mon church
July 29 – 30 2023 The Monongahela Church of the Nazarene will be celebrating 100 years of God’s goodness.
July 29 – 6:00 pm focused on the Past
July 30-10:00 pm focused on the future
Below is a short history that can be edited.
On July 25, 1923, the Monongahela Church of the Nazarene was organized with 24 members, with $399.03 in the bank. We have been given a great heritage and must always remember the people who sacrificed so that we can continue to spread the message of Salvation to the city of Monongahela. We are going to hear a story of men and women who allowed God to work within their lives.
The Monongahela Church of the Nazarene started with small groups whose members sought God’s will for their lives. Because God had done so much for them, they wanted to share their blessings with others. Among those wanting to see the people of the Mon-Valley change, were two groups of people – One at Victory Hill and the other in the Webster Area.
Under the leadership of David Brandon and others, A Sunday School was established at the Victory Hill School. Every home was canvassed, and children were brought to Sunday school. Violet Lewis, then a child herself, even helped mothers wash and dress the children whom she led to the schoolhouse every Sunday afternoon. Many went in their bare feet, but all were taught about Jesus’ love for them and how he could become a part of their lives through redemption. Almost half of the charter members of the Monongahela Church came from this group.
Then in the Webster area was a group of people who believed in the saving and sanctifying power of Christ and the Holy Spirit. They formed prayer groups and went from home to home carrying the message of full salvation. Among these were the Andrees, Wilsons Booths, Sarbers, Boyds, Roberts, Hamiltons, Evans, Ghrists, Gillinghams, Halls, and Mrs. Donley. Because there was a need and a request from the President of the School Board, George, and Ida Gillingham, a Sunday School was opened in East Donora in the School House. Many who found Christ in the Sunday school and prayer meetings became members of the Nazarene Church, not only in Monongahela but in Belle Vernon and Smithton.
In the summer of 1923, tent meetings were held in Monongahela by Rev. Frank Strickler an engineer on the P&L E Railroad at Newell, PA. This tent meeting was held at the YMCA tennis courts across the street from, which is now, Chess Park. The leaders of these meetings prayed and preached salvation and holiness. God blessed the meetings and there was a harvest of souls saved and believers sanctified. After holding the tent meetings for four weeks, Dr. J.H. Sloan Pittsburgh District Superintendent of the church of the Nazarene came to Monongahela, and a new church was born with Twenty-four members.
Florence Armstrong C. D. Houseman
Olive Moffitt Bowers Violet Lewis Ingland
David Brandon H. H. Jackson
Martha Brandon George Kircher
Mary Brandon John Leathers
Patty Patterson Brandon Anne Mitchell
David Clendenen David Mitchell
Sara Clendenen Sarah Murray
Daisy Doak Thomas Robertson
Isabell Gales Irene Gales Sarber
Thomas Gales
Charles Hillman
Dr. Sloan appointed John Leathers, David Brandon, and Thomas Gales as trustees. He appointed Daisy Doak, Mary Brandon, C.D. Houseman, and Sara Clendenen as Stewards.
Rev. Frank Strickler, from the California Church of the Nazarene, aided by David Mitchell, A licensed minister, became our first Pastor. The Sunday School was organized under the capable leadership of David Brandon, who had years of experience as a Sunday School leader. Mrs. Thomas Gales, with a burning zeal for world evangelism, pioneered as our First Missionary Society President (Now Nazarene Missions International). Irene Gales Sarber, a young lady of vision who had spent many years working in God’s vineyard, was elected leader of the Nazarene Young People Society (Now Nazarene Youth International).
During the years we have been under the spiritual leadership of 9 Pastors who all have made many sacrifices so that God’s church would prosper.
Rev. Frank Strickler – 2 years
Rev. Paul Andree – 36 years
Rev. Charles Coller – 13 years
Rev. Louis Staubs – 4 years
Rev. Leonard Daws – 2 years
Rev. Wayne Miller – 12 years
Rev. David Shirer – 6 years
Rev. Thomas Charles – 2 years
Rev. Raymond DiCamillo – 23 years and counting.
Throughout our early history, many great evangelists came to minister to us during revivals. Among the earlier evangelists were Uncle Bud Robinson, who arrived in Monongahela by a train carrying a small suitcase; Bona and John Fleming; R.T. Williams; C. W. Ruth; G.B. Morrison; C. Warren Jones; Ruth Teasdale; Dr. William Heslep, a Bible scholar from England; Rev. James, Editor of “The Flame” and many others. At these revivals, many realized their need for Christ, asked for forgiveness, and sought sanctification.
The Monongahela Church has often been referred to as the mother church. Rev. Andree conducted revival services in the Waltersburg area after which the Waltersburg Church of the Nazarene was established. Rev. John Andree was the first Pastor of the Belle Vernon Church and Mrs. Ida Booth went to Jerome where she let her light shine and was an instrument in God’s hands in establishing an interest in a Nazarene church.
Among the sons and daughters of the church who went to preach the Gospel were R.B. Acheson, (he also served as Pittsburgh District Superintendent), Donald Amon, John Andree, Alvin Cottle, Albert Creighton, Nelson Douglas Sr., Paul W. Douglas, Sr., Raymond Holsopple, Sr., Rober Ingland Sr., Leonard Johnson, H. H. Jackson, George Jarvis, George Kircher, David Mitchell, Clarence Neiderheiser, Elsie Neiderheiser Ingland, Luther Pierce, George Sarber, Robert Sarber, and Arthur Roxby.
From our church, Wilma Jean Ingland became an Evangelist, and Carolyn Beeler Myatt, one of our Sunday school students, became a missionary to India and Papua New Guinea. Rev. David Snyder worked as our children’s pastor, Rev. Jason Barnet is the Lead Pastor in Ravena, KY, Rev. Timothy Tipton served as Youth Pastor for three and Rev. J.R. Roberts is currently a licensed minister. Many others became workers in the Lord’s vineyard in various capacities and became pillars in other churches.
In 2000 the church voted to bring in Rev. Raymond DiCamillo as their ninth Pastor. Rev. DiCamillo has served the church for 23 years. Throughout that time the church has faced many challenges and God has been faithful.
Rev. DiCamillo graduated from MVNU in 1987 and received a Master of Divinity in 1991. Upon graduation from Seminary, he moved to Boston and married Tonja (Patch) DiCamillo. The DiCamillos has served as Youth Pastor at the Framingham Church, Collingdale church as an associate and Avon/Grove as a Youth Pastor. Rev. DiCamillo was ordained in 1999. The DiCamillos have three children Oksana (Arthur) McPherson, Gabrielle (Joey) Strope, and Raymond A.
In 2020 the church was about to make a step into the future when COVID-19 struck the country. Since then attendance and giving took a hit. We have to learn how to share the message of salvation in a post-COVID environment. With a community that is predominately elderly and a building that is over 100 years, there are many challenges to overcome.
We are committed to reaching the lost, helping those in need loving those we come in contact with. With the Holy Spirit guiding us we believe that the Monongahela Church of the Nazarene will continue for the next 100 years.