Hazleton Area RPC

Location: Hazleton, Pa.

Organized: Apr. 1, 1995

Pastor: Paul Brace

Membership: 28 communicant; 13 baptized

Presbytery: Atlantic

Website: www.hazletonrpc.com

In 1978, while attending Covenant Chapel under the ministry of Leverne Rosenberger, Tony Olivieri became interested in Reformed Presbyterian theology. Over six years of study and conviction, he came to understand the wisdom of exclusive psalm singing. When Pastor Rosenberger moved on, Tony and his family moved back to Grace Fellowship Church (under the ministry of Tedd Tripp) in West Hazleton, Pa. During a decade of worship at Grace Fellowship, Tony kept in touch with Rev. Rosenberger and grew stronger in his commitment to Reformed Presbyterian doctrine.

Around this time Jonathan Leach accepted a position as chaplain at the White Haven Center near Hazleton and moved to the area. Rev. Rosenberger strongly suggested that Jonathan meet with Tony. At the same time Dr. Norman Carson also advised that Tony contact Jonathan.

Jonathan Leach said, “My dissatisfaction with available houses of worship, Mr. Rosenberger’s insistence that I contact Tony Olivieri, Tony’s yearning for spiritual worship, and my instant liking for this Christian man: All these conspired to ignite my interest in beginning a Reformed Presbyterian Church in Hazleton.” The two men started praying, planning, and planting. During the next three years there were many firsts:

May 1, 1994—First service at White Haven Center (attending were the Leach family, the Olivieri family, Debbie Rossi and Phyllis Alampi).

June 19, 1994—First service at the Altamont building.

Aug. 14, 1994—First baptisms (Nathan and Rebekah Olivieri).

Apr. 1, 1995—First service as a mission church.

May 7, 1995—First observation of Lord’s supper.

Oct. 22, 1995—First infant baptism (William Edward Yaracz, Jr.).

Feb. 10, 1996—First wedding (Jack and Mariah Olivieri).

Sept. 1, 1996—First worship service in our present building.

Then the church began to grow, but not without growing pains. For several years Jonathan and Tony alternated preaching along with several guest preachers. In 1999 Mark England was called as pulpit supply and stayed for two years.

On Aug. 13, 2004, Tony was involved in a tragic auto accident. He died 13 days later. Many came to honor him at his funeral, both from local congregations and other RP churches in the Atlantic Presbytery. For Christians the deepest sorrow often becomes the greatest joy.

“The righteous who walks in his integrity, his children are blessed after him” (Prov. 20:7). Tony’s son, Seth, is a deacon, as is his son-in-law, Joe Davidovich. Tony’s mother-in-law (Phyllis Alampi) is the oldest member of the Hazleton congregation, and his granddaughter (Scarlett O’Hara) is the youngest.

Jonathan Leach resigned in Sept. 2004. This left Andy Anderson as the sole resident elder. In 2006, Pastor John Edgar became moderator and Pastor Bill Edgar the provisional elder.

The need for a full-time pastor was great and several men candidated. Chris Bogosh accepted a call in 2007. Pastor Bogosh was ordained and installed June 7, 2007. He resigned on Jan. 1, 2008. Once again Andy was the sole resident elder.

As the Hazleton flock slowly healed from this setback, it once again sought God’s leading in supplying a shepherd. Pastor Paul Brace was chosen, and he was installed on May 2, 2009.

In 1995 there were 15 communicant members and 7 baptized members, and now the congregation has nearly doubled. The congregation eagerly awaits the ordination and installation of elder elect Phil Urie. Once he is installed, the congregation and session will need to do the difficult work of outreach to the community. With few members living near the church building, ministry to the local neighborhood (consisting of dramatically different demographics) is difficult. Some RP churches in similar circumstances have tried to reach out; others have relocated. Hazleton Area RPC will try several forms of outreach throughout 2011 before deciding on future actions.

Meanwhile, the likelihood of the American Presbyterian Church near Wilkes Barre, Pa. joining the presbytery is an encouragement. Friendship between the two churches has proven mutually beneficial, and there is now an exciting possibility of a unified regional ministry.

Like any church, Hazleton Area RPC has many shortcomings. Its strength, however, has always been perseverance. Humanly speaking, the church should have closed countless times in its short history. But the Lord has always blessed us. Whatever good there may be in Hazleton, whatever perseverance has been exercised, it has all flowed from the throne of grace and all to the glory of God.