church history

church history

Butler Memorial Presbyterian Church, 126 E. Rayen Ave., will conduct its final service at 3 p.m. Sunday. Participants will be the Rev. Stephanie Crossland, moderator of Eastminster Presbytery; the Rev. Dr. Nancy Kahain, interim general Presbyter; Dr. Victor Wan-Tatah, retired director of Africana studies at Youngstown State University; the Rev. Katy Yates Brungraber, member-at-large of Eastminister Presbytery and moderator of the administrative commission; and the Rev. Dr. Donna Sloan, who serves on the Presbytery’s administrative committee.

Of note: Butler was the only black Presbyterian church between Pittsburgh and Cleveland, serving the Youngstown area. Originally named St. Stephen’s Presbyterian Church, the church was renamed in honor of benefactor, Henry A. Butler, son of Youngstown philanthropist Joseph G. Butler Jr. Information from the church’s 75th anniversary notes that the younger Butler “became aware of a situation which he found appalling.” A small group of black Presbyterians wished to worship at a local church but because of their race, it was not permitted. With loans and Butler’s donation, the group was able to buy the property on East Rayen from a Welsh congregation.

The beginning: J.W. Tucker and family, former Congregationalists, met in 1922 and sought a church. Services were at Booker T. Washington Settlement (later the black YMCA) and now Rescue Mission of Mahoning Valley; Helen’s Chapel of First Presbyterian Church on Wood Street; and Westminster Presbyterian Church, then in Youngstown. Records note it was at Westminster that the church was organized and the original name selected. The Rev. Charles B. Dusenberry was founding pastor, serving from 1923-40.

Original Session members: They served from 1923-30 and were Orlando Ford, clerk, and Edward S. Baskin, James Charity, Samuel Snyder, William H. Tucker, Adducus Tucker, R. Gayles, Dock May, B.N. Maxwell, W.H. Johnson, Sandy Taylor and Emerson M. Cornwell.

Finale Session members: Lillie Fleming Reynolds, clerk, and Cleopatra “Cleo” Taylor Blakely, Flora Hodge, Shelvie Flemming, Arthur Moyer and Joyce Paul.

Pastoral leadership: Butler Presbyterian had 20 full- and part-time pastors and students, along with volunteer preachers and supply pastors. History notes that the Rev. Thomas David Parham, a student pastor from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, served 1942-45 before becoming a chaplain for three decades in the U.S. Navy Chaplain Corps.

Community presence: In the Wick neighborhood, Palm Sunday parade, vacation Bible school and joint worship service; support of the Rev. Bob Offerdahl and Dakota Presbytery American Indian Mission; annual donation of some $500 for clothing and school supplies since 2007; Gutknecht Towers, prayer and support and food delivery with First Presbyterian since 2002; Presbyterian Women’s Thanksgiving food distribution, Christmas fruit baskets and Easter candy; and National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

Special services and events: Smokey Hollow Memorial Day service, shared services with First Presbyterian, Maundy Thursday communion, Men’s Brotherhood, adult and junior choirs, Crossroad Explorers, Wednesday prayer meetings, Rainbow Tea, Family Day, Mother’s and Father’s Days breakfasts, Fall Rally, Christmas program and Christmas Eve service.