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Centennial
Celebration 1938 - 125th Anniversary Celebration
1963
Sesquicentennial Celebration (150 years) 1988
175th Anniversary 2013
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Centennial
Celebration 1938
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100th Anniversary Program, 1938
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| As
the East Liberty congregation headed into its 100th year, the entire
region had spent the past decade slowly recovering from the Great
Depression. The future was again starting to look bright for the
folks in Fayette County. Though a gray cloud was forming on the
horizon looking towards Europe, the thought of a second World War was far
from anyone's mind at the time.
An entire week of celebrations and events marked the
100th anniversary of East Liberty Presbyterian Church, from Sunday to
Sunday, August 21-August 28, 1938.
At the time, the church was under the leadership of
Rev. S. Kenneth Johnson. A history
of the church to date which was written and published in the program
expresses the hope the congregation held for the future.
The week was marked by events such as special
services, communion services, an Evangelistic Service, a basket picnic on
the church lawn, a band concert and community sing, and a concert by the
Connellsville Civic Choral Society.
The program above also includes photos and 1938
membership rolls of the Men's Bible Class, the Altrurian Bible Class
(women's) and the Young People's Society Christian Endeavor. The
entire program may be viewed in person in the church's archives -- pop on
by and ask for Elaine.
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125th
Anniversary, 1963
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125th Anniversary Program, 1963
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| The
125th Anniversary took place during a high point in American
history. Science, technology, and the stock market were booming;
American church membership and involvement were at their peak; and East
Liberty's rolls had never been larger. But just like in 1938,
troubled times were right around the corner... indeed Dallas was only
months away...
The church's 125th Anniversary Celebration was held
over a long weekend, from Sept. 13-15 1963.
A special Community Service was held on Friday, with
the Rev. Mr. Gayle Stricker as the guest preacher. Mr. Strickler's
visit was a special treat, as he was to date the only member of the
congregation who had gone on to fulltime ministry. He was at the
time serving as pastor of the First Congregational Church of Longmont,
Colorado, and made a special trip back to Vanderbilt for the anniversary.
An Anniversary Banquet was held on Saturday night,
and celebrations concluded with a Communion Service on Sunday morning.
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Sesquicentennial
Celebration, 1988
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150th Anniversary Program (front and back), 1988
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| 1988 in Fayette County was much like
1938, economically speaking. The previous decade had seen the
closing of the steel mills, mines, and related industries; many people had
lost jobs and been forced to move out of the area to find
employment. But unlike in 1938, the good people of Vanderbilt knew
there would be no economic recovery in Fayette County this time around...
at least not in the foreseeable future.
Still, in 1988 the congregation looked back with
pride and forward with faith. The 150th Anniversary was
celebrated over a long weekend, July 1-3, 1988. The event kicked off
with a Community Service on Friday night, with the Rev. Gayle Strickler
again one of the guest speakers. Other former pastors speaking that
night included Rev. David Caves (1976-1980) and Rev. Robert Harvey
(1960-1965). Special music was provided by the Hillsman Quartet.
Saturday night an Anniversary Banquet was held at
the Vanderbilt Fire Hall. Special guests included former pastors
Rev. Kenneth Johnson (1938-1941), Rev. James Watt (1955-1960), Dr. William
Doncaster (supply), and Rev. Jim Mehler (1975-1976, who also, in the year
2000, married Elaine's nephew to your humble webmaster).
A special service of Communion was celebrated on
Sunday morning, with a brass ensemble providing special music. The
service included a special recognition of 50-year members, including
recognition of Mrs. Lyda Lint, who at age 102 had been a member for 85
years!
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175th
Anniversary Celebration, 2013
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| Well, we're not quite there yet... but we will be! Keep checking back as the time gets closer to our
175th year!
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