Guide to the Records of Troy Hill Presbyterian Church, 1904-1967

Arrangement

Repository
Heinz History Center
Title
Records of Troy Hill Presbyterian Church
Creator
Troy Hill Presbyterian Church
Collection Number
MSS#336
Extent
1.75 cubic feet (2 boxes and 2 shelf volumes)
Date
1904-1967
Abstract
The people who began what became Troy Hill Presbyterian Church settled in an area known as Bohemian Hill. These settlers were Presbyterian Czechs. In 1901, Rev. William Brichita dedicated a small chapel that had been built at the stone quarry known as the Bethlehem Chapel. This replaced the tent that was previously used as a place of worship. Rev. Filipi held the first services in the Czech language. In February 1908 a larger building was constructed and named the First Bohemian Presbyterian Church. By the 1920s, English was incorporated into the services and the name was changed to the Troy Hill Presbyterian Church. This collection includes financial records, membership records, receipt books, ledgers, and other sundry items.
Language
The material in this collection is in English.
Author
This guide to the collection was originally prepared by Kaitlin E. Ehrhardt in June 2001. Revisions occurred to the finding aid as a part of the encoding process in Winter, 2001-2002.
Sponsor
This finding aid has been encoded as a part of the Historic Pittsburgh project a joint effort of the University of Pittsburgh and the Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania. Funding for this portion of the project has been donated by the Hillman Foundation.
Publisher
Heinz History Center
Address
1212 Smallman St.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
library@heinzhistorycenter.org
URL: https://www.heinzhistorycenter.org

History of Troy Hill Presbyterian Church

The people who began what came to be called Troy Hill Presbyterian Church settled in an area known as Bohemian Hill. People who settled here, unlike the rest of the German Catholic population of Troy Hill, were of Czech ethnic origin and Presbyterian.

In 1901, Rev. William Brichita dedicated a small chapel built atop a stone quarry on the western-most point of Troy Hill as Bethlehem Chapel. This building was to replace the tent church members had been using as a place of worship. The name was taken from the church in Prague where 15th century Protestant reformer Jan Hus was a member. The first services were held in the members' native Czech language and conducted by Rev. Filipi.

In February 1908 a larger building was dedicated as the First Bohemian Presbyterian Church. Inside was an alter and twenty pews. The communion table has a Bohemian phrase burnt onto it, which translated means "This do in My remembrance". A parsonage was built next door ten years later. Gradually, English was incorporated into church services. The name Troy Hill Presbyterian Church was not adopted until the 1920s.

Several Ladies' Aid groups and at least one men's group began within the church. The ladies' groups were divided by age. These groups provided opportunities for socializing and working toward the betterment of the church community. These groups later disbanded as the congregational population decreased.

The church began to lose members as more and more people began to move into the suburbs following the 1960s. In 1999, the Pittsburgh Presbytery voted to dissolve the church. Final services were conducted on October 24, 1999 with a farewell from the church's pastor of 22 years, Rev. Harry R. Heinrich. All records of session minutes were sent to the Presbytery in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The church has since reopened as the Hallelujah Community Church.

Scope and Content Notes

This collection includes financial records, membership records, receipt books, ledgers and other sundry items. This collection strongly details the activities of the male and female support groups of the church. These records lack any theological content as well vital statistics such as birth, baptism, marriage, or death records. It is important to note that all records until about 1930 are in Czech.

Arrangement

The Troy Hill Presbyterian Church Records are arranged in three series. Series have been created for Lodge Martha, John Hus Society and Miscellaneous Congregational Records.

The Troy Hill Presbyterian Church Records are housed in three archival boxes and 2 shelf volumes.

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

These materials were received in one accession in 1999.

Acc. 1999.0205 Gift of Mr. A.J. Husak and Rev. Harry R. Heidrich acting on behalf of the Troy Hill Presbyterian Church.

Preferred Citation

Records of the Troy Hill Presbyterian Church, 1904-1967, MSS# 336, Historical Society of western Pennsylvania.

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Kaitlin E. Ehrhardt in June 2001.

Revision and rearrangement for the encoded version of the finding aid provided by Doug macGregor on March 8, 2002.

Conditions Governing Use

Property rights reside with the Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania. Literary rights are retained by the creators of the records and their heirs. For permissions to reproduce or publish, please contact the curator of the Archives.

Subjects

    Corporate Names

    • Troy Hill Presbyterian Church (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
    • First Bohemian Presbyterian Church (Pittsburgh, Pa.)

    Geographic Names

    • Troy Hill (Pittsburgh, Pa.)

    Other Subjects

    • Presbyterians -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
    • Church buildings -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh

Container List