From the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: Mt. Pleasant church seeks another congregation to share costs

A Mt. Pleasant church is looking for another congregation to share its facility.

First United Church of Christ members are exploring ways to raise funds to cover normal operating costs and to replace the roof, at an estimated cost of $20,000. The church, at the corner of Hitchman and East Main streets, was established in 1864.

The church previously shared its facility with the congregation of Transfiguration of Our Lord Polish National Catholic Church. That worked out well, so they thought they’d try it again.

“We were discussing ways to try to raise some money,” said Lisa Grate, president of First United Church of Christ. “We thought we could put an ad in the paper that we’re an established church seeking a fledgling congregation to share our facility. It’s a big church. The bills are expensive. We have a small, elderly congregation. We’re basically keeping our head above water. We don’t have the funding.”

The partnership with Transfiguration brought in about $600 a month in rent, which included use of First United’s social hall and kitchen. Transfiguration Church was razed in 2002 by the Diocese of Greensburg because of structural damage.

While some Transfiguration parishioners joined other parishes, others wanted to keep their link to their Polish heritage and stay together as a parish. That chance came as First United Church of Christ offered its worship site.

“Our church was their church, basically,” Grate said. “We did our worship on Sundays, they did their worship on Saturdays. They brought all their statues, they had full use of it. It worked out really, really well.”

For that, the parishioners of Transfiguration were very appreciative.

“It worked out real well,” said Dan Levendusky, chairman of the church committee at Transfiguration, adding his parish used First United Church of Christ for about five years. “It was just Christian charity. They knew we were looking for a place to worship.”

A new Transfiguration parish complex opened last November on Bridgeport Street, the site of the former Rainbow Gardens…

This is a really positive example of Christian’s working together as they are able. I have always been a firm believer of supporting our own (2 Corinthians 6:14) when we are ableOf course the UCC and the PNCC do not have the same perspective on many issues. That does not stop others from recognizing us as Christians by our love.. This type of support keeps buildings open, neighborhoods stable and small congregations afloat. It respects the character of community. May God bless both communities.