Our History

Wallace Memorial Presbyterian Church, USA has a rich history of God's faithfulness to us. God has shared His love and grace through the people of Wallace generously during its many years at its prominent location centered in the community of Green Tree. We are consistently sharing time and talents, in worship and faith, giving and serving others since our beginning.

Founded in 1930, the Wallace name honors James M. Wallace, D.D. He served as the pastor of the Eighth Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh for thirty-three years from 1883-1916. It is said of James Wallace, "the joys and the sorrows of his people were his own". This is only one statement that warmly describes the pastor who loyally served his congregation for so many years. Fourteen years after his death, Wallace Memorial Church was established in his name as an example of God's faithfulness to all people.

The Eighth Presbyterian Church was located at the corner of Locust and Van Bram Streets in what is now considered the city of Pittsburgh's uptown section. In 1926, the Eighth Presbyterian Church was dissolved and the property was sold. The proceeds were placed at the disposal of the Board of American Missions of the former United Presbyterian Church of North America in the home mission program. Two years later, after making a survey of the Green Tree area, the Home Missions Committee of Monongahela and Allegheny Presbyteries recommended that a new congregation be established there.

In 1930, construction and building started with the chapel building. In 1944, the congregation was able to provide a beautiful home for future pastors and their families. Concern for the pastor and his family's needs preceded the building of our beautiful, Georgian, colonial sanctuary which was dedicated on May 10, 1953. As the congregation grew, the Christian Education Building and the transept were dedicated on March 10, 1963. Finally, the elevator and accessibility project was completed in 1997. These buildings are not mere monuments to our past but our base of operations to reach out and serve others.

Members of Wallace Memorial have been led in their labors by able and dedicated pastors for over three quarters of a century of serving Green Tree and many surrounding communities.

The Rev. J. Paul Graham had been appointed pastor and conducted the first service on Easter Sunday in 1930. The charter membership roll consisted of fifty-eight persons. Several of these members and or descendants are visible in the church membership today. Dr. Graham served the congregation until 1936.

Dr. Clyde L. Myers succeeded him. After a pastorate of two years, Dr. Myers was called to another field.

Dr. John T. Brownlee succeeded him. During his years of service, the congregation observed its tenth anniversary. The growth of the congregation and the development of the community were slow in the thirties and early forties. In that era, Green Tree was primarily a farming community.

Dr. J. Hubert Henderson was elected the fourth pastor to serve the congregation on December 1, 1944. Dr. Henderson was a compassionate and caring pastor that led this church during the post-World war II years through the developmental growth years of a rapidly expanding community.

In 1975, Dr. Arthur J. Campbell first came to Wallace as an associate pastor. Arthur was elected pastor in 1980 upon Dr. Henderson's retirement. An associate, under current by-laws,would not be permitted to accept a pastorate at the same church. Dr. Campbell again was a faithful leader with compassion and energy. He pastored at Wallace for the next twenty years. In the year 2000 Arthur Campbell accepted a calling as pastor for the Mission Del Sol Presbyterian Church in Tempe, Arizona.

The Rev. David V. Dierckson succeeded him. During his tenure, Wallace began to examine its ministry and look for better ways to meet congregational and community needs in today's world. Pastor Dierckson answered another call in the fall of 2004.

As Wallace Memorial celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2005, we welcome the Rev. Dennis W. Molnar as Pastor.

We invite you to share in God's faithfulness and strength as a part of Wallace Memorial Church.