FIRST METHODIST CHURCH
This information was donated by Bob Sharpe from a 1922 book by the church

The beginnings of Methodism in Dravosburg in the form of a permanent organization was in the summer of 1899.  However, prior to this time, several attempts had been made to plant a Methodist Church in this community. 

Certain ones, prominent among whom was Brother W.T. Fenton, felt there was a real need for a society of this denomination in the town, and believed the time was opertune for its organization.  The case was brought before the Reverend James Mechem, D.D., Presiding Elder of the Washington District, Pittsburgh Conference.  He immediately took the matter up and sent the Reverend James Williams, of West Elizabeth, to look over the ground and report. 

Upon the recommendation of Dr. Williams, the field was entered and Bishop Charles H. Fowler, presiding over the Annual Conference held in Johnstown, PA, appointed M. Blaine Lytle to take charge of the work.  He preached his first sermon in the German Lutheran Church, before a small congregation on Sunday afternoon, October 8^th.  A few weeks later a permanent organization was effected.  A meeting for this purpose was held on Halloween, October 31, 1899.  The society began its work with 27 charter members. 

In February of the year 1900, a revival of unusual power broke out and almost one hundred souls professed conversion.  Nearly all of these afterward joined the church. 

In the spring of 1900 the congregation, compelled to find a new meeting place, erected and dedicated the “Tabernacle.”  The dedicatory sermon was preached by the Reverend Don S. Colt, D.D., at that time pastor of the North Avenue M.E. Church, Allegheny, PA.  Services were held in this building for two years, until the present edifice was completed in 1902. 

Early in the year 1901, the lots on which the church stands were bought from the George Lysle estate, the heirs, by a generous contribution, making the purchase a possibility.  The contract for the new building was let in June, 1901.  About one year later, on Sunday, June 22^nd, 1902, the church was formally dedicated by Bishop John W. Hamilton, D.D., L.L.D.  From its inception this movement has enjoyed a steady and healthy growth. 

Thus far the church has had ten pastors:  M.B. Lytle having served five years, during which period the church was built an a strong organization established; G.E. Brenerman, four years;  G.M. Dougherty, two years; T.W. Dunkle, one year; W.T. Hartley, one year; J.S. Allison, Jr., four years; S.H. Greenlee, two years; J.W. Garland, two years; C.T. Murdock, one year, and C.W. Oresek is now serving the second year. 

During the pastorate of G.E. Breneman, the pipe organ was installed, and the debt of the church was cancelled when J.S. Allison was pastor.  Improvements and repairs on the church building were made during the pastorates of W.T. Hartley, J.S. Allison, S.H. Greenlee and the present pastor. 

A parsonage was purchased last year for $6,000, nearly half of which is already paid. 

This church fortunately has a strong Ladies’ Aid Society, which has always secured a large portion of the necessary funds.  Improvements and repairs done last year at a value of nearly $2,000 have all been secured and paid by this organization, except the exterior painting which was donated by the National Tube Co., whose courtesy we appreciate very much. 

THE HAMILTON HOME FOR THE AGED

This institution is the property of the Pittsburgh Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was established at Dravosburg, PA in 1910.  The Reverend T.N. Eaton was its first superintendent.  He died in 1912.  The Reverend W.T. Hartley succeeded him.  In 1915 the Reverend D.L. Johnson, Ph. D., took charge of the Home, and is still serving with singular success.  The relationship between the church and the Home is one of mutual blessing.

This is the tabernacle which served as a meeting place  until the church was finished in 1902.
 It was at the corner of Third and Euclid across from the church site.

This church building at Third and Euclid stood from 1902 
until the new building was built on Maple Avenue.
 After being abandoned as a church, it was briefly a restaurant.

Interior of the Methodist Church

This is the Hamilton Home for the Aged, later; the Queen Esther Home for boys located on Maple Avenue. The new Methodist Church stands here today. Lots of local boys played ball on the lawn after the home was closed. It later became a Penn State Extension, then burned down in the 1960’s

Here is a list of members and officials from the 1922 booklet:

Dr. A.H. Aber, Mrs. A.H. Aber, Dr. Howard Aber, C.N. Adams, Ida M. Allen, Grace Allen, J.R. Allen, Edward Ashman, Mrs. Edward Ashman, Lyda Ashman, Ruth Ashman, Thomas Ball, Mrs. Thomas Ball,  Sara Ball, Bertha Ball, Arthur Ball, Albert Ball, Adam Best, Mrs. Adam Best, Elizabeth Best, Guenn Best, Lottie Berger, Robert Bell, Mrs. Robert Bell, Emma Bell, Margaret Bell, Donald Bell, John Bottles, Mrs. Gladys Burbridge, H.L. Blackburn, Mrs. H.L. Blackburn, Elizabeth Bryant, Emma Beardshall, Mrs. Mary Charles, Eva Charles, Edith Charles, W.H. Cosgrove, Mrs. Ellen Davis, Marie A. Davis, George Dunlap, Mrs. George Dunlap, J.J. Derrick, Mrs. J.J. Derrick, Annie Derrick, W.T. Fenton, R.M. Feichtner, John Feichtner, John Feltges, Katherine Forsythe, Mrs. Mary E. Foster, Rhoda Gilbert, James Grimm, Mrs. James Grimm, W.L. Grimm, W.L. Grimm, Mrs. Dora Gee, Katherine Gray, Christina Gray, Sara Gray, May Gumbert, C.K. Gumbert, Allen Gumbert, Charles Gumbert, John Gumbert, Mary M. Hamilton, Elsie Hamilton, Mrs. Minnie Hayden, Mrs. James Henderson, Harold V. Henderson, Elizabeth Henderson, Allen Hill, Bertha Hill, Anna Harrison, Marion Hagan, Hazal Hagan, Sara Hughes, Mrs. Elizabeth R. Huffman, Dr. S.O. Huffman, Margaret Hurl, C.S. Ivey, Sarah Ivey, Jane Ivey, Mrs. D.L. Johnson, J.B. Johnston, Mrs. J.B. Johnston, William N. King, Walter C. King, Mrs. Walter C. King, M.M. Kirkland, Mrs. Ward Kelp, F.M. Lichliter, Mrs. F.M. Lichliter, Mrs. Margaret Lewis, W.J. Meadwell, Mrs. W.J. Meadwell, John Marton, Beryl Marton, Mrs. B.V. Marton, William Marton, Mrs. Emma Marton, Ester Martin, Elizabeth Martin, Mrs. Alice Martin, R.H. Maxwell, Mrs. R.H. Maxwell, Mrs. Harriet McGowan, Mrs. Rebecca McGowan, Mrs. Sarah McGee, Charles McGee,  Mrs. Ruth Mulholland, Jacob Myers, Mrs. W.D. Marsh, Mildred Marsh, Edna Marsh, C.R. McClees, Mrs. C.R. McClees, Mrs. W.C. Nill, John Neeley, Mrs. John Neeley, John S. Ord, Mrs. John S. Ord, Ralph Ord, Frank Ord, John Oresek, W.D. Packard, Floyd Packard, Earl Packard, Katherine Packard, Ada Parr, J.L. Rogerson, Mrs. J.L. Rogerson, H.A. Roberts, Mrs. H.A. Roberts, L.A. Ross, Mrs. L.A. Ross, C.N. Roderick, Elmer Richardson, Margaret Richardson, Emma Richardson, Sara C. Richardson, Freemont Ringler, Mrs. Freemont Ringler, H.A. Ringler, Allen Ringler, Katherine Ringler, Elizabeth Ringler, Minola Ringler, Amanda B. Robinson, C.N. Stoops, Mrs. C.N. Stoops, Mrs. Harvey Stoops, Mrs. Sara Schuch, Mrs. J.H.W. Simpson, Ida J. Simpson, Elizabeth Stone,  Mrs. Lillian Stanley, J. Wallice Smith, Charles Smith, Hannah J. Smith, Mary Emily Smith, Stella Smith, Dorothy Smith, Carrie Smith, George W. Smith, Mrs. George W. Smith, Fremont Thomas, Mrs. Fremont Thomas, Fremont Thomas, Jr., M.R. Virden, Mrs. Marie Walker, David E. Woozeley, Mary Woozeley, R.T. Williams, Mrs. R.T. Williams, Winifred Williams, Edward Watson, Mrs. Edward Watson, Louis Watson, Mrs. Katherine Way, Mrs. C.H. Wisser, Mrs. Jane Wilsoncroft, Hattie White, Mrs. May Wolfe, Mrs. George Wild, J.J. Worthington, Mrs. J.J.Worthington, Mrs. Harvey Young, Anna Young, Elmer Young,

LADIES' AID SOCIETY
Mrs. M.R. Virden, President
Mrs. D.L. Schuch, Vice President
Mrs. J.A. Allison, Second Vice President
Mrs. J.L. Rogerson, Secretary
Mrs. C.N. Stoops, Treasurer
Meeting first Tuesday in each month

WOMEN'S FOREIGN MISSIONARY SOCIETY
Mrs. D.E. Woozley, President
Mrs. D.L. Johnson, Vice President
Mrs. J.A. Allison, Second Vice President
Mrs. Harriet McGowan, Secretary
Mrs. Alice Martin, Corresponding Secretary
Mrs. M.R. Virden, Treasurer
Meeting last Friday in each month

MEN'S LEAGUE
C.N. Stoops, President
R.M. Feichtner, Vice President
J.D. Feltges, Secretary
George W. Smith, Treasurer
Meeting third Tuesday in each month

MUSIC COMMITTEE
W.T. Fenton  Thomas Ball  M.R. Virden  R.M. Feichtner

COMMITTEE ON CHURCH RECORDS
R.M. Feichtner  H.V. Henderson  George W. Smith

PROPERTY COMMITTEE
Mrs. J. L. Rogerson, Chairman
R.T. Williams   R.M. Feichtner