A BRIEF HISTORY OF SHARON COMMUNITY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Established in 1817 near the present church property and known then as the Flaugherty Run Mission, Sharon Community Presbyterian Church is the oldest house of worship in Moon Township. The remarkable and long history of the church reveals a congregation that has been innovative, adaptable to change, and able to withstand the test of time in the community.
Those first worshippers met in homes and later in a purchased tent. The first brick building was erected in 1828 below the present cemetery and became the center of the village of Sharon, whose name was later changed to Carnot. The Reverend S. C. Jennings came to this new brick church and served as pastor for the next 50 years. Since there was no physician in the community and Pastor Jennings was descended from a “long line of medical men”, he also practiced the art of healing, often taking his medical bag and dental forceps with him on a “pastor’s call”.
In 1884, the Reverend J. M. Mercer became Pastor of Sharon where he served for 34 years. For 84 of its 196 years, the Reverends Jennings and Mercer faithfully guided the people of Sharon, leaving an impact on them that remains apparent today.
In 1868 when the brick building was condemned, it was torn down and the bricks were hauled up the hill to become the foundation for a new larger white frame church. In September of 1892, an amazing 1,200 people assembled to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the church.
In the spring of 1929, the church was refurbished, only to be severely damaged by a tornado on July 12, 1929. During its reconstruction, a belfry was added to house a large bell given by Mount Calvary Presbyterian Church in Coraopolis. During the 1940s, Sharon Church, with a membership of 340 and the only church in Moon Township, accepted contents of graves brought from the cemetery of the Old Bell Farm Church which was razed to make way for the Greater Pittsburgh Airport.
In 1964, Sharon Community Presbyterian Church, as it was now known, constructed and dedicated the present Christian Education Building followed by the construction and dedication of the present Sanctuary in 1965. The old white church was converted to a gymnasium. In 2001 the old white church was demolished and the Youth and Community Center was built on the site.
Nearly 200 years after its founding, Sharon Community Presbyterian Church, in the tradition of its rich heritage, continues its remarkable faith journey. There are many opportunities to become involved in Sharon Community Presbyterian Church and its Christian service to others.
Those first worshippers met in homes and later in a purchased tent. The first brick building was erected in 1828 below the present cemetery and became the center of the village of Sharon, whose name was later changed to Carnot. The Reverend S. C. Jennings came to this new brick church and served as pastor for the next 50 years. Since there was no physician in the community and Pastor Jennings was descended from a “long line of medical men”, he also practiced the art of healing, often taking his medical bag and dental forceps with him on a “pastor’s call”.
In 1884, the Reverend J. M. Mercer became Pastor of Sharon where he served for 34 years. For 84 of its 196 years, the Reverends Jennings and Mercer faithfully guided the people of Sharon, leaving an impact on them that remains apparent today.
In 1868 when the brick building was condemned, it was torn down and the bricks were hauled up the hill to become the foundation for a new larger white frame church. In September of 1892, an amazing 1,200 people assembled to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the church.
In the spring of 1929, the church was refurbished, only to be severely damaged by a tornado on July 12, 1929. During its reconstruction, a belfry was added to house a large bell given by Mount Calvary Presbyterian Church in Coraopolis. During the 1940s, Sharon Church, with a membership of 340 and the only church in Moon Township, accepted contents of graves brought from the cemetery of the Old Bell Farm Church which was razed to make way for the Greater Pittsburgh Airport.
In 1964, Sharon Community Presbyterian Church, as it was now known, constructed and dedicated the present Christian Education Building followed by the construction and dedication of the present Sanctuary in 1965. The old white church was converted to a gymnasium. In 2001 the old white church was demolished and the Youth and Community Center was built on the site.
Nearly 200 years after its founding, Sharon Community Presbyterian Church, in the tradition of its rich heritage, continues its remarkable faith journey. There are many opportunities to become involved in Sharon Community Presbyterian Church and its Christian service to others.
