gma news: Vanderbilt church marks 175 years

Sunday, July 7, 2013

Vanderbilt church marks 175 years

By Tyler Kimmel

Published: Saturday, July 6, 2013, 9:00?p.m.
Updated 4 hours ago

East Liberty Presbyterian Church in Vanderbilt is ready to celebrate a major milestone.

The church will mark its 175th anniversary Saturday and July 14. Pastor David McElroy, who has been with the church since 2006, wants to remember the church's long history while preparing for its future.

?Church history has a lot to do with present times,? McElroy said. ?We're just trying to continue to carry out the work of the Lord here at East Liberty. It's important to remember your history.?

Festivities that are open to the public will begin with a dinner at 5 p.m. Saturday. The dinner will feature a video that will showcase many functions the church has held and serve as a remembrance of past members.

Church service will be held as normal on July 14, with help from former pastors James Watt, Dave Caves Jr. and Jane Young. There will be a dinner after the church service.

The weekend will not only serve as a celebration of the past, but also as a reminder to the citizens that East Liberty is still an important part of the community.

?We're still here, and we're still carrying on service in the community,? McElroy said.

The small, red brick church that sits next to an old cemetery has a membership of 89 people, most of whom have been there for decades.

?I've been a member since 1976, and my wife Sheila is a 50-year member,? Joe Kurtz said.

East Liberty will combine with the Vanderbilt Church of Christ and Vanderbilt Church of Nazarene for Bible School at the end of July. East Liberty offers a morning prayer time from 5:30-6:30 Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. These services are a major part of McElroy's ultimate goal.

?We're trying to serve here in the community and be an open-door church to the community,? McElroy said.

Tyler Kimmel is a contributing writer for Trib Total Media.