October 16 Today in OPC History

On October 16, 1936, ground was broken for the building of a new house of worship for Faith PCA (renamed Calvary OPC in 1966) in Harrisville, Pennsylvania. With graditude, the congregation had accepted the gift of land from Deacon F. F. Karns and his wife at the northern tip of the village. Members and friends of the congregation volunteered in the construction and the building was ready for use—albeit without pews—before the end of January for the cost of $3,000. The first worship service in the new building took place on the Lord's Day of January 31, 1937, with Pastor Robert Atwell preaching. The congregation was able to pay off the debt of the building and obtain pews within four years.

Following Mr. Atwell as pastor at Harrisville were Charles Schauffele (1940–46), LeRoy Oliver (1947–52), Francis Breisch (1952–55), Cromwell Roskamp (1955–60), George Morton (1962–70), Leonard Coppes (1971–82), Douglas Withington (1982–87), Louis Wislocki (1988–94), and Allen Moran (1994–2000). Pastor Peter Puliatti has served at Calvary Church from 2001 unto the present day.

Picture: Robert Atwell