Grace Memorial Presbyterian Church, the oldest African-American Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh and Allegheny County, was organized January 12, 1868, and celebrated over 150 years of ministry a few years ago. Their mission is to win souls for Christ by proclaiming the gospel in word and deed.
Henry Highland Garnet, a former slave, came to Pittsburgh in 1868 after being appointed as the new president of Avery College, an institution of higher learning for African-Americans. Rev. Garnet, who was also the first African-American to speak before the House of Representatives, started a Presbyterian church for Blacks who were worshiping at the integrated Sixth Presbyterian Church in Squirrel Hill. He served as the first pastor of this church for two years. In 1948 Grace Memorial moved to its present location on 1000 Bryn Mawr Road.
Grace Memorial has been a safe haven in the Hill District area, with a history of strong and charismatic pastors, and they continue to build a ministry of hope. The African-American church has long been rooted in being a sanctuary, a safe place, and Grace wants to keep that going for many years in the future. The church also has had a strong community outreach that touches many outside the church. In 1995, Grace formed an afterschool program, the Schenley Heights Community Development Program (SHCDP), that continues as an academically focused out-of-school time service for youth K-9th grade, enabling them to achieve greater academic and social in-school success through cultural enrichment. Several of Westminster members have served or currently serve on the Board of Directors of this program.
Westminster is connected with Grace Memorial in various ways including a three-year joint funding of Rev. Gavin Walton’s salary along with Shadyside Presbyterian when Rev. Walton was installed as pastor. For several years many Westminster members attended a Lenten workshop series held at the church, and together both churches hold a book study each Monday. This group started in May 2016 when 6 to 15 members of Westminster traveled together in a van to Grace Memorial Presbyterian Church to meet in their fellowship hall with Grace members to discuss a book, movie, or current events addressing issues of racial and economic justice. With COVID concerns and with some members now outside of the Pittsburgh area, the group now meets every Monday via Zoom for 90 minutes. Anyone is welcome to join. Email Bobbie Hartman for the Zoom link.
God’s grace has kept Grace Memorial going and thriving for a century and a half in the Hill District of Pittsburgh, and this warm, welcoming, and faithful congregation is a powerful force for good and God’s love here in Pittsburgh.
Will Hignett