Manchester RPC

Organization date: circa 1795

Location: New Kensington, Pa.

Presbytery: Alleghenies

Membership: 37 communicant, 12 baptized

Pastor: Vince Scavo

Website: www.ManchesterRPchurch.org

Our History

The Parnassus/Manchester congregation has existed in some form since 1795 (as a society, then two yoked congregations, and later as a single congregation which moved from one site to the other).

In 1958, the congregation was worshiping in the Parnassus neighborhood of New Kensington. That year they built a chapel on the “old” Manchester site, about 10 miles away from Parnassus, to serve as a mission Sabbath school. They expanded this chapel by adding on what is now the main meeting hall.  The congregation moved to this Manchester site from Parnassus in 1961.  The chapel now serves as a fellowship hall and is used twice a month for fellowship dinners after the Sabbath morning worship, as well as for monthly fellowship nights.

Presently the congregation is made up of 37 communicant members, 12 baptized children, and 5 adherents for a total of 54 people in 20 homes. Vince Scavo has been the pastor since the summer of 2001.

The membership has changed quite a bit over the past decade as controversies took their toll. But since 2001, the Lord has been pleased to add 28 new people (including covenant children) to the congregation and has blessed us with peace.

Our Ministries

We continue to hold several Bible studies every week, including one at our local hospital, one for women, one for men led by Elder Marlin Klingensmith, and a lunchtime study in downtown Pittsburgh led by Elder Randy Johovich. Randy also continues to lead our all-ages Sabbath School in an informative and enjoyable journey through the Gospel of John.  Vince serves as a chaplain at the local hospital.

Most of the congregation has come to the RP church from the outside. There is a deep appreciation for the Lord’s grace in calling us to Himself, the riches of the Reformed faith, and the purity of worship. We desire to bring the gospel to those around us, many of whom have the same Roman Catholic and liberal Protestant backgrounds from which a number of us have come.

Fun Facts

• All of our families with school-aged children are homeschooled, and there is much mutual encouragement and fellowship.

• The congregation is spread out geographically, with members as far away as Latrobe (45 minutes southeast), and Butler (1 hour northwest).

Prayer Requests

• Pray that the members of the Manchester RPC will be used by God to touch the lives of the people in their community for His glory.

• Pray for the families in the Manchester RPC with young children, that the covenant children will come to faith at an early age and grow into mighty warriors for God’s kingdom.