Uniontown, Pa. – On Wednesday, September 16, Asbury United Methodist Church will host a community celebration that ties the congregation’s rich heritage to the nation’s 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Pastor Ryan Washabaugh will open the event at 6 p.m., welcoming residents, families and visitors to the historic sanctuary at the corner of South Beeson Avenue and Dunbar Street.
History presented by longtime member
Former Uniontown resident and church historian Frank Kurtik will deliver a detailed presentation on the church’s origins, tracing its roots back to the Revolutionary War era. The talk will highlight the congregation’s early days, the construction of its third building in 1839, and the story of the bell that still hangs in the belfry.
The bell was cast in Philadelphia by John Wilbank, who had previously been hired to replace the cracked bell of the old State House (now Independence Hall). When Wilbank discovered the old bell’s scrap value did not justify removal, he chose to preserve it, noting, “I cannot destroy the bell. Your children and my children will someday value it.” That sentiment of stewardship and inter‑generational responsibility resonates strongly with today’s faithful.
Organ music and fellowship
Following the presentation, organist Bert Sesler will lead the congregation in a selection of hymns, culminating in a celebratory cake and reception. The gathering offers a chance for longtime members and newcomers alike to reflect on the church’s role in shaping Uniontown’s moral fabric.
From frontier settlement to Methodist stronghold
Settlers arrived in what would become Fayette County in the 1770s, when the area was still claimed by both Pennsylvania and Virginia. Itinerant Methodist preachers traveled the frontier, eventually establishing a log church near Henry Beeson’s grist mill, known then as Beeson’s Town, later Union, then Union Town.
Methodists, originally part of the Church of England, recognized after the 1783 war for independence that a church whose supreme governor was the British monarch could no longer serve a free American people. In 1784, the Methodist Episcopal denomination was formed at a conference in Baltimore, while more traditionally minded Anglicans created the Protestant Episcopal Church.
Francis Asbury, sent from England by John Wesley in 1771, ministered to American Methodists throughout the war. At the Baltimore Conference he was ordained a Superintendent (later titled Bishop). Bishop Asbury visited Uniontown several times, and when the present building was completed in 1919, the congregation honored him by adopting his name.
Why the celebration matters
This event underscores the enduring partnership between faith and patriotism that helped forge the United States. By remembering the church’s Revolutionary‑War origins, Asbury United Methodist affirms the timeless values of liberty, family and community that continue to guide the nation.
All are invited to join the celebration, enjoy fellowship, and experience a living piece of American history. For more information, contact the church office at (724) 555‑0123.
Original reporting: Herald-Standard – latest news for Uniontown, Pennsylvania — read the source article.
