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Trinity United Presbyterian Church (First Presbyterian Church)

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First Presbyterian Church
1894–1895, William Kauffman. 79 W. Fayette St.
  • Trinity United Presbyterian Church (First Presbyterian Church) (Lu Donnelly)
  • Trinity United Presbyterian Church (First Presbyterian Church) (Richard W. Longstreth)
  • Trinity United Presbyterian Church (First Presbyterian Church) (Richard W. Longstreth)

The sandstone exterior of this church, with its massive central tower, conceals the warmth of its interior, which is enlivened by the brilliance of seven large Tiffany windows. The model for this church was H. H. Richardson's Trinity Church in Boston. Although Richardson's Trinity is a more compact composition and more suavely executed in its details, William Kauffman has deftly captured the intent of the design. The church's cross plan focuses attention on the sanctuary. Large pointed arches at the crossing are decorated with carved florets interspersed with floral fixtures designed to hold lightbulbs, which, at the time of building, would have been technological wonders. Details such as the carved mahogany end pieces on each curved oak pew and the mosaic floors in the vestibule add to the richness of the design. The windows, installed in 1895, are by Tiffany Glass and Decorating Company. They depict major events in Christ's life and, with the other small ornamental windows, light the sanctuary in an extraordinary way.

Writing Credits

Author: 
Lu Donnelly et al.
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Citation

Lu Donnelly et al., "Trinity United Presbyterian Church (First Presbyterian Church)", [Uniontown, Pennsylvania], SAH Archipedia, eds. Gabrielle Esperdy and Karen Kingsley, Charlottesville: UVaP, 2012—, http://sah-archipedia.org/buildings/PA-01-FA4.

Print Source

Cover: Buildings of PA vol 1

Buildings of Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania, Lu Donnelly, H. David Brumble IV, and Franklin Toker. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2010, 239-240.

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