It all began March 25, 1872, when the presiding elder of the Altoona District sought out an enterprising young minister, Martin Luther Ganoe. He said, “Martin, I want you to build a Church in West Clearfield, which is a promising village.”
Rev. Ganoe was a Civil War Veteran and received his call to preach amid the roar of shot and shell on Gettysburg Battlefield. He was the first pastor and the man who built the West Clearfield Church and started it on its first-century-and-a-half of history. He served until March of 1874.
West Clearfield was formed from part of Lawrence Township, across the river from the town of Clearfield, and incorporated as a borough in 1883.
West Clearfield had two schools, several small stores, a blacksmith shop, this church and about 400 residents in 1887. The name was changed from West Clearfield Church to West Side Church in 1901 after the boroughs of West Clearfield and Clearfield merged into one in 1900.
The first church service was held later that year in a one-room school on Merrill Street, then in private homes. The first church building was finished the following year and dedicated November of 1873 (at the location of the current church on Nichols Street).
After much growth and many additions to the original church, fundraising began for a larger building. The Rev. William L. Armstrong conducted the last service in the old church and broke ground for this new building on May 27, 1923.
While the current building was being constructed, services were held in the Agricultural Building at the Driving Park from 1923 to 1925. On July 3, 1925, the still beautiful stained-glass windows were purchased for about $8,000. (The estimate of the total building project was about $150,000.)
So, progress of the building continued. The social hall was finished the following year in 1926. And worship was held here.
Then, things stalled with the stock market crash and The Great Depression. In 1937, every organization of the church became motivated to raise the necessary funds to finish the building, and the sanctuary was finished by volunteer labor and dedicated in 1940.
The next several decades saw the following progress: 1949, first radio broadcast of services; 1953, sound system installed; and 1960, Carillonic Bells installed; they played for 15 minutes each evening at 6 p.m. and they still play today, three times a day.
In 1961, the Chapel was dedicated and gymnasium converted into classrooms; and in 1972, the hand bell choir started with set of 25 handbells.
More modern updates include an elevator (1992), new organ (1995), wireless sound system (1995), multi-media installed (2015) and Facebook broadcasts (2017).
The church started as a neighborhood church for people who desired a place of worship nearer their homes, and it continues today to serve the community with numerous missions.
