The Cross Roads Story was originally prepared by Mrs. Harold Donley in 1969 as a special project for the children in the Junior Department of our Church School. The results of her efforts are something other interested persons would appreciate and consequently this narrative has been posted. Where appropriate, Mrs. Donley’s narrative has been updated to bring our history up to date. We endeavor to have the most accurate history possible. Anyone who has corrections or additions to this narrative can contact our church office or the Webmaster. It is our hope that this story will add to your understanding and appreciation of The Cross Roads Church
A petition was presented to Presbytery on November 4, 1834, praying for the organization of a congregation to beknown as "Cross Roads." Even before this petition was granted, the people continued the building of a stone church and had it completed a year before the church finally became organized. It was located at Northern Pike where Center Road intersects it. Two deeds have been found: the first in 1834 conveyed about a ¼ acre to the congregation from Tod Monroe and Robert Johnson. The second deed, later in 1834, is from Joel Monroe and conveyed one acre for the sum Of $40.00. The stone came from the immediate neighborhood. The first building was 50 ft. square with four doors.
First Church (1835)
Because the labor was donated by the people of the church and the community, the actual cost of the church was $1500.00.

They then set out to secure regular services and cooperated with Plum Creek to do this. This was in 1835 and the called this church "The South Branch of Plum Creek." They raised $65.00 and were able to secure a pastor for 13 Sabbaths at the rate of $5.00 a Sabbath; a fair compensation as the preacher had his boarding and horse fed free. In 1836 they changed the name to "Cross Roads Meeting House" and appointed Charles Carothers to act as Chairman and take another petition to Presbytery asking that they be organized into a church for thefollowing reasons:

"We are so far removed from other churches of our denomination that it is inconvenient for families with their children to attend church." (At this time there was no church between Pittsburgh First and Plum Creek except Beulah.)
"There is a considerable population in the immediate neighborhood that we have reason to believe we can serve. We are connected verbally with Plum Creek congregation and we hope to be at each place."
The petition was signed by 48 persons and evidently convinced Presbytery that these Cross Roads Presbyterians were determined to become a church, for the organization was completed on May 6, 1836.

Charles Carothers, who was ruling elder at Beulah Church for many years, at the organization was elected and installed an elder of this church. The "History of Churches in Blairsville Presbytery" says of Mr. Carothers, "He was a pillar in Cross Roads, a wise and safe counselor."Robert Carothers, his son, who was also a ruling elder in Beulah, was also elected and installed in this church at its organization. The Blairsville history says of him; "He was willing to make any sacrifice for the harmony and interest of Christ’s Kingdom." Andrew Mellon and Hugh Cavitt were also elected, ordained and installed at the organization .

On June 20, 1837, the first pastor, Rev. S. M. McClung was installed over the united church of Cross Roads and Plum Creek. After he left to serve another congregation, the pulpit was vacant for more than a year.Then in 1851 Rev. L.L. Conrad was installed half-time and Murrysville got him for the other half. He left in 1853 to serve a congregation of largely German people since he could also preach in German. 28 members were added to the church while he was a pastor. Also in 1853, Rev Andrew Virtue was installed as the first full-time pastor and served until 1860. 114 members were added to the church during his stay .

There were 2 years when the pulpit was empty and Rev. McClung, who had been the first pastor, was re-installed. He served during the Civil Waryears, until 1865, when he asked to be relieved because of ill health.He had lost a son who died of disease while serving in the Civil War.

Again the church was without a pastor for a year and then in 1866, Rev.Robert Carothers, the grandson of Charles and the son of Robert Carothers, the first elders of the church, was installed as pastor. To this time, Rev. Carothers is the only member of Cross Roads to enterthe ministry. (note: There have been several members who have enteredthe ministry since this history was originally written!)  In his historyof the church, which he prepared in 1876, he stated, "You have kindly and patiently borne with my failings and short-comings of these I have had many, and over my errors you have cast the mantle of charity during my ministry among you.  Both in preaching the word and in maintainingt he discipline of the church,  I have been prompted by no other motive,influenced by no other desire than the salvation of your soul and the honor and glory of god’s name." From this statement we can see whatkind of man Rev. Carothers was. During this time we learn that the Sabbath School membership ranged from 100-130 (today ours is about700). A weekly prayer meeting was started. 153 members were added, bringing the total to 175 when he resigned in 1878. He became thePresident of a college for the blind in Iowa.

In 1894, the membership dropped to 50 members as people were unhappy about the introduction of the rotary system for church officers. For a period of time the Sabbath School did not meet. From 1894 to 1900 theCross Roads Church and the Beulah Church were served by the Rev. A. W.Hayes. During this time the building was examined and found to be beyond repair so the stone from it and additional stone from the Snodgrass quarries was used to build a new one. This building is now called "The Old Stone Church" and was dedicated in 1897. It stands onthe same site as the original one.

When Mr. Hayes resigned in 1900 he made arrangements that his friend,the Rev. W. A. Reed, a student from Seminary, should take over the services at Cross Roads as well as Beulah. The history of Beulah Church says of Mr. and Mrs. Reed, "They spent many weary hours toiling over muddy hills and roads looking for new members and visiting those already on the roll. What a struggle they must have had getting to church even as late as 1900. People often came in two-wheeled gigs or on horseback and the only improved roads were what is known as  Frankstown Road, then later Northern Pike and the Greensburg Pike. It took a lot of dedication to get to church in those days.
The Old Stone Church (1897)
From 1900 to 1948 the church was served byt  he Reverends Calvin Hazlett, P. H. Kohler, R. F. Getty, who served during the "World War years", James B. Lyle, D. D. (sic), John Gumper,and Charles David Bayha. In 1923-24, Bethel Church held joint services with Cross Roads while their new building was being erected. In 1925,our first manse was built. It cost $6500 and was located across from the Church. In 1949, Rev. C. Dewey Smitley was installed as pastor and served until 1960. Probably some of you were baptized by Rev. Smitley.

The Corner Stone was laid for the Christian Education wing of thechurch on Mosside Boulevard in October, 1957 and May, 1958, the first Worship Service was held there. The membership was 586.

On April 16, 1961, the Rev. Ray H. Pierson, was installed. Our church continued to grow and we found it necessary to move again. This time to Haymaker and Ramsey Roads, where we are right now.  In 1966, the Mosside building was sold to Holiday Inn for $200,000 which provided the money to start construction of our current building.

Mosside Blvd Church (1957)

On March 20, 1966, the last Worship Service was held in the Mosside building and until we moved to our present building in March of 1967, we used the Bethel Church for our Church School and Worship Services.

In July of 1968, Mr. Hewon Han came to serve as Christian Education Director and was ordained and installed as Assistant Minister of Christian Education in February of 1969. After Mr. Han moved to another church, Robert A Miller came to server as Associate Pastor in Octoberof 1977 and served until November 1981. Reverend Pierson retired in June of 1983 and Rev. Malcom Brown served as interim minister from June 1983 to June 1984 when the Rev. Richard R. Ollinger was installed.  Reverend Ollinger served the church faithfully until July 26, 1998 when he accepted a call from a church in Florida.  During the time Reverend Ollinger was pastor, Cross Roads was fortunate to ordain and install the Reverend Thomas D. Hamilton as associate pastor

Haymaker Road Church (1967)

Rev. Hamilton served the church from Many1991 to July 1997 when he received a call to serve a church in Washington County, PA. While Rev. Ollinger was pastor, 3 members of Cross Roads began to study for the ministry of Word and Sacrament, Robert D. Higgs in October 1994 and John Culp and Lori Bass in 1998.  Lori served as Student Assistant to the Pastor during the summer of 1998. On October 5, 1998, the Rev. Donald R. Ewing joined Cross Roads as interim pastor and served us well until September 2000.

On October 1, 2000, during 167th year of our history as a dedicated and faithful congregation, the Rev. Dr. Howard A. Newman became the 19th pastor of Cross Roads Church . Dr. Newman accepted another call in September, 2005.  On October 2, 2005, the Rev. Rebecca Hickok was installed as Interim Pastor of the Cross Roads Presbyterian Church

Cross Roads Presbyterian Church History