Pastor June P. Jeffries

The First Baptist Church of North Vandergrift has a firm foundation built on the founding members. Today there are members who are direct descendents of the founding members representing several or more generations. After a long period without a pastor, the church has called the Reverend June P. Jeffries as their Pastor. An Installation Service was recently held. They are looking to her to take the lead for future growth. She comes to a church that has a rich history and a people who see themselves as a community church according to Louis Hutcherson, Chairperson of the Trustees.

That rich history began across the river in Vandergrift when several of the African-American settlers in 1918 were meeting in a small home. Sometimes they would worship at Shiloh Baptist Church in Apollo but it meant traveling by trolley car or by ferry. That finally led them to establish a church of their own in 1920.

First Baptist Church of North Vandergrift

The founding members began holding worship services in a schoolhouse in North Vandergrift (Parks Township, Armstrong County). By June of that year the original 13 members moved again to the current site of the church at 226 Lincoln Avenue. To that were added several more members who transferred from Shiloh Baptist Church in Apollo. They held their services in the church basement while the church was being built. By 1934, St. James Baptist Church in Vandergrift merged with First Baptist. Descendents from some of these members are still active in the congregation.

Although Pastor Jeffries has recently been called, she isn’t letting any grass grow under her feet. She already has joined the Kiski Area Association of Churches and had two Deacons, Louis Hutcherson and Richard Smith, attend their monthly meeting. She intends to have First Baptist reach out to the community. She also has begun a series of meetings to learn more about the church, its history, where it is today and begin laying plans for new direction.

Church Sign

Pastor Jeffries was licensed and ordained in 1999 and in addition to being the Associate Pastor of Morningside Baptist Church in Pittsburgh, took on an extensive number of preaching appointments at other churches. One Sunday at her home church, the pastor leaned over and said he didn’t think she would be there too much longer; indicating he believed God was calling her to another ministry. It wasn’t too much longer before the call came from First Baptist Church of North Vandergrift.

Pastor Jeffries, in addition to preaching at other churches for a number of years, also found time to found a ministry called SISTER/sista. The mission is ministering to women ministers through healing and restoration. They also offer teaching forums, training, and scholarships. She also founded The All About Kingdom Ministries which may be heard on the radio at WPGR 1510 AM at 10 a.m. the first and third Sundays. On top of all this she finds time to hold a bible study class for women at Valley Health Club.

First Baptist Church of North Vandergrift is located at 226 Lincoln Avenue in North Vandergrift. Sunday School is at 9:30 a.m. with Worship starting at 11 a.m. There is prayer at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays followed by a bible study at 7:00 p.m.

Watch the video interview with Pastor Jeffries at: http://www.alle-kiskitoday.com/webcasts/1627