The Churches of Pittston: A Testament to the City’s Faith

By: Briana Scorey and Gaetano Buonsante

     The Greater Pittston Area has been home to many churches, each rich in history and diversity, since its earliest conception. In the nineteenth century, many European immigrants came to Pittston seeking new lives of freedom and opportunity, and the promising job prospects of the coal industry in the Wyoming Valley lured people of all backgrounds to the area, including Italians, Irish, Poles, Germans, Jews, and others. Individuals brought their many different cultures with them as they flooded into the same city, and thus ethnically and religiously diverse churches began to form and sought to preserve their traditions for the years to come. As preachers arrived and spread their religious ideas to the Wyoming Valley, Pittston became home to some of the region’s earliest churches. Two of the oldest and most important churches, the First Baptist Church and Saint John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, are still standing today, continuing the missions of their founders. Exploring the histories of these churches will allow us to better understand the central role that religion has played in Pittston’s past and how it will continue to function into the future.

Saint John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church

Photograph of the front of Saint John the Evangelist Church, July 2016. Courtesy of Briana Scorey.

Photograph of the front of Saint John the Evangelist Church, July 2016. Courtesy of Briana Scorey.

     In a city with as much religious diversity and prominence as Pittston, there is an astounding number of churches that have played central roles in forming the region’s history. In order to understand the impact of this faith, particularly that of the Catholic faith, one can turn to the exemplary model of Saint John the Evangelist Church. Like the many other embodiments of Catholicism in Pittston, Saint John the Evangelist Parish on William Street has a long and intricate history, and its story reaches back to 1854. The church received its now iconic designation as the “jewel of the diocese” by Bishop O’Hara, the first bishop of Scranton, at the church’s dedication in April 1893 when he proclaimed, “We now have many beautiful churches in the diocese, but I must say this grand church is a jewel.”[1] It has witnessed more than 160 years of history, constructed two church buildings, followed the guidance of 14 priests, and founded a school as it has grown and transformed along with the city’s and the Catholic Church’s history.

     This historic parish has its roots in the 1840s, when Catholic priests began to visit homes in the Wyoming Valley and establish a community of the faithful.[2] However, the parish of Saint John the Evangelist would not come into existence until the hard work of Father John P. O’Shaughnessy. As the first priest of Saint John the Evangelist parish, he purchased a plot of land on William Street and began the process of fundraising for and ordering the construction of the parish’s first church in 1854.[3] That same year during the construction of a physical center of worship, Bishop John Neuman of Philadelphia formally established Saint John the Evangelist Parish, providing the Catholic Church’s blessing that the church would be an official spiritual home for Catholics in Pittston.[4] At this time, Catholic churches in the Wyoming Valley still belonged to the Philadelphia Diocese, and as a diocese it served the function of uniting local churches under the direction of a bishop. It was not until 14 years after the founding of Saint John the Evangelist parish that its current home, the Diocese of Scranton, came into being.[5] This church, with its deep historical roots, has influenced Pittston through its significant contributions to the community, seen in its promotion of Catholic education, its preservation of its historic church, and its focus on unifying the community through shared goals and activities.

     Saint John the Evangelist church has pursued the mission of its faith primarily through its contributions to Catholic education in Pittston. In 1863, Father John Finnen, an Irish immigrant and the parish’s beloved third priest, purchased a brick building next to the church and converted it into a school and a convent to house the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (who ran the school).[6] The school opened in September 1864 as Saint John’s Academy, “a select school for boys and girls, up to the age of 14 years,” and the monthly tuition cost was set at one dollar per student to encourage the poor miners and laborers of the area to provide their children with a Catholic education.[7] Funding improvements to the school and convent became a community affair, and church members came together to organize events such as the Fourth of July picnic held in 1867, and the Christmas Fair held in 1873.[8]

     In order to expand the opportunity for Catholic education in the Greater Pittston Area, Father Finnen sought to create a free parochial school to serve the area’s families. After fundraising and construction, the old Saint John’s Academy was closed, and the new Saint John’s High School opened at 21 Church Street on September 5, 1899.[9] Over the subsequent seven decades, Saint John the Evangelist High School taught thousands of Pittston’s youth and garnered an excellent academic reputation. In the first twenty years of service, the school became so popular that it was necessary to expand to avoid turning students away. A new building for Saint John’s High School was erected under Father Peter C. Winters, and the new home for the school opened on September 5, 1922.[10] Saint John’s continued to promote the values of Catholic education for decades to come.

     Then, in 1976, Bishop J. Carroll McCormick announced that Saint John the Evangelist High School would be designated as a central Catholic high school to administer a Catholic education to the members of 24 parishes in the Greater Pittston Area.[11] The building was renamed Seton Catholic High School, after Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton. Commenting on the change, Bishop McCormick noted:

It is extremely important that all of us, bishops, priests, sisters, and faithful, do what we can to keep Catholic education available to as many children as possible. . . Other schools may provide a fine secular education. Catholic schools, however, while still providing a fine secular education, teach their students what they should know about the existence of God, about His Church, and about His way to eternal salvation.[12]

Photograph of Saint John's taken April 17, 2000. Courtesy of the Diocese of Scranton.

Photograph of Saint John’s taken April 17, 2000. Courtesy of the Diocese of Scranton.

     Aside from its contribution to public education, Saint John the Evangelist has left its mark on Pittston through its magnificent church. By 1889, it became obvious to the members of the parish that they were quickly outgrowing the original wooden structure that had served as their church since the 1850s, and were in dire need of a new one. On September 17, 1889, the parish witnessed the laying of the cornerstone of the present church, “marking the beginning of one of the most attractive edifices and architectural attractions in Wyoming Valley.”[13] Though the project initially cost around $150,000 in 1889, with the guidance of then head-priest Father Finnen, the church remained debt-free from the moment it was dedicated in April of 1893.[14] This financially-stable start for the church was thanks to the fundraising efforts of its parishioners, a “remarkable testimony to the faith and charity of the parishioners at the time, most of them either Irish immigrants or their offspring.”[15] The architectural wonder that still stands to this day is composed of Trenton stone with Indiana limestone trimming, and its magnificent twin spires and gilded crosses are visible across the city.[16] 

     As this story suggests, a key component of the continued success of Saint John the Evangelist has been its community. In addition to the fundraising efforts for construction and renovations of the school and the church building, the church community has also engaged in a number of unifying activities as a parish. For example, when Saint John’s High School experienced significant damage from a fire in February of 1960, Saint John’s Church held a High Mass of Thanksgiving to join together and give thanks that no lives were lost to the devastating fire.[17] Rather than allow the destruction to discourage them, the parish proceeded to completely rebuild the damaged school with an addition and construct a new youth center.[18] Then, in 1969, a number of parishioners at Saint John’s took up the work of restoring the church’s splendid 3-manual Kilgen pipe organ that had spent many years out of use, and by September of that year, the organ was sounding throughout the church once again.[19] Events like these, along with the bazaars, religious societies, and weekly celebration of the Mass, create a special sense of spiritual unity in the parish community of Saint John the Evangelist.

     Saint John the Evangelist Church has proven through its history that it is a longstanding testament to the faith of the Catholic people of Pittston. Observing Saint John’s alongside the city’s other magnificent churches of all denominations, it is evident that faith has remained a central facet of life for Pittston residents. Saint John the Evangelist has played its part in this religious narrative through its encouragement of Catholic education, its dedication to maintaining a glorious church building, and its engagement as a community. The faith of the Pittston community has stood strong through the historical test of time along with the pressures of war, economic hardship, and political change. This is evident when one examines the history of Saint John the Evangelist Church, a powerful example of the physical and spiritual prominence of religion in Pittston. If its past is any indication of its future, Saint John the Evangelist will continue to flourish for years to come.

First Baptist Church

Side view of First Baptist Church. 1960's. Staff photographer of the Sunday Dispatch. Courtesy of the Greater Pittston Historical Society.

Side view of First Baptist Church taken in the 1960’s by a staff photographer of the Sunday Dispatch. Courtesy of the Greater Pittston Historical Society.

    The history of the First Baptist Church dates back to 1769, when a pastor named Gray moved to the area now known as Kingston, Pennsylvania. Gray’s gospel was the first recorded account of preaching in the Wyoming Valley. Following Gray, Reverend Eleazer West, a resident of the Wyoming Valley, began working with Reverend James Benedict of Warwick, New York, to organize a small church. In 1776, when the United States won independence, this small church officially opened as the First Baptist Church of Pittston.[20] Like the country it was located in, the First Baptist Church had much to learn before it could grow and prosper in the coming years. The services were originally held in a home at 117 Parsonage Street in Pittston.[21] 240 years later, the church continues to thrive as one of the most prominent Baptist churches in the Wyoming Valley.

     Created at the outset of the Revolutionary War, the First Baptist Church was born amidst struggle in the Wyoming Valley.  Just two years after its creation, the church faced a major challenge when several of its followers were killed in the Wyoming Massacre in 1778.[22] With the deaths of their fellow parishioners, the church community had to overcome their political differences to help each other cope with the loss of their beloved family and friends. The impact of this event on the parish tested the congregation’s unity. The church was able to overcome this difficulty and, in 1785, Reverend James Finn moved from Wantage, New Jersey, to take over the church. Under Rev. Finn’s leadership, the church flourished. In 1787, the First Baptist Church united with the Philadelphia Association, an organization consisting of many Baptist churches in Pennsylvania and surrounding states that met annually to discuss major concerns of the Baptist church in the community. Unlike many other religious denominations, there is no hierarchy in the Baptist religion. Instead, Baptist churches may choose to remain part of an association to assist in growing its membership and expanding on different ideas for preaching. By 1792, the last year of Rev. Finn’s pastorate, the size of the church had grown from 32 members to 134 members.[23] This monumental growth within the church serves as a testament to Rev. Finn’s excellent leadership as pastor of the First Baptist Church. As the country moved away from the many tensions that were caused by American Independence, people began to unite as a stronger community, many finding solidarity within the First Baptist Church.

     In 1806, the church decided to leave its place in the Philadelphia Association, and instead join the Abington First Baptist Church in Waverly, PA, in the Abington Association. Over the next several years, church membership grew for all of the churches within this Association. One of the Association’s annual meetings was hosted by the First Baptist Church, bringing more publicity for the church as many Baptists visited the church from various parts of the county.  In August of 1812, the church held its 5th annual meeting of the Abington Association, and, the same year, Rev. Bishop, who in 1804 was moved to the How Baptist Church in New Jersey, returned to Pittston as pastor of the First Baptist Church, where he remained for the last four years of his life.[24]

     After being a part of the Abington Association for 27 years, in 1833 the First Baptist Church was reorganized as an independent organization, as decided by a council under Reverend Charles Brown. During the 1830’s, the church moved to 555 North Main Street, into a building known as a “Little Red School House.”[25] The church then became associated with the Bridgewater Association, in Beaver County, PA. However, it soon broke away from this organization upon Rev. Brown’s reassignment to another church in 1834. Reverend William K. Mott then became pastor of the church, bringing a friendly sense of community to Pittston and the surrounding area, as evident through the active role he took within the community.[26] Rev. Mott assisted with services in churches across Pennsylvania and New York, including those in Hyde Park, Providence, Blakely, and Green Ridge. In just two years, he visited every family – nearly 2,000 people – between Pittston and Blakely, PA, which lies north of Scranton. Approximately half way through his pastorate, the First Baptist Church became affiliated with the Wyoming Association. Seven years later, in 1849, Rev. Mott retired from the parish.[27]

Bicentenial Photo of the First Baptist Church taken by a staff photographer of the Citizen's Voice in 1976.

Bicentennial Photo of the First Baptist Church taken by a staff photographer of the Citizen’s Voice in 1976.

     In 1851, a well-known, wealthy member of the parish, Dr. Nathaniel Giddings, left the church a large sum of money. This money, along with donations from the Pennsylvania Coal Company, Deacon E.A. Coray, and the congregation, was used to purchase a building on Water Street for the First Baptist Church.[28] That building is still being used for the parish today. The church began construction in 1864, and on June 27th, 1867, the dedication services were held. Rev. Thomas Armitage DD, pastor of the Fifth Avenue Baptist church in New York City, and Reverend J. Harvard Castle, DD, of Philadelphia, gave the first sermons in the newly-built church, and former pastor Rev. William K. Mott offered the dedicatory prayer. Between 1864 and 1868, one year after construction was completed, church membership nearly tripled, growing from 53 to 150 members. Though membership fluctuated throughout its history, the church would remain the largest church in the Wyoming Association for the next twenty-five years.[29]

     By 1870, the church’s new pastor, Reverend B.D. Thomas, was not only preaching at the First Baptist Church, but he was also writing sermons for publication in the Pittston Gazette. This provided him a space to rehearse his sermons and to further publicize the church’s outreach programs through these eloquent editorials. The Pittston Gazette even wrote in one of its articles that Rev. Thomas “is deemed possessed of one of the richest literary minds in the country.”[30] In 1876, the church held its Grand Centennial concert and supper, celebrating 100 years in the Wyoming Valley.[31]  Not long after, in 1892, the church spent $6,600 on completing improvements to the building, a sum equivalent to approximately $166,800 in 2016.[32] Twenty-five years later, in 1907, Rev. Jonathan O’Neil oversaw the redecoration of the church, with new memorial windows put in both the auditorium and the basement. Famed steel baron Andrew Carnegie then donated a large Estey pipe-organ to the church, which was first used for Rev. O’Neil’s funeral in 1912. The church continued to implement improvements to the building in 1915, when a piano was installed in the main Sunday school room and the Ladies’ Aid spent $845, or today’s equivalent of about $20,000, for carpet in the auditorium and Bible school rooms.[33]

     Although the church would continue to flourish, in 1921 the parishioners suffered a great loss. Reverend Allen J. Morton, “one of the most prominent Baptist clergymen in Northeast Pennsylvania,” passed away.[34] After overcoming this difficult time for the parish community, the church continued to undergo many improvements. Between 1922 and 1924, the old tower was replaced by a beautiful Gothic window, the Bible school room was repainted, and the auditorium was redecorated. Despite making these many improvements to the church, the parish was able to maintain a balanced budget, leaving the church property completely debt-free.[35]

Front view of First Baptist Church taken on June 30, 2016. Courtesy of Gaetano Buonsante.

Front view of First Baptist Church, taken June 30, 2016. Courtesy of Gaetano Buonsante.

     The years following the church’s Sesquicentennial of 1927 saw both increased church membership and several pastors who took innovative approaches to further the church’s mission to strengthen the parishioners’ faith. After existing for over 150 years in Pittston, the First Baptist Church witnessed a very prosperous year in which 30 new members were baptized into the church.[36] The church continued to hold semi-annual mission meetings for the Wyoming Baptist Church under pastor Reverend W. E. Capper.[37] The late 1950s and early 1960s saw the church beginning to create more events to attract families with younger children to attend services. For example, children’s day, youth fellowships, and special events like church bowling matches were used to keep the youth in the community interested in church events.[38] The First Baptist Church also continued to hold outreach events for the local community, such as community picnics and church trips.[39]

     Today, the parish continues to focus on expanding the faith of the community under the leadership of Reverend James H. Breese. At the center of the church’s mission is the importance of fellowship, attention to church teachings, and a commitment to growing faith.[40] Services are celebrated weekly with lively music, and a community Bible study is held every Wednesday. The First Baptist Church has been able to succeed in creating an atmosphere where parishioners can enjoy attending services on a weekly basis.

     The First Baptist Church has achieved much success since its beginning 240 years ago. From holding services in a home on Parsonage Street to building a magnificent church, which is still standing today, the church continues to fulfill the mission that Gray hoped to accomplish when he came to Pittston in 1769. As a testament to its success, the church has gone from serving just twelve members to having over 400 members at its height. Today, the First Baptist Church continues to pursue its mission to greet everyone who enters the church with a friendly welcome.


[1] “‘The Jewel of the Diocese,’” Pittston Gazette, April 21, 1893.

[2] “St. John the Evangelist Set for 150th Anniversary,” Catholic Light, October 2004.

[3] Richard Cosgrove, “St. John the Evangelist Church: The Jewel of the Diocese,” Times, April 28, 2002.

[4] “Bishop to Bless Renovated Church,” Catholic Light, December 9, 1982.

[5] “St. John’s, Pittston, to Observe 125th Anniversary,” Catholic Light, April 17, 1980.

[6] “Centennial of St. John’s Parish, Pittston, Recalls Earliest Days of Scranton Diocese,”  Catholic Light, October 7, 1954.

[7] Charles A. McCarthy, “History of Parochial School Education In Pittston City,” Sunday

Dispatch, March 8, 1959.

[8] Charles A. McCarthy, “History of Parochial School Education In Pittston City: Chapter II,” Sunday Dispatch, March 15, 1959.

[9] Charles A. McCarthy, “History of Parochial School Education In Pittston City: Chapter III,” Sunday Dispatch, March 22, 1959.

[10] Charles A. McCarthy, “History of Parochial School Education In Pittston City: Chapter VII,” Sunday Dispatch, April 19, 1959.

[11] “Bishop Establishes New Seton Catholic High School Involving 24-Parish Jointure in Greater Pittston Area,” Catholic Light, July 1, 1976.

[12] “Students Of 24 Greater Pittston Parishes Will Be Served By Seton Central Catholic High School,” Sunday Dispatch, June 27, 1976.

[13] Richard Cosgrove, “St. John the Evangelist Church: The Jewel of the Diocese,” Times, April 28, 2002.

[14] Ibid.

[15] Ibid.

[16] “St. John’s Church, Pittston, Marks Centennial,” Catholic Light, September 7, 1989.

[17] “St. John’s Students To Attend Mass Of Thanksgiving Tuesday,” Sunday Dispatch, February 22, 1960.

[18] “Additions At St. John’s School To Be Blessed,” Catholic Light, November 2, 1961.

[19] “‘The Pipes’ Will Play Again At St. John’s, Pittston,” Catholic Light, October 29, 1970.

[20] “Historical Sketch of Baptist Church, Organized in 1776,” Pittston Gazette, January 22, 1927.

[21] First Baptist Church of Pittston, “History: Then, Now, & Forever,” accessed July 13, 2016, http://www.fbcpittston.com/#!about_us/c55t.

[22] “Historical Sketch of Baptist Church, Organized in 1776,” Pittston Gazette, January 22, 1927.

[23] “Historical Sketch of Baptist Church,” Pittston Gazette, January 22, 1927.

[24]  “Historical Sketch of Baptist Church, Organized in 1776,” Pittston Gazette, January 22, 1927.

[25] “History: Then, Now & Forever,” First Baptist Church Pittston, accessed July 13, 2016,  http://www.fbcpittston.com/#!about_us/c55t.

[26] “Historical Sketch of Baptist Church, Organized in 1776,” Pittston Gazette, January 22, 1927.

[27] Ibid.

[28] Ibid.

[29] Ibid.

[30] “The Pittston Vidette,” Pittston Gazette, July 7, 1870.

[31] “Little Locals,” The Luzerne Leader, January 16, 1876.

[32] “Historical Sketch of Baptist Church, Organized in 1776, ” Pittston Gazette, January 22, 1927.

[33] Ibid.

[34] “Beloved Women at Rest,” Pittston Gazette, March 4, 1921.

[35]  “Historical Sketch of Baptist Church, Organized in 1776,” Pittston Gazette, January 22, 1927.

[36] “Prosperous Year Reported in First Baptist Church,” Pittston Gazette, April 8, 1927.

[37] “Mission Plea is Made of Baptists At Sessions Here,” Times Leader, The Evening News, October, 28, 1939.

[38] “Children’s Day Service Sunday” and “Baptist Church Notes,” Pittston Gazette, November 30, 1961.

[39] First Baptist Church Pittston PA. “Bring Them In. First Baptist Pittston PA Style. Picnic and Tip slides,” Youtube Video, 4:39, posted June 26, 2016, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Biwj71zkbY.

[40] First Baptist Church Pittston, accessed July 13, 2016, http://www.fbcpittston.com/#!about_us/c55t.


References

“Additions At St. John’s School To Be Blessed.” Catholic Light, November 2, 1961.

“Baptist Church Notes.” Pittston Gazette, November 30, 1961.

“Beloved Women at Rest.” Pittston Gazette, March 4, 1921.

“Bishop Establishes New Seton Catholic High School Involving 24-Parish Jointure in Greater Pittston Area.” Catholic Light, July 1, 1976.

“Bishop to Bless Renovated Church.” Catholic Light, December 9, 1982.

“Centennial of St. John’s Parish, Pittston, Recalls Earliest Days of Scranton Diocese.” Catholic Light, October 7, 1954.

“Children’s Day Service Sunday.” Pittston Gazette, November 30, 1961.

Cosgrove, Richard. “St. John the Evangelist Church: The Jewel of the Diocese.” Times, April 28, 2002.

First Baptist Church Pittston PA. “Bring Them In. First Baptist Pittston PA syle. Picnic and Tip slides.” Youtube Video, 4:39. Posted June 26, 2016. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Biwj71zkbY.

“Historical Sketch of Baptist Church Organized in 1776.” Pittston Gazette, May 11, 1927.

“History: Then, Now & Forever.” Accessed July 13, 2016. http://www.fbcpittston.com/#!about_us/c55t.

“Little Locals.” The Luzerne Leader, November 16, 1876.

McCarthy, Charles A. “History of Parochial School Education In Pittston City.” Sunday Dispatch, March 8, 1959.

McCarthy, Charles A. “History of Parochial School Education In Pittston City: Chapter II.” Sunday Dispatch, March 15, 1959.

McCarthy, Charles A. “History of Parochial School Education In Pittston City: Chapter III.” Sunday Dispatch, March 22, 1959.

McCarthy, Charles A. “History of Parochial School Education In Pittston City: Chapter VII.” Sunday Dispatch, April 19, 1959.

“Mission Plea is Made of Baptists At Sessions Here.” Times Leader, The Evening News, October, 28, 1939.

“Prosperous Year Reported in First Baptist Church.” Pittston Gazette, January 22, 1927.

“Rev. Herbert Taylor Submits Resignation First Baptist Church.” Pittston Gazette, May 27, 1957.

“St. John the Evangelist Set for 150th Anniversary.” Catholic Light, October 2004.

“St. John’s Church, Pittston, Marks Centennial.” Catholic Light, September 7, 1989.

“St. John’s, Pittston, to Observe 125th Anniversary.” Catholic Light, April 17, 1980.

“St. John’s Students To Attend Mass Of Thanksgiving Tuesday.” Sunday Dispatch, February 22, 1960.

“Students Of 24 Greater Pittston Parishes Will Be Served By Seton Central Catholic High School.” Sunday Dispatch, June 27, 1976.

“‘The Pipes’ Will Play Again At St. John’s, Pittston.” Catholic Light, October 29, 1970.

“‘The Jewel of the Diocese.’” Pittston Gazette, April 21, 1893. Web.

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