Our History
St Andrew's Church of Highland Park was founded in early 1837 by a small group of people who believed Pittsburgh needed a second Episcopal church, the first being Trinity on Sixth Avenue. A brick building was erected at Fort Duquesne Boulevard and Ninth Street that was eventually replaced in 1870 due to constant flood damage.
In 1903, a decision was made to relocate to the growing East End, and three years later, the cornerstone of the present-day building, designed by Carpenter & Crocker, was laid at Hampton Street and North Euclid Avenue in Highland Park. On November 30, 1909, the church was consecrated. A century later, we launched a $1.5M Capital Campaign to renovate our church buildings to meet the needs of the 21st century and to bring our facilities up to code. Ramps, automatic doors, a fire protection system, and an elevator between the basement and second floor were installed. Additionally, the campaign added a fire protection system and new restrooms. A completely remodeled lower level added much-needed floor space to accommodate the parish's growing activities. St. Andrew's hosts AA, NA, Al-Anon meetings, the Highland Park Community Council, and an official election day polling place. On the ground level is Brooks Hall, our main social and meeting space, where improvements such as new flooring and an updated kitchen were added. All the classrooms were remodeled above Brooks Hall on the second floor, and a new oak staircase was added. Air conditioning was installed in Brooks Hall. These renovations could not have been possible without parish families reaching deep to make these generous contributions to St. Andrew's future, the congregation itself, and the community.
Our Windows
The use of stained glass in places of worship has a long history, stretching back to the Middle Ages when those who had no access to the Scriptures themselves could learn the biblical narrative for themselves. Symbolically, the divine light streams through the window to illuminate the faithful. The shape of the Gothic arch at the top is reminiscent of the triangular symbol associated with the holy Trinity.
Typical of Western stained glass art of the time, the windows depict biblical figures, including Jesus, as white Europeans—usually with light skin and hair–though Jesus himself and his community would have had typically Middle Eastern physical features.
Click on each window to learn more.
Stained glass photos taken by parishioner Bill Ghrist
Our Building
The floor plan of the church is a cross, with the altar at the top and the vestibule (or narthex) at the bottom. The main part of the church is called the nave, containing a single aisle with pews on each side. Forming the arms of the cross are the East and West transepts. The clerestory walls rise above the nave; their windows admit additional light into the sanctuary.
ROOD BEAM
The figures on the beam at the entrance to the chancel are Mary the mother of Jesus and St. John. The beam was given in 1916 by Mr. Jean Baptiste D’Homergue in memory of Frank Semple Bissell, Sr., long time Senior Warden of St. Andrew’s.The chancel is the part of a church containing the altar, with seating for the clergy, lay servers, and choir members. A rood beam spans the chancel arch of a church, traditionally supporting a large crucifix (the rood).
ALTAR & REREDOS
The stone altar (a memorial to John Crokar White, Rector1882-1907) and reredos (and memorial to John Bonner Bissell)were the gift of Anna Margaret Jackson Bissell in 1917.The reredos depicts Christ and the apostles.
From left to right,the relief shows: St. Andrew, St. Paul, St. Jude, St. James theLess, St. Matthew, St. Thomas, St. John the Evangelist, JesusChrist, St. James the Greater, St. Philip, St. Bartholomew, St.Simon, St. Matthias, St. John the Baptist, St. Peter. Each is portrayed with an object of their ministry or a symbol of their death, as many were martyred.
A reredos is a large screen or decorative piece placed behind the altar.
BISHOP’S CHAIR (left)
The Bishop’s Chair and prie dieu (prayer desk) were given by A.E. Nieman to commemorate the Episcopate of The Rt. Rev. Cortlandt Whitehead, who served as bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh from 1882 to 1922.
LADY CHAPEL (above right)
The SS Anna & Mary Chapel was added to the sanctuary in1920. It was presented by Mary Louisa Jackson in memory of her sister Anna Margaret Jackson Bissell.
The wrought iron gates are by Samuel Yellin of Philadelphia. The decorative knobs on the ceiling are sacred monograms as well as the arms of the Jackson & Bissell families. The triptych above the altar is of carved and polychrome oak. It depicts thepresentation of Christ in the Temple. Present are the Prophet Anna, St. Simeon, the blessed Virgin Mary, and St. Joseph.
The windows of the Chapel were designed by Nicola D’Ascenzo Studio of Philadelphia. One pair of windows shows events in the life of the Prophet Anna and the other, events in the life of Mary.