Welcome to Tyrone Presbyterian Church
We would like to Welcome you to Tyrone Presbyterian Church. Here at the Church we offer programs outside of Sunday worship services to youth through our Boy Scout Troop and to men ages 12+ through our Dart Ball Team.
We also provide members and guests the opportunity to serve God through Outreach Ministries. As we are told in Leviticus 27:30 NIV “A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD.”. It is by this that we make it a mission of the Church to tithe, in the name of the LORD, the blessings that he has bestowed upon our Church to his children in need in an ever-continuing effort to grow the Kingdom of God.
We would encourage you to reach out to us to find out more about ways you can get involved with the ministry here at Tyrone Presbyterian Church. We can be contacted HERE.
The Tyrone Presbyterian Church was organized in 1774 by Rev. James Powers, one of the early circuit riders and the first Presbyterian minister to settle west of the Allegheny Mountains. Tradition says that the service was held under the “tent” formed by the branches of a large tree. However, the congregation had been worshiping under the trees as early as 1772 or even before. The first congregation was made up of descendants of Scotch-Irish Presbyterians who had left Ireland and emigrated to the New World looking for religious freedom and a new life. They
settled in eastern Pennsylvania because of her fertile valleys and Quaker policy of religious tolerance. In 1770 a number of these families crossed the Alleghenies to take up claims in this area. The farms of a number of these joined each other and this fact determined the site of not only the house of worship but the very existence of Tyrone Church. This sanctuary, dedicated May 4, 1873, is the fourth to be erected on this site. The lot containing two acres is part of a tract for which John Stewart took out a patent, dated October 3, 1787, under the significant title, “Pleasant Garden”.
The first two churches Were log cabin meeting houses and the third was a brick building which stood only nineteen years. It was demolished after the foundation cracked and was replaced by this one at a cost of $4,000; $3,500 plus the old building that was valued at $500. When the church was built, $200 was spent on furniture and “other things”.
The architecture of this church is typical of rural churches built in this period. The pews are the original ones. Notice the divider down the center. In by-gone days it was the custom for the men and boys to sit on the right of the divider and women, girls, and small children on the left.
Some changes have been made in the interior. The chancel was formerly much smaller with the “Amen” comer on the right. Until 1921 the only heat came from two pot belly stoves in the front of the church. When electricity was installed in 1930 (cost $80) the old oil lamp chandeliers were left to be destroyed as were so many other things, before we came to appreciate our heritage. Work on the basement was started in 1948 and was done with mostly volunteer labor. A stairway was added in the back. The new porch was built in the early 1970’s.
As time and the needs of the congregation evolved, changes have been made to the building. All the woodwork in the sanctuary was stripped and refinished; new chandeliers, ceiling fans, and sound system were installed. Insulation and storm windows were added; a new furnace (twice); the basement, kitchen and restrooms remodeled. A church sign was placed at the comer of Jimtown Road and Route 819. It has since been replaced in 2011. The parking lot was paved and
since repaved. A handicap ramp was built along with an outdoor pavilion. The bricks of the building were repointed in 2005. Inside an additional stairway with a chair lift was added, and a wooden cross was made and hung on the front wall of the sanctuary. A bell tower and chimes were added in 2011.
The old Tyrone one room schoolhouse was given to the church by the Jim Brown family in 1998. The building is used by our Boy Scout Troop, Men’s Dartball Team, and for storage. In 2022 we started the renovation of the Tryone Schoolhouse by replacing three windows on the weather side of the building. Then in 2023 a lot of work was completed with two more windows being replaced, the addition of gutters, the repair of the sidewalk, and the repointing of the weathered side of the building. Additional restoration efforts are planned for the future of this schoolhouse.
It is easy to see the physical changes of our church, but not as easily seen are the spiritual. Of great significance was the decision made in 1980. The Pleasant Hills Parish made· up of 6 churches, which included Tyrone, was dissolved. At this point Tyrone decided to go it alone without financial help from the Presbytery. We continue today!
Our men have a team in the area church dartball league, and we have chartered Boy Scout Troop 150 since 2021 and continue to do so today!
For many years we had a live nativity presented outdoors for the local community. The community looks forward to the placement of the nativity scene in a field along 819 near the church. A truly inspiring sight.
Finally, our members participate in the Sunday services which are enhanced by music, banners, paraments and special seasonal services. All provided by our members. Also, there are fellowship dinners, Sunday morning refreshments, family nights and many other times of just getting and working together.
At the top of the list are those who keep the building and grounds nice. There is cleaning, grass mowing, snow removal, keeping appliances working, and the list goes on and on (of which no one is paid).
Tyrone is a tithing church. All monies received are “Tithed” regardless of source or purpose.
Those Scotch-Irish settlers who came to this area and tamed the frontier could not have imagined life as it is today nor the significance of what they were doing when they organized this church. Eternity alone can tell the blessings Tyrone Church has conferred in the past and the influences generated here.
We invite you to sit in the pews and picture in your mind the life of the church and the congregation over the years and enjoy the beauty and serenity of this spot dedicated to the glory of God.
Tyrone Presbyterian Church 