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Our History, Our Vision, Our Staff

Pleasant Hills Community Presbyterian Church

An Abbreviated History

This church was conceived in February, 1939, by Mrs. Leland Hubbs and her neighbor Mr. Victor Bryant. On March 12 the first service was held at the Hubbs' home on Betty Rae Drive. There were 12 in attendance. Students from the North Side Seminary often preached and were paid $5.00. This money had to be ready to give to the Seminary student whether the collection amounted to $5.00 or not. Church was held in the Hubbs' living room, while the children's classes were held in the den, kitchen and basement.

In April, a building site on Old Clairton Road was selected. After much discussion, the Presbytery advanced money to us, and in July the property was purchased. In October the congregation voted officially to approve the architect's plans and erect the church building. In early November a groundbreaking ceremony was held.

In January, 1940 an organizational meeting was held in the Brentwood Presbyterian Church. 52 members joined, and Shadyside Presbyterian Church took us on as a mission church.

A small concrete block structure was built in which the first worship service was held on Palm Sunday, 1940. Our first full-time minister, the Rev. Paul Franklin Hudson was installed in October.

In June of 1939 a group of women had met for the purpose of planning ways to raise money for the proposed church. This group formed the Ladies' Guild, the predecessor of our current Women's Ministries.

By 1943 we had outgrown our space for Church School and were given permission to use Pleasant Hills Public School for these classes.

The Little White Church was bursting at the seams. There were 2 services each Sunday - filled to capacity- and the Church School was overflowing. In February, 1948 a building campaign was conducted to raise money for a new sanctuary. The groundbreaking ceremony was held in May 1949.

The new Georgian style Sanctuary, with seating for 700 was dedicated in May 1950. We also had a Fellowship Hall, and a new kitchen. The Little White Church was turned into offices and meeting rooms.

We were still using rooms in the public school for church school. So, in July 1955 a groundbreaking ceremony for the Education Unit was held. This addition would include several classrooms, a crib room, a music room and offices for staff. In September of the following year, the new Education Building was dedicated.

In February 1960, a groundbreaking ceremony for the Chapel was held. It was dedicated later that year.

Responding to the needs of a growing congregation and seizing the opportunity to develop more recreational and classroom space, a new worship and activities center was constructed in 2000, providing a multi-level facility with a gym, kitchen, stage, and several classrooms, as well as a youth room.