East Liberty in Pittsburgh in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

East Liberty Presbyterian Church

Photographed by Kelly Phillips, May 25, 2024

1. East Liberty Presbyterian Church Marker

Inscription.

East Liberty Presbyterian Church. . Mission Statement of ELPC , We show God's unconditional love by providing refuge for spiritual growth, ardently pursuing justice, and extending Christ's radical hospitality to all. , ELPC is a multicultural, diverse, and inclusive congregation committed to mutual goals of worship, education mission, and spiritual growth. You are welcome to visit the church by entering through the Highland Avenue entrance. Self-guided tour materials are available there; guided tours of the facility are scheduled for each month. , We invite all to join our diverse, inclusive family of faith, transcending boundaries of race, class, ability, age, gender and sexual identity to become one in Christ., For more information, visit the church's website - www.ELPC.Church. , History of ELPC, The church building before you was dedicated on May 12, 1935 (Mother's Day), but the congregation that worships there, East Liberty Presbyterian Church, was established in 1819. When Pittsburgh was only a town with about 1,400 houses, Jacob and Barbara Negley donated a parcel of land to allow for the construction of a small meeting house and place of worship. That was the first building for East Liberty Presbyterian Church (ELPC). As membership grew, smaller church buildings were torn down so larger replacements could be built on this corner of Penn and Highland Avenue., The current church, the fifth one on this site, was designed in the early 1930s by renowned architect Ralph Adams Cram, who was already known for his work in New York (Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine) and the chapel for Princeton University. Richard and Jennie King Mellon donated $3.9 million to underwrite the construction of a church in honor of their mothers and to serve as a monument to Presbyterianism in Western Pennsylvania. Cram himself said. "Of all the cathedrals and churches I have built, this is my masterpiece. This church has been the most profound spiritual experience of my life." , Architectural Facts About ELPC, Sanctuary Dimensions | 202 ft. long by 117 feet wide by 75 feet high , Seating Capacity | over 1,300 people , Height of Church Tower | 300 feet , Total Area of Church | 280,000 sq. ft. , The church contains a basketball gym, a social hall capable of seating over 300 people, and a four-lane duckpin bowling alley. The entire church is built around an interior courtyard, which is also known as a "garth."

Mission Statement of ELPC

We show God's unconditional love by providing refuge for spiritual growth, ardently pursuing justice, and extending Christ's radical hospitality to all.

ELPC is a multicultural, diverse, and inclusive congregation committed to mutual goals of worship, education mission, and spiritual growth. You are welcome to visit the church by entering through the Highland Avenue entrance. Self-guided tour materials are available there; guided tours of the facility are scheduled for each month.

We invite all to join our diverse, inclusive family of faith, transcending boundaries of race, class, ability, age, gender and sexual identity to become one in Christ.

For more information, visit the church's website - www.ELPC.Church.

History of ELPC

The church building before you was dedicated on May 12, 1935 (Mother's Day), but the congregation that worships there—East Liberty Presbyterian Church—was established in 1819. When Pittsburgh was only a town with about 1,400 houses, Jacob and Barbara Negley donated a parcel of land to allow for the construction of a small meeting house and place of worship.

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That was the first building for East Liberty Presbyterian Church (ELPC). As membership grew, smaller church buildings were torn down so larger replacements could be built on this corner of Penn & Highland Avenue.

The current church, the fifth one on this site, was designed in the early 1930s by renowned architect Ralph Adams Cram, who was already known for his work in New York (Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine) and the chapel for Princeton University. Richard and Jennie King Mellon donated $3.9 million to underwrite the construction of a church in honor of their mothers and to serve as a monument to Presbyterianism in Western Pennsylvania. Cram himself said. "Of all the cathedrals and churches I have built, this is my masterpiece. This church has been the most profound spiritual experience of my life."

Architectural Facts About ELPC

Sanctuary Dimensions | 202 ft. long by 117 feet wide by 75 feet high
Seating Capacity | over 1,300 people
Height of Church Tower | 300 feet
Total Area of Church | 280,000 sq. ft.

The church contains a basketball gym, a social hall capable of seating over 300 people, and a four-lane

Photographed by Kelly Phillips, May 25, 2024

2. East Liberty Presbyterian Church Marker

duckpin bowling alley. The entire church is built around an interior courtyard, which is also known as a "garth."

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Buildings • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical date for this entry is May 12, 1935.

Location. 40° 27.57′ N, 79° 55.546′ W. Marker is in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in Allegheny County. It is in East Liberty. It can be reached from Centre Avenue. This marker is mounted in a frame on a railing in the upper level parking lot next to Walgreen's along Centre Avenue. It is not visible by road. The view when reading the sign faces nearly directly north so you see the church it mentions across the block. You can only find the marker if you are in the upper parking lot (above PetSmart on Centre Avenue), near the Walgreens and Fine Wine and Spirits stores. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Pittsburgh PA 15206, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Northeast,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

in the Ohio River Valley,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it

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is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Suburban Catalyst (within shouting distance of this marker); Portal of Industry (within shouting distance of this marker); Motor Square Garden (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named East Liberty Presbyterian Church (about 700 feet away); Alder Court Apartments (approx. 0.2 miles away); Highland Towers Apartments (approx. ¼ mile away); 1st Drive-In Filling Station (approx. ¼ mile away); 107th Field Artillery Honor Roll (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pittsburgh.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 1, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 25, 2024, by Kelly Phillips of Verona, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 283 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 25, 2024, by Kelly Phillips of Verona, Pennsylvania. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.