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 Covenant United Presbyterian Church, Butler, Pennsylvania Posted by:  JimmyEv
N 40° 51.668 W 079° 53.528
17T E 593369 N 4523932
The oldest church building in Butler is also the city’s oldest congregation. The congregation began formally meeting at the Butler County Courthouse on April 7, 1813, with its current home being built in 1862.
Waymark Code: WM1YAV
Location: Pennsylvania, United States
Date Posted: 08/02/2007
Views: 99
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Presbyterians in Butler were the first denomination to formally organize. When the city was first surveyed in 1803, this lot, was set aside as the ‘church lot,’ nicely situated on a bluff overlooking the Connoquenessing Creek. The congregation continued to hold worship services at the Butler County Courthouse until 1815, when a stone meeting house was built on the designated lot. The stone meeting house was replaced in 1833 and replaced by a newer structure in 1862. Twelve years later, a steeple was added and the interior enlarged by contractors John Martin and Malcolm Graham.
Over the years, six congregations in the Butler area have sprung from this church. Among the more prominent members of the church was U.S. Senator Walter Lowrie, son-in-law of the church’s first minister, the Reverend John McPherrin. Prior to the Civil War, the church took the position of the abolitionists, serving as a station on the Underground Railroad and providing protection for slaves escaping bondage. According to the church’s website, “The underground chamber where the slaves were hidden is still visible in the church basement...” A visit to the underground chamber can be arranged by calling the church office.
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Date the Church was built, dedicated or cornerstone laid: 01/01/1862
Age of Church building determined by?: Cornerstone or plaque
If Church holds a weekly worship service and "all are welcome", please give the day of the week: Sunday
Indicate the time that the primary worship service is held. List only one: 10:00 AM
Street address of Church:
230 East Jefferson Street
Butler, PA USA
16001
Primary website for Church or Historic Church Building: [Web Link]
If denomination of Church is not part of the name, please provide it here: Not listed
If Church is open to the public, please indicate hours: Not listed
Secondary Website for Church or Historic Church Building: Not listed
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