From humble beginnings: Uniontown’s Tent Presbyterian Church celebrates 250th anniversary
Paul Paterra
Jeff Smith has been the pastor of Tent Presbyterian Church since September 2020.
Paul Paterra
This quilt that hangs in Tent Presbyterian Church in Uniontown contains the names of some of the church鈥檚 members over the years, including Joan Gans, who has worshiped there for more than 80 years
Paul Paterra
This handmade Last Supper hangs behind the pulpit at Tent Presbyterian Church and was donated by the family of current church member Barry Lewellen
Paul Paterra
Tent Presbyterian Church in Uniontown will mark its 250th anniversary with a celebration this Saturday.
Paul Paterra
This bell adorns the side of Tent Presbyterian Church.
Photos: Paul Paterra
Those who drive near Tent Presbyterian Church are greeted by this sign.
Paul Paterra
Tent Presbyterian Church in Uniontown has been in existence since 1773. This building has been in use since 1832.
In the 1770s few opportunities existed for people in Western Pennsylvania to come together to worship God.
Roving ministers such as the Rev. Dr. James Powers would visit the area to preach, and eventually in 1773, a group came together, with Powers鈥� help, to form Tent Presbyterian Church.
鈥淭he reason it鈥檚 called 鈥榯ent,鈥� is because for the first 18 years they had a tent,鈥� explained Jeff Smith, pastor of the Uniontown-based church. 鈥淲hen they first began to meet, the settlers would sit on logs or whatever, and the tent covered where the speaker was. Native Americans would come too because they were curious about what was going on.鈥�
On Saturday, Sept. 16 all are invited to join Tent Presbyterian鈥檚 faithful group of congregants to celebrate the 250th anniversary of its founding during a special 4:30 p.m. service.
Smith said the church, located at 275 Tent Church Road, remains active, as it has been over the past two-and-a-half centuries.
鈥淭his celebration is so important because this may be an opportunity to get people to the church,鈥� said Smith, who began as pastor in September 2020. 鈥淲e don鈥檛 have a big congregation.鈥�
There were only 11 people in attendance at a recent Sunday service, and Smith would like to see that number increase.
Joan Gans is among those who worship at the church, and has been doing so for more than 80 years.
鈥淢y ancestors came here a long time ago,鈥� Gans said, adding that many of them are in the cemetery that adjoins the church building. 鈥淚鈥檓 just very fortunate to be here. I had cancer several years back and the doctor said, sorry, nothing that we can do for you. God had different plans. I was always grateful, but that reinforced my faith.鈥�
Barry Lewellen has been a member since 1959 and spoke highly of Smith鈥檚 work as pastor.
鈥淲ithout Jeff, I don鈥檛 know if these doors would still be open,鈥� he said.
Following the days using a tent to shield its worshipers and speakers from the elements, the church constructed its first building in 1792. Tent Prebyterian鈥檚 current building has been in use since 1832.
鈥淭his church has seen a lot of interesting things,鈥� Smith said. 鈥淲hen they were tearing down the old church, after they built this one, they actually had a disaster where a building collapsed and killed about five or six of the church leaders at the time.鈥�
The 1905 Rand Powder Mill explosion in Fairchance blew out the windows of Tent Presbyterian, though services were able to continue. And the church鈥檚 cemetery is the final resting place of many who served in the military, dating back to the Revolutionary War.
Smith said being the pastor of the church is something that means a great deal to him.
鈥淚t鈥檚 neat to be able to meet the people, to know who they are,鈥� he said. 鈥淪ometimes I feel humbled because of where I get to be. I don鈥檛 feel I鈥檓 better than anybody else. I just feel I have a different gift. Just to be here on a Sunday morning is something special.鈥�
Smith holds weekly services at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, preceded by a Bible study at 8:30 a.m. For this Saturday鈥檚 celebration, he said he鈥檚 invited 鈥渆very politician we can think of,鈥� and noted the church received a letter from the office of Gov. Josh Shapiro to welcome those who attend.
鈥淭he church continues to have an incredible impact on the hearts and minds of everyone its work has touched,鈥� the letter reads.
Smith is hoping that in conjunction with the upcoming anniversary celebration, more people will realize that Tent Presbyterian Church is still alive and well, with a congregation ready to welcome anyone who鈥檇 like to worship with them.
鈥淚 want a church that鈥檚 like the bar in 鈥楥heers,鈥� a place where everybody knows your name. We all know your name here. I think people get welcomed here. It鈥檚 a place where everybody knows each other for better or for worse,鈥� he said.