[Photo of Lebanon Church, not copied]

Lebanon

The original church was organized in1849 and came about at the suggestion of Mrs. Robert Madge, Sr. At that time. a majority of the new members of the "Lackawannock Congregation" were former members of the First Church of New Wilmington. One Sunday. The Reverend Mr. Imbrie (minister of First Church) remarked "this congregation is becoming too large for the church building and noted that it would be necessary to take the end out of the church to enlarge it so as to accommodate the people."

Mrs. Robert Madge suggested "instead of taking the end out of the First Church, they take the 'end' out of the congregation" and establish a new church much closer to their homes. Taking this suggestion to heart, Mr. Robert Madge, Sr., and Mr. A.J. Burgess petitioned the Associate Presbytery of Shenango for an organization. It met with some strong opposition but was granted. Rev. Small was sent to effect the organization. This service was held in the hay mow of the new barn of Mr. Samuel Semple. The first communion was held on November 24, 1850. Five persons were received into the church at that time. The first Elders were: David Semple, George Allen, John Gilkey and Andrew J. Burgess.

The congregation was called Lebanon on November 23, 1851, the date of the first Session minutes. At the Congregational Meeting on December 25, 1851, a motion was made and resolved that they locate the building on William Lawyer's tract of land. It is believed the church was probably built in the summer and fall of 1851. The building was a small frame building 40'X50' erected west of Greenfield on Route 318. The work was done almost entirely by the members.

Sabbath School was organized in the spring of 1854 and the Women's Missionary Society began on July 3, 1869. "It was resolved that the ladies of the congregation form themselves into a Missionary Society to raise the money laid on the congregation for Missionary purposes."

In 1875, Rev. Cyrus Cummins, then Pastor of the Bethel Church was asked to supply Lebanon one fourth of his time. During that year he became Pastor of the United Churches of Bethel and Lebanon. This relationship continued for a little more than ten years. On May 2, 1887, the Presbytery of Mercer, meeting in Bethel Church was requested by the two congregations, Bethel and Lebanon, to unite the into one congregation. The request was granted and both names - Bethel and Lebanon - were dropped. The Congregation became known as Lackawannock from the township in which it was located. Later, the Congregation again became known as Lebanon United Presbyterian Church.

On June 9, 1915, the church burned to the ground. The Pastor of the Church at that time was Rev. Mr. P.E. Simpson. The damage amounted to $4,000 to $5,000. Extensive remodeling had just been done in 1914. At that time the church had a membership of about 100. A new church was built at a cost of $6,000.

The following is a list of the ministers who have served the Lebanon Congregation:
(1) George C. Vincent, (1852-1869) born April 4, 1813 near Harrisville and died October 16, 1889 in Pittsburgh. He preached the gospel nearly 50 years in Ohio, Illinois, Iowa and Pennsylvania. He was a professor at Westminster and also was one of the founders. He was a Vice President of Westminster College and then the President of Franklin College, New Athens, Ohio until 1884. He was a contributing editor to the Coal City Chronicle, a small six-column folio that was established in 1860. He was a minister at the First United Presbyterian Church, known as the the Cool Spring Church starting in December 1847 and continued there until December 18, 1852. He was a principal at the Mercer Academy. Dr. Vinsent was always a stalwart in politics, and was one of the early anti-slavery reformers and lecturers. (1) R.T. McCrea (November 9, 1869/1874) from Blacklick Station, Indiana County. Rev. McCrea was a shared minister with Shenango Church and Lebanon. (3) Cyrus Cummins - (1875-1888/89) Prior to coming to Lebanon was a minister at the United Presbyterian Church at Mount Jackson for eight years. (4) Isaac Thomas Wright - (April 10, 1889-October 10, 1898) Rev. Wright died on February 15, 1914 at the home of B.C. Gault, in Lackawannock Township of paralysis, aged 68 years. He preached February 15, at Lebanon. (5) William M. Barr - (October 1900) (6) P.E. Simpson - (April 7,1914/March 3, 1917) (7) William P. Gordon - (June 25, 1918/June 1921) (8) George E. Henderson - (June 10, 1922/September 3, 1922) (9) J.D. Barr - (July 1923/January 28, 1928) (10) A.M. Stevenson - (October 24, 1928) - Was installed - became ill and died two weeks later of a cerebral hemorrhage. (11) Walter B. McFarland - (December 1928 - supply minister) installed (May 1929/September 1931). (12) Alfred W. Hubbard - (April 1932/January 1936. (13) Thomas L. Patton - (May 1936/June 1948). Rev. Thomas Lewis Patton was born in Slippery Rock Township, Butler County on April 14, 1882. In 1943 he was married to Sara Eleanor Glenn. Rev. Patton graduated from Westminster College in 191 and from the Pittsburgh Zenia Seminary in 1913. (Note: Rev. Patton's daughter, Mrs. Donald (Plauda) Minner is a member of Lebanon as well as several grandchildren.) (14) Rev. Dr. Wayne L. Christy - (July 1948 - supply minister until July 1950). Rev. Christy was also a professor at Westminster. (15) Rev. Dr. Joseph M. Hopkins - (Augus 1958/September 1955, October 1955/February 1959). Rev. Hopkins was also a professor at Westminster. (16) John L. Symons - (May 1961/1966). (17) Donald P. Wilson, LLD (1966-Present).

In 1958 the church had a recorded membership of 176. Activity and growth has been continuous through the years . Indications of the activity and expansion are evidenced by a number of renovation programs. One of the most foresighted took place under the leadership of the Rev. John Symons in the early 1960s. At that time the Sanctuary was remodeled and redesigned. New pews were added, giving the church an entirely new appearance. Under the guidance of the Rev. Donald Wilson, the church has seen several expansions and renovations. In 1970/71 an educational wing was added. In 1976/77 the church was extended to enlarge the Sanctuary and add a larger vestibule, library and office, the fellowship hall and kitchen were remodeled and expanded. The white clapboard church was bricked. In 1997 the vestibule was refurbished and the church office was remodeled and in 1999 the church was air conditioned.

The Sabbath-Sunday School established in 1854 continues to be a strong program of the Church with classes for age 2 through adult. A Sunday School Choir of elementary students participates in the Worship Service several times a year. Music has always been an important part of the worship at Lebanon. In the early life of the church, the Psalter Hymnal was used in the morning Worship Service. A "singing clerk" or song leader would strike the note and lead the singing of the hymns. Often times they sang directly from the Psalms. The first organ was purchased about 1957 following many years use of a piano. A choir was organized in that same year under the direction of Dr. Joseph Hopkins. In the year 2000, Lebanon has a very active choir under the direction of the Rev. Mark Thompson, Parish Associate. Mark is a "son" of the church. Organist is Mrs. Marge Burgoon and Choir Accompanist is Curt Bryan.

Mission work has been a vital part of the church history of this congregation. Much of the support of mission efforts came through: the work of the women of the church. Their organization has gone through many changes, always increasing the scope of their work. They have been known by various names such as: Women's Missionary Society, Willing Workers, Helen Artman Missionary Society, Women's Association, United Presbyterian Women and currently, Presbyterian Women. Lebanon has had the following serve as missionaries: Lucile Artman served in Ezel, Kentucky, as a teacher in a church school. Returning to Lebanon she served as a Sunday School teacher for over 50 years. Floy Artman Moreira served in Egypt as a teacher at a church related school. Helen Artman Burrow spent much of her life on the mission field in India.

In the fall of 1966, Donald P. Wilson came to Lebanon. Wilson was finishing his education at Pittsburgh Seminary. He was ordained in June, 1967, and formally installed as pastor. Dr. Wilson has been a preacher on the go with a church on the grow. It has been observed that his vision with the youth is at the heart of the future of the church. And the adults are the soul. Under his leadership, the church has grown to over 400 members. Dr. Wilson is like a modern-day circuit rider. He has been involved in many community activities and programs. A few on the list would be: Protestant Chaplain, State Correctional Facility; worked with the County Drug Council; 25 years as a member of the West Middlesex Area School Board - 21 as President; and Moderator of Shenango Presbytery.

In 1985, Lebanon Church became the recovery site as the area struggled to rebound from a devastating tornado. Plans developed with township leaders only months before, proved effective and very worthwhile. Surely we saw the evidence of God's providence and grace.

Lebanon is now one of the mid-sized churches of Shenango Presbytery. It should be noted that Lebanon is a part of cyberspace with a website created by Bill Spangler.