South Avenue Methodist Church

Methodism was one of the first organized religions to take hold in the Wilkinsburg area.

The Wilkinsburg Methodist Episcopal church moved to this location after selling its original building on Wallace Ave to the Baptist Church in 1890s. As with many structures at the time, fire was a constant concern and indeed the church suffered such a disaster in 1907. Plans to rebuild began immediately and a new church was officially dedicated in 1909. The rebuilt structure still stands today more than 100 years later, although additions and renovations have been made over the years.

Contributing to the War Effort:
In 1859 a bell was cast in England to be used in the original Church on Wallace Avenue. After a time a crack appeared in the bell, and it was converted to a flower vase where it stood for many years until WWII broke out. A national metal drive prompted the church to donate the old bell to the war effort.

More info in our digital archives!