John F. Trimpey, builder of churches Questions?  Contact Tom .     The first worship service of the Wesley Church as we know it today was held June 28, 1925. The auditorium of the church was not yet finished and so the people met in the dining room until 1927. Bishop John W. Hamilton laid the corner stone of the church May 20, 1923.
    The church foundation was built on solid rock.  The church itself was built of Mahoning Sandstone and stand on a commanding site on South Pittsburgh Street.
    The style is Collegiate Gothic and includes the sanctuary, a great stone tower, and open court between the sanctuary and the educational building.
    The church school and social rooms are made of grey sandstone quarried locally and trimmed with Indiana limestone.
    A four-manual organ built by the Austin Organ Company was a gift of Sarah B. Cochran.
    During the Great Depression years the congregation sacrificed and toiled to maintain its spiritual program and to meet its heavy interest obligations.  It wasn't until Sunday, December  18, 1849 that the mortgage of the church was burned under the pastorate of Rev. LeRoy Cass.
    In 1960, the name was changed from First Methodist Church to Wesley United Methodist Church when the denominations of Methodist and Evangelical United Brethren officially merged. (Source: Church Brochure, 1996, provided by Tom Trimpey, 1st cousin twice removed of the builder.
Grandfather to Jack Trimpey.)     Several years ago it was heavily damaged by fire, but is now restored to its original beauty.  The Fire Chief was quited as saying, "Someone with far greater powers than firemen saved what was left of this church."      The church today. Photo and story courtesy of Tom Trimpey. Home