First Methodist Episcopal Church of McKeesport

Courtesy of Generic1139

3 November 2014, 11:19:02

Telephone Number:
(412) 664-9349

Location:
1406 Cornell Street, McKeesport, PA 15132

Description:

The First Methodist Episcopal Church of McKeesport, now known as the First United Methodist Church since 1968, stands as a historic landmark in McKeesport, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. This church, constructed in the Late Gothic Revival style, has served as a place of worship and community gatherings since its dedication. Its architectural significance led to its inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places in 2014.

The origins of the First Methodist Episcopal Church trace back to circuit riding preachers in the Ohio valley area in 1787. Initially meeting in a shared church built in 1819 alongside Presbyterians and Baptists in the area that eventually became McKeesport, the congregation of the First Methodist Episcopal Church was officially incorporated in 1841. By 1876, growth necessitated the construction of a third church building.

However, tragedy struck when the church located at the corner of Walnut Street and Penny Avenue was destroyed by fire on July 11, 1924. In response, plans for a new building swiftly commenced, leading to the purchase of land along Fourteenth Avenue, now Cornell Street. Groundbreaking took place on Sunday, June 14, 1925, with the completed church being dedicated on Sunday, November 21, 1926.

Comprising three main sections—the Nave, the Chapel, and the Community building—the church boasts a distinctive architectural layout. The Nave, positioned in the northern section, features north and south transepts that form a cross when viewed from above, with a bell tower situated at the center of this cross.

Constructed from sandstone and supported by a steel-reinforced concrete foundation, the building has undergone minimal alterations since its initial construction, preserving its historical integrity.