Borough of Etna - Centennial Festivities Yearbook (Etna, PA)

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. 5 I The Puntureri Yi'--fl-ling Q J' N .,x Rev, McGarrah performing the Service vi fy . x T A' B .vt . :lf f S? 52. 1. S f ,, . fr' T-Iii YW 1.11-1-in 4 's Delta Glass-.Reunin1L-11962 ,,,4 W Ag ,K ETNA'S FIRST CHURCH, THE UNION CENTENARY METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH '4Beyond the recollections of our oldest members, beyond a.ny known written or printed records, Methodism flour- ished in what now comprises Sharpsburg and Etna. It is not definitely known when the first Methodist services were held in this neighborhood. but the honor of starting Methodism here seems to be due to Mr. Jacob Wise and his wife, familiarly known as g'Uncle ,lakell and HAuntie Wisef, who lived in what is now the Krause property in Vllest Etna, and in whose home the first Methodist services of which we have any knowledge were heldf' With these words begin the written history of this church in Etna, In 1832, services were transferred to the school house on Kittanning Street opposite what is now Catherine Street. In 1836. the first Methodist Episcopal Church building was COIII' pleted and called Pine Creek Church. The building is still standing at Butler Street. However. it is no longer used as a church. On December 22, IS66. the application for a charter f0r the new church was filed with the Prothonotary of Allegheny County. and on March 9, IS67, the charter was granted. The name chosen for Lhe new church was 'LUnion Centenary Methodist Episcopal Church of Etna and Sharpsburg. P21-M Union. because of the consolidation of the two churches, and Centenary in commemoration of the centennial of A1neriCHI1 Methodism. The site chosen was the present site, which was then in Shaler Township between the two boroughs. A ff!W years later Sharpsburg annexed that portion of Shaler TWP- and also the church. In ISGS. the Pine Creek congregation and Sunday School marched in a body to the Sharpsburg Church. and Rev. Weslel' Smith performed what he called the marriage ceremonyfl N

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it . ll 1 ETNA PRESBYTERIANC tr Eighty citizens of the West Etna district met in the Wilson Street School and founded the Presbyterian Mission of West Etna, Pa. on September 18, 1904-. The Presbyterian Church of Sharpsburg spon- sored and supported the new group and Christian E. Ludwig, a student of the Western Theological Seminary of Alle- gheny became its leader. On Nov. 13, 1904, the first communion service was held. At that time twenty-three persons, received on profession of their faith and by letter, constituted the roll of Lhe new church. A part of the present building was fin- ished and dedicated on November 8, 1905 and the church was declared an independ- ent church by the Pittsburgh Presbytery on May 8, 1906. The Rev. Thomas R. Lewis was installed as the first pastor on July 13, 1906 and he served the church as it increased for 12 years. Other ministers who served for a period of years were: Rev. James Enfield Leaman, Rev. George Lambert and Rev. Donald K. McGarrah. The church was enlarged in 1912 and the men of the church under the leader- ship of Elden Wfesley Wandel enlarged the basement to its present size in 1937. The congregation throughout its years has kept a high interest in mission work and has been known as a 'ipraying Churchf' The Womenls Federation has been most active in uniting the women in a group, centering their activities around a study of the life of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Mrs. Eva Bagaley and Mrs. Amy Cook are among those who joined the church in its early years. The Session is made up of six members who are: Mrs. Joan Young, Dr. Anthony Puntureri, Wes- ley Wandel Jr.. E. Albert Reese, Gary Smith and Forrest C. Henderson. Mr. Frank Paugh is the Church Treasurer. The present Board of Trustees is made up of Mr. Thom- as Dukes, Mr. Samuel Puntureri. Mr. Edward Reese, Mr. Jack Wlernert and Mrs. Lewis Young. K, 'fs fx 'L M1,a,- , ,..-, .1 ,. -. , i 14? if 1 'Y SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS-1936 SUNDAY SCHOOL ' CLASS-1949 Two oldest members-Mr. Charles Yuhrcs and Mrs, Em B1 aley N ifsw 1 , tiff

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.a. MQRGANIZATIO BACK ROW: John Kaiser, Glenn Geesey, Herbert Arenth, R. Kennedy. FRONT ROW: Dave Westerman, Florence Brown, C. Six. GRAND PARADE COMMITTEE Etna Elks B.P.O.E. 964932 C.F.U. D.O.H. Club Jockey Club Croatian Citizens Social Club Etna Rotary Club Etna Lions Club Etna Sportsmens Club K.S.K.J. Croatian Ladies Club 'Chalfant House Womanis Club P.T.A. Mrs. John Srakocic Nick Spudich John Merzlak George Pudina John Kordesich Edwin A. Austen Frank DeSimone George H. Fugger Katherine Trdina Barbara Perkovic Charles Cummings Helen Hrabar First Presbyterian Church Ladies Society Charlotte Roupe American Leffion Elmer 12. lgrohl Post, 4597 William L. Reder American Legion Ladies Aux. Mrs. Marie Duderstadt V.F.W. William Lutz V,F.W. Ladies Aux. Grace Wohlfiel E.V.F.D. iifl Mr. Edward Young E.V.F.D. 9652 Roy Hunter Health Conference Mrs. Anna Mae Koedel Band Boosters Agnes Gorshin fMrs. Frankj Christian Mothers All Saints June Neely All Saints Church Father Vollmer First Congregational Church Ladies Aid Society Mrs. Elizabeth K. Heusy Calvert Memorial UP. Church Rev. Orville L. Kuhn First Congregational Church Mr. Fred F. Fischer Emmanuel Lutheran Church Rev. William F. Gunther Emmanuel Lutheran Church Ladies Society Florence Baumgartel ,L A. A+++ fbi: l ' 1 , , . y, 4 -V ,Q 33 .. ffl' SF 'lf U if, 1' MEN PICK-ill E-'NATION 5 ,