Welcome to The Church at the Crossroads
Where We've Been
A Brief History of the Primitive Methodist Church in the U.S.A.
The religious fervor which spread over the English countryside under the leadership of John and Charles Wesley began to cool in the early 1800's. The two men, Hugh Bourne and William Clowes, local preachers in the Wesleyan Church, became zealous, consecrated men of God, interested in seeing their fellow workers converted and brought to Christ. Feeling the importance of prayer, they constantly looked to God for guidance and longed for a day spent entirely in prayer and preaching. In 1806, Lorenzo Dow, an eccentric but mighty evangelist from America told of the amazing results in the great American Camp meetings. So enthused were Bourne and Clowes that they arranged for "a whole days meeting" on Mow Cop, a rough and rugged mountain on the border between Staffordshire and Cheshire. The meeting was held May 31, 1807, beginning at 6 o'clock in the morning and continuing until 8 pm. From four preaching stands, the Gospel was proclaimed with unction and converting power to thousands who listened eagerly, many of whom experienced the joys of salvation.
Yet, even though Methodism had been founded by that great open-air preacher, John Wesley, the converts made that day were refused admittance into the Wesleyan Church. Also, the two men most responsible, Hugh Bourne and William Clowes, reprimanded for having part in the meetings. When they continued to pursue holding open-air meetings, they were dismissed from the church. Their answer to their objectors was, "It is better to obey God than men." Both Hugh Bourne and William Clowes waited patiently for two years to be reinstated in the Wesleyan Church. They were finally driven by necessity to the founding of a place for themselves and their new converts in 1810. The wirds of Bourne provide the evidence that this was not a schism for "we did not take one from them....but from providential circumstances...it now appeared to be the will of God that we, as a Camp Meeting Community", should form classes and take upon us the care of churches in the fear of God.
The growth was such that in February 1812, in Tunstall, the people took the name: the Society of the Primitive Methodists. This name was accepted when John Crawfoot, who had been present in April 1790 when John Wesley preached in the city of Chester. Wesley reminded the preachers present of the need for preaching the Gospel. Then, lifting his hands while tears flowed down his face, he exclaimed, "andyet there is room! And yet there is room!" And added "and this way the primitive Methodists did!" So, the resolution was carried that both the name and the conduct it represented should be adopted; that, like primitive Methodists, the members of the community should continue to labor and Primitive Methodists they would be called.
Due to the number of Primitive Methodist people migrating to America, it was felt that the work should be strengthened. In 1892, the first missionaries arrived in Brooklyn, NY. They suffered many hardships and the societies they founded in New York City struggled against the difficulties and had feeble growth. Elsewhere, in various parts of Pennsylvania, the societies attained considerable strength. Up to 1840 the societies in the United States constituted a "Mission under the control and partial support of the British Conference." It was found, however, that the conditions in the new world could not lend themselves to the customs and methods of the old; and, as the British Conference insisted on maintaining its old world methods and rules in America or withdraw its support, the Conference which met in New York on September 16, 1840: "Resolved that we consider ourselves from this time, distinct from, and unconnected with English Conference.
The Church at the Crossroads (formerly known as the First Primitive Methodist Church of Beaver Falls, PA) was organized on August 15, 1954. The charter membership was made up of 17 adults and 12 junior members who were received at the same time. The congregation occupied the building located on the corner of Fourth Avenue and 46th street. The Reverend Clifton Mains organized the local congregation and served as the supply Pastor traveling each weekend from Cleveland, Ohio to conduct the services. After graduating from college he took up full-time ministry in Beaver Falls, PA.
The church experienced a steady growth under his leadership. In the summer of 1954 the church was remodeled. In the summer of 1955 another addition was made to the building. In January of 1957 a house was purchased and used as a parsonage. In 1960, property was purchased at the corner of Wallace Run and Shenango roads for the construction of a new church building. Ground was broken on August 11, 1960, and most of the labor was provided by the men of the Congregation. On November 23, 1961, we held our very first service in our new church edifice. After 8 years of untiring efforts and dedicated ministry Revenrend Mains resigned and relocated to Florida.
In June of 1962, Reverend Wesley Frey accepted our invitation to serve as the pastor and served faithfully until 1971. In 1971 Reverand Neal Smith served as our pastor until 1974. In 1974 Reverend Joe Burczyk served as our pastor until 1976. In 1976 Reverend Wayne Yarnell served faithfully until 1978. In 1978 Reverend Tim Parkyn faithfully served as our pastor until 1981. In 1981 Reverend Gale Morris served faithfully until 1985. In 1985 Reverend Gerald Anderson served faithfully for one year. In 1988 Reverend Don Thomas served as our pastor faithfully until 1994. In 1994 Reverend Bob Priest served faithfully until the year 2000. In 2000 Reverend Ron Perry served faithfull until 2003. In 2004 the Lord sent Reverend Tom Watkins who served as our pastor until the Lord took him in 2008. In 2008 Reverend George Snyder stepped in to serve in the interim until the Lord sent us a man of God who was led to this particular area.
Pastor Gregory Townsell 2014
In June of 2013, Reverend Gregory Q. Townsell was appointed by the National Missions Board and School of Theology to become our full-time pastor. It is under his leadership that we are now established and moving forward in Jesus name. Through the grace and mercy of our Lord and Savoir Jesus Christ, our church has conducted an unbroken schedule of services since its birth in Beaver Falls. We have maintained our mission to be Biblical in our faith, conservative in our theology, and evangelistic in our ministry. We recognize where we've come from and grateful to God for those he has sent to plant and water while he has given the increase. We are excited about where God is taking us and look forward to his manifestation with expectancy. We are elated that you are now a part of this journey with us. We hope to see you this Sunday. God bless you for visiting our website.
© 2015 by The Church At The Crossroads. 1154 Shenango Road. Big Beaver , PA 15010 Phone: 724 827-2721. All Rights Reserved.
"Seeking Direction and Building Families One Soul At A Time"
1154 Shenango Road. Big Beaver , PA 15010 Phone (724)827-2721 ~ (412)751-0930
"THE CHURCH AT THE CROSSROADS"
