About Deer Lakes Community Church of the Nazarene
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Born in the Spirit of revival in the late 1930, the Deer Lakes Community church is a church covering many neighborhoods. Its name reflects its position in a widening area of Allegheny County, now representing more than eight zip codes and at least 5 school districts in the surrounding communities. While there is a sadness with change from ministry to one small coal mining village to a church taking the responsibility of reaching this expanding area, there is a sense of expectation as Pittsburgh discovers the peace and quiet of the country within 20 miles of downtown. Located at the center of the largest, most rural township in Allegheny, the church recognizes its opportunity to welcome new families, while remembering its responsibility to the people who have considered the Deer Lakes church their “home church” all these years.
The growing communities have a genuine friend in the Deer Lakes church, present since its days in the home of George and Nellie Lowe, then as the Gospel Church in the schoolhouse near Curtisville Mine #1. The friendship continued at the Union Hall in Little Italy, and then at the Valley Grange in Bairdford. Under the leadership of Rev. Fred Burchell, the congregation voted in 1940 to join the Church of the Nazarene. The church organized in a revival with O. L. Benedum with 41 members on Sept. 29, 1940.
The Deer Lakes Community in the Northeast corner of Allegheny County is an area in transition, but more, it is a community in need. The Church of the Nazarene stands on a hillside on Saxonburg Boulevard, present as a lighthouse in a hectic world, pointing the way to the One who waits to meet the deepest need. The church is what the early founders called a “center of fire” urging people to know that the eternal loving God of all creation is a God who intends His people to grow in faith and awareness that the experience of sanctification means a daily walk in the Spirit, allowing Him to direct our paths in holy love for neighbors and friends.
Its pastor is Rev. Richard Wise, now serving as the eighth pastor in its 72 + years. The Pastors who have served at the Deer Lakes Church were: Rev. Frederick Burchell – 1940 – 1945 Rev. Everett Downing – 1945 – 1948 Rev. Jerry Woodcook – 1948 – 1953 Rev. Richard Phelps – 1953 – 1957 Rev. Edward Thornton – 1957 – 1972 Rev. Glenn Eagle –1972 –1978 Rev. G.A. Hankins – 1978 – 1991 Rev. Richard E. Wise – 1991 to the present.
What We Believe
Recognizing that the right and privilege of persons to church membership rest upon the fact of their being regenerate, we would require only such avowals of belief as are essential to Christian experience. We, therefore, deem belief in the following brief statements to be sufficient.
We believe:
In one God—the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
That the Old and New Testament Scriptures, given by plenary inspiration, contain all truth necessary to faith and Christian living.
That man is born with a fallen nature, and is, therefore, inclined to evil, and that continually.
That the finally impenitent are hopelessly and eternally lost.
That the atonement through Jesus Christ is for the whole human race; and that whosoever repents and believes on the Lord Jesus Christ is justified and regenerated and saved from the dominion of sin.
That believers are to be sanctified wholly, subsequent to regeneration, through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
That the Holy Spirit bears witness to the new birth, and also to the entire sanctification of believers.
That our Lord will return, the dead will be raised, and the final judgment will take place.
