The Tyrone Area Historical Society is putting together a series of displays featuring local churches. The exhibits are expected to continue into next year and will change periodically to feature different churches.
Currently on display is Saint Matthew Church. This exhibit is expected to run through September.
Saint Matthew Church was chosen to be the first featured church, having just celebrated their 150th anniversary this past year. Established in 1853, members first met in a small building near where Epworth Manor is located today. The first church was built in the 1850s on the corner of Washington Avenue and 11th Street. After the Civil War, the church began to settle, causing structural damage. So in the 1880s construction began on a new school, convent and rectory. The 1890s brought the church to its current location on Cameron Avenue.
Individuals who choose to visit the Historical Society will find many interesting artifacts from the history of Saint Matthew Church.
On display is an old alter cross, which came from Saint Luke Church in Sinking Valley. This was the first Catholic Church in the Tyrone area. It was located in the area near the Sinking Valley Country Club. The Saint Luke’s Cemetery still sits atop the hill to the right.
There are also several photographs that reveal church history. One photo shows the first Catholic church, Saint Luke Church, which was located in Sinking Valley. There is also a picture of the altar of that first church. Harkins Hall is shown in the stages of construction in another photograph.
The most unique photograph may be of one of the graduating classes from Saint Matthew’s. In the early 1900s, Catholic education was on the incline. Catholic high schools were established in area towns in the 1920s. For about four years, Saint Matthew’s was the home to Tyrone’s Catholic high school. Eventually, a new Catholic high school was built in Altoona and the surrounding areas began to send their students to the new school. The exhibit at the Historical Society displays a photograph of one of Saint Matthew’s graduating classes from the 1920s. There is also a yearbook from that graduating class.
Father Joseph Orr, of Saint Matthew Church, was excited to share information about the display. He said when going through the records it was interesting to see the different families who have been a part of the church since the 1880s. There is a lot of history connected with area churches and these displays are able to show glimpses into history.
Regarding the church exhibits, Father Orr said that he would like to “give praise to the Historical Society for what they are doing. It’s an excellent idea.” He also mentioned that he can’t wait to see other upcoming exhibits.
The Historical Society is excited to be able to share the history of local churches with the community and invites everyone to stop in and enjoy the exhibits.
