THE HISTORY of THE WESLEYAN CHURCH and of SANDY LAKE WESLEYAN CHURCH
Our story as a church begins with the start of the Methodist movement in England by John
Wesley in the mid-1700’s. In 1766, Methodists who emigrated to America began to organize
“societies” or “classes” as a way of forming Methodist fellowship opportunities. In 1784, the
Methodist Episcopal Church was organized and experienced miraculous growth.
Because of strong anti-slavery feelings, various churches broke away from the Methodist
Episcopal Church to form the Wesleyan Methodist Connection of America in 1843. On August
10, 1844, the Sandy Lake “class” and the Greenwood “class” are united as the Wesleyan
Millbrook circuit. Finally, in September of 1854, the Allegheny Annual Conference makes the
decision to hire 2 preachers for what is now called the Sandy Lake Circuit.
On August 12, 1872, a momentous decision is made by this circuit to build a Wesleyan Methodist
meeting house in Sandy Lake that would serve as the church’s first building. These initial
pledges of money represent acts of sacrificial giving that would characterize this church for
generations to come.
On August 15, 1873, the President of the Allegheny Conference received into membership the
first 10 charter members of the Wesleyan Methodist Church of Sandy Lake. The following
words are taken from his statement read at the reception of these members, “People desiring
to spread scriptural holiness and to unite as a religious society on Gospel principles for the
maintenance of Christian fellowship and worship…are hereby recognized as the “Wesleyan
Methodist Church of Sandy Lake.”
This first church built during 1872-1873 was situated on Walnut Street, Sandy Lake, and served
as a place of worship for more than 80 years. It witnessed the transition from oil light to gas
light to electricity from substantial hitching posts to horse sheds to parking spaces for
automobiles.
As the years went by, many repairs became necessary, and the space for Sunday School classes
was inadequate. During the pastorate of Rev. Charles C. Cross, 1937-1944, a new church was
envisioned and a building fund was started. Due to World War II, hard times economically, and
the departure of many of the young men from the congregation, little progress was made on
the building fund during this time. Plans were revived and the building fund grew under the
pastorate of Rev. Joseph Markey, during 1944-1953. Ground was broken for the new building on
August 11, 1952 on a lot of land on Franklin Road, Sandy Lake that had been donated to the
church. The cornerstone was laid on July 11, 1953, and the decision was made that “no
memorials to any humans are to be erected, all the glory is to go to God.” The new church
was dedicated on May 16, 1954.
In 1968, the Wesleyan Methodist Church of America and the Pilgrim Holiness Church merged to
form the Wesleyan Church. This changed some of the denominational structure surrounding
the church, but our church itself continued on much the same course. Due to continued
growth at Sandy Lake Wesleyan Church, the need for additional Sunday School classrooms
became apparent. In 1970, the basement of the church was remodeled to make room for
expanded ministry opportunities.
On May 20, 1973, Centennial Services were held to celebrate the important milestone in the
history of Sandy Lake Wesleyan Church. The following is an excerpt from a statement read at
the celebration, “During the past one hundred years, the Lord has given us men and women of
intense faith to provide for building and carrying on his work in this church. For these men
and women of faith, we are today eternally grateful."
As a step of faith, the church made a historic decision in 1980, to hire their first full-time youth
pastor and in doing so became the first church in the area to provide comprehensive youth
ministry. Children and Youth have always been a priority for this congregation and God has
continued to bless the sacrifices made then by allowing us to be a place that provides life-
changing ministry to the children and youth of our community.
In 1982 and 1983, there was a growing frustration with the lack of consensus and vision about
the future of ministry and evangelism at Sandy Lake Wesleyan Church. This was a difficult and
challenging time in our church history. Events during this time period led to the creation of a
new congregation, Countryside Evangelical Congregational Church. This was a painful process
and the church would find that many of the same issues arose again with a different outcome.
Just a few years later, many members of the church voted to build the new Sandy Lake
Wesleyan Church building, while others remained in the old building, which became the
Christian Missionary Alliance Church in Sandy Lake. Through it all it has been clear that God
continues to challenge our congregation to be willing to do whatever it takes to fulfill the
Great Commission.
During the mid-1980’s, growth and attendance fluctuated quite a bit and it again became
apparent to the church that to grow and meet the needs of those they were called to minister
to, they must expand their facility. In 1988, Reverend Miller initiated the Strategic Planning
Process for Growth which more clearly painted the picture of what the church needed to do
in preparation for what God was planning for the future of Sandy Lake Wesleyan Church. This
period in the church’s history found the church united in a real commitment to discern God’s
will – “With faith with God we can.”
As a result of the Strategic Planning Process, in 1989, plans were drawn up for a fellowship hall
and Sunday School rooms; however, zoning laws prevented these options from being explored
further at the Franklin Road church building. After much prayer and painful discussion, God
led the church to buy eighteen acres on the Sandy Lake – Grove City Road…a new vision is
born!! Easter of 1990 found the church celebrating the risen Savior with the first service on
the new property.
From 1989 to 1991, the church members lived out the phrase, “Not equal giving, but equal
sacrifice.” The church rallied together to see through the construction of the new church,
which at that time consisted of the current Family Life Center and the Children’s wing. The
church was eagerly anticipating the dedication of the new facility in the Fall of 1991, when
their Pastor, Rev. Miller, unexpectedly died. This was a fragile time for the church as they
were in transition and upheaval yet God again proved faithful to provide guidance and wisdom
during this time. On September 22, 1991, the dedication of the new building was held as
scheduled, with Rev. Tim Hartzell, the youth pastor serving as the interim pastor.
God continued to bless the congregation during this time and the church grew in many positive
ways during this time. In 1997, there was a need for more Sunday School meeting space and
room for youth and children’s ministries, so construction began on the wrap-around of the
Family Life Center. Less than two years later, it became clear that the church needed to grow
again to fulfill God’s vision for their future. The motto for the church during this time of
building and continued sacrifice was, “With faith with God we can…the journey continues.”
On March 28, 1999, the groundbreaking for the new sanctuary was held.
On March 26, 2000, the first service in the new sanctuary was held. God once again showed to
Sandy Lake Wesleyan Church what He can do if His people are faithful. The completion of the
new sanctuary allowed the church to realize even greater opportunities to attain a new level
of community impact and outreach. A variety of ministries flourished during this time. One
example of this is that due to increased seating capacity, new sound and lighting equipment,
and greater attendance, the Easter Drama was able to become even more of a community
outreach at this time. Many new people have come to call Sandy Lake Wesleyan Church their
church home since the year 2000 and even more importantly the church has seen
unprecedented conversion growth.
In 1873, ten charter members lit the way, and for many years those that followed have
continued to pass the light. History reveals that the footprints left by each generation led the
way for the next. It is a testimony to God’s faithfulness and His church that today three or
four generations from various families may join together to worship at Sandy Lake Wesleyan. As
we minister to each generation, it is important that we realize the lives we live, the faith we
share, and the decisions we make, will not only impact today but will affect future generations.
Our Mission
Our Values and Practices
Our Beliefs
Our Faith Statements
Our History
Our story as a church begins with the start of the Methodist movement in England by John
Wesley in the mid-1700’s. In 1766, Methodists who emigrated to America began to organize
“societies” or “classes” as a way of forming Methodist fellowship opportunities. In 1784, the
Methodist Episcopal Church was organized and experienced miraculous growth.
Because of strong anti-slavery feelings, various churches broke away from the Methodist
Episcopal Church to form the Wesleyan Methodist Connection of America in 1843. On August
10, 1844, the Sandy Lake “class” and the Greenwood “class” are united as the Wesleyan
Millbrook circuit. Finally, in September of 1854, the Allegheny Annual Conference makes the
decision to hire 2 preachers for what is now called the Sandy Lake Circuit.
On August 12, 1872, a momentous decision is made by this circuit to build a Wesleyan Methodist
meeting house in Sandy Lake that would serve as the church’s first building. These initial
pledges of money represent acts of sacrificial giving that would characterize this church for
generations to come.
On August 15, 1873, the President of the Allegheny Conference received into membership the
first 10 charter members of the Wesleyan Methodist Church of Sandy Lake. The following
words are taken from his statement read at the reception of these members, “People desiring
to spread scriptural holiness and to unite as a religious society on Gospel principles for the
maintenance of Christian fellowship and worship…are hereby recognized as the “Wesleyan
Methodist Church of Sandy Lake.”
This first church built during 1872-1873 was situated on Walnut Street, Sandy Lake, and served
as a place of worship for more than 80 years. It witnessed the transition from oil light to gas
light to electricity from substantial hitching posts to horse sheds to parking spaces for
automobiles.
As the years went by, many repairs became necessary, and the space for Sunday School classes
was inadequate. During the pastorate of Rev. Charles C. Cross, 1937-1944, a new church was
envisioned and a building fund was started. Due to World War II, hard times economically, and
the departure of many of the young men from the congregation, little progress was made on
the building fund during this time. Plans were revived and the building fund grew under the
pastorate of Rev. Joseph Markey, during 1944-1953. Ground was broken for the new building on
August 11, 1952 on a lot of land on Franklin Road, Sandy Lake that had been donated to the
church. The cornerstone was laid on July 11, 1953, and the decision was made that “no
memorials to any humans are to be erected, all the glory is to go to God.” The new church
was dedicated on May 16, 1954.
In 1968, the Wesleyan Methodist Church of America and the Pilgrim Holiness Church merged to
form the Wesleyan Church. This changed some of the denominational structure surrounding
the church, but our church itself continued on much the same course. Due to continued
growth at Sandy Lake Wesleyan Church, the need for additional Sunday School classrooms
became apparent. In 1970, the basement of the church was remodeled to make room for
expanded ministry opportunities.
On May 20, 1973, Centennial Services were held to celebrate the important milestone in the
history of Sandy Lake Wesleyan Church. The following is an excerpt from a statement read at
the celebration, “During the past one hundred years, the Lord has given us men and women of
intense faith to provide for building and carrying on his work in this church. For these men
and women of faith, we are today eternally grateful."
As a step of faith, the church made a historic decision in 1980, to hire their first full-time youth
pastor and in doing so became the first church in the area to provide comprehensive youth
ministry. Children and Youth have always been a priority for this congregation and God has
continued to bless the sacrifices made then by allowing us to be a place that provides life-
changing ministry to the children and youth of our community.
In 1982 and 1983, there was a growing frustration with the lack of consensus and vision about
the future of ministry and evangelism at Sandy Lake Wesleyan Church. This was a difficult and
challenging time in our church history. Events during this time period led to the creation of a
new congregation, Countryside Evangelical Congregational Church. This was a painful process
and the church would find that many of the same issues arose again with a different outcome.
Just a few years later, many members of the church voted to build the new Sandy Lake
Wesleyan Church building, while others remained in the old building, which became the
Christian Missionary Alliance Church in Sandy Lake. Through it all it has been clear that God
continues to challenge our congregation to be willing to do whatever it takes to fulfill the
Great Commission.
During the mid-1980’s, growth and attendance fluctuated quite a bit and it again became
apparent to the church that to grow and meet the needs of those they were called to minister
to, they must expand their facility. In 1988, Reverend Miller initiated the Strategic Planning
Process for Growth which more clearly painted the picture of what the church needed to do
in preparation for what God was planning for the future of Sandy Lake Wesleyan Church. This
period in the church’s history found the church united in a real commitment to discern God’s
will – “With faith with God we can.”
As a result of the Strategic Planning Process, in 1989, plans were drawn up for a fellowship hall
and Sunday School rooms; however, zoning laws prevented these options from being explored
further at the Franklin Road church building. After much prayer and painful discussion, God
led the church to buy eighteen acres on the Sandy Lake – Grove City Road…a new vision is
born!! Easter of 1990 found the church celebrating the risen Savior with the first service on
the new property.
From 1989 to 1991, the church members lived out the phrase, “Not equal giving, but equal
sacrifice.” The church rallied together to see through the construction of the new church,
which at that time consisted of the current Family Life Center and the Children’s wing. The
church was eagerly anticipating the dedication of the new facility in the Fall of 1991, when
their Pastor, Rev. Miller, unexpectedly died. This was a fragile time for the church as they
were in transition and upheaval yet God again proved faithful to provide guidance and wisdom
during this time. On September 22, 1991, the dedication of the new building was held as
scheduled, with Rev. Tim Hartzell, the youth pastor serving as the interim pastor.
God continued to bless the congregation during this time and the church grew in many positive
ways during this time. In 1997, there was a need for more Sunday School meeting space and
room for youth and children’s ministries, so construction began on the wrap-around of the
Family Life Center. Less than two years later, it became clear that the church needed to grow
again to fulfill God’s vision for their future. The motto for the church during this time of
building and continued sacrifice was, “With faith with God we can…the journey continues.”
On March 28, 1999, the groundbreaking for the new sanctuary was held.
On March 26, 2000, the first service in the new sanctuary was held. God once again showed to
Sandy Lake Wesleyan Church what He can do if His people are faithful. The completion of the
new sanctuary allowed the church to realize even greater opportunities to attain a new level
of community impact and outreach. A variety of ministries flourished during this time. One
example of this is that due to increased seating capacity, new sound and lighting equipment,
and greater attendance, the Easter Drama was able to become even more of a community
outreach at this time. Many new people have come to call Sandy Lake Wesleyan Church their
church home since the year 2000 and even more importantly the church has seen
unprecedented conversion growth.
In 1873, ten charter members lit the way, and for many years those that followed have
continued to pass the light. History reveals that the footprints left by each generation led the
way for the next. It is a testimony to God’s faithfulness and His church that today three or
four generations from various families may join together to worship at Sandy Lake Wesleyan. As
we minister to each generation, it is important that we realize the lives we live, the faith we
share, and the decisions we make, will not only impact today but will affect future generations.
Our Mission
Our Values and Practices
Our Beliefs
Our Faith Statements
Our History
| (724) 376-2233 3096 Sandy Lake-Grove City Road, PO Box 275 Sandy Lake, PA 16145 |