User:Eastpittstonumc

For many years the small assembly in East Pittston was served by circuit riding preachers who conducted services every other week. On alternate Sundays the faith was nourished by a number of dedicated lay preachers who held “classes” where bible study, hymn singing and lay preaching were conducted. Up until 1809 services were held in private homes, and when the turnouts were too large to be held in a house barns were used, especially during the warmer months. In 1809 members of the Assembly built the first Methodist meeting house in Pittston at a cost of $900.00, which was raised by subscription and by the sale of pews. The sale of pews may seem odd to those of us living in the 21st century, but it was a commonly accepted method of raising money to build a church in the 19th century. Pews that were purchased were reserved for the use of their owners, but remaining pews were “free”, and anyone could use them. The building was constructed with the help of members of other faiths, based on the understanding that those faiths could make use of the structure when it was not being used by the Methodists. The location of the original meeting house is unknown, but it is likely that it was situated close to the site of the present church.

In 1838 trustees of the church, which was affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal Church, took title to the lot of land on which the present church building is situated, and construction on the building began immediately. The initial cost was $2,400.00 and this money was, again, raised primarily by a sale of pews. In 1846 the building was crowned with a bell which was used, and still is used, to call the faithful to services.

Since its original construction the church has undergone substantial renovations. Around the turn of the 20th century the front of the building was altered with one door being closed off and windows being added to the front and sides of the building. Further, the interior was completely redone with wainscoting, which lines the interior of the building. It is likely that the overhead doors which allow the church to be sectioned for multiple uses were added at that time. While maintenance and upkeep continued between 1900 and 1960, the period between 1960 and 2000 witnessed a flurry of alterations and additions, including the full insulation of the building; the construction of a bathroom; the pouring of a full concrete cellar; the installation of a forced hot air furnace, and in 2000 the replacement of that furnace with two furnaces which allow the cellar and worship areas to be served independently; the drilling of a well; and the construction of a septic system. While greatly enhancing the utility of the building and making it a more comfortable place to worship and socialize the changes have been implemented with discretion, resulting in the preservation of the original appearance of this stately, old 19th century house of worship.

The East Pittston church is presently a part of the Randolph-East Pittston “charge”, which means that we share a common pastor and have financial ties with the Randolph church, all within the United Methodist Church. Such a relationship has been the case for most of the life of this church, though its affiliation with other churches has shifted from time to time. For only one period has the church had the exclusive services of one minister, and that was between 1927 and 1937 when the Reverend John Clifford served the church. While the church has been associated with the Randolph Church for about a half century, in the past it was at various times affiliated with what is today know as the “Whitefield Full Gospel Fellowship” church in Whitefield (Kings Mills village), the “Cavalry Bible Baptist Church” in North Whitefield, formerly known as the church at Turner’s Corner, and the Windsor church, which is located about a mile north of Windsor Fair grounds. These churches were frequently served by a single minister who would be required to deliver sermons at two or three of them every Sunday, no mean feat in the days of horses and buggies!

James Jacobsen, with thanks to Lore Ford