Old Stone Church

Originally built in 1834, this prominent Monroeville landmark was the result of 48 people petitioning the Presbytery of Blairsville to form a congregation called "Cross Roads".

The signers of the petition included Charles Carothers, his son Robert, and Andrew Mellon, whose grandson became Secretary of the U.S. Treasury and founder of the Mellon Fortune. The Johnston and Monroe families donated the land adjoining the Johnston's small family cemetery at Northern Pike and Center Road.

Using stones from surrounding farms, members contributed their time to build the church for $1,500. It had no basement and was 50 feet square with four doors and a high pulpit.

The church did not become part of the Presbyterian Church until May 6, 1836, because the first petition was not approved for two years.

The first pastor of the church was Rev. S.M. McClung, whose pay was $5 a Sunday plus free board for him and his horse. The first fulltime pastor was Rev. Andrew Virtue. He was installed in 1853, and served for seven years. Rev. Robert Carothers, son and grandson of the original church Elders, served as pastor from 1866 to 1878. He died in 1882 and is buried on the south side of Cross Roads Cemetery, or to the right of the church. The church membership grew to 175 during his ministry.

In 1894, when the 58-year-old building was in need of extensive repairs, the congregation decided to tear it down and rebuild a larger one in the same spot. At this time a foundation was dug for a basement. The former church stones were used for the new church along with additional stones cut from the nearby Snodgrass quarry, located between Northern Pike and Strochein Road. The basement was painted white because it is most likely the original church walls were whitewashed. Membership in 1953 had grown to 563, and Cross Roads Presbyterian members worshiped at this site until 1958 when they built a larger church on Haymaker Road.

The focal point of the present building is its beautiful, arched 26-panel, rosette stained-glass window flanked by two recessed and hooded doors. Twelve smaller stained-glass windows decorate the side bays with two rectangular windows on each wall. These Art Nouveau style windows are the original ones purchased from the Kokomo Glass Company of Kokomo, Indiana. They were restored in 1998 through frame repair, cleaning, glazing and replacement of broken pieces.

The church is basically square and has three-sided pyramidal roofed bays on the north and south sides, giving a unique octagon shape to the sanctuary. This design may have been the result of the Victorian belief that the devil could not corner a person in a room without corners. The wooden ceiling is made of painted matched boarding and large beams. The walls are constructed of large stone blocks of varied sizes that have an almost golden color typical of the stone of the area. One of the oldest church pulpits is in the center front behind the alter and is used as needed. The communion table sits at the center on the main floor level. The original pews are used weekly for meetings and events.

Musical instruments at the church include a piano in the basement dating back to 1910 and a 1875 pump organ in the sanctuary which was donated by the Puckett family in memory of Edward Puckett. A modern Hammond organ and a new piano purchased by the Monroeville Historical Society are currently used for services and weddings. Another antique at the church is a cast-iron gas stove with a solid plate top. It was donated by the Yother's family and dates back to 1900, according the gas company.

A display case was installed at the church's back right in May 1984. It houses the church's second pulpit Bible which was first used in 1886. The East Suburban Woman's Club donated money for the case, and it was designed and constructed by Clair Chandler, a member of the Monroeville Historical Society. Flown from 1907 to 1912, a 46-star American Flag hangs above the display case. It was donated to the Historical Society by Ms. Pat Hays. On November 16, 1907, Oklahoma became the 46th state and in 1912, New Mexico became the 47th

Surrounding the church is the 6.6 acre Cross Roads Cemetery, which is also of historical value. There are many interesting monuments contained in the cemetery. One marks the grave of a Revolutionary War solider born in 1747, while another headstone has a picture of the deceased embedded in the marker. The first burial was Mary Clugston Johnston, sister-in-law of landowner Robert Johnston in 1796.

Designated a Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation treasure, Old Stone Church is owned by the Municipality of Monroeville. The Monroeville Historical Society oversees its restoration and conducts open houses. The Old Stone Church is available for weddings, meetings and tours by contacting the municipality at 412-856-1000.

For more information, please visit the Monroeville Historical Society website.

By Marilyn K. Wempa