Donora church closes, cancels final service

By Eric Seiverling
eseiverling@yourmvi.com
For MaryJanet Henry and her fellow parishioners at the Calvary United Presbyterian Church in Donora, the coronavirus outbreak has taken a toll beyond being forced to stay home.
With the church closing and being sold to Washington Presbytery, a Christian-missionary network, the church’s faithful were preparing for their last service scheduled for Sunday.
But after Gov. Tom Wolf’s mandate last week forced the cancellation or postponement of social gatherings of more than 10 people, the church’s final service was canceled, and an April 4 banquet has also been postponed, meaning parishioners may be unable to say their final farewell.
“Everything’s done and gone,” said Henry, the church’s clerk of sessions, noting that the final sale agreements to Washington Presbytery were signed Tuesday. “We had planned a special service with bagpipes and everything but it’s just all up in the air now.”
With a history that dates back to 1902, the church has meant many things to many people.
“Our daughter was married here and our grand kids were baptized here,” said Russell Perney as he sat inside the church one last time.
Perney and his wife Mavis have been members of the church’s congregation since 1959.
“I’ve met a lot of people here and I had a lot of good friends here,” he said. “Coming here was like coming home.”
Parishioners said the church’s financial difficulties began in the early ‘60s, after a merger between the First Presbyterian Church and the United Presbyterian Church in 1960.
By 1968, the Donora Steel Mill closed, forcing families to move elsewhere to seek employment which caused the church’s attendance to drop.
“There was a church on every block and now they’re all closed,” recalled Meg Turner, financial secretary for the Calvary United Presbyterian Church. “Last year was when we had to focus and realize we’re not going to make it for another solid year.”
The church has seen numerous pastors since 1960, including the Rev. Doyle Snyder, Rev. Dr. James Thome, Rev. Dr. Paul Weatherly, Rev. Frederick Doscher, Rev. Edwin Emmel, Rev. Keith Johnston, Rev. Andrew Slade and Rev. James Bailey.
“Rev. Bailey can be very persuasive,” laughed Sandy Silcox, originally from Finleyville and treasurer of the women’s association. “They opened their arms and this was home. They stuck us in that kitchen and off we went.”
Henry said most of the items inside the church will remain with the new owners, as the building was sold “as is.” Other items will be given to the Presbyterian Historical Society in Philadelphia.
Most of the church’s parishioners said they’ll look to join a new church, but the Calvary United Presbyterian Church will always be in their hearts.
“It’s very said because we’ve all been like a family,” Mavis Perney said. “It’s a very sad moment.”
“I have to find another church,” said Phyllis Phelps. It’s part of my life and my week doesn’t start unless I’ve been to church. When anyone joins a church, unless they get involved, they don’t get the full feeling. What you put into it is what you get out of it.”