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Harlansburg Presbyterian Church - Harlansburg PA

In about 1797 the area of North Slippery Rock Township in Mercer County, Pennsylvania, was settled by Jonathan Harlan, on a 400-acre tract of land owned by Peter Mowry of Pittsburgh. Harlan laid out the village of Harlansburg in 1800 and built and occupied the first house located there. He later moved his growing family to a farm south of the village. Other pioneers soon came to the area including members of the Hunt and Elder families. Several churches were soon founded in the area including those affiliated with the Methodist, Baptist, and Cumberland Presbyterian Churches.

By the mid-1800’s there was a growing number of local residents of the Presbyterian faith, but because they had no local church they were forced to travel to other locations to attend services. In about September 1874 the Presbyterians, numbering close to 200, gathered in the village with the intent to organize their own congregation. They purchased an abandoned brick church formerly belonging to the Cumberland Presbyterians, an offshoot of the mainstream Presbyterian Church that held services in Harlansburg from 1836-1852, on a hill overlooking Old Perry Highway (Church Road). I believe the old church was immediately torn down and a new wooden frame church was erected and dedicated at the same location on Wednesday, February 17, 1875.

The church has undergone several renovations over the years, including a large addition made to the back of the church in later years. Its basement has been the scene of many civic gatherings such a church socials, Sunday School classes, high school commencement exercises, and wedding receptions. During the weekend of September 14-15, 1974, the congregation celebrated its 100th anniversary with various services led by the Reverend Dr. Paul E. Carson – the interim pastor who was also serving the Volant Presbyterian Church. Many former pastors and other honored guests joined the festivities.

Despite its dwindling membership the church has remained an integral part of the rural community it serves. The congregation celebrated its 125th anniversary in September 1999 and is still in operation today. As of 2012 the church was served by the Reverend Brady Randall, a dedicated and youthful pastor hailing from Butler. The congregation is currently served by pastor Maxwell J. Muska, a New Brighton native and 2010 graduate of Westminster College, who took over in June 2015. Muska also serves double duty as the pastor at the Rich Hill Presbyterian Church near Volant.


The Harlansburg Presbyterian Church was organized in about September 1874. Soon after this the congregation purchased an existing brick church from the Cumberland Presbyterians, an offshoot of the mainstream Presbyterian Church that held services in Harlansburg from 1836-1852. The old church was torn down and a newer wooden frame house of worship (shown above) was opened in February 1875. (c1960) Full Size


The congregation celebrated its 125th anniversary in 1999 and the church, which has been renovated over the years, is still in operation today. (May 2012) Full Size


(May 2012)


(May 2012)


(May 2012)


(May 2012)

Comments

  1. Hi~ Several years ago I went to Harlansburg, PA to find grave stones of relatives. This is one church I believe that I missed. Is there a cemetery in the back? Do you have the address of this church? Looking for Vogan and Harlan. What every information that you have would be greatly appreciated.

  2. The church is located on Old Rt. 19 (aka Church Road) in Harlansburg, PA. Mailing address is 385 U.S. 19, New Castle, PA 16101 (724) 654-0841.

    There is no cemetery at Harlansburg Presbyterian that I am aware of. The only cemetery is Unity Cemetery at Unity Baptist Church, which is several hundred yards south of this church. Many Harlans and Vogans are buried there. Did you search Unity when you visited Harlansburg?

    There is also a small lot across Old Rt. 19 from Unity (on the same side of the road as the Presby church) on top of a small hill behind a large pine tree. It is traditionally known as Harlansburg Methodist Episcopal Church Cemetery. There are perhaps 50 headstones located there.

    According to Dwight Copper’s book on Unity Cemetery, there is a marker for Pvt. Jonathan Harlan in the “Methodist” cemetery. He indicates there are possibly a few other Harlans and Vogans, but there are no headstones or absolute proof.

    You may contact me if you have a specific list of names you are interested in trying to locate. I might be able to help.

  3. I am specifically trying to locate Mary Harlan that was daughter to Jonathan Harlan. She was married to William Vogan. I think that I missed that cemetery. If you could get some pictures and send them to me would be greatly appreciated. Hopefully the stones will have writing on them

    Soozie

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