West Kishacoquillas
Presbyterian Church
3820 West Main Street
Belleville, PA 17004
717-935-2337
www.westkish.org
Presbyterian Church
3820 West Main Street
Belleville, PA 17004
717-935-2337
www.westkish.org
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Founded in 1784, our congregation has been worshiping in Belleville for well over
two centuries. We invite you to explore this page to learn a little more about the
history of our church.
two centuries. We invite you to explore this page to learn a little more about the
history of our church.
| History |
| Timeline |
1774
1784
1800
1826
1834
1846
1859
1860
1862
1908
1910
1911
1925
1941
1946
1948
1949
1956
1958
1960
1961
1966
1969
1973
1979
1981
1982
1983
1984
1985
1990
1995
2000
2002
2004
1784
1800
1826
1834
1846
1859
1860
1862
1908
1910
1911
1925
1941
1946
1948
1949
1956
1958
1960
1961
1966
1969
1973
1979
1981
1982
1983
1984
1985
1990
1995
2000
2002
2004
First preaching services of the West Kishacoquillas congregation held at the
Robert Brotherton homestead in what is now Menno Township.
First installed pastor, the Rev. James Johnston, began his tenure and first
elders elected.
First church building, constructed of logs, erected near the present Cemetary
Road graveyard.
Log church building replaced by new brick building at the same site.
Allensville Presbyterians build their own frame church building in Allensville.
They remained a part of the West Kishacoquillas congregation until 1948 when
they were incorporated as a separate church, continuing to share the same
minister.
Church pew rentals ceased, replaced by subscriptions for salaries and
incidentals.
West Kishacoquillas Presbyterians purchased an acre of land at the west end of
Belleville for the purpose of erecting a church and parsonage. The price: $400.
Present brick building completed in Belleville and dedicated. Disagreement
relative to the kind of home to be built, the location, and who would pay the rent
resulted in the matter being referred to Presbytery for settlement.
Parsonage issue resolved and brick home constructed on the old McDowell lot
(corner of South Kishacoquillas and East Main Streets) in Belleville.
Marian Cummins, later to become Mrs. Albert Gibboney, Sr. was accepted into
the fellowship of the church. In 1959, she was the first woman elder elected by
the church.
A 50th anniversary service was held to commemorate the Belleville Church
building.
The Session approved regular payment of the pastor's salary...every month.
Envelope system still in use today replaced subscriptions for salaries &
incidentals.
The Ladies Aid cookbook was published.
All church services were closed to persons under the age of sixteen due to a
polio epidemic.
The manse was offered for sale at $15,000, proceeds to be used to build a new
manse on church property. It was sold in 1968 for $20,790.
Presbytery approved the request by Allensville and Belleville memberships to
become separate organizations and corporations, but be bound by yoke.
The Session approved the broadcasting of the Belleville church service over the
WKVA radio station twelve times a year. This continued for five years.
General Assembly passed a resolution making it mandatory that all Presbyterian
churches adopt the rotary system for elders and trustees.
The Ladies Aid Society and the Missionary Society joined forces to form the
Women's Association as recommended by Presbytery.
The centennial service of the Belleville church building was held with the
Bowman family, Rev. Karl, Sr., Rev. Karl, Jr., and Rev. Harold Bowman leading
the service.
An addition was built to the Belleville church and the existing sanctuary was
remodeled for a total price of $70,000. Groundbreaking was on Easter Sunday
and dedication was held in November.
A board of deacons was elected for the first time and the number of elders was
reduced from nine to six.
The new manse was built on Poe Street in Belleville at a cost of $54,000. The
first residents were the Virchicks.
A special service was held for the burning of the manse mortgage.
The yoke was broken between the Allensville and Belleville churches, with home
and prayer that two strong and healthy churches would emerge from the action.
The Belleville church installed additional sound equipment to improve sound
quality, options for the hearing impaired, and to provide tape recordings of the
worship service for the shut-ins of the congregation.
The first issue of "The Current" newsletter for the Belleville congregation was
printed.
The Easter service of the Belleville church included the dedication of the
repainted interior and exterior walls, the refurbishing of the sanctuary, and new
candelabras and communion cup.
The Belleville congregation celebrated the Bicentennial of its church.
The parking lot on the south side of the West Kish church building was
completed at a cost of $19,600. A dedication service was held on September
14th.
The community chimes were installed in the belfry of the West Kish Church
building. A dedication service was held in the parking lot.
West Kish hosted the September meeting of Huntingdon Presbytery. A picnic
supper and communion service were held in Machpelah Cemetery. The
Presbytery retired to the sanctuary for the remainder of the meeting.
The West Kish congregation approved the purchase of a Rodgers Model 835B
organ from the Buch Church Organ Company to replace the instrument that had
served the congregation since the 1950s.
The long awaited Handicapped Access Project, including the installation of the
elevator, was completed. J.M. Young & Sons, Inc. of Belleville was the general
contractor.
The 220th Anniversary Service marking the call of the first pastor of the West
Kishacoquillas Presbyterian congregation was held at the site of the original
building with both the Allensville and Belleville congregations participating.
Robert Brotherton homestead in what is now Menno Township.
First installed pastor, the Rev. James Johnston, began his tenure and first
elders elected.
First church building, constructed of logs, erected near the present Cemetary
Road graveyard.
Log church building replaced by new brick building at the same site.
Allensville Presbyterians build their own frame church building in Allensville.
They remained a part of the West Kishacoquillas congregation until 1948 when
they were incorporated as a separate church, continuing to share the same
minister.
Church pew rentals ceased, replaced by subscriptions for salaries and
incidentals.
West Kishacoquillas Presbyterians purchased an acre of land at the west end of
Belleville for the purpose of erecting a church and parsonage. The price: $400.
Present brick building completed in Belleville and dedicated. Disagreement
relative to the kind of home to be built, the location, and who would pay the rent
resulted in the matter being referred to Presbytery for settlement.
Parsonage issue resolved and brick home constructed on the old McDowell lot
(corner of South Kishacoquillas and East Main Streets) in Belleville.
Marian Cummins, later to become Mrs. Albert Gibboney, Sr. was accepted into
the fellowship of the church. In 1959, she was the first woman elder elected by
the church.
A 50th anniversary service was held to commemorate the Belleville Church
building.
The Session approved regular payment of the pastor's salary...every month.
Envelope system still in use today replaced subscriptions for salaries &
incidentals.
The Ladies Aid cookbook was published.
All church services were closed to persons under the age of sixteen due to a
polio epidemic.
The manse was offered for sale at $15,000, proceeds to be used to build a new
manse on church property. It was sold in 1968 for $20,790.
Presbytery approved the request by Allensville and Belleville memberships to
become separate organizations and corporations, but be bound by yoke.
The Session approved the broadcasting of the Belleville church service over the
WKVA radio station twelve times a year. This continued for five years.
General Assembly passed a resolution making it mandatory that all Presbyterian
churches adopt the rotary system for elders and trustees.
The Ladies Aid Society and the Missionary Society joined forces to form the
Women's Association as recommended by Presbytery.
The centennial service of the Belleville church building was held with the
Bowman family, Rev. Karl, Sr., Rev. Karl, Jr., and Rev. Harold Bowman leading
the service.
An addition was built to the Belleville church and the existing sanctuary was
remodeled for a total price of $70,000. Groundbreaking was on Easter Sunday
and dedication was held in November.
A board of deacons was elected for the first time and the number of elders was
reduced from nine to six.
The new manse was built on Poe Street in Belleville at a cost of $54,000. The
first residents were the Virchicks.
A special service was held for the burning of the manse mortgage.
The yoke was broken between the Allensville and Belleville churches, with home
and prayer that two strong and healthy churches would emerge from the action.
The Belleville church installed additional sound equipment to improve sound
quality, options for the hearing impaired, and to provide tape recordings of the
worship service for the shut-ins of the congregation.
The first issue of "The Current" newsletter for the Belleville congregation was
printed.
The Easter service of the Belleville church included the dedication of the
repainted interior and exterior walls, the refurbishing of the sanctuary, and new
candelabras and communion cup.
The Belleville congregation celebrated the Bicentennial of its church.
The parking lot on the south side of the West Kish church building was
completed at a cost of $19,600. A dedication service was held on September
14th.
The community chimes were installed in the belfry of the West Kish Church
building. A dedication service was held in the parking lot.
West Kish hosted the September meeting of Huntingdon Presbytery. A picnic
supper and communion service were held in Machpelah Cemetery. The
Presbytery retired to the sanctuary for the remainder of the meeting.
The West Kish congregation approved the purchase of a Rodgers Model 835B
organ from the Buch Church Organ Company to replace the instrument that had
served the congregation since the 1950s.
The long awaited Handicapped Access Project, including the installation of the
elevator, was completed. J.M. Young & Sons, Inc. of Belleville was the general
contractor.
The 220th Anniversary Service marking the call of the first pastor of the West
Kishacoquillas Presbyterian congregation was held at the site of the original
building with both the Allensville and Belleville congregations participating.
| The Ministers |
Rev. Philip Fithian, Missionary
Supplies
Rev. James Johnston
Rev. William Kennedy
Rev. James Stuart
Rev. William Annan
Rev. Moses Floyd
Rev. Samuel McDonald
Rev. James Williamson
Rev. Robert Moore, D.D.
Rev. Richard Campbell
Rev. Sylvester Bergen
Rev. William Greenshields
Rev. R. George McCleod
Rev. C. O. Anderson
Rev. Samuel Barber
Rev. J. Scott Butt, D.D.
Rev. J. Willard Dye
Rev. Karl Bowman
Rev. John P. Martin
Rev. Jay Walters
Rev. E. John Robertson
Rev. George Virchick
Rev. Samuel Strohm
Supplies
Rev. James Johnston
Rev. William Kennedy
Rev. James Stuart
Rev. William Annan
Rev. Moses Floyd
Rev. Samuel McDonald
Rev. James Williamson
Rev. Robert Moore, D.D.
Rev. Richard Campbell
Rev. Sylvester Bergen
Rev. William Greenshields
Rev. R. George McCleod
Rev. C. O. Anderson
Rev. Samuel Barber
Rev. J. Scott Butt, D.D.
Rev. J. Willard Dye
Rev. Karl Bowman
Rev. John P. Martin
Rev. Jay Walters
Rev. E. John Robertson
Rev. George Virchick
Rev. Samuel Strohm
1775
1776-1784
1784-1796
1810-1822
1827-1829
1830-1835
1838-1844
1846-1855
1858-1860
1860-1866
1867-1886
1888-1902
1903-1904
1905-1906
1907-1914
1915-1919
1919-1931
1932-1936
1938-1944
1945-1956
1956-1962
1962-1969
1970-1979
1979-Present
1776-1784
1784-1796
1810-1822
1827-1829
1830-1835
1838-1844
1846-1855
1858-1860
1860-1866
1867-1886
1888-1902
1903-1904
1905-1906
1907-1914
1915-1919
1919-1931
1932-1936
1938-1944
1945-1956
1956-1962
1962-1969
1970-1979
1979-Present