Visiting Ministry at Indiana Gospel Hall, PA

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Indiana Gospel Hall, Pittsburgh CSA, PA (OB) 1910-present

Itinerants

  • Paul Amos 1955
  • W.J. Armstrong 1920
  • George Baldwin 1954-1955, 1958, 1962, 1964
  • D.O. Calderhead 1957
  • R.A. Crawford 1935
  • J.L. Dixon 1926
  • W.P. Douglass 1939
  • George Duncan 1922-1924
  • John Ferguson 1922
  • Clay C. Fite 1952
  • W.G. Foster 1925
  • George Graham 1956, 1958-1959, 1963
  • W.F. Hunter 1932
  • Minor Hawk 1959
  • Charles R. Keller 1924, 1931, 1936
  • A.P. Klabunda 1935, 1937, 1955
  • William Lavery 1973
  • James Lyon 1924
  • C. Mackland 1922
  • John H. McKay 1924
  • John Rea 1925
  • Gordon Reager 1931
  • David L. Roy 1910, 1912, 1934, 1939, 1951, 1956
  • Bill Seale, Jr. 1998
  • Gary Sharp 1998, 2000
  • John Slabaugh 1967, 1979
  • James N. Smith 1979
  • William "Bill" Snyder 1971, 1973
  • A.T. Stewart 1937
  • Dale Vitale 2000
  • G.B. Winemiller 1920, 1928, 1937
  • S.M. Work 1926
  • Robert Young 1933

Ministry, Etc.

1920's

1920

  • TIG 1920-2-12: Gospel Meet Continuing: "A special series of meetings are now in progress in the Gospel Hall in the Wehrle building. The meetings are being conducted by W.J. Armstrong of Providence, R.I. and G.B. Winemiller of Harrisburg. Meetings are held Thursday, Friday and Sunday nights. All are kindly invited." The Indiana Gazette re-reported this announcement as one of several from ten years prior, in the issue of 1930-2-12.

1922

  • TIG 1922-1-17: "Special gospel meetings will be conducted in the Gospel Hall, third floor of the Wehrle building by Mr. George Duncan of Cleveland, O., each evening this week, excepting Saturday, at 7:30 o'clock. All are invited to come and hear God's simple plan of salvation."
  • TIG 1922-7-22: Gospel Hall: 560 Phila. St., Breaking of Bread 9:30, Sunday School 11:00, Open air meeting, Fourth and Water streets, 8:00 P.M."
  • TIG 1922-10-7: "A missionary in Africa since 1904, C. Mackland is in this country on furlough, will speak at the services in the Gospel Hall tomorrow."
  • TIG 1922-11-15: Gospel Hall, Wehrle Bldg., 560 Philadelphia Street. "Sunday evening, Nov. 19, Mr. John Ferguson, Evangelist. Evangelistic meeting at 2:30 p.m. Deal with the subjects AFTER DEATH WHAT? IS HELL THE GRAVE? at 7:30 p.m. All heartily invited. No collections. Tonight, Thursday and Friday at 7:45 p.m."

1923

  • TIG 1923-7-28: Meeting in Gospel Hall: "Breaking Bread, 9:30; Sunday School, 11:00; Gospel Meeting, 7:30; Mr. Geo. Duncan of Cleveland will preach the Gospel at 7:30 p.m."

1924

  • TIG 1924-1-5: "...Gospel Meeting, 7:30. Preaching by Mr. James Lyon of Canada."
  • TIG 1924: "Expect Charles R. Keller from Philadelphia to preach the Gospel"
  • TIG 1924-5-31: "Mr. John H. McKay, a missionary from West Indies, will give an account of the work in the islands Sunday night and also on Monday and Tuesday nights."

1925

  • TIG 1925-1-24: "Gospel Meeting, 7:30. Preaching by W.G. Foster of Cleveland, O. Meetings nightly during the week at 7:45, excepting Saturday."
  • TIG 1925-5-6: Evangelist at Gospel Hall: "John Rea, evangelist from Canada, is conducting meetings every night this week (Saturday excepted) at 7:45 o'clock in the Gospel Hall, 562 E. Philadelphia St. The general public is cordially invited to attend."

1926

  • TIG 1926-3-3 / TIWM 1926-3-4: "Gospel meetings are being held throughout this week in Gospel hall, Chevy Chase. There is special singing and a different speaker each evening. Everyone is invited."
  • TIG 1926-5-8: Churches: "Gospel Hall: Wehrle Building. Breaking Bread, 10:30. Sunday School, 2:30. Gospel Meeting 7:30. Street meeting at Philadelphia and Seventh streets this evening at 8:00."
  • TIG 1926-5-15: Churches: "... J.L. Dixon will preach in the Hall Sunday and Monday evenings at 7:30."
  • TIG 1926-6-22: Work at Gospel Hall Tonight: "S.M. Work of Cleveland, O., a former well-known resident here will conduct a Bible School in Gospel Hall, Chevy Chase, this evening. His subject will be "The Second Coming of Christ". Everybody is welcome to attend."

1928

  • TIG 1928-10-16, p. 1: Gospel Hall Has Services: "A series of special meetings are now being held in Gospel Hall, 22 Carpenter avenue, in the rear of Troutman's Store. The preaching is by Evangelist G.B. Winemiller of Harrisburg. All are kindly invited to come."

1930's

1930

  • TIG 1930-3-31, p. 1: Meetings at Gospel Hall: "... will hold meetings in Gospel Hall, 22 South Carpenter avenue, each evening this week, excepting Saturday, at 7:45 o'clock. An invitation is given to all who will come."

1931

  • TIG 1931-4-27: corner advertisement block lettering: "Come and hear evangelists Keller and Reager in Gospel Hall every night but Saturday 7:45. Carpenter Ave. Rear of Troutman's Store."
    • There was a later short article on 4-30, but the scan is damaged, rendering the text unreadable.

1932

  • TIG 1932-2-23: Gospel Hall Meets This Week: "Meetings will be held each evening this week, excepting Saturday, at 7:45 o'clock in Gospel Hall, 22 South Carpenter avenue by Mr. W.F. Hunter. An invitation is extended to all."

1933

  • TIG 1933-12-6: "Special evangelistic meetings are being conducted by Evangelist Robert Young of Magnolia, N.J., in the Gospel Hall on Carpenter avenue at the rear of Troutman's Store nightly at 7:45 except Saturdays. A hearty invitation is extended to all. No collections. 'What shall it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his own soul.' (Mark 8:36)."
  • TIG 1933-12-16: "Special meetings nightly, ex. Sat., in Gospel Hall. Carpenter St. (Rear Troutman's Store) 7:45 Monday to Friday; 7:30 Sunday. 'Ruin by the Fall, Redemption by the Blood', 'Regeneration by the Holy Spirit', 'Rapture of the Church and Reign of Christ'. Are of vital importance, preached. By Evangelist Robert Young, of Magnolia, N.J. No collection at any of these meetings. All welcome."

1934

  • TIG 1934-3-6: REVIVAL: Special Gospel Meetings: "A goodly number attended the meetings which are being conducted in the Gospel Hall, Carpenter Alley. These services began on Sunday last and are being continued each night, except Saturday, at 7:45. The speaker is Mr. D.L. Roy of Cleveland, Ohio. Mr. Roy, it will be remembered by some, conducted meetings here in a large gospel tent in the summer of 1912, when many heard the matchless story of the Cross. A cordial invitation is extended to the public to attend."
  • TIG 1934-3-10: Gospel Hall: "The series of Gospel meetings by D.L. Roy is still going on each night at 7:45; Sunday night 7:30, in the Gospel Hall, Carpenter Ave., at the rear of Troutman's Store. The public is cordially invited to come and hear The Story of the Cross, The Fall of Man, and God's Reward for Sin.
  • TIG 1934-3-15: REVIVALS: Gospel Hall: "The Gospel meetings are still going on in Gospel Hall, 22 South Carpenter avenue. Last night 22 people from Punxsutawney came over and heard Mr. Ray speak on 'Noah and the Ark'. The Ark is a type of Christ, and unless the sinner is in the ark, there is no refuge from the judgment, and unless the sinner is in Christ, there will be no refuge from the storm of God's wrath. Come tonight at 7:45 and hear Mr. Ray."
  • TIG 1934-12-24: Stole Holiday Tree From Church: Philadelphia, Dec. 24: "In the little home Paul and Johnny Chizrolanza, 10 and 11 years old respectively, stands a gaunt, bare Christmas tree. There were no funds for decorations. Untrimmed, the pine tree didn't seem to add any joy to the household. Defeating its purpose, it only made Paul and Johnny recall better days when Santa Claus was more generous. So the little brothers smashed in a window and entered Gospel Hall here. They were captured in the act of stripping the religious auditorium's Christmas tree of its ornaments. In the House of Detention today, the young brothers were praying that a kind-hearted Judge would let them return to their home with its bare Christmas tree."

1935

  • TIG 1935-3-8: "Special Evangelistic services are beginning in the Gospel Hall, rear of Troutman's Store on Carpenter Avenue on Sunday, March 10th at 7:30 p.m. and continuing each night (excepting Saturday) at 7:45. A large chart will be used showing the future destiny of all men, also proving from scripture future events that are soon to transpire such as: 'The coming of the Lord', 'War in Heaven', 'The Great Tribulation', 'The Millennium', and 'The Judgment Day before The Great White Throne'; then the 'New Heavens and the New Earth'. These events were all foretold by the Holy prophets and apostles of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Come and hear, everything free and all are welcome. R.A. Crawford and A.R. Klabunda will preach."
  • TIG 1935-3-14: "'Death and the Hereafter' was the theme of addresses delivered at the Gospel Hall (rear of Troutman's store) last night, as revealed and illustrated by a large chart. The necessity of being born again (John 3:3) was emphasized as the only way whereby men may escape the wrath to come. Other prophetic truths will be taken up in the nights to come, such as 'The Great Tribulation', 'The Antichrist', 'The Lord's Coming' and 'The Judgment of the living nations'. Tonight the messages will be devoted to the subject of Hell. 'Is there a Hell? Where is it, and who goes to it?' Services continue each night, except Saturday, at 7:45. All welcome."
  • TIG 1935-3-15: "Tonight will be the fifth in a series of gospel meetings which are being held by A.P. Klabunda of Indiana and R.A. Crawford of Pittsburgh, in the Gospel Hall... a large chart showing the future destiny of man and coming events is being used. The subject to be taken up tonight will be 'The Coming of the Lord', the questions: 'Who will He come for?' and 'How shall He come?' will be answered. Such subjects as the 'Reign of the Anti-Christ', 'The Great Tribulation' and the 'War in Heaven' will be spoken on in nights yet to come. All are welcome! Come and bring a friend."
  • TIG 1935-3-19: "The meetings in the Gospel Hall which are being conducted by A.P. Klabunda of Indiana and R.A. Crawford of Pittsburgh continue each night at 7:45 with good interest. Last night the theme of the subject was the 'Coming of the Lord'. The large colored chart, 'two roads and two destinies', is very instructive, and of interest to young and old. Tonight's address will be on the open door and the closed door. The closing of this door will seal the eternal destiny of all. who are on the inside and who are on the outside..."
  • TIG 1935-3-21: "The subject last night at the meeting in the Gospel Hall, 22 S. Carpenter Ave., by A.P. Klabunda and R.A. Crawford, was the 'Judgment Seat of Christ', as illustrated by the Chart. The subject for tonight is the 'Seventieth Week of Daniel', and what is transpiring in heaven and on earth during this period will be explained..."
  • TIG 1935-3-22: "The subject taken up last night... was the 'Seventieth Week of Daniel', this time begins with the coming of the Lord for his Saints, and the return of the Lord to the Mt. of Olives with his Saints, a period of seven years. Tonight's subject will be the 'War in Heaven', this is one of the things which transpire in Heaven during those seven years. Things which take place on earth during this time of seven years will be taken up in nights to come. These meetings are of interest to all. Come! For all are welcome."
  • TIG 1935-3-23: "The evangelistic services at the Gospel Hall are being attended with interest each night. The large chart being used is very helpful to illustrate future coming events, as foretold in the word of God. The subjects last night were: 'The War in Heaven' and 'The Marriage Supper of the Lamb'. The 'Anti-Christ' will be the theme of the message for Sunday night at 7:30. Who he is and how shall he be recognized when he comes will be taken up. Services continue each night next week at 7:45. Sundays 7:30 p.m. All welcome."
  • TIG 1935-3-25: "The subject taken up at the Gospel Hall... was 'The Reign of the Anti-Christ'. Rev. 13. "Two men shall be manifested after the Lord takes his people home. The one, a political head, shall rise from the ranks of men. No man upon the face of the earth has yet equaled this man for sin, wickedness and blasphemies against God. The other man shall be the Anti-Christ and shall be a religious head. He shall deceive all and all shall follow him. He shall try to imitate the true Lord Jesus Christ in all his ways. He shall compel all to have the mark of the beast, and without it none shall buy and sell. Tonight's subject will be 'The Tribulation'. The terrible times that shall take place after the church has been taken home. Meetings continue nightly at 7:45. All are welcome. No collections."
  • TIG 1935-3-27: "The subject last night on the chart was about the destruction of 'Mystical Babylon' or the religious systems of the world, as foretold in Rev. 17-18. The message for tonight is 'The Revelation of Jesus Christ' when He comes in flaming fire back to this world to take vengeance on all those who have not obeyed the gospel, and those who forget God, leaving Him out of their lives. These services continue nightly at 7:45, except Saturday. Sunday night at 7:30 which closes this present series of meetings. Don't miss these last topics in which is told the final end of all flesh. Come and hear."
  • TIG 1935-4-4: "This is the fourth and last week of special evangelistic services held here. A large chart has been used to the profit of these who came, setting forth important truths in scripture that have a direct bearing on every man and woman without exception, as to their future prospects at the Lord's coming and after death. Every one of us shall be in heaven or hell forever, and only those who have been born again will be in heaven, all others must perish (John 3:3). Meeting tonight and Friday night at 7:45. Sunday at 7:30 p.m. All are welcome."

1936

  • TIG 1936-4-4: Gospel Hall: Carpenter Ave.: "Special services will be conducted by Evangelist C.R. Keller of Philadelphia beginning Sunday, April 5 at 7:30 P.M. Continuing nightly at 7:45 (except Saturday). A chart on 'The Seven Churches of Asia' will be used. All Welcome. No Collections."

1937

  • TIG 1937-2-27: Gospel Hall: 22 Carpenter Ave.: "Special evangelistic services will be conducted nightly (except Saturday) at 7:45. Sundays at 7:30 P.M. By Messrs. A.T. Stewart of Detroit and A.P. Klabunda of Indiana. All are heartily invited."
  • TIG 1937-4-16: Gospel Hall (Rear of Troutman's Store): "Special services nightly (except Saturday) at 7:45. Sundays at 7:30 P.M. and each night next week. By G. Winemiller of Harrisburg, Pa. All welcome. Everything free."

1939

  • TIG 1939-3-11 & 1939-3-25: "Special evangelistic services are continuing each evening at 7:30 by D.L. Roy of Cleveland, O."
  • TIG 1939-10-31 & 1939-11-10: "Each evening this week (excepting Saturday), Evangelist W.P. Douglass of Cleveland, O., is conducting services at Gospel Hall, Fifth and Locust streets."
  • TIG 1939-11-14: "W.P. Douglass will close his special meetings at Gospel Hall tonight at 7:45. There will be prayer meeting Thursday evening."

1950's

1951

  • TIG 1951-3-3: Evangelist: "David Roy, of Cleveland, Ohio, is conducting evangelistic meetings in the Indiana Gospel Hall, 501 Locust street, beginning each evening (except Saturday) at 7:45 p.m. The evangelist will discuss timely present-day topics in the light of the Bible."
  • TIG 1951-3-5: "Evangelistic Meetings - Gospel Hall - 501 Locust St. - Nightly (except Sat.) 7:45 - Sunday 7:30 - D.L. Roy, Cleveland - U R Invited!"
  • TIG 1951-3-19: "2 Roads and 2 Destinies. Chart explained by David Roy. 7:45 tonite, Gospel Hall, 501 Locust St."
  • TIG 1951-3-31: D.L. Roy Speaks At Gospel Hall: "The public is invited to attend 'Old Fashioned Gospel Services' in Gospel Hall, 501 Locust street, Indiana, Sunday evening and all next week. The speaker is D.L. Roy of Cleveland. The speaker uses charts to illustrate sermons."
  • TIG 1951-4-7: Gospel Hall Has Weekly Meetings: "D.L. Roy will begin his sixth week of meetings Sunday evening, at 7:45 p.m., in Gospel Hall, located at 501 Locust Street in Indiana. Bible truths and principles graphically depicted by 'Two Roads and Two Destinies Chart'. All are welcome."

1952

  • TIG 1952-1-8: Gospel Hall Here Meetings Planned: "Clay C. Fite of Philadelphia is guest speaker every night this week, except Saturdays, at the special Gospel Meetings being held at Gospel Hall, Locust street at Fifth street, Indiana. The opening meetings get underway at 7:45 p.m. and an open invitation has been extended to the public."
  • TIG 1952-1-21: Religious Meets Are In Progress: "Special meetings are held nightly at Gospel Hall, 501 Locust street, Indiana, with Clay C. Fite of Philadelphia the speaker. Services begin nightly, except Saturday, at 7:45 p.m., and at 7:30 p.m. on Sundays. Meetings are based on a chart entitled 'The Tabernacle in the Wilderness' which, leaders explain, 'graphically depicts how sinners can righteously approach God through the Lord Jesus Christ' and 'how Christians should be gathered together according to God's Word'."

1954

  • TIG 1954-2-27: Special Meetings At Gospel Hall: "Special gospel meetings are being held at the Gospel Hall, corner Fifth and Locust streets in Indiana, with George Baldwin, evangelist from Hickory, N.C. listed as a preacher. Services begin at 7:45 p.m., Monday through Thursday; Friday, children's meeting at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, also at 7:30 p.m."

1955

  • TIG 1955-5-19: Paul Amos, Guest Speaker: "Paul Amos of McKeesport, Pennsylvania will be the guest speaker at a children's meeting, Friday, May 20, at 7:30 p.m. in Gospel Hall, 501 Locust street. Everyone is welcome."
  • TIG 1955-11-7: "Announcing special evangelistic meetings in the Gospel Hall of Indiana, Pa. (501 Locust St. at S. Fifth St.) Beginning Sunday, Nov. 6, at 7:30 p.m. Continuing nightly (exc. Saturdays) at 7:45. Come and hear the Gospel in its simplicity. We have the same message of salvation for the people that the Apostles had, that such men as John Knox, John Wesley, C.H. Spurgeon, D.L. Moody and Luther preached, 'How that Christ died for our sins.' 1 Cor. 15:3-4. We believe in the absolute inerrancy of the Bible, the word of God, and stand for all of its fundamental truths, having no sympathy with Modernism, Russellism, Mormonism, Spiritualism, Adventism or other teachings of present day origin. Speakers: George Baldwin of Rosemont, Pa.; A.P. Klabunda of Indiana, Pa. All welcome. No offering taken."

1956

  • TIG 1956-2-7: Continue Services At Gospel Hall: "Special meetings at the Gospel Hall, 501 Locust Street, Indiana, are continuing each night with David L. Roy, Cleveland, Ohio, as guest preacher. Mr. Roy, who preached in Creekside, Ernest and Indiana in 1910 and 1912, will preach each evening at 7:45 p.m. (except Saturdays) and Sunday at 7:30 p.m. He is discussing, according to church officials, such 'foundation truths of the Bible as regeneration, justification and sanctification'."
  • TIG 1956-6-9: Scotland Speaker: "George Graham of Scotland will preach at the Gospel Hall, 501 Locust Street, Indiana, beginning tomorrow evening and will continue each evening except Saturday."

1957

  • TIG 1957-3-2: "Special meetings to be resumed at Gospel Hall... March 3rd, 7:30 p.m. D.O. Calderhead. Evangelist. Come and hear the Old-Fashioned Gospel."

1958

  • TIG 1958-7-31: Gospel Meetings in Homer City: "Gospel tent meetings are being conducted nightly, except Saturday, at 8 p.m. in Homer City across from the Fire Hall. Preaching for this series of services is by evangelists George Baldwin of Indiana and George Graham of McKeesport. The series started Wednesday. All have been invited to attend. While this special series is being conducted, the services at the Indiana Gospel Hall usually held on Thursday and Sunday nights will be omitted."

1959

  • TIG 1959-2-27: Special Speaker at Gospel Hall: "Old fashioned Gospel preaching is conducted each Sunday at the Gospel Hall, 501 Locust St., each Sunday at 7:30 p.m. This Sunday, Minor Hawk will be the special speaker at the Sunday evening service. Mr. Hawk, an instructor at Carnegie Tech, broadcasts "The Voice of the Gospel" program daily at 12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday over WPIT. Everyone is invited to hear this special program Sunday evening."
  • TIG 1959-3-13: Gospel Meetings Continue Here: "The series of Gospel meetings at the Gospel Hall... will continue all next week... George Graham of McKeesport is leading the services. Everyone is invited to participate in these solemn meetings."

1960's

1962

  • TIG 1962-1-30: "Addresses on the Seven Churches in Asia. Rev. 2 and 3, using chart. Evangelist George Baldwin. Gospel Hall. 5th & Locust Street, Indiana. Nightly 7:30 (Sat. excluded). Sunday Gospel 7:30 P.M. All welcome."

1963

  • TIG 1963-7-5: Gospel Meetings in Homer City: "Gospel meetings will begin Sunday at 7:45 p.m. in Homer City across from the fire hall. George Graham of McKeesport will be preaching each evening except Saturdays. Everyone is invited to attend these services each evening. During this series of meetings there will be no evening services in the Indiana Gospel Hall."

1964

  • TIG 1964-2-22: "See the Life and Death Chart (12 feet long and 6 feet wide) showing the Old Testament, New Testament, Tribulation and Millennial Cemeteries, with Scriptural references. Addresses on the above, also on Paradise, Hell, 70th Week of Daniel, Millennium and Other Future Events, by George Baldwin. Nightly 7:30 (Sat. excluded) in Gospel Hall. 5th and Locust Street, Indiana. 'He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting Life' (John 3:36). All welcome."

1967

  • TIG 1967-2-3: Continue Series: "Gospel meetings will continue throughout next week at the Gospel Hall in Indiana. John Slabaughof Akron, O., is the speaker for the nightly sessions beginning at 7:30 p.m. except Saturday. All are invited to attend the church located at 501 Locust St."

1970's

1971

  • TIG 1971-4-30: "Young Peoples' Meetings. Gospel Hall. 501 Locust St., Indiana. Mon. thru Fri. 7 to 8 p.m. May 3rd through May 14 incl. Evangelist Bill Snyder from Akron, Ohio."

1973

  • TIG 1973-10-6: Gospel Meets Scheduled At Indiana Hall: "Special gospel meetings will be held at the Gospel Hall, Fifth and Locust streets, Indiana, beginning on Sunday, Oct. 7, and continuing at 7:30 p.m. nightly except Saturday. Speakers will be William Snyder of Barberton, Ohio, and William Lavery, Ferndale, Mich. The public has been invited to attend, free of charge."

1979

  • TIG 1979-7-9: "You are invited. Special evangelistic services using a large illustrated chart tracing the doctrine of the atoning blood through the Old Testament of the Bible to Calvary. July 8-22. Sundays at 7 p.m. Mon-Fri 7:30-8:30 p.m. Speaker: Mr. James N. Smith of Windsor, Connecticut. Gospel Hall, 501 Locust St., Indiana, PA. 'The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin'. (1 John 1:7)"
  • TIG 1979-9-14: Indiana Gospel Hall explores tabernacle: "The Indiana Gospel Hall, located at the corner of Fifth and Locust streets, will be sponsoring teaching sessions centered on 'The Wilderness Tabernacle' of the Old Testament beginning Sunday. The meetings will be held daily Monday through Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 6 p.m. for two weeks with John M. Slabaugh, Akron, Ohio, as the instructor. The teachings will not only explain the prophetic significance of the tabernacle but will have visual impact as well with a detailed, scaled model of the tabernacle."

1990's

1998

The Indiana Gazette (TIG) did a half page report and promotional on July 25, 1998 in the religion section with regard to tent meetings put on by Bill Seale, Jr. and Gary Sharp. The article was written by Randy Wells, and included two good-sized pictures of the 2+ week event.

  • TIG 1998-7-25: Evangelists spread gospel at tent meetings

"The mid-summer evening air under the big tent was warm and muggy. On Thursday, the sides had to be let down to hold out the rain. But Gary Sharp assured the people gathered there, "This is the best place you can be." For at least the next two weeks Sharp and Bill Seale, Jr. are spending their evenings in a field along South Sixth Street Extension near Indiana, just south of the entrance to Indiana Hospital. They're delivering "the good news of the gospel" to anyone willing to join them for an hour under the big tent.

A generation or two ago, such tents were a much more common sight, especially in the South. Evangelists moved into town for a few weeks, set up the canvas and led rousing religious revival services, punctuated with professions of renewed faith.

Seale and Sharp are careful not to conjure up some of the connotations connected with those old tent revival services. They avoid the term revival. They refer to their services simply as gospel meetings or gatherings. They've met people who expected the tent services to involve "a lot of yelling, a lot of disorder with people falling down the aisles." "We're not like that," Seale said.

Seale is a former registered nurse at Indiana Hospital. Sharp, of Ontario, Canada, was once a marketing manager for an engineering firm. They both left their secular jobs because those occupations didn't leave them enough time for what they felt was a more important calling: "A desire to see the gospel go out to communities here and all across the country and in Canada", Seale said. There is not so much a need to start new churches, Seale added, but a need to see souls saved.

Now the two men are evangelists, full-time "commended workers" from their assemblies, or congregations. The tent meetings in Indiana are sponsored by the assembly of Christians worshiping at the Indiana Gospel Hall at the corner of South Fifth and Locust streets.

Since 1971, Sharp has traveled around Canada and the midwestern United States, leading the non-denominational gospel meetings. The formula is fairly simple. They travel into new territories spreading the gospel, much the same as did the early Christian apostles in the Bible's New Testament. "We're not claiming a halo", Sharp is quick to add. "But we attempt to keep as close to the Biblical example as we can." "We just preach the word of God... that's all," Seale added.

Guests are welcomed at the door of the tent and given a Bible and hymnal to use during the meeting. The tent has electric lights, a public address system and comfortable lawn chairs. Typically, the one-hour gatherings begin with hymn singing, followed by a prayer and then messages from both men based on biblical scriptures. "The gospel is basically good news", Sharp said. "But like jewelry on display in a store, the gospel is often presented against a black background. That background is man's sin."

At a brief gathering with local key supporters before each meeting, Sharp and Seale decide what the subject matter should be for that evening. They often try to speak to the audience's needs. "We're just simply presenting the word of Christ, in hope that people who hear it will have something they didn't have before", Sharp said. He emphasized that he and Seale are sharing a gift they already enjoy. "What I'm presenting to you, I have received myself," he said, paraphrasing the apostle Paul from Corinthians 1.

But in this day of televangelism, is a tent meeting still practical, still effective? Both men answer yes without hesitation. Some people who won't enter a church building will sometimes come to a meeting in a more informal setting, Seale explained. And Seale noted that skepticism has stained the work of some televangelists, partly because of their frequent pleas for money to support their efforts. At Sharp's and Seale's tent meetings, a collection plate is never passed. "No collections? That's unique," Sharp said.

There are many Christians around the country interested in seeing the gospel go out, Seale said, and they financially support the work he and Sharp are doing. There are dozens of established churches in the Indiana area, but the two men feel there is still a place for their style of evangelism. "We're bringing a different method", Sharp explained. "They're saying, 'Do something, and you'll be good enough for heaven.' We're saying something has already been done... the message we're bringing is that the work is done."

"We preach the gospel because we're on the way to heaven", Seale added. "It's of grace, not by works." At Thursday's meeting, Sharp asked the guests, "Why is there an uncomfortableness about the thought of meeting God?" It's because of sin, he told them, then assured them that Christ, as an arbitrator for man, has already paid the penalties for man's sins.

Response to the first week of gospel meetings in Indiana has been positive, according to Seale, with guests ranging from teens to people in their mid-70's. The meetings are held on Sundays from 6 to 7 p.m. and on Monday through Friday from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Next week Sharp and Seale will do double duty, teaching a vacation Bible school with singing, Bible stories, crafts and refreshments from 10 a.m. to noon for children 4 and older. The two evangelists are encouraging all Indiana-area residents to join them for an evening in the tent. "Just come one night", Seale said. "Just come and hear once."

1999

  • TIG 1999-8-7: Indiana County area churches schedule vacation Bible schools: "Gospel Hall, Indiana, will hold vacation Bible school Monday through Friday from 10-11:30 p.m. (sic).

The theme for this year's school is 'Amazing Miracles of the Bible'." There was a misprint in the paper that advertised the services from 10-11:30 p.m. Faith Baptist Church, Indiana Church of Christ, Calvary Evangelical Free Church, Hebron Evangelical Lutheran Church & Indiana Gospel Hall each had their own VBS programs for that week, independent of one another, and Ferguson Bible Church, Hope Lutheran, & Bethany Chapel (Marion Center) held VBS previous weeks.

2000's

2000

  • TIG 2000-7-29: Tent Meetings: "Evangelists Dale Vitale of North Huntingdon and Gary Sharp of Port Clinton, Ontario, are conducting a series of tent meetings sponsored by the Christians of the Gospel Hall, Indiana, through Fri., Aug. 11. All meetings begin at 7 p.m. Vacation Bible School will be held Aug. 7-11 in the tent from 10:30 a.m. until noon. Parents are encouraged to attend with their children." (Gazette photo by Melissa Pucillo of Dale Vitale).

2008

  • TIG 2008-8-18: "Vacation Bible School: Aug. 18-22, each night 6-8 P.M. Indiana Gospel Hall. 5th & Locust Streets. 'Bible Heroes and Heroines'; Lesson, Games, Crafts, Snacks, Fun. All warmly invited. If transportation needed, call..."

Sources


    • The Indiana Weekly Messenger
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