Indiana Gospel Hall, PA

Indiana Gospel Hall is an open brethren assembly over 110 years old that is located 46 miles northeast of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, which is included in its CSA. As with many brethren assemblies, suitable letters of commendation are presumed to be appreciated for visitors from a brethren background wishing to break bread, others invited to observe initially.

The assembly was started in 1910 in the home of Lott Frederick (1870-1947) and his wife Maggie Kessler Frederick (1872-1930) at 1164 Philadelphia Street, which today is near the First Commonwealth Bank Drive-Up. By 1912, it had moved to 526 on the same street, which is between the American Legion and the Heartstar House Wellness Center, then in 1913 to the "Cement Block Building" near the Frederick home.

Subsequent Moves

Wherle Building

From 1917-1938, they rented various spaces including from +1920-1927+ at 560/562 Philadelphia, in the building where naturalist & jeweler Richard White Wehrle (1852-1937) also functioned as a rudimentary optometrist.

1927 USCoRB Survey

In 1927, the USCoRB indicated that there were 30 in fellowship (14 men, 16 women) including 6 S.S. teachers presiding over 30 children (for a total of 60). The Hall was reported as a rented facility (with $355 in annual expenses, less than $6k today). $255 (over $4k today) was additionally donated towards the Lord's work.

Carpenter Avenue

1927-12-10 of The Indiana Gazette carried a headline on the front page under "Church Notes For Tomorrow" that included "Gospel Hall Congregation in New Quarters" with a subsequent explanation: "Christians, who formerly gathered in the Wehrle building, have removed their meeting place to Carpenter Ave., between Philadelphia and Church streets. Services will be conducted at the usual hours tomorrow."

It is worth noting by this editor that there have been several occasions where announcements from this assembly in the early years were deemed appropriate for the very first page of the local newspaper, particularly those concerning visiting evangelists or other ministry. See Visiting Ministry at Indiana Gospel Hall, PA for examples of this.

Troutman's history

Subsequent announcements indicated that they were meeting at the rear of "Troutman's Store". As per historic-structures.com, Troutman's was a department store founded in 1904 by Frank W. Wright (Connellsville, PA) & Sankey W. Metzler (Uniontown, PA), both of whom were involved in the mercantile business, first in Connellsville, then in 1907 in Uniontown, and in the 1920's the corporation included Adam E. Troutman as treasurer, who took over the chain in 1928, changing the name to Troutman's.

He, along with J.L. Cote, Sr., had previously founded a Troutman's in Greensburg in 1897, then becoming part of Allied Dept. Stores, and expanding into Washington, Indiana, Latrobe and Butler, PA. The company expanded into local shopping malls in the 1980's, but folded a number of them later. In 1958, Troutman's was touted as "Indiana County's most modern department store" when it moved from the S.W. Rose Building on Phila. & Eighth (previously from Phila. & Carpenter) down the block to a more modern and larger building. This business was converted into Pomeroy's in the 1980's.

White Building

TIG 1937-9-4: Gospel Hall: "Christians gathering in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, who formerly met in the Gospel Hall, Carpenter Ave., Indiana, in the rear of Troutman's Store, have vacated said premises and are now meeting on the third floor of the White Building."

There are two buildings in Indiana dedicated to the White family, one is the Catherine Brooks McConnell "Mrs. C.B.M." White building, at 653 Philadelphia St., currently housed by a restaurant. The second was the Brody's Department Store, in the Harry White Building at 699 Philadelphia St. The latter was the final location for the assembly prior to its current location. See Oakland bio, or the wiki for more on the White family. Also see Historic Indiana Walking Tour for more about the area.

5th & Locust

Page 3 of The Indiana Gazette: 1938-12-10: Gospel Hall: "Members formerly occupying the church building at the rear of Brody's Department Store, have moved to the new hall erected at the corner of Fifth and Locust streets, Indiana. Regular services will begin Lord's day, Dec. 11 as follows: 10:30 a.m. Breaking of Bread, 12:00 p.m. Sunday School and Bible Class, 7:30 p.m. Preaching of the Gospel, 7:45 p.m. Tuesday Bible Reading, 7:45 p.m. Thursday Prayer Meeting. The public is heartily invited to all these services." More than 85 years at its present location. In early September of 1995, they conducted some exterior improvements.

On April 1, 1944, page 5 of The Indiana Gazette had a large advertisement that read: "Gospel Hall. 5th and Locust Streets. Don't Forget The Gospel Meeting. Lord's Day Evening At 7:30. No music or entertainment of any kind, but something far better. The GOSPEL of the grace of God (that brings joy and peace to the troubled soul) will be preached. Seats are free, and a hearty welcome." See TIG 1944-4-1.

Locations

• 1910-1912: home of Lott Frederick, 1164 Philadelphia St.
• 1912-1913: 526 Philadelphia St.
• 1913-1916: "Cement Block Building", near 1164 Philadelphia
• +1920-1927: "Wherle Building" (3rd floor), 560/562 Philadelphia St.
• 1927-1937: "Troutman's Store" (rear), 22 S. Carpenter Ave.
• 1937-1938: "Brody's Department Store" (3rd floor), Harry White Building, 699 Philadelphia St.
• 1938-present: 501 Locust St.

Correspondents

• Lott Frederick 1910-1943+ (1870-1947)
• John Walker +1947-1969
• John C. Byers 1970-1988
• William M. Parks 1989-2003
• J. Lindsay Parks 2004-present

Meeting Times

• 1922: Breaking of Bread 9:30am, Sunday School 11:00am, Gospel 7:30pm
• 2023: Sunday School / Ministry 11:45am, Gospel 12:15pm

Also See

• Visiting Ministry at Indiana Gospel Hall, PA
• Who's Who at Indiana Gospel Hall, PA
• IGH's website

Sources

• Ancestry.com
• FindaGrave.com
• Newspapers.com
  • The Indiana Gazette
    • 1937-9-4, p. 3.; 1938-12-10, p. 3.
• OB AB's