Calvary United Methodist Church, a historic church built approximately twenty years after the Civil War on Pittsburgh’s North Side, is changing with the times. Not only is the building known for its French Gothic spires and 30-foot high kaleidoscopic Tiffany stained-glass windows, which are undergoing a restoration with the Allegheny Historic Preservation Society (AHPS), but it is also transforming its values.
The Calvary United Methodist Church and its members believe that all means all, and they are practicing what they preach by inviting everyone in the community, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, relationship status, or background, to their ministry.
The church and its members believe that all are welcome inside its large archway doors. Reverend Stephanie Gottschalk from Salem Church, Wexford, filling in for the Calvary United Methodist Church’s regular pastor, Reverend Beth L. Nelson, said, “Reverend Larry P. Homitsky [Emeritus Clergy] often spoke about the four tenets of theology, known as the Wesleyan Quadrilateral: Scripture, Tradition, Experience, and Reason. He challenged the church to examine the church’s understanding of identities.”
The church joined with the Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN). The Reconciling Ministries Network is a movement within the United Methodist churches that is committed to intersectional justice across and beyond the United Methodist connection, working for the full participation of all LGBTQ+ people throughout the life and leadership of the Church.
While the church offers AA (Alcoholics Anonymous), GA (Gamblers Anonymous), and NA (Narcotics Anonymous) meetings, as well as exercise classes and bible studies programs, it’s increasing its efforts to expand into the LGBTQ community by installing Tim Napieralski as the LGBTQIA+ Ministry Coordinator. Napieralski is spearheading several initiatives to further the mission of the RMN.
Napieralski, a retired United Methodist minister, moved from Minneapolis to Pittsburgh for a fresh start. He chose Pittsburgh because it was a city close to relatives in West Virginia and Ohio. He said, “I love the hills, and I love living downtown.” Once he was here, he joined Calvary United Methodist Church and found a place for himself and his ministry.
On Wednesday, September 3, at 7:00 PM, Calvary United Methodist Church will welcome the award-winning singer-songwriter BobbyJoValentine. Valentine, who lives in Portland, Oregon, is an openly gay Christian singer. Valentine’s new book, “Your True Name,” is a collection of 112 stories, poems, and lyrics around coming home to yourself, and his latest album, “The Thing About A Heart,” explores human behavior and belonging in our confusing modern world. The concert will benefit Calvary’s Revive & Renew Capital Campaign.
On September 7, Napieralski will begin a bible study program called “UnClobber,” based on the book by Colby Martin. The class will take a fresh look at the 6 “clobber passages.” Bible passages that the church has traditionally used to condemn Homosexuality. The event begins with a screening of “1946: The Mistranslation That Shifted Culture,” a groundbreaking documentary uncovering how a 1946 Bible mistranslation fueled anti-gay theology. The film features newly discovered Yale archives, insights from scholars, and personal stories. The film challenges long-held assumptions and invites fresh understanding.
Meet the Members
Congregants speak out about the importance of inclusion
When Reverend Myles Bradley retired from his ministry after forty-three years of service, he was looking for a place of belonging in a new church. He and his wife chose Calvary United Methodist because “it was so welcoming to everyone.”
Reverend Bradley said, “When we were choosing a new church, there were only four choices: the First Church in Shadyside, the Sewickley Church, St. Paul in the North Hills, and Calvary.”
Reverend Bradley, who is proud of his church’s stance on LGBTQIA+ issues, joked, “I was one of those weird people who grew up without prejudice.”
Tammy Phillips, a congregant, said, “Calvary was one of the first United Methodist churches to perform LGBTQ marriages in Pittsburgh.” Her marriage was one of the first three same-sex couples to be married in the church.
Tammy and her wife, Susan Derouin, got married in a parking lot next to the church. At the time, the church would allow her and Susan to marry, but not on the altar inside the church. The church evolved, joining the RMN. Phillips said, “Five years later, we renewed our vows on the church altar. Five years to the day!”
Three years ago, Terri Jagielski lost her faith in the Catholic church. On Christmas Eve, she showed up at Calvary to hear her cousin sing in the choir. Jagielski, who identifies as heterosexual, found the church to be open and accepting. She said, “Everyone was so welcoming.” Jagielski converted to United Methodist.
Dennis Panek also joined at Christmas. He went on a Christmas House Tour and saw the church in 1989. Not only did he join the church, but he also got involved in its historic preservation. His partner, George, usually came at Christmas and Easter, but he joined the church in 2020 after watching services online during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Reverend Bradley said, “When the church first joined the Reconciling Ministries Network [openly accepting its LGBTQIA+ members], our organist closed the service with ‘A Place for Us,’ from ‘West Side Story.’ We were all in tears.”
Calvary United Methodist Church, 971 Beech Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15233. For additional information, please visit calvarypgh.com
