Tucker Methodist Church celebrating 195 anniversary
Tucker United Methodist Church in Burgettstown will be celebrating its 195th anniversary the weekend of Sept. 7.
The altar of Tucker United Methodist Church in Burgettstown
One of the oldest churches in Western Pennsylvania is celebrating its 195th anniversary.
Tucker Methodist Church will hold “Generations of Faith,” a dedication service running Sept. 7 and 8 at the church located at 641 Steubenville Pike in Burgettstown.
Over the last two centuries, there have been 198 pastors who have served the church. The Rev. Kenn Jacobs has been with the church since 2009, but has been a committed member since 1995.
“All I do is teach and spread the word of the gospels and make sure everyone who comes here gets into heaven,” Jacobs said.
The long history of the church dates back before the Revolutionary War. Prior to the church being built in 1824, Methodist meetings were held 40 years prior in the area. After immigrating from Maryland, John Tucker and his second wife, Henrietta, founded the church and held devotions at his home for his family.
Neighbors started to join him for the services, where he was given the name “Father Tucker.” His cabin was later called “Tucker Methodist Station.”
In 1823, Tucker began construction of the church. Since then, the church has been in constant use.
“The stone that the church was built out of was the same stone used to build John’s home,” Jacobs said.
The original wood-and-sod meeting house was burned by American Indians, after Tucker gave an acre of his land for the current stone church. Construction started in 1823 by four Minesinger brothers of Island Creek, Ohio, later finished in 1824. It was $85 to complete the church.
Kibby Chilensky, of Eldersville, has been a member of the church since she was in seventh grade. Chilensky is now the church organist.
“I’ve been going here as long as I can remember,” Chilensky said. “I learned how to play the organ and piano from a woman that used to play in the choir when I was younger.”
Tucker passed away when he was 100 in 1831. His wife followed two years later in 1833, where she was buried with Tucker in Tucker Church Cemetery. Original church members included John and Harrietta Tucker, their son Jonathan Tucker and his wife Margaret.
At 1 p.m., Sept. 7., a service will start by talking about the heritage of the church, followed by a picnic. At 11 a.m., Sept. 8, a dedication service will honor the former ministers with special music performed by several choirs.
Members can purchase ornaments with a picture of the church on it for $20.