Historical Notes Brightwood Christian Church

The Peter’s Creek Christian Church in Washington Co. was established in 1827, by Alexander Campbell.Campbell and a number of the members of the Peters Creek Baptist Church started the new congregation in 1827, which became the Peters Creek Christian Church. From the records of the church, Alexander Campbell became the pastor in 1826 and remained in the pastorate until the of “all believers communion” arose. When the Baptists would not accept others in communion, Campbell walked out of the church one Sunday morning, and others believing as he did, went with him to form a congregation of the Disciples of Christ.

“The Christian Church in Peters Twp near Library Pa know as “The Cross Road Church; The Campbellite Church”, or the Peters Creek Christian Church” was an off shoot of the agitation in the Baptist Church of Western Pa from 1827 to 1830.A deacon in the church, David Riggs, a heretic and disturber of the Church, was disowned by the church and has now given aid to the Christian Church, and has been taken in by the Campbellites. “David Newmyer helped in the formation of the new congregation.” So reads an ancient record.

The Congregation in 1830, had William Shadrock, Enoch Wright, Daniel Van Vorheis, Samuel Boyer, and Edward Riggs as the leadership. In 1836, the Congregation was formally organized in the home of Edward Riggs. Thomas Campbell visited the congregation and “set apart the things that were wanting”. Edward Riggs was elected an Elder, James Boyer, Obediah Higbee, and William Morrison were elected deacons.

On March 7,1840, John Boyer gave a deed to the Trustees of the new congregation, for the sum of $1.00 which deed conveyed title to a site containing approximately 3,000 sq. feet. The Congregation met in a brick building for nearly 20 years, until the building was declared unsafe for occupancy. The present frame building on the site, now fallen into ruin was erected in 1858.

In the early days of the Congregation, the following men preached at various services: Alexander Campbell, Robert Forrester, Warrick Martin, Richard Ward, James Darsie and John Smith. Both the Campbells and Walter Scott visited the church. The Church being located on the Washington trail was convenient for those traveling from Pittsburgh to Washington.

Among the ministers who served the Congregation, after the new frame building had been erected are names which are prominent in the history of the Disciples of Christ: R. Milligan, William Baxter, Samuel Church, W. J. Loose, J. L. Darsie, and several others who served as Elders of the Congregation but preached on occasion.

As was the custom in those days, the Congregation had its burial ground in the rear of the church building. In 1893, the Trustees of the church entered into an agreement with the Highland Cemetery co. of Peters Township and the burial ground was deeded to this company that same year. The burial ground bears the names of the following people: Philips, Williams, Higbee, Chambers, Boyer, DeWalt, Wood, Webster, Paton and Corbin.

After the turn of the 20th century (1900), the following men served the Congregation as ministers: R.G. White, who later became Sec. Of the West Virginia Christian Missionary Society, D.N. Bluebaugh, J. Eaddell, J.A. Joyce, Charles Scott, R. A. Cochran and Franklin Smith.

A merger with the Peters Creek Baptist Church, now the Library Baptist Church was considered in 1923, but no agreement was reached. Due to the removal of several families from the locality of the Church, the membership became depleted, and in 1927 services were discontinued.

In 1927, several members in the Brightwood and Library districts met to consider the organization of a Christian Church. John Darsie was engaged to make a survey and meetings were held in various places in Finleyville and Brightwood, Brightwood being finally chosen as the location of the new congregation. On April 1, 1928, The Brightwood Christian Church was organized. A tile building was purchased with subscriptions from the area, and a loan from the Western Pennsylvania Christian Missionary Society. Several years ago this building was sold, after the present site of the Brightwood Church had been acquired. From such humble and insecure beginnings, The Brightwood Church, now a vigorous, growing congregation, came into existence. The Brightwood Church is located in Bethel Park, Pa, a borough adjoining the city of Pittsburgh, and has come to occupy a significant place in the life of the entire community.

The Brightwood Church purchased the old Peters Creek property. The property will be kept as a memorial and the Trustees will have the dilapidated building dismantled, but will keep the outlines of the present foundation. An appropriate memorial marker will be placed on the site.

 James Rainey’s history

 Recorded from church documents by Barbara McGibbeny Cingel

On Nov. 24^th 2007, the Brightwood Christian Church celebrated its 180th anniversary---the second oldest Christian Church in Pennsylvania. During the festivities, US Congressman Tim Murphy presented a Presidential Proclamation and the mayor of Bethel Park declared the following week in Bethel Park as Brightwood Christian Church week. Regional minister, Dr Darwin Collins also brought greetings and recognition. The church in its earliest days has experienced the first hand visitation and involvement of some of the significant founders of the Christian Church movement, Thomas and Alexander Campbell and Barton Stone. The Church was founded as a result of what became known as the "Campbellite Controversy" which took place in the Peters Creek Baptist Church of Library, PA.

Progressing from a small, rural setting, it moved to its present site in 1952.

                                                                         Barbara McGibbeny Cingel