The congregation of the First Presbyterian Church of Meadville, founded in 1800, gathers in what is actually the second building on this site. The present church was completed in 1875 at a cost of $43,000 (over $1 million in today's currency). It is a fine specimen of the Victorian Gothic style, of brown brick and sandstone trim, with a length of 112 feet and a width of 75 feet.
Looking southwest on a clear winter morning.
The south tower, rising to a height of 150 feet, is a local landmark.
South tower, detail. Behind the grille is a 1,000-pound bell cast at the Meneely Bell Foundry in Troy, New York. This bell has called the faithful to worship every Sunday since 1875.
In 1932, the original clear windows were replaced with ones crafted by the Pittsburgh Stained Glass Company. Ten windows, including this one, adorn the north and south walls of the sanctuary.
The east window, 22 feet high and six feet wide. Text at bottom reads "Greater love hath no man than this: that a man lay down his life for his friends -- John 15:13"
Two scenes from the east window.
Sanctuary, looking west.
The organ screen, designed by the architects Hanna & Stewart of Meadville, was installed in 1948 as a memorial to the church members who lost their lives in the Second World War. Behind the screen lurk the 2,500 pipes of the Schlicker organ.
Decorated for Christmas, 1954. Notice the differences between this photo and the previous one: the configuration of the choir loft/altar area has changed in the intervening 65 years, as has the material on the organ screen. The large windows flanking the organ have also disappeared, converted into doorways leading into the foyer area.
Communion table with plaque:
"In memory of David Derickson, L.L.D.,
and of his love of the Church in which he was Ruling Elder, 1830-1884"
"In memory of David Derickson, L.L.D.,
and of his love of the Church in which he was Ruling Elder, 1830-1884"
Marble baptismal font with inscription:
"In memory of our Mother, Mrs. Harriott Derickson, 1800-1879"
"In memory of our Mother, Mrs. Harriott Derickson, 1800-1879"
A view which most people never see: looking east from the upper level of the organ chamber. The sanctuary was designed to seat over 600, but holds about 400 in its present configuration. (Originally the aisles were narrower, and there were rows of pews extending forward to roughly where the pulpit and lectern are now.)
After the fire of 1970 destroyed the Christian education building, the church built a new classroom/office wing connected to the sanctuary. It also contains a gymnasium and a daycare.
The newest addition to the church campus, built in 2000 to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the church's founding. On the lower level is a 60-seat chapel, and the upper level contains the choir room and music director's office. Note the details, such as the pointed-arch windows and lighter trim, which bring this addition into harmony with the original building.
(photos and captions by Kevin Dill, with information drawn from A History of the First Presbyterian Church of Meadville, Pennsylvania by William B. Moore et al., 1985.)