The McVeytown congregation traces its roots to the Scotch-Irish settlers, names like McVey, McClure, Armagh and Derry reflect to this day the influence of those early settlers. Shortly after the French and Indian War (1766), the Presbyterian Synod of New York and Philadelphia sent two missionaries – Charles Beattie and George Duffield – to witness to Indians in the Ohio country. Along the way, Beatty passed through the Juniata Valley and preached to the faithful of the area now known as McVeytown.
Between 1766 and 1783 occasional supplies circulated through the area to preach to the faithful, but no permanent pastors came. This changed in 1783 when the Rev. Matthew Stephens received a call to serve the “Presbyterian Congregation of Central Wayne,” the official start of today’s McVeytown congregation. During Stevens’ time, the congregation met in a local schoolhouse.
At some time prior to 1819, the congregation removed itself from the meetinghouse to a place of worship in Waynesburg (now McVeytown), reorganizing itself as the “Presbyterian Congregation of Waynesburg.” A small stone church was built on the site of the present building, probably about 1815.
In November, 1819, the Rev. James Woods began an 18-year pastorate, serving both the Lewistown and Waynesburg congregations. Under his leadership, the Waynesburg congregation in 1833 replaced the original stone structure with the brick structure standing today.
The church manse was added to the property of the church in 1863. It was purchased from Dr. Abraham Rothrock who was the father of Joseph T. Rothrock, the famous environmentalist and “Father of Forestry” in Pennsylvania.
In April of 1871, the corporate name of the congregation was changed from that of Waynesburg to the “Presbyterian Congregation of McVeytown”. It is believed that the front of the current church, including the gallery with its Gothic window were added during this period.
In 1904, Rev Fred E. Andrews was installed as the minister. He remained in the position for 29 years, becoming one of the most influential pastors in the history of the church. The church rolls in 1909 stood at 259 communicants – a record not since equaled. 1936 saw the election of a woman to a church board – the trustees.
In 1956, another popular minister began his term of service at McVeytown – the Rev. Edward J. Ardis. In 1958, the McVeytown congregation began to feel constrained by the church building as it had existed for many years, and it was decided to construct a large addition, to be known as the F. E. Andrews Memorial Building, also known as Fellowship Hall.
In 1970 the first woman, Avelyn Gates, was elected to the session. And in 1972, the church basement was again refurbished and redecorated as a meeting room and dedicated as the Edward J. Ardis Memorial Room. In 1989, Rev Jeanette Rapp became the first female pastor at McVeytown serving the congregation for 20 years.
For more than 240 years, the people of McVeytown Presbyterian Church have sought to authentically love God and others through our words and actions. Today and into the future we will continue to lift our voices to praise God, share our faith with their children and others in the community and beyond, and uphold one another in the bonds of Christ's love as we remained strive to remain faithful through the changes of each generation. Today our church family is vibrant and lively offering inspiring worship, ongoing nurture, relationship-based mission, and witness to the love of God and our Savior, Jesus Christ. Come join us at MPC!
Between 1766 and 1783 occasional supplies circulated through the area to preach to the faithful, but no permanent pastors came. This changed in 1783 when the Rev. Matthew Stephens received a call to serve the “Presbyterian Congregation of Central Wayne,” the official start of today’s McVeytown congregation. During Stevens’ time, the congregation met in a local schoolhouse.
At some time prior to 1819, the congregation removed itself from the meetinghouse to a place of worship in Waynesburg (now McVeytown), reorganizing itself as the “Presbyterian Congregation of Waynesburg.” A small stone church was built on the site of the present building, probably about 1815.
In November, 1819, the Rev. James Woods began an 18-year pastorate, serving both the Lewistown and Waynesburg congregations. Under his leadership, the Waynesburg congregation in 1833 replaced the original stone structure with the brick structure standing today.
The church manse was added to the property of the church in 1863. It was purchased from Dr. Abraham Rothrock who was the father of Joseph T. Rothrock, the famous environmentalist and “Father of Forestry” in Pennsylvania.
In April of 1871, the corporate name of the congregation was changed from that of Waynesburg to the “Presbyterian Congregation of McVeytown”. It is believed that the front of the current church, including the gallery with its Gothic window were added during this period.
In 1904, Rev Fred E. Andrews was installed as the minister. He remained in the position for 29 years, becoming one of the most influential pastors in the history of the church. The church rolls in 1909 stood at 259 communicants – a record not since equaled. 1936 saw the election of a woman to a church board – the trustees.
In 1956, another popular minister began his term of service at McVeytown – the Rev. Edward J. Ardis. In 1958, the McVeytown congregation began to feel constrained by the church building as it had existed for many years, and it was decided to construct a large addition, to be known as the F. E. Andrews Memorial Building, also known as Fellowship Hall.
In 1970 the first woman, Avelyn Gates, was elected to the session. And in 1972, the church basement was again refurbished and redecorated as a meeting room and dedicated as the Edward J. Ardis Memorial Room. In 1989, Rev Jeanette Rapp became the first female pastor at McVeytown serving the congregation for 20 years.
For more than 240 years, the people of McVeytown Presbyterian Church have sought to authentically love God and others through our words and actions. Today and into the future we will continue to lift our voices to praise God, share our faith with their children and others in the community and beyond, and uphold one another in the bonds of Christ's love as we remained strive to remain faithful through the changes of each generation. Today our church family is vibrant and lively offering inspiring worship, ongoing nurture, relationship-based mission, and witness to the love of God and our Savior, Jesus Christ. Come join us at MPC!
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