Glades Path, the original trail that crossed the river via ferry, was widened and became known as the Great Road connecting Bedford to Washington, Pennsylvania. In April of the same year, the minutes of the Donegal Presbytery (the controlling Presbytery before the creation of Redstone Presbytery) recorded the application by Sewickley Presbyterian Church to become an organized congregation.

Reverend James Power visited the area. He found the Markles, McClintocks, Fultons, Lambs, Carnahans, Robertsons, and Hannas living on the south side of Sewickley Creek, the same side we are located. The Caldwells, Guffeys, Hamiltons, Milligans, Henrys, Briggs, Ritcheys, Carothers, and Mitchells were living on the north side of the creek. All of these families were Presbyterian.

Mr. Andrew Finley, Esq., was present and heard the first sermon preached by Reverend Power in this area. He described it to his daughter Mrs. Mary Bell: The congregation, numbering up to 200 people, gathered in the woods. The men armed with rifles guarded against a surprise attack by Indians.

Although startling today, in the 1700s, the Sewickley Creek area was the frontier; a frontier man belonged to the militia and carried a rifle at all times. Typical church services lasted 4 hours and were often concluded when a lookout spotted Indians on the horizon.

Reverend Powers organized a number of churches including Cross Creek, Dunlap’s Creek, Laurel Hill, Mt. Pleasant, Sewickley, Tyrone, and Unity.

The first church building was on the north side of Sewickley Creek, close to the current site of Sewickley United Presbyterian Church. This first church was constructed entirely by ax without the use of saws, planes, or even nails. The roof was clapboard and held in place with logs. The doors were attached by wooden hinges. Small windows cut in the log walls were covered by oiled linen or paper. The congregation sat on split logs, raised on blocks or wooden pegs on the dirt floor.

A disagreement over the location of a new building divided the congregation. Sewickley Creek separated the congregation and prevented many from attending service when the creek could not be forded due to high water. The families on the southern side of Sewickley Creek, along with a few families from the northern side, built the second church at the present location, formerly a portion of the Huey (or Huoy) farm.

The second building boasted glass in the windows and an elaborately carved walnut pulpit. Pews were constructed of split logs and considered private property. Some of the pews included a backrest in the form of a bar, but the addition of backrests was not accepted by all. Some believed a man should sit properly upright without leaning back.

Twenty years later, a new disagreement arose over the installation of stoves for heat. The majority of the congregation voted for the new stoves; however, the dissenters pointed to the intolerable smoke produced by the stoves as vindication of their belief that the church should remain without heat.

The current stone building was erected predating the nearby covered bridge, which was erected in the 1850s.

Four years later, in 1836, Henry Wallace was born and raised near West Newton.

As a child, Henry attended Sewickley Presbyterian Church. Later in his life, he wrote a series of 80 letters to his great-grandchildren, who, as Henry wrote, had not “put in an appearance as yet, and probably will not for some years to come. Nevertheless, I am morally certain that you will appear in due time. You make your appearance in a world so different from that in which I made my appearance.” (Henry Wallace, Opening Letter).

In his fifth letter, Henry described daily family worship, including singing a Psalm, reading a chapter from the Bible, and prayer. Each Sunday, his family traveled six miles to the church; missing the service due to cold or rain was not an option. The service began with the reading of a Psalm, followed by a fifteen to twenty-minute explanation. Another Psalm followed, although this one was sung acapella with a tune reminiscent of a chant. Following a thirty to forty-five-minute prayer, a selected scripture was read, including an hour’s explanation. The half-an-hour intermission included light snacks and the opportunity to stretch your legs. With the congregation refreshed, the service resumed with the sermon, which lasted an additional hour. The family did not arrive home until 2 or 3 o’clock in the afternoon.

In the years since its construction, the interior has been rearranged, redecorated, and refurbished six times.

Reverend Charles MacPherson wrote, “The present building is a witness to the strength of God’s presence in the community. The massive walls have nurtured those of the congregation and offered a place of safety.”

God has been faithful to this congregation from its earliest beginnings; God has blessed this church and provided for us through times of testing and revival. This church has been a testament to God for 250 years. May we recognize God’s Blessings and look forward to a future of continued worship of God and outreach in this community.

(Sources for history included: Old Redstone by Joseph Smith; A Study by Eleanor V. Martin; The program of the Two Hundredth Anniversary, by George P. Fulton, Jr.; The program of the Two Hundred and Twenty-five Anniversary, by Charles MacPherson, III; The Boyd Family history; Opening Letter and Letter 5b by Henry Wallace)