Cranberry Campus: Dutilh United Methodist Church History
 Dutilh United Methodist Church began in 1844 with four families holding services in the "Jones' barn." The founding families were Detmore and Elizabeth Shaner of Beaver County and William and Jane Lonsdale, newly arrived from England.
Shaner, a sawmill operator, cut the wood for a "plank" road from Allegheny to Harmony in 1852. Beginning in 1853 he used his sawmill to cut the wood for the Methodist Church. The church was called the Little Plains Church for a few years. The original building was 16 square feet in size. The first official pastor of the Little Plains Church was Joshua Monroe.
The church was enlarged and modernized in 1858. In 1878, J.M. Swan became pastor and was responsible for the revival in the church. The area was also growing in population; fifty families had become members. A building committee was assembled, and the need for a new site and building became paramount. A site consisting of one-fourth of an acre was donated by Charles Dutilh of Philadelphia. Dutilh would add two additional acres later. Another one-and-a-half acres were added to the original site in 1961 to comprise the present site, parking areas and cemetery. The new building was dedicated on November 30, 1879.
Under the pastorate of W.C. Hunter, a 13-week revival in 1893 drew more than 3,000 people, according to local press reports. More than 300 new members joined.
The original building was remodeled in 1908, and a basement was added in 1936. The interior was redecorated for Easter 1941. The mortgage was burned at a party on October 11, 1961. Continued growth in membership set in motion another Finance Committee to explore the expansion of the church, particularly the educational spaces. In 1963, Cranberry Township officials renamed a portion of Perry Highway/Route 19, Dutilh Road. In 1963, a Zelienople architectural firm was asked to develop a master plan for the expansion. The Church School expansion was dedicated on Palm Sunday, 1964.
By 1986, more expansion plans were being considered by Dutilh Church. However, on February 10, 1986 an arsonist, who was never found, set fire in the sanctuary. The fire was discovered at 10 a.m., and the church building was destroyed. Services were moved to the ballroom of the Sheraton Northwest. Previous building plans were scrapped, and a new church building was designed for the existing site. Ground breaking ceremonies were held September 7, 1986. The current Dutilh United Methodist Church was dedicated on September 25, 1998.
Since the reconstruction of the church building in 1988, we have marked our 150th and 160th anniversaries with big celebrations.
Dutilh United Methodist Church began in 1844 with four families holding services in the "Jones' barn." The founding families were Detmore and Elizabeth Shaner of Beaver County and William and Jane Lonsdale, newly arrived from England.
Shaner, a sawmill operator, cut the wood for a "plank" road from Allegheny to Harmony in 1852. Beginning in 1853 he used his sawmill to cut the wood for the Methodist Church. The church was called the Little Plains Church for a few years. The original building was 16 square feet in size. The first official pastor of the Little Plains Church was Joshua Monroe.
The church was enlarged and modernized in 1858. In 1878, J.M. Swan became pastor and was responsible for the revival in the church. The area was also growing in population; fifty families had become members. A building committee was assembled, and the need for a new site and building became paramount. A site consisting of one-fourth of an acre was donated by Charles Dutilh of Philadelphia. Dutilh would add two additional acres later. Another one-and-a-half acres were added to the original site in 1961 to comprise the present site, parking areas and cemetery. The new building was dedicated on November 30, 1879.
Under the pastorate of W.C. Hunter, a 13-week revival in 1893 drew more than 3,000 people, according to local press reports. More than 300 new members joined.
The original building was remodeled in 1908, and a basement was added in 1936. The interior was redecorated for Easter 1941. The mortgage was burned at a party on October 11, 1961. Continued growth in membership set in motion another Finance Committee to explore the expansion of the church, particularly the educational spaces. In 1963, Cranberry Township officials renamed a portion of Perry Highway/Route 19, Dutilh Road. In 1963, a Zelienople architectural firm was asked to develop a master plan for the expansion. The Church School expansion was dedicated on Palm Sunday, 1964.
By 1986, more expansion plans were being considered by Dutilh Church. However, on February 10, 1986 an arsonist, who was never found, set fire in the sanctuary. The fire was discovered at 10 a.m., and the church building was destroyed. Services were moved to the ballroom of the Sheraton Northwest. Previous building plans were scrapped, and a new church building was designed for the existing site. Ground breaking ceremonies were held September 7, 1986. The current Dutilh United Methodist Church was dedicated on September 25, 1998.
Since the reconstruction of the church building in 1988, we have marked our 150th and 160th anniversaries with big celebrations.
Mars Campus: Mars United Methodist Church History
 In the year 1888, a group of five persons met in the home of Mr. and Mrs. David Wilson in Mars (Overbrook at that time) for the purpose of organizing a Methodist Church. Those present were Mr. Joseph Borland, Mrs. William Clark, Mr. William Gilliland and Mr. and Mrs. Wilson. They decided to hold church services temporarily in a storeroom on Railroad Street. In early 1889 the Reformed Presbyterian congregation loaned the use of their building to the group for worship services. The Rev. J.J. Davis became their first pastor in a three-point circuit with Salem and Dutilh. The first minister to have a full-time station appointment was the Rev. Humes in 1911.
Since a building loan was needed for services, they drew up plans for a frame structure. Mr. Gilbert Hooks donated the ground which was located on the east side on Railroad Street on what is now Spring Street. On May 15, 1891, the building was dedicated. It had a seating capacity of about one hundred and cost $800. The first organization to be formed in the church was the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society with an enrollment of forty one members.
In 1893, when the Rev. Hunter was pastor, an event occurred that we should not pass over lightly. There was a revival service that lasted six weeks. It was held in the homes as well as the church. The little church was "crowded to its utmost" at these services, and it was remembered as "a time of a wonderful outpouring of the Spirit of God". Ninety six souls were born again and added to the church membership.
Then in 1896, the congregation decided to build a parsonage. From Mr. Samuel Crowe, they purchased a lot on the corner of Lincoln and Barr Streets. The house was built at a cost of $1600.
In 1902, the first church building became inadequate and plans were made for a larger building. The town was growing to the west side of the railroad so ground was purchased on the corner of Pittsburgh Street and Lincoln Avenue. The first building was razed and all available material was used in the construction of the new building. During the time of the erection of the new building, arrangements were made with the Free Methodist congregation (now St. Kilian's Catholic Church) for the use of their church for services.
On May 10, 1903, while the Rev. A.H. Davies was pastor, the present building was dedicated. The church was built at a cost of $5,500 and was dedicated free of debt--a remarkable accomplishment at that time. At this dedication a piano replaced the reed organ. During the following pastorate of the Rev. J.A. Younkins in 1906, the Ladies Aid Society was organized. This group proved to be a great financial help to the church.
We share in the many projects that have been done in the Mars United Methodist Church through the past 108 years. These projects reflect the vision, the spirit and the love of Christ through people moving ahead as they continue to work for Christ and His church.
In the year 1888, a group of five persons met in the home of Mr. and Mrs. David Wilson in Mars (Overbrook at that time) for the purpose of organizing a Methodist Church. Those present were Mr. Joseph Borland, Mrs. William Clark, Mr. William Gilliland and Mr. and Mrs. Wilson. They decided to hold church services temporarily in a storeroom on Railroad Street. In early 1889 the Reformed Presbyterian congregation loaned the use of their building to the group for worship services. The Rev. J.J. Davis became their first pastor in a three-point circuit with Salem and Dutilh. The first minister to have a full-time station appointment was the Rev. Humes in 1911.
Since a building loan was needed for services, they drew up plans for a frame structure. Mr. Gilbert Hooks donated the ground which was located on the east side on Railroad Street on what is now Spring Street. On May 15, 1891, the building was dedicated. It had a seating capacity of about one hundred and cost $800. The first organization to be formed in the church was the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society with an enrollment of forty one members.
In 1893, when the Rev. Hunter was pastor, an event occurred that we should not pass over lightly. There was a revival service that lasted six weeks. It was held in the homes as well as the church. The little church was "crowded to its utmost" at these services, and it was remembered as "a time of a wonderful outpouring of the Spirit of God". Ninety six souls were born again and added to the church membership.
Then in 1896, the congregation decided to build a parsonage. From Mr. Samuel Crowe, they purchased a lot on the corner of Lincoln and Barr Streets. The house was built at a cost of $1600.
In 1902, the first church building became inadequate and plans were made for a larger building. The town was growing to the west side of the railroad so ground was purchased on the corner of Pittsburgh Street and Lincoln Avenue. The first building was razed and all available material was used in the construction of the new building. During the time of the erection of the new building, arrangements were made with the Free Methodist congregation (now St. Kilian's Catholic Church) for the use of their church for services.
On May 10, 1903, while the Rev. A.H. Davies was pastor, the present building was dedicated. The church was built at a cost of $5,500 and was dedicated free of debt--a remarkable accomplishment at that time. At this dedication a piano replaced the reed organ. During the following pastorate of the Rev. J.A. Younkins in 1906, the Ladies Aid Society was organized. This group proved to be a great financial help to the church.
We share in the many projects that have been done in the Mars United Methodist Church through the past 108 years. These projects reflect the vision, the spirit and the love of Christ through people moving ahead as they continue to work for Christ and His church.
In March of 2010, Mars United Methodist Church merged with Dutilh United Methodist Church and became a second campus, adopting the DNA and infostructer of Dutilh UMC at the time. We are one church with two campuses.
In March of 2010, Mars United Methodist Church merged with Dutilh United Methodist Church and became a second campus, adopting the DNA and infostructer of Dutilh UMC at the time. We are one church with two campuses.
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