Faith Lutheran Church in Harrison to celebrate 50th anniversary

A reluctant merger of two local churches in 1972 has led to a thriving congregation at Faith Lutheran Church in Harrison.

Parishioners will mark the 50th anniversary Saturday, celebrating a unity that “accomplished many wonderful things,” longtime member Elaine Sakaluk said.

“Now we’re like family,” said Marilyn Gilkey of Cabot.

She is among her family’s sixth generation who has worshipped at the church, built in 1927 under the name of Calvary Lutheran at 1500 Broadview Blvd.

It was Nov. 19, 1972, when Calvary came together with United Lutheran Church in Tarentum.

“Both churches were looking at situations that would be a problem for the survival of each,” Sakaluk said.

“United had members and money, and Calvary had a building.”

Several longtime members credited Faith’s first pastor, R. Lee Mull, for a vision of unity.

“He was not involved with past histories at either church, and he managed to involve everyone,” said Sakaluk, 73, who was baptized in the church.

Mull’s wife, Linda, recalled many of the programs that helped build the church. They included the Word and Witness Bible Study, an in-depth workshop where participants pledged two years of attendance at a time.

There also was the English Handbells Club that entertained at area nursing homes and outside the former Gee Bee Department Store in Natrona Heights at Christmastime.

“It was a wonderful choir,” Mull said. “I’ve rung handbells for 35 years because of it.”

Faith also was one of the first churches in the region to have laypeople visit shut-ins to distribute Communion, she said.

Mull retired in 1992, and the church was led by an interim pastor for more than a decade.

“She was only supposed to be here one year, and it turned into 15,” said Jim McCurdy of Freeport.

He and his wife, Pat, were the second couple to be married in the church after the merger.

A dedicated usher, Jim McCurdy said the church has faced highs and lows, but the people remain devoted to growing programs and keeping the congregation vital.

“I can remember one Christmas Eve where we had to carry up folding chairs from the social hall because there were over 300 people at service,” he said.

Today, Sunday services draw about 40 people.

Members are hoping that the newly appointed pastor, Jeffrey Truscott, will work to implement programs that appeal to the community.

Truscott most recently worked as a missionary in Indonesia and plans to celebrate his first service Christmas Eve.

“We decided to go with him because he’s going to go out to the community and let them know we are here,” member David Gilkey said.

In the meantime, parishioners are revving up new initiatives they believe will raise the church’s profile.

Pat McCurdy is heading up a clothes closet to tentatively be housed in the church basement and be open to the public once a week.

“We are excited because we think this will have a major impact,” she said. “There is a big need in the community.”

Mark Waltenbaugh, whose grandfather helped spearhead the original merger, said a core group of volunteers is invaluable to the success of the church.

He cited a current project to restore the stunning stained-glass window above the altar and plans to repair the six large windows in the nave.

“I’m so proud of our church and its beauty,” said Waltenbaugh’s wife, Maureen.

Sakaluk said the church has accomplished much despite being several years without a full-time leader.

She said the anniversary has bolstered everyone’s commitment to the church.

“We are looking forward to continuing our ministry and community service,” she said. “Everyone is welcome to join us as we move forward.”