of the Emory Bible class, Mr. Rohn, chairman of the membership committee, and Dr. James D. Narcross, pastor of the Shady Avenue Baptist church.

Dr. Narcross' address was full of wit and humor, and was very entertainint, and was highly appreciated by the members of the class. Mr. C.E. Eaton was chairman of the entertainment committee, and is certainly to be complimented for the high class program presented.

The class has had wonderful success since starting, less than a year ago, and has at the present time, almost 100 members, and is growing rapidly. The success of the class is attributed to the untiring efforts of C.C. Poling, teacher of the class, and by the spirit which he has instilled into each individual member.

A photo of Brookline Boulevard from March 1916 looking from beyond Stebbins Avenue towards Queensboro Avenue and the Brookline Boulevard United Presbyterian Stone Chapel.

Members of the Brookline Boulevard United Presbyterian Church held a homecoming festival and reunion in their new church on June 24, 1927, observing the twentieth anniversary of the formation of the congregation, the fifteenth anniversary of the dedication of the chapel and the fifth anniversary of the pastorate of Rev. John J. McIlvane. This is an interior view of the sanctuary and the custom-built Moller organ, copied from the Pittsburgh Press.

On a warm, sunny afternoon on June 18, 1939, the Women's Bible Class gathered on the lawn of the Brookline Boulevard United Presbyterian Church for this photo. The class had well over 125 students on its roster and the women played an active part in the church activities.

The photo above appeared in the Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph two days before Christmas, 1943. The Second World War was raging in Europe, North Africa, and in the Pacific. A fund was established by the Sun-Telegraph newspaper to purchase Christmas gifts for wounded servicemen who were being treated in local hospitals. Cub Scout Pack#18, which was based at the United Presbyterian Church in Brookline, collected $25 for the fund. An entourage of Cubs from the pack presented the donation.

Pictured are (left to right): Seated: Jimmy Karl, Gary Stepp, Jack Gessner, and Jimmy Hoetzlein. Standing: Herman Evert, Roger Neubauer, Don Sayenga, Don Little, Bob Campbell, Bob McCartney, Ron Thompson and Paul Conrad. At the time, Gary Stepp's father was the Cubmaster. He was an inspirational leader. Pack 18 was large and active, with about fifty Cubs organized into seven dens.

A 39-Brookline trolley passes the Brookline United Presbyterian Church in the late 1940s.

The United Presbyterian Church and new Education Wing in 1957.

The John Calvin Choir in 1960. The list below shows all of the choir members.

Boy Scout Troop #227 from the Brookline Boulevard United Presbyterian Church, known as the "Beetles Beehive", back in 1961. The photo to the right shows the scouts on a camping trip to South Park in 1961. The scoutmaster was Alex Bailey Sr, whose son Alex Jr. was known as Beetle. In April 1966, Troop #227 celebrated it's 40th anniversary.

The photo above appeared in the Brookline Journal on November 1, 1962. It shows the new Bobcats of Cub Pack #18 and their parents. Shown here are, kneeling, Ricky McKee, James Murray and James Shirley. Standing from left, George Roach and Mrs. Roach, Ralph Ankrom and George Ankrom, Richard O'Neill and Mrs. O'Neill, Mike Farber and Mrs. Farber, Freddie Muellershoen and Mrs. Muellershoen, Bobby Swetkis and Robert Swetkis, Kenny Watson and Mr. and Mrs. Sam Watson, Jimmy Hathaway and Mr. Hathaway, John Evans and Mrs. Evans.

Kathi Workman begins to fill the racks with donated clothing as Mission: Possible volunteers put the finishing touches on the renovation of the used clothing room.