The Rev. Milford Vance Yarnelle
Sixth Pastor of Bethel Presbyterian Church
1947 to 1965
On February 9, 1947, the Rev. Mr. Milford Vance Yarnelle, assistant minister of the Shadyside Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh, accepted an invitation from the Pastorial Committee to preach a trial sermon. The congregation liked the sermon so much that they immediately extended the call to Mr. Yarnelle. Accepting the call, Mr. Yarnelle preached his first sermon as pastor of Bethel on May 4, 1947. His service of installation was held on the evening of May 14, 1947. Mr. Yarnelle
=s father, the Rev. Mr. Alva Lee Yarnelle, minister of the West Sunbury United Presbyterian Church, delivered the charge to the minister. Dr. Murray C. Reiter gave the charge to the congregation.
Mr. Yarnelle was born October 6, 1913 at Lodi, Wisconsin, the son of the Rev. Alva Lee and Pearl Yarnelle. His boyhood days were spent in Illinois, Ohio and Pennsylvania. He attended grade school in Canton, Ohio and in Philadelphia. He graduated from Freeport High School in 1932, playing on that school
=s undefeated football team of 1931. In 1936, he graduated from Muskingum College majoring in history and speech. He graduated in 1939 from Pittsburgh Xenia Seminary. In 1946, he received a Master of Education degree from the University of Pittsburgh. Prior to his service at Shadyside Presbyterian Church, he served the Four Mile United Presbyterian Church and the Highland Community United Presbyterian Church.
On June 17, 1942, Mr. Yarnelle married Mary Annette Baker, a graduate of Geneva College in 1939. They had two children, Lisbeth, born July 22, 1944 and Mark, born August 21, 1949.
In addition to his talent as an eloquent and forceful preacher, Mr. Yarnell has demonstrated the quality of natural leadership. He enlisted workers for the tasks for which they showed fitness. All were expected to do what they were able. The impression grew that nature does not abhor a vacuum more than Mr. Yarnelle did the sight of an able-bodied parishioner without some church job.
With the rapid increase in the population of this community following World War II, it could not be acceptance that Bethel Church would grow without effort. The church would have to prepare to meet the needs. Not only would there have to be an expansion of the church facilities, but workers of the congregation would have to be sent among the new-comers of the neighborhood. In the first four years of this pastorate an aggregate of 658 new members were received at Bethel and Coverdale. Forty members were transferred to the new Westminster Presbyterian Church.
Under this pastorate, the men's organization "The Blair Brotherhood" was started. Church school was expanded to a two-hour program and a wider ministry among young people was developed. The publication of The Bethel Light
"AThe Light That Shines on Bethel Hill" was started. Another son of Bethel entered the ministry. The Rev. William J. Brown, was added to the Christian Service Honor Roll. On January 21, 1948, the Board of Trustees was increased from five to nine members. On May 24, 1949, the session established a Board of Deaconesses of ten members. Mrs. Dorothy R. Workmaster became full-time church secretary on November 1, 1950.
Bethel's practice of electing its elders for life terms was changed by action of the congregational meeting of January 17, 1951. Elders elected hereafter would serve under a term or rotary system, the regular term to be three years. Re-election for a second term immediately following would be permissible.
The Rev. Charles D. Bayha was hired in 1949 as Minister of Education. In 1951, The Rev. Donald L. Airey held that position. In 1952, The Rev. Don Falkenberg became the Minister of Education.
In 1951, the church celebrated it's 175th Anniversary with a year-through celebration marked by monthly events. The program started with an historical sermon by Mr. Yarnelle. Succeeding events had been largely in the form of recognition days for various groups and activities of the church. In the monthly events, the stories of outstanding features of the church's history were dramatized by tableaux, pageants and playlets.
The New Revised Standard Version of the Bible was introduced in 1952.
January 26, 1953, Mrs. Lillie S. McGregor was hired as organist and choir director to replace Mrs. Isabelle Fife Hemlinger, who retired after 35 years of service. On March 10, 1953, the new Hamilton Presbyterian Church was dedicated. On March 18, 1953, it was recommended that an Historical Committee be appointed to collect and take care of anything of historical value in the whole life of the church. Although formation of an organization of retired men of the church to provide entertainment for them and to try to get more interest in the work of the church began in 1953, the initial meeting was not held until April 18, 1995.
The church as it looked prior to the addition of the balcony and narthex.
Work on the enlargement of the basement of the church began in the summer of 1945 and was completed in November , 1949. An addition was constructed to provide a furnace room. With the completion of the improvements, the church had improved kitchen facilities, modern sanitation, heating and lighting. By 1951, plans were underway for the construction of the Education Building and remodeling of the sanctuary. Ground was broken for the building in September, 1952. The building was designed on the principle that the most effective work in Christian Education is done, in classrooms accommodating 15 to 20 pupils. The classrooms are light and airy, equipped with the finest educational furnishings including green chalkboards, cork-boards , map holders, modern fluorescent lighting, adequate storage cabinets, child size chairs and tables and teachers' desks. One room was designed to house the church library. This room was completely furnished by the family of Dr. Murray C. Reiter and was known as the "Reiter Room".
The auditorium seats 240 persons, has a large stage with complete lighting controls available for dramatic and musical productions. Concealed audio-visual wiring made the auditorium an excellent place for showing motion pictures. On Sundays, this large room was divided by modern -fold doors into two areas which accommodated the four and five-year-old kindergarten classes.
The new building further provided offices for the ministers and church secretary and additional rest rooms. A new balcony in the rear of the sanctuary, constructed in conjunction with the new building, provided additional seating for ninety worshipers and space for an adult Church School class. The new narthex immediately below the balcony offered a warm and inspiring welcome to the sanctuary. Elimination of a former entrance to the church made possible a room which served as a Women's Lounge.
A dedication service was held for the new Christian Education Building on May 23, 1954.
Minister of Christian Education, Associate Minister Rev. Don Falkenberg resigned November 29, 1955. The Rev. Robert E. Johnston, former religious education director at the First Presbyterian Church, Parkersburg, WV, was hired to replace him in April, 1956.
In 1956, in addition to her work as organist and choir director, Mrs. McGregor was hired as "
a Home Visitor". October 15, 1958, Mrs. Marshall Reid was hired to share the position of choir director, taking the responsibility of the youth choirs.
December 19, 1958, the Rev. Deane C. Walter, who had been serving at the Coverdale Mission under the direction of Presbytery, was hired as assistant minister with the provision that after a years satisfactory service he would be considered for advancement to the rank of associate minister. He was to serve as Minister of Visitation. His major responsibility was
"visiting in the community with a view to claim for Christ the unchurched of the community". He continued his service to the Coverdale Mission as well.
The statistical report of the church on December 31, 1958 showed a total of 1,595 communicant members.