The Simpson Bible Church will celebrate its 125th Anniversary with a series of special services this coming week.
There is a Kittanning Township church that for more than a century has been known as “the little white church on the hill”.
The Simpson Bible Church is celebrating its 125th Anniversary with a series of special evening services from September 30 through October 7.
The Reverend Joshua Webb, current church pastor, said the concept of the week-long celebration was birthed several years ago.
“The concept for this event was laid upon my heart by the Lord about four years ago,” Webb said. “Each night will feature a different speaker, which is untraditional, yet refreshing for those in attendance. The speakers participating in this event have been a blessing in my life one way or another.”
The background of each speaker is unique, Webb said.
“It will be so much more than just a series of sermons. We have musical performances, testimonies, theatrical ministry, and an even dedicated just for the children to celebrate.”
For the worship series of services, there is a different minister featured each night. On Sunday, September 30, Pastor Chuck King of Frontier Harvest Ministries in Ford City will speak. Others include: Monday October 1: Pastor Scott Keifer of House of Hope, Vandergrift; Tuesday, October 2: Kevin Anthony of Kittanning will lead worship; Wednesday, October 3: Pastor Fred Kison of Intersection Church, Butler; Thursday, October 4: Pastor Walt Marr of Elderton; Friday, October 5: Pastor Mitch Tepper of New York City; Saturday, October 6: Evangelist Jim Wagner of Kittanning; and Sunday, October 7: Pastor Brandon Weiss of Crossroads Youth in Plainfield, NJ will provide ministry to youth.
Service times are 7PM nightly except for Sunday, October 7 when the youth service will begin at 6. The public is invited to attend. For more information, call 412- 956-9322.
The Simpson Bible Church has been known as the “little white church on the hill” for more than a century. The sign above the door states the current building was erected in 1893.
The church has a rich history in Armstrong County.
The church’s founder, the Reverend John Simpson, was a “Circuit Riding” pioneer lay preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church in the early 1800s. On October 1, 1840, he purchased 660 acres of land in Kittanning Township. He sent his sons, Charles and Thomas, to develop his purchase in 1842. He visited with his sons often while ministering for the Methodist Church.
According to church history, there was no church building erected on Simpson’s property during his lifetime. He did, however, preach on many occasions on the “acre” and at other localities in the neighborhood. Reverend Simpson died on April 21, 1860.
In 1868, the first church was built on the property. Unfortunately, it was destroyed by a strong storm. Parts of the church were found later, about a mile away, from where the church stood.
The second church building was funded by donations from the community. This building stood for about 25 years before a fire, which started from a spark in the chimney, burned a hole in the roof. The remainder of the second church was later torn down and the lumber was sold to a man who used it to build his barn.
The first two buildings were erected by Thomas Simpson and neighbors. The church came under the jurisdiction of the Methodist Episcopal Church of the Pittsburgh Annual Conference, Blairsville District. The District eventually abandoned the church.
The third and current church was built in 1893. This church was sold by the Methodist Conference to the Simpson heirs, who improved it and the surrounding grounds.
On July 26, 1937, David Simpson (grandson of the Rev. John Simpson) and his wife, Elexenia, deeded the current church and burial ground to the Rev. John Simpson Memorial Association, a non-profit corporation chartered by the Court of Armstrong County, PA.
Today, a board of directors continue to operate the church and it is supported through its membership and the local community at large.
