Leaders at First Baptist Church of Tarentum have a message for the community.

“We are still here for you,” the Rev. Felicia Brock said.

“The pandemic was hard and people are used to staying at home, but we want everyone to know we want to have an impact on the bigger community around us.”

A “Family and Friends Reunion Sunday” is scheduled for Nov. 13.

Church moderator Chris Clune of Lower Burrell said the invitation extends not only to people who paused in-person services during the pandemic, but also to the area at large.

He said the church, tucked away on a side street, is hidden from passersby.

“A lot of people don’t know we’re there, and our message is that all are welcome,” Clune said.

Services begin at 10 a.m., and lunch will follow in the church at 401 E. Third Ave.

“Transitioning into the post-pandemic world, we’re looking to share the gospel with everyone who needs it, and we’ll break bread after that and spend some time socializing,” he said.

Established in 1890 by a Tarentum merchant, First Baptist was a 12-person congregation that met in a rented hall. The first church, a wooden building, served the parish for nearly four decades.

As enrollment climbed to several hundred members, the current red brick church was constructed in 1927. The site is nestled behind the Corbet Street business corridor.

Brock, who moved from Michigan to take over the church in 2019, has made it a mission to keep services running throughout the pandemic.

The board implemented Sunday livestreams to reach people in their homes. When restrictions loosened, outdoor worship was hosted in the parking lot.

The reality of church today is that covid “exposed the fact you can worship from home. Every church has to deal with that,” Brock said.

“But we are a church that people appreciated and adored and attended over the years. I imagine that many of the children of original members are still in the general area, and I want them to know that we are still here.”

The church board is working on programs to bring people back to the building.

There is Bible class at 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays for adults. There recently was a church picnic and other fellowship events such as Lenten lunches.

Brock hopes to start community outreach programs, such as food collections for the Allegheny Valley Association of Churches.

This summer, the church board sponsored a trip to Lancaster for a performance of “David” and paid for several Highlands Middle School students to attend camp.

“Part of the key to revitalizing the church in post-covid time is to draw people in who might only be interested in special events,” Brock said.

“I believe that having events is letting people know we are here. We’re in the middle of the block and sometimes overlooked, but it’s a good place to call home.”

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