200th Anniversary celebration

The Mercer United Methodist Church began as a meeting house, when the Reverend Alfred Bronson, a Circuit Rider from the Baltimore Conference visited Mercer. Eventually, a small log cabin was found as the first site of the church. The location of that cabin is across the street from the current building. There have been three different buildings and several additions to the current building. 

The first permanent building dates to 1830. The current building dates to 1855. It was remodeled in 1871 to make room for the current pipe organ, which was one of the first of its kind in western Pennsylvania. That year the plain windows of the church were replaced with Cathedral glass windows. The church bell was purchased and installed in 1919.

A two story addition was added in 1953 to provide for education rooms, kitchen and basement. The Sanctuary was remodeled in 1957 including new ceiling lights and pews, which are still in use. The kitchen and library were remodeled in 1971. And, in 1996 an elevator and new covered side entrance were installed. 

The parsonage of the church was built during the civil war, on the site of the second church building, next to the current church building. It was the first parsonage in Mercer. It continues to be the home of the church pastor and family.

The Church has a long history of supporting missionaries, community events and local and world causes, including monthly community lunches. And, they sponsored a couple from Lithuania in 1999, who have become citizens of the United States of America. 

The Church continues to sponsor the “Son-Shine” pre-school, “Marvelous Mondays”, Monday night programming for kids. Sunday School classes and the annual Vacation Bible School continue to provide Christian education for the children of the Mercer community. 

1820 Circuit rider Alfred Bronson arrives in Mercer. Log cabin built for worship.

1827-28 Benjamin Stokely held camp meetings on his plantation.

1830 First meeting house built where parsonage is now.

1853 Work began on brick church costing $7,000 w/circuit riders as ministers.

1871 Pipe organ purchased

1909 Stained glass windows installed

1914 to 1928 World War I fought

1919 New bell donated by Richard Wright

1922 More than 200 members in Randolph Bible Class

Paid $1,418.93 Mercer Borough assessment for Butler St. paving

1920 thru 1940

Annual Revivals held

Epworth League formed w/45 Christian youths to learn and work together

Women’s Society of Christian Service (formerly Ladies Aid Society) maintained the parsonage.

1928 15% of donations designated for World Service

1929 Stock market crashed. Our church financially stable and able to provide support to other Methodist Churches

1937 Church membership over 500

1939 Mercer Methodist Episcopal Church, Methodist Episcopal Church South, and Methodist Protestant Church joined to form the Mercer Methodist Church.

1939-1945 World War II fought. Johnson family donates stain glass window to honor son, Bruce Johnson, killed in Europe.

1950 Church Bazaars begin. Ladies work throughout the year creating handmade items.

1958 Sanctuary remodeling commences at a cost of $75,014.93

1960 Deaconess, Osta Coulter arrives and provided much love and devotion to church family.

1968 United Methodist Church established with merger of Methodist Church and Evangelical United Brethren.

1970 Sesquicentennial celebration attended by 663 members also celebrated ‘burning” of remodeling mortgage.

1971 First floor remodeling which included parlor, Sunday school rooms, library, and offices.

1981 Parking lot renovation

1985 Energy crisis in America. Polycarbonate “Lexan” windows installed over stain glass windows to conserve energy

1986 East Elementary School across the street purchased from Dr. Miskovich for $1.00. Amish crew tore down the school. Area later converted to a parking lot.

1995 175th Anniversary Celebration

1996 Son-Shine Preschool established under leadership of Carol Davis, pastor’s wife.

1997/98 Elevator installed costing $16,262.36

1999 Flat roof on rear of church replaced with pitched roof.

2004 Pipe organ rebuilt and new sound system installed

New boiler installed to replace 4 small ones

2006 Video system installed. New pew Bibles donated by church members and friends

2008 Church builds a “Habitat for Humanity” home

2013 Air conditioning installed in sanctuary

2014 “Marvelous Mondays” begin for pre-k and elementary students. Sandra Rodgers hired as Youth and Children Co-Ordinator

2015 Endowment from Dave & Liz Foltz Estate for children’s ministry and missions. Renovation of parsonage kitchen

2018 Beautification of Library and Offices. Addition of a Coffee Bar for hospitality.

2019 Replacement of sanctuary ceiling without incurring any debt

Remodeling church chancel area in sanctuary to provide more room for church programs

2020 Virtual worship services replace in person attendance during Covid-19 pandemic

Scheduled 200th Anniversary celebration postponed due to Covid restrictions

2021 New roof installed without incurring any debt.