"Your word, O LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures." - Psalm 119:89-90
~~~~~~
From the History of Shenango Presbytery, as edited by Donna Pezzuolo.
For many years after the founding of the community that became the Borough of Bessemer, there was no English-speaking church, although an awareness of the a need for such a church awareness arose among some people. About 1908, three men from New Wilmington came to Bessemer and organized a Sunday school--George K. Fulkman, Sr., Howell T. Getty and T. S. McAnlis. The church, meeting in the one-room school house located where the Bessemer Fire Hall is now, was conducted during the summer by Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Duff of the Westfield Church. The summer of 1909, it was resumed in the four-room school house under the leadership of P. W. Griffin as superintendent, the position he held until his death in 1941. The Sunday school grew in membership until the need for a church building became evident
On March 16, 1911, a committee from the Presbytery of Shenango met in Bessemer and organized a congregation of 28 members as the First Presbyterian Church of Bessemer. Three elders were elected. The elders were instructed to secure preaching; and the Reverend James C. McConnell, of the New Castle Fourth Presbyterian Church, was engaged as supply pastor. During this time, the Swedish Covenant Church offered the use of its building.
On April 14, 1911, the congregation voted to build a church building, and a committee was appointed to visit the Savannah Methodist Church, outside of New Castle. The committee recommended that plans be drawn for the proposed church, using the specifications of the Savannah Church with minor changes. The site was on North Main Street, on the edge of the Bessemer downtown. Ground was broken in early August, 1911.
On April 14, 1912, the Reverend Harry E. Woods, a Western Theological Seminary graduate, was called as pastor of the Bessemer Church, and he assumed his duties in June. The Church was dedicated, free of debt, on June 30, 1912. Mr. Woods served until 1918, when he accepted a call to the Wampum Presbyterian Church. He was succeeded by the Reverend Leo L. Tait for eight years. In March, 1921, 140 persons partook of communion; and by 1925, the membership was 266.
A Men’s Bible Class was organized in 1912. Several years later, it became the Community Bible Class and met in the high school building. About 1941, a Community Brotherhood grew out of this group, including men from all segments of the community. A Women’s Missionary Society was organized in February, 1913. It was followed in April of 1928 by the Westminster Guild Circle for young women, which was renamed the next year “Wyona Auxiliary.” These organizations united on February 11, 1960, to form the Bessemer United Presbyterian Women’s Association. Four original Association circles were later combined in two circles, one meeting in the afternoon and the other in the evening. A third circle, composed of younger women, was organized in the spring of 1980. Circles meet monthly and the Association quarterly. A Trail Blazers Guild, an active group of twelve- to eighteen-year-old girls, was organized in 1920 under an original name, “Westminster Guild Circle.” For a number of years, active youth work was carried on through Christian Endeavor Societies organized at three age levels: Senior, Junior, and Intermediate.
In 1926, a manse was purchased two doors south of the Church which was occupied that year by the Reverend W. J. Engle. Rev. Engle sacrificed and worked diligently to keep the Church alive and strong through the Depression years. In 1938, after 13 years as pastor, he accepted a call to the Enon Presbyterian Church.
The Reverend Raymond Touvell served the Church from 1939 through 1944. His ministry was innovative, and the membership grew to over 300. The official boards were increased in size. The grim war years came and went, during which the church celebrated a 30th anniversary. 
The congregation called the Reverend E. Chester Crabb in the spring of 1945. Under his leadership, the stewardship program grew, and he prepared the way for a new educational wing of the church building.
After the termination of his call to Bessemer on December 31, 1953, the Reverend Hoover L. Picklesimer was called. He was installed on May 14, 1954. Due largely to his energy and enthusiasm, the educational wing was dedicated on October 6, 1957. Mr. Picklesimer established communicant classes and leadership training courses. A Board of Deacons was also established. In 1961, the Church rejoiced over its 50th anniversary.
Following the untimely death of Rev. Picklesimer in October, 1966, after 12 years of service, the pulpit was vacant for nine months until the congregation called the Reverend James C. George. During his pastorate, the Church involved itself in the Fifty Million Fund and surpassed its goal of $4,500. Rev. George resigned on November 9, 1969.
Following a one-year interim pastorate by Reverend David C. Osborn that was terminated for reasons of health, the Reverend Bruce G. Boak was ordained and installed on July 25, 1972. His ministry extended the outreach of the Church throughout the community. He served as Chaplain of the Youth Development Center and was on various civic boards and agencies. Under his leadership, an extensive improvement and construction project was undertaken, resulting in a dedication on September 7, 1975, of a new entry, narthex, and a remodeled sanctuary. Also during his pastorate, membership reached its peak at 373. This pastorate was dissolved on January 5, 1978.
The Reverend Donald A. Aull was installed as pastor on October 1, 1978. His ministry in the Church and community brought an increasing awareness of the Church’s mission, locally and worldwide. The Church participated in the United Presbyterian Major Mission Fund Drive, pledging $6,890. May 31, 1980, marked the conclusion of the Church renovation and construction initiated in November, 1974. A mortgage for $75,000 was then burned in an unusual ceremony on the Church lawn. A fire was kindled for the “burning,” for which each person contributed a bundle of wood.
During Rev. Aull's pastorate, the Church celebrated many events, including 56 marriages, 80 baptisms and 93 deaths. During his pastorate, Tribes of Caring were formed, which divided the church membership into small tribes in order to build community. A nursery school occupied the Church daily when in 1984 a community pre-school started using the building. The Catherine Furbee Scholarship Fund was established in 1985, providing Church students with $1,000 per year for their continued education. In 1986, the church celebrated its 75th Anniversary by placing a time capsule in the sanctuary. At this time, Church membership numbered 280 and the benevolence budget reached $7,700.
Rev. Aull remembers, "The church strengthened the community through several endeavors that showed what cooperation in Christ can achieve. Back in 1979, the Bessemer Senior Citizens group was formed, meeting weekly at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church and continuing in the present. Vacation Bible School brought together children, youth, and adults for a week of learning and fun each summer. I remember the solemn walk down Main Street on Good Friday evening as the Church family carried the cross to the First Covenant Church. Bessemer seeks to demonstrate, one Lord, one faith."
Rev. Aull attended the 203rd General Assembly in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1991, to be a member of the Human Sexualty Committee; the issue still remains controversial. In 1997, the Quilting Circle was formed; meeting weekly and now with a retreat scheduled the first weekend of every month, Church and community women meet to sew, socialize, and form strong friendships. Rev. Dr. Aull resigned in August, 1998, after almost 20 years of service, to lead the Second Presbyterian Church in New Castle. The Bessemer Church then welcomed Rev. Dr. Ray Brugler (1998-1999) and Rev. John Borter (2000-2001) as interim pastors.
In June of 2001, the Rev. Robin P. Dill was called to the Bessemer Church. During his pastorate, community computer classes were formed and youth work was emphasized. Because of continued expense in owning the manse without a full-time minister, the manse was sold in 2000, and Rev. Dill lived in various locations in the Bessemer-Hillsville area. He also took us into international waters as he welcomed foreign exchange students into his home during the years he served the Bessemer Church. The congregation became acquainted with Russia, Germany, and the Ukraine through Matt, Tobias, Vlad, and Pasha. Despite the efforts of the Church, it found itself in a financial dilemma due to the aging congregation and the changing nature of the Bessemer community. Rev. Dill’s pastorate was terminated on December 24, 2006, and at this time, the church decided that it should hire a part-time pastor.
On July 1, 2007, Bessemer Church welcomed Mr. Nathan R. Leslie as their part-time Student Pastor. Nathan, a graduate of Grove City College and a student at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, began preaching as a pulpit supply in January of 2007. His tenure as Student Pastor came by way of a missional effort by the Shenango Presbytery under leadership of Rev. David G. Dawson, Executive Presbyter, and the Rev. William S. Hoffman and Rev. David Lingle, pastors of the Bethel Presbyterian Church where Nathan was a member.
Nathan has revealed inexhaustible energies as a servant of the Lord. He has not only the spiritual leader of the church, but also uses his many talents, his creativity and his youth to serve the church in various ways. The various Circles, Women’s Association, community Vacation Bible School, Bible Studies and community Easter services have all continued to be active in the Bessemer Church. The church participates in community missional efforts, including the Mohawk Area Churches Association and Project HOPE. Beginning in August of 2007, the church began opening its doors to almost 20 high school and elementary students while catching their buses in the early mornings for shelter and a light snack. This ministry, called the Bus Stop Ministry, has been a local ministry program, which has built relationships between the congregation and the community children, opening doors to future missional projects in the community. In June 2008, the church began the "Builders' Club" Ministry, geared at ministering to children in the community and the church. In November of 2009, the church began a youth group for teens in grades 6 through 12, and offered many opportunities for the youth to be involved in the life of the church. In July of 2010, members of the congregation, along with others from the Mohawk community, embarked on a mission trip to Scott County, Tennessee.
After three years of service, Pastor Nathan completed his seminary education and the church was again faced with a major decision: Should Nathan be asked to stay and thus return to having a full-time minister, or should the congregation seek another part-time minister? After several months of deliberation and work with Nathan, it was agreed unanimously by the session to pursue calling Nathan as a "Designated Pastor," who would begin at 3/4 time and gradually work toward a full-time position over the course of three years. With great excitement, Nathan was officially and unanimously called by the congregation as their next pastor on June 13, 2010, and was ordained and installed at the Bessemer Church on July 11, 2010 in a very meaningful service of worship and celebration.
Currently, the membership is 101 persons and the average attendance in worship is around 55 people. The church marked with great celebration its centennial anniversary on March 16, 2011 and the centennial homecoming on July 31, 2011. Though facing many trials and triumphs over the past century, the Bessemer Presbyterian Church remains committed and faithful to the proclamation the Good News of Jesus Christ among its members, the community and the world. Bessemer Church has also equipped several members to discern their calling to ministry. Arthur E. Connor and Bernard W. Nord have both been ordained as Ministers of the Sacrament and Word. Clara Hedberg also served as a foreign missionary.
