Blairsville, Pennsylvania
Church Mission/Vision Statement:
“We are a community of believers, called by God, led by the Holy Spirit to know Christ and make Christ known.”
There is a saying – “The church is not a clubhouse for saints, but rather a hospital for sinners.” This congregation is a gathering of people who know, all too well, we have fallen short of what God desires for us. We know that by being found in Christ, we’re given a new beginning. We understand that worship is not only what we do in the sanctuary, but what we do every day to glorify God. We believe that serving others in love is the ministry to which Jesus has called each of us.
We strive to be “a community of believers, called out by God and led by the Holy Spirit, to know Christ and make Christ known.” Our ministry is directed by what has been traditionally referred to as “the Six Great Ends of the Church.” Our Christian walk and witness seek to be faithful to God’s claim on our lives and call to be disciples. Therein, we strive to be about:
o the proclamation of the gospel for the salvation of humankind.
o the shelter, nurture, and spiritual fellowship of the children of God.
o the maintenance of divine worship.
o the preservation of the truth.
o the promotion of social righteousness.
o the exhibition of heaven to the world.
Our Deacon Board activities have continued to be a strong light of faith in our community; however, our youth/children’s ministry and evangelism efforts have fallen short of the vision.
Blairsville, PA is a small town nestled in the SW corner of Indiana County, adjacent to the Westmoreland County line. It is just a short twenty-minute drive North to the college town of Indiana (Indiana University of Pennsylvania) or South to Latrobe, the foothills of the Laurel Mountains. Pittsburgh is just a one-hour drive West to enjoy world class Arts, Entertainment and three professional sports teams.
In 2020, the population of Blairsville was 3,214. The racial makeup of the town at the time of the census was 96% White, 2.6% African American and less than 2% other. The median age was 51 years. The median household income was $46,082. with 18% living below the poverty level. Like many other small-town communities in Western Pennsylvania, this is a major challenge in addition to the prevalence and use of illegal drugs in the community. (Reference 2020 U.S. Census Reporter)
There is a real need in our community to feed many, both spiritually and physically. There are approximately thirteen churches of different denominations in the area. Our church is an active participant in the welfare of this small community with our food distribution by the Deacon’s Pantry and Coat Ministry. We are also a satellite distribution center for the Indiana County Food Bank. This past year, we distributed 53 coats and gave away over 40 meals during the holiday season; not including the hundreds of pounds of canned goods and bulk foods provided to families in need. Our mission to provide for the community is important and vital, and there is still much work to be done to help address drug awareness/dependency and providing youth with faith-based alternatives.
The Presbyterian Church in Blairsville was established in 1822. While the needs in our community may have changed over 200 years, our service work and commitment to God have not.