The congregation of Christ United Methodist Church will be moving into the Educational Building, corner of Pennsylvania Avenue and 14th Street, for services Sunday at 9:30 a.m.
Services were interrupted nearly three months ago by fire. Work on restoring the sanctuary will continue through the fall months.
Credit for Sunday\’s return reflects first on the quick action of volunteer firemen from Tyrone and surrounding communities with manpower and equipment in doing an excellent job at containing the fire with a minimal amount of fire and water damage. Restoration has continued at the church site since the June 5 general alarm fire by Belfor, a worldwide company that responds to disasters.
The following fire companies all worked together wonderfully to extinguish the early morning fire and are to be commended including: the Blazing Arrow Hook and Ladder Fire Company, the Neptune Fire Company of Tyrone, as well as those from Bellwood, Tipton, Bald Eagle and Philipsburg.
The congregation of Christ Church is very appreciative of the work of these dedicated volunteers as well as the service of the Tyrone Fire Police at the scene.
As work continues on the restoration of the sanctuary, John Fabean who heads the Belfor team, said the Educational Building is now ready for use, in large part due to efforts of the firemen in keeping water damage to a minimum there. This area of the building received heavy smoke and residue damage which has taken several weeks to clean up. This section has been totally restored and will be put into use for the first time this Sunday morning.
Work is now concentrated in the sanctuary where the actual fire damage occurred. There is no timetable yet for the congregation’s return to that portion of the building.
Pastor Dr. Dennis Reedy had previously said of the Belfor team, “These folks have made the difficult tasks of cleaning and restoration seem like child\’s play. They have been marvelous to work with and bring a multitude of talents into Tyrone.”
Over the past few weeks the congregation was also very appreciative of Epworth Manor for use of its Chapel for Sunday morning worship throughout this time. Chaplain Mark Liller has been a special blessing by helping to keep the fellowship worshipping.
“We are excited and pleased to be going home,” added church council chairperson Janet Tonkay. “It was very gracious of the staff and residents of Epworth Manor to allow us to use their chapel for worship since the fire, but it’s nice to be able to go back to our own building.”
Tonkay said that church school, chancel choir and junior church activities are scheduled to resume on Sunday, September 11.
“Right now, we are just anxious to share in the Sunday morning celebration of our return home,” she said.
Guest pastor Jack Moyer and the people of Christ United Methodist extend a hearty welcome to all who are seeking a Church home or wish simply to worship with joyous fellowship.
Also, the Hammond organ owned by Gertie Summers since the late 1950s has found a new home in the educational department at Christ United Methodist Church. Mrs. Summers, retired church organist, moved this week from her home in Vail to Colonial Courtyard in Tyrone.
The piano that had served in the educational wing of the church prior to the fire nearly three months ago, has been sent away to see if it can be repaired.
In preparing for her move, Gertie had given the organ to her niece, Anna Marie Myers, the present church organist. Realizing the lack of a piano or organ at their “home” church, Anna had the organ taken to Christ Church to play for services there. She took Aunt Gertie to the church to see the organ in place there, and Gertie was pleased with its move. Anna is also taking her keyboard to the church to use during the time of renovation.
At home, prior to her move, Gertie found time to play her organ or piano every day. A favorite memory of Gertie\’s dates back to the 1960s when Rev. Crosby from the First Assembly of God Church had a weekly taped radio show over local station WTRN.
Every week he would be at the Summer\’s home where he taped Gertie playing the organ in the background for his program. Gertie has many fond memories of playing in many of the local churches or services in the community down through the years.
Even now, with her hands crippled with arthritis, Gertie Summers can still make those keys move as she plays those old familiar hymns from memory.
