The luminous stained glass and gothic architecture of East Liberty Presbyterian Church make this cathedral-like space stand out, but the site is defined by its inclusive community. The church was founded in 1819, and four churches preceded the current building, which wasn’t constructed until 1935. Occupying an entire city block, the church cost $4 million to build. It was primarily funded by the Mellon family and designed by Boston-based architect Ralph Adams Cram, while the renowned stained glass was the work of eight different studios (East Liberty Presbyterian Church).
Above all, East Liberty Presbyterian prioritizes a message of acceptance; their mission statement is as follows: “As a diverse community of believers, we show God’s unconditional love by providing refuge for spiritual growth, ardently pursuing justice, and extending Christ’s radical hospitality to all” (East Liberty Presbyterian Church). The church has served as a beacon of inclusion in East Liberty, remaining in the neighborhood through decades of redlining and now the gentrification of the past 20 years. They engage in many community outreach initiatives, and hope to embody the diverse perspectives of their neighborhood’s residents.
The church also considers their inclusive values in their physical space. One stained glass window depicts the history of Presbyterianism, and included an image of Confederate General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson, depicted in uniform. ELPC parishioners voted to remove the image of Jackson, distancing the church from the white supremacist icon. In March of 2023, the segment was replaced with blue glass, leaving empty space to acknowledge the spot’s history.
This is only a first step in the congregation’s goals towards anti-racism; they also host open dialogues with the community, fund various scholarships, and offer racial justice workshops. The church is also one of the most inclusive towards members of the LGBTQ+ community, providing ministries and engagement specifically for that community (East Liberty Presbyterian Church). Overall, ELPC combines stunning, traditional architecture with modern, almost radical ideas of equity and inclusion. Visit them throughout the week to take in the beautiful space, or join them for a service or class!
Works Cited
East Liberty Presbyterian Church. “ELPC’s History & Architecture.” East Liberty Presbyterian Church, 2023, cathedralofhope.org/about-elpc/history-and-architecture/.