Architecture
First English Church
Wednesday, January 11, 2023
By: Audrey Hilliard
The first Lutherans to setup a church in Butler were mostly German immigrants who worshiped at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in their native tongue. Younger and American-born members of St. Mark’s, who wanted services conducted in English, formed the First English Lutheran Church on January 16, 1843. The Witherspoon Institute Building, site of the present church on the corner of Main and Brady streets was purchased in 1874 for $6000 and remodeled in 1877 for $1700. When the Butler County Courthouse was destroyed in December 1883, the county rented this building as a temporary court.In 1898, a cornerstone for a new stone church was laid on the Main Street site, but in 1919, the building was destroyed by fire. First English Lutheran’s present stone home, was built and dedicated on September 12, 1920. In 1960, Luther Hall was built for Sunday School and a social center, located immediately to the east on McKean Street. It was sold to the Butler Public Library in 1984 and is part of the newly remodeled library facility. Sam Mohawk, a Seneca Indian who killed the Wigton family, a mother and her five children, in Slippery Rock Township, was baptized through First English Lutheran Church, prior to his hanging in 1844, which was Butler’s first public hanging.
First English Lutheran is gifted with talented musical worship leaders and is also home to one of Butler’s Community Meals. Sunday worship is 10:00 am.
Covenant Presbyterian Church
Wednesday, January 11, 2023
By: Audrey Hilliard
Formerly known as The First Presbyterian Church, Covenant was founded in 1813 and is the oldest congregation in the City of Butler. The location has moved several times, originally meeting at the Butler Courthouse. During the Civil War the Church housed thousands of slaves that escaped the south through the underground railroad. In 2013, the church created a Museum in the basement, open to the Public, where one may view the space most generally agreed to be the hiding place at First Presbyterian Church. To schedule a tour call: 724-287-7731.
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All Saints Parish at St. Peter Church
Wednesday, January 11, 2023
By: Audrey Hilliard
All Saints Parish was created July 1, 2021, with the merger of five Butler parishes.
Although we have a new parish name, we continue to refer to our five church buildings by their consecrated names: St. Andrew, St. Conrad, St. Michael the Archangel, St. Paul, and St. Peter.
A parish is a geographic territory composed of people; a church is a sacred building designated for the gathering of people to worship God. St Peters Church, located on was the first Catholic church in Butler built in 1822 and moved to Franklin St. in 1849.
Although we have a new parish name, we continue to refer to our five church buildings by their consecrated names: St. Andrew, St. Conrad, St. Michael the Archangel, St. Paul, and St. Peter.
A parish is a geographic territory composed of people; a church is a sacred building designated for the gathering of people to worship God. St Peters Church, located on was the first Catholic church in Butler built in 1822 and moved to Franklin St. in 1849.
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Saint Andrews United Presbyterian Church
Wednesday, January 11, 2023
By: Audrey HilliardFrom the time of the first worship service in 1804, up to the present, the congregation in Butler now known as Saint Andrews United Presbyterian Church, has been at the forefront of community service and change. In 1824, they sponsored the first Sunday School in Butler which met in the courthouse. In pre-Civil War times there are records of descendants of slaves being received as members. In the 1870’s women were known to lead in prayer at prayer meetings. After the 1890’s a major emphasis was on sending missionaries to far corners of the world to spread the Gospel of Christ.
Saint Andrews has accomplished many renovations and updates to provide facilities to members, such as a 400-seat sanctuary and other updated rooms. The facilities provide events such as a Wednesday Community Dinner, a Sunday Lunch program, and the Back-Pack Initiative. The church also hosts annual events such as a Chili Cook off, the alternative Gift Fair, and a Christmas Cookie Walk. Our service incorporates a variety of music ranging from classical pipe organ pieces and piano solos to traditional and contemporary vocal music and beautifully intricate handbell choir selections.
Saint Andrews has accomplished many renovations and updates to provide facilities to members, such as a 400-seat sanctuary and other updated rooms. The facilities provide events such as a Wednesday Community Dinner, a Sunday Lunch program, and the Back-Pack Initiative. The church also hosts annual events such as a Chili Cook off, the alternative Gift Fair, and a Christmas Cookie Walk. Our service incorporates a variety of music ranging from classical pipe organ pieces and piano solos to traditional and contemporary vocal music and beautifully intricate handbell choir selections.
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