Bell Memorial Presbyterian Church - Ellwood City PA

In the mid-1890’s the Slippery Rock Presbyterian Church organized a mission church in Hazel Dell, the area that later became the northern portion of Ellwood City. Property was soon purchased on Line Avenue and a small church (shown above) was erected in about 1901. The mission quickly grew in part due to the tireless efforts of the Reverend Charles Bell, who oversaw both the Slippery Rock Presbyterian Church and the Hazel Dell mission. Eventually, in June 1914, the mission was formally granted status as a separate church. In honor of the Reverend Bell it was christened as the Bell Memorial Presbyterian Church. Bell, who soon resigned from Slippery Rock Church, was installed as the first fulltime pastor of the new church in May 1915. Bell stepped down as pastor in October 1916 but remained involved with the local community for many years. (c1905) Full Size

Various improvements and upgrades were made to the building over the years, including a basement being added in 1910. In the 1920’s it was decided to build a new church and the adjoining Hazel Dell School property was soon purchased. The old school was razed in September 1926 and work on a new church commenced in early 1928. Progress was soon slowed due to the Great Depression and eventually the partially completed building was abandoned and sold. A major renovation of the old church (shown above) was undertaken in the late 1940’s, which featured a reworking of the sanctuary and a new Sunday School wing being erected. (c1949) Full Size

The Reverend Charles W. Bell, the pastor of Slippery Rock Presbyterian Church, who worked tirelessly and was primarily responsible for the growth of the Hazel Dell mission. When the mission was granted church status in 1914 it was named in honor of Bell, who soon resigned from Slippery Rock to become the new church’s first full time pastor. He stepped down in late 1916 but continued to serve the local community for many years. (c1930)

The congregation of the church will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2014. (May 2012) Full Size

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In 1926 the congregation acquired and razed the nearby Hazel Dell School. Work on a new brick church commenced at the location in early 1928. Progress was soon slowed due to the Great Depression and eventually the partially completed building (shown above) was sold. The building was home to various businesses over the years and was reacquired by the church in 1967 – for use as a recreation center. It became the Ellwood City Community Center in 1974, the YMCA in 1982, and the Ellwood Area Family Center in 1991. (Oct 2014) Full Size

The second Bell Memorial Church, at Line Avenue and College Street, was never completed or occupied by the congregation. It was sold in the 1930’s. (Oct 2014)

During the 1950’s this building was home to the Jesse Jeans Manufacturing Company and then the Ellwood Knitting Mill. (Oct 2014)