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Pray for Peace "Proclaim
liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants."
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Rev.
Stephen D. Shields |
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Curwensville Alliance Church |
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Church of The Christian and Missionary Alliance |
On September 17, 2000, the Curwensville Alliance Church was the scene of a special celebration commemorating 15 years on Susquehanna Avenue.Click here for the pictures.During his keynote talk, The Rev. Hiram Westover, former pastor of the church, noted the move from the church on Filbert Street to Susquehanna Ave. was into a debt free facility. He explained how moneys in varying amounts came from many people in the church. How items, such as the stone and steeple, were bought with special donations. And, even how the baptistery was purchased for the cost of having it shipped from Texas to Lewistown, where it was refused because it was not exactly what was ordered. Rev. Westover remembered how they were unable to sell the old church. "God knew we needed it, He waited until we were ready to move into the new one, and then He sold it," he said. Fifteen years ago on the first Sunday of worship in the new facility, the church still owed $65. Rev Westover related how he was the first one there that day. The second person to come walked over to him and handed him a gift to the church of $100. The church was debt free! Rev. Westover spoke then of the faith of the people for God to supply the needs for the new building and challenged the congregation to work and exercise the same faith for the planned building of the new fellowship hall. He said his motto has been Jehovah-Jireh--God will provide. Homer Neff, the visionary for the project, recalled 75 years ago when the Neff family moved to town. The congregation then met in a house on Filbert Street. He said the people had removed the partitions and put a pulpit in the front, and that's where they worshipped. Mr. Neff spoke of how the congregation was 100% in favor of building the church and added praise for how God provided for it to become a reality. He gave recognition and thanks to those who came to help, many from other churches in the community. He noted also that he and Esther Lippert Barrett were the only two remaining of the original congregation. Others who spoke of the beginnings of the Susquehanna Ave. facility were Maurice Barrett, Matt Wrobleski, Andy Frailey, Otis Kephart, and Jim Bell. Mr. Bell said he first thought, "There is no way they can do this." But, as things progressed, he and his wife, Sydney, got involved and now they look forward to the challenges ahead with the new fellowship hall. Mr. Wrobleski and Mr. Frailey marveled at God's protection over all as they worked, although each confessed he had gotten a bump on the head from falling branches. Mr. Barrett and Mr. Kephart recalled the many who came to help, some there every day during the two years of construction. Mr. Kephart said it took faith in a great God who provided what they needed. Several workers who have passed away were given special honors. These included Fred Hoover, Jack Barrett, Floyd Lippert, Russ Miller, Dennis Kephart and Larry Glass. The Rev. Stephen Shields, pastor of the church, spoke in gratitude of those who gave willingly to build this place of worship. He also gave an update on the progress of the new fellowship hall now in the planning stages of development. |