Edenburg Presbyterian Church Knox PA

Edenburg Presbyterian Church

"The church on the corner"

 

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Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)  

https://www.pcusa.org/congregations/7422/  

 

 

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The Edenburg Presbyterian Church first formed in 1876, when the Reverend J. S. Elder and Reverend D. W. Cassat were appointed a committee to go to Edenburg (now Knox) and gather the Presbyterians there into a congregation. The church was organized on June 23, 1877. Twenty-eight people enrolled to be members of the new Presbyterian Church. The first Ruling Elders of Edenburg were J. C. Hill, A. Culbertson, J. A. Atwell, and David S. Wilhelm.

The congregation first met at the old Winebrennarian Church, which was not in use at the time. It was lighted by coal oil lamps, heated by a large soft coal stove, with music provided by a cottage organ. It was eventually purchased from its owner, J. I. Best. In 1897 it was torn down and the new building, which still stands at Main and Railroad Streets (Route 208) was erected. The new building of the Edenburg Presbyterian Church was dedicated January 23, 1898.

Reverend Perry S. Allen was installed as pastor of the Edenburg Church on September 11, 1877, and served until April 9, 1879. Following Reverend Allen’s departure, several stated supply ministers served the Edenburg Church. Reverend Hugh F. Earseman was called as the second formally installed pastor. He served from February 1, 1887 until October 30, 1938. Local newspapers recorded that over two hundred people came on the wintry day of February 27th, 1934 to the celebration that was held to celebrate pastor Earseman’s 50th year of service. It is extremely rare for a pastor to serve one church for over fifty years, and Reverend Earseman served the Edenburg church for a total of 54 years.

Reverend Frederic W. Helwig served the Edenburg Church from December 7, 1939 until September 1, 1941, when he left in order to serve the armed forces in World War Two. Reverend John C. Talbot served from March 2, 1943 until January 31, 1953. Reverend James R. Shaffer was called June 13, 1954 and served until June 12, 1959. Supplies filled the pulpit for two years before Reverend Robert D. Reader was called. He served from June 11, 1961 until February 1, 1966. Following Reverend Reader, the Reverend Cecil R. Taylor was called from another denomination in the Southland. He was installed June 12, 1966, serving through January 19, 1969. Once again, the pulpit was filled with supplies, including the Reverend Thomas E. Prosser, who was also Resident Director of the Westminster Highlands Church camp in Emlenton. He began his interim supply work on Christmas Eve in 1969. On January 27, 1974 he was installed as part-time minister and served until he resigned from the Presbyterian Camping Association as executive in December 1981, when he became the full-time pastor of Edenburg. Reverend Prosser served the church until 1995. Reverend Prosser was then followed by the Reverend Boyd Edmonson, who became Stated Supply Pastor of the Edenburg Church on March 12, 1996. Reverend Edmonson was then installed as the pastor of the Edenburg Church on May 5, 1996. He served until September 1, 1998. Supply pastors then served the church until the current pastor, Jay Montgomery, was called and installed on November 21, 1999.

Throughout the Edenburg Church’s history, it has undergone several renovations, but it still stands much as it did in 1898, when it was first completed. The first renovation was an addition to the church building in 1926, which added a new dining room, kitchen, parlors, and Sunday School room. In 1933 repairs were made on the parsonage. Added several years later was a new pipe organ. The organ was built and installed by Durst and Company of Erie, PA. It was installed in June 1947, and was first used on Sunday, July 6, 1947. A lighted cross was installed soon after to look well in the recess above the organ. The organ was dedicated on February 29, 1948. A spring flows under the present sanctuary, as it did in 1898, and the large stone foundation still stands with large wooden beams supporting the floor. The original pulpit still remains inside the church, although a new one has since been placed in the sanctuary. Another point of interest in the sanctuary is the baptismal font, which is made completely of marble. The Sunday School rooms, social room and the kitchen were remodeled in the 1980’s. Dedicated in July of 1998, a wheelchair ramp was placed in the back entrance to the church. Following the dedication of the ramp, a new paved driveway was installed and dedicated in August of 1998. The Family of Ruth Huston donated the driveway. The newest renovation to the church is a more accessible restroom, which was placed in the social room, where the back door once was. The back door has been moved to where the restroom once was, providing a more accessible entrance into the church itself. This renovation was completed in July of 2001, and was made accessible in memory of Dr. Koenig.

The congregation has produced two Presbyterian ministers: The Reverend Kavin K. Rossman, ordained August 1982; and the Reverend Scott R. P. Janney, ordained June 1984. Both men, under the pastorate of the Reverend Thomas E. Prosser, were ordained in the Edenburg Church sanctuary.

Miss Bernice Amo, now deceased, served in China as an English teacher until the Chinese communists took over the country in the 1950’s. She was originally supported by the church in her early work. Other prominent supporters of the Edenburg Church were Julia Hamm Chornyak, and her father, G. S. Hamm.

The Caring Cupboard, which is the Knox Community’s local food bank, is housed in the church, helping those in need to have the food and other home supplies that they need. It is located in the basement, and is open on Thursdays. Worship services are weekly on Sundays, and start at 11:00 AM. Sunday School starts at 9:30 AM. During the summer, services start at 10:00 AM.

From: http://www.keyknox.com/grassroots/yesterday/places/edenburgpresbyterian.htm