Bellevue United Presbyterian Church

Bellevue United Presbyterian Church was organized in February, 1872. A year later, the congregation built its first building on South Howard Avenue. As the congregation grew, a larger church was commissioned. The cornerstone of the current church was laid on November 10, 1900, and the building was dedicated on November 1, 1901. A stone located in the front left of the church building is etched with the name of the church and the year 1901. The church is constructed of Beaver gray stone and the stained glass windows in the Sanctuary are the original windows. The architect, J. Lewis Beatty, was also the architect for West Penn Hospital. The lot cost $7,500 and the building cost $29,999. In 1903, the Estey Organ Company installed the pipe organ at a total cost of $4,000, $2,000 of which was donated as a gift from Andrew Carnegie. The sanctuary was built to seat 675 people, but a few of the pews in front and in back were removed to make more space. The sanctuary of Bellevue United Presbyterian Church is graced by large stained glass windows on three of its walls. These are the original windows made by the Willet Stained Glass Company in 1900. Anne Lee Willett also worked with the company. William Willet wrote that “Mrs. Willet does not merely advise or assist but does much of the work and in all our commissions we find each others help invaluable and in many instances divide the important features.” At the time of his death in 1921, William Willet was considered one of the most important stained glass artists in America. In Pittsburgh, other windows 6designed by Willet can be found in the Cathedral of Saint Paul, the First Presbyterian Church, and Calvary Episcopal Church. To the right of the pulpit (if you are facing the pulpit) is a trio of windows. The middle window has three sections. On the left is the verse “Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin; and yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed as one of these.” Matthew 6:28-29. The middle section portrays Jesus knocking at the door with the verse “Behold I stand at the door, and knock; if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and sup with him, and he with me.” Revelation 3:20. The section on the right has the verse “The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose.” Isaiah 35:1. To the left of the pulpit is another trio of stained glass windows, the middle of which also has three sections. The middle section portrays Job with the verse “I know that my Redeemer liveth.” Job 19:25. The left and right sections state “Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness” and “Praise Him all angels of His.” Under these can be found the names of Hugh and Mary Bole who were among the original 21 members of the church.