Celebrating 125 years

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125 year anniversary

Vinco Brethren Church has been fortunate to be blessed by God so much that he has allowed our ministry to carry light into the darkness of this world for the last 125 years. This page is dedicated to the blessings, triumphs, and hardships that the people, pastors, and even the church buildings have been apart of for 125 years. This is some of the history that has made our church. We pray that God will grant us another 125 years to continue to minister for him in our community and throughout our world.

The Brethren Evangelist/ June 5, 1943

VINCO BRETHREN CHURCH

OBSERVES FIRST ANNIVERSARY EXCEEDS DEBT LlQUIDATION

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Rev. Willis E. Ronk was guest speaker at the Vinco Brethren Church on Sunday, May 23, as the congregation celebrated the first anniversary of the dedication of the new church building and concluded a drive to clear a remaining indebtedness of $1,500.

 

Three worship services, including the formal an- niversary event at 2:30 o'clock on Sunday afternoon, were arranged. On the dedication day, one year before, all but $2,000 of the indebtedness on the new church was covered by cash and pledges. Since that time the amount has been reduced to $1,500.

 

      Contributions and pledges of more than $2,000 to clear the building debt of $1,500 were made by members and friends of the congregation during services marking the first anniversary. Of this total almost, $2,000 were cash gifts.

 

At the quarterly business meeting, May 26, the congregation decided to install a baptistry and rest rooms in the church and to paint the parsonage. The pastor was re-elected to serve for the fourth year, beginning June 23, and was given an appreciable increase in salary. It should be said to the credit of the Vinco Congregation that they have raised the support of the pastor to the amount of $1,800, and that without any suggestion on his part.

 

 The congregation has voted to retain and nourish

a permanent building fund in anticipation of future needs. The local church will be host to the Pennsylvania District Conference, July 19-21.

 

 

Rev. Willis E. Ronk, dean of our theological seminary, preached the dedicatory sermon on May 24, 1942, and had rendered valuable service to the congregation some time prior. It was therefore fitting and greatly appreciated to have him return to us on the first anniversary event. Clarence Y. Gilmer, pastor.

The Brethren Evangelist 1965 or1966

GROUNDBREAKING FOR ADDITION

VINCO, PENNSYLVANIA 

GROUNDBREAKING ceremonies for a new building   program were held recently on a Sunday       morning    at the Vinco Brethren Church. Members of the con- gregation participated in the service led by the pastor, Rev. Henry Bates. 

The main part of the new construction will feature a new sanctuary with the present sanctuary being completely remodeled and incorporated into the new place of worship. 

Rev. Bates stated estimated cost of the new building program, including all furnishings, will be between ninety and one hundred thousand dollars.

 The new building will be forty-four feet wide by fifty-one feet long, and will be of native stone construction, to match the present building. The lower portion of the new construction will contain six large Sunday school rooms and will be almost entirely above the ground level thus giving ample natural light to each room. This educational part of the building will be joined by means of a wide corridor to the basement rooms in the existing building. 

The new sanctuary will be of cathedral type construction featuring seven large laminated beams and a ceiling of polished redwood. The front of the chancel will be of native stone and polished redwood and will be high- lighted by a large stained-glass window and a large cross of natural wood. A part of the present sanctuary will become the narthex of the church, being separated from the sanctuary proper by a partition of wood paneling and colored glass. 

The building will also include all new pews, new chancel furniture, and carpeting over the entire floor. The new arrangement will provide comfortable seating for approximately three hundred and twenty-five adults, with a choir loft providing seating for an additional thirty. 

   The Vinco Brethren Church was established in 1882. In 1940 the frame building in which the congregation worshipped was destroyed by fire. The congregation then built upon the same foundation the first unit of the ex- isting building. 

In 1955 a large Sunday school building was added to the structure, and at the same time the sanctuary was enlarged somewhat. In 1953 a Fellowship House was also constructed on the church property. 

Growing from an attendance of seventy in 1940, thecongregation now numbers 428, with approximately fifty 0f this number being non-resident members. For the past year or two it has become necessary to place folding chairs in the present sanctuary in order to accommodate all who come to the worship services.

Did you ever wonder - How did Vinco Brethren Church get the motto: "The Stone Church Built Upon the Rock"?
On May 24,1942, just one year after the fire, the new stone church was dedicated debt free which included pledges. The cost of the church was $14,000. This did not include the furnishings. The seats and furnishings were about $4,000 -- what a bargain that was. All agreed it was another one of God's miracles and a real cause ..for celebration and praise. The congregation purchased a new Knaube Grand Concert piano from Fulton Piano and Organ Company at a cost of $1,250, and dedicated it at the same time the church was dedicated. It was at this time that the congregation adopted their motto:
"The Stone Church

Built Upon the Rock"

A note of interest is the comer stone of the church. Walter Walker transported by truck the large granite comer stone to Berkebile Gabriel on Iron Street in Johnstown to have it cut and fInished with dates inscribed, then hauled it back to the church and helped in the laying. On the outside you will notice the year 1883 -- the year the original church was established as the Vinco Brethren Church. You will also see the year 1941 which represents the year the comer stone was laid for the original stone church.

The most important part of the comer stone is inside. The large granite stone has a pocket hewn out inside. In this pocket was placed a King James Version of the Bible, church by-laws, Brethren Church history and important church related material. A marble slab 8"x12" is cemented over the top of the hole to seal it. Millard Mackall, who was the moderator at the time, was the first funeral in the stone church. He died January 19, 1943, at the age of 51. Millard Mackall donated the church bell which pealed for the first time at his death.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With the membership in the 1950's and 1960' s growing steadily, the congregation saw the need to expand the Fellowship House as well. In 1974, the congregation enlarged the Fellowship House and doubled the capacity to accommodate banquets and other special church related fellowship functions. Contractor was David Cottemlan..