New Salem Church, a Christ kept church filled with history was founded in 1797. The history of New Salem goes back to the time of our nation’s birth. The first President of the United States was in office, busy making important decisions about things taking place for the first time in a new government, and appointing men to fill offices that had ever before existed.
President Washington, having visited this area at an earlier time in his life, was well aware of the unsafe conditions that existed on the northwest side of the Ohio River. He tried to take steps to protect the Frontier Settlers from the Indians but was unable to influence Congress to provide a trained army until 1794. An army was authorized that year with the condition that they be discharged as soon as peace was made with the Indians, who had been the only inhabitants on the northwest side of the Ohio River until this time and still were a great menace to the small band of Presbyterians on the Southside. General Anthony Wayne was appointed by the President to train the army. These efforts helped to make it safer for families to move into the area.
Over 200 years ago, a small handful of Scotch-Irish Presbyterians found their way here to what is now known as Ohioville from Westmoreland County, PA. Fond memories of the Salem Church in Westmoreland of which they were members probably led them to call this church by the same name, New Salem, which is of Old Testament origin. (Psalm 76:2)
At a meeting of the Presbytery of Ohio at Chartiers church near Canonsburg, PA in 1796, the Reverends John McMillin and Thomas Marquis (5th great grandfather of current Pastor Jeff Marquis) were appointed to supply on the northwest of River Ohio 2 Sundays a month. In the beginning, services were held in a tent, but then the land where the church currently is located was donated and a rough-hewed log church was built. In 1957 the current building was turned around in direction due to the widening of the road and set upon a basement. In September of 1992, the New Salem Church became a historical landmark registered with Beaver County Historical Society.
Once the church was turned and the basement in place, the basement was eventually concreted and restrooms were added. In 2002 a well was dug and replaced the spring that supplied the church for many years. Around the same time, the parking lot was added to the upper side of the building. In 2007, the upstairs had a major renovation and the original pews were removed, new carpeting was added and new pews installed. The old pews were bought by members and some were used in the trim work of the current sanctuary. The basement was finished and offices were added and the kitchen remodeled. In 2018 an elevator was added by enclosing and adding a small addition on the basement entryway. The elevator was a much-needed improvement and much appreciated. In 2019 air conditioning was added both upstairs and downstairs making it much more comfortable in the hot summer months.
In the year 2020 a world pandemic with the spread of the Corona Virus, COVID 19 struck. The state of Pennsylvania was under a ‘stay at home’ order by the governor and the residence could only go out in certain circumstances, the grocery store, drug store, necessary work, or doctor appointments. School Buildings were closed and students were learning via the internet.
The Elders kept in touch with all the church family, weekly letters were sent by the church secretary, and via the internet, Bible Studies, and preaching of the sermons took place to keep the congregation connected. Music Director Mike Nelson contributed to the services by emailing music he has recorded. The church communicated with a ‘one call’ phone system, so calls could go out to all of the Congregation with messages about needed prayer or upcoming events. With millions out of work, the church started a ‘Porch Pantry’ to reach out to the community with canned goods and non-perishables for anyone who was in need. Being guided by scripture the New Salem congregation had kept this pantry stocked for “love of neighbor”.
Down through the years, the faith of this congregation’s and God’s love is still being revealed. We have so many blessings that we can rejoice in, from the foundational teachings of Jesus Christ to the hard work and dedication to service from the earlier congregation’s. We, the people of this particular church, will continue to share the same love and faith that comes from Christ, so all future generations will have this same rich heritage passed on to them for their well being and God’s glory.