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175th anniversary
Small but loyal membership cherishes memories of Coitsville Presbyterian Church
By LINDA M. LINONIS
coitsville
Life is filled with beginnings and endings.
More than a century ago, Coitsville Presybterian Church was organized on April 12, 1836. It was one of five pioneer Presbyterian churches established in the Mahoning Valley by Scotch-Irish settlers.
The 175th anniversary will be the last such event for the only church in the township. The church began with seven charter members and will close with about 15 members. In the years from its founding to the present time, the church has had as many as 500 members to a couple hundred. Its decline in membership reflects the situation in many mainline denominations. A bulletin from 1952 notes that 36 new members joined at Easter.
Some members gathered recently to reminisce. Ron Noble said he has been a member “all my life.” “My parents and grandparents attended ... seven generations have been here,” he said. His wife, Valda, joined in 1955.
Ron Noble said the church still has the original deed signed by members of Coitsville Presbyterian Society. Members of his family have served as elders of the church.
Ed and Faye Guidosh also claim a long affiliation with the church. He’s been there about 60 years, she since the 1940s. Ancestors of Faye Guidosh’s first husband, Franklin Jackson, were among the founders. Ed Guidosh can recall vibrant Sunday school classes.
The Nobles and Guidoshes both agreed that the church is a “welcoming” place where they have had many friends. Carol and Don Cioretti have belonged since 2001. She said, “Members were friendly and welcomed us.”
Verna Kness, a member since the early 1940s, recalled attending a Synod School at Wooster College with other church members and participating in adult Sunday school sessions.
Sandy Pennabaker, a relative newcomer as a member for 15 years, said she was impressed by how members “greeted people” and made strangers feel welcome at the church.
Vivian Clifton, a 65-year member, said she probably has served on every committee that the church had at one time or another.
Though the loyal members are saddened at the prospect of the church closing, they said they knew it was reality. “Everyone has to move onward,” said Faye Guidosh.
The Rev. Robert “Bob” Offerdahl, retired pastor of Christ Church Presbyterian in Youngstown, now serves small churches. He has been at Coitsville Presbyterian since 2007 and also has served Gibson Heights-Second Presbyterian Church. “There are issues to deal with ... maybe finding a temporary home for weekly worship,” he speculated. He said the membership also has looked into renting to another ministry but nothing has panned out.
About two or three years ago, members decided to worship in the fellowship hall to conserve heating costs. The sanctuary, with soaring wooden ceiling and stained glass window, is not used.
A fundraiser pancake breakfast May 14 may help the church squeak by a while longer. There is no firm date for closing, the pastor said.
Pastor Offerdahl also noted that the members face the question of “what to keep.” Historical records will go to the Presbyterian Historical Foundation in Philadelphia. What will happen with the church building and property is not decided.
“Everything is temporary ... that’s life,” said Ed Guidosh about the looming closing of the church. His wife added, “Seems like I’ve been here forever.”
“We’re all sad but we have to be realistic,” Kness said.
The members noted that the church has been fortunate to receive an annual donation from the Sheely Family Foundation and $250,000 from the estate of a member, Chester Allen, who died in the 1920s.
Even in the face of sadness, members have humor. The church had choirs throughout the years but now sometimes its a trio, sextet or even a soloist. But the pianist, Francis Colabine, comes to play faithfully each Sunday from her home at Park Vista in Youngstown.
The members remembered popular spaghetti and Swiss steak dinners and rummage sales over the years. The Goldenaires, a senior citizens group, and Boy Scout troop once met at the church.
At one time, the church had a bell choir. Its music program featured Christmas and Easter cantatas and there were adult and youth choirs. There are reams of sheet music stored. “I even remember a church band as a kid,” Ron Noble said.
For the last few years, the church has sponsored a hat and mitten tree that has gone to the YWCA. It also continues its Sunday school and Bible study.