August 5 Today in OPC History

On August 5, 1936, Bob Atwell's labor in Western Pennsylvania for the newly formed Presbyterian Church of America was continuing to bear fruit. On that date, a majority of the congregation of First PCUSA, Harrisville, where Atwell had pastored prior to his discipline by the Presbytery of Butler for supporting J. Gresham Machen, determined to join the newly formed church.

Previously on June 16, Atwell had led the congregation of New Hope Presbyterian Church in Branchton into the new church. In addition to these congregations, Atwell was also helping to form Westminster Church in Grove City, which would be received into the new denomination on October 20, 1936.

Atwell's schedule for the summer of 1936 had him preaching four times every Lord's Day at Harrisville, Branchton, and Grove City. He also led prayer meetings on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at the three churches, and still fit in a Young People's Bible Study on the Lord's Day.

Picture: Bob Atwell