Community News

East End church welcomes back former longtime preacher

EAST LIVERPOOL -- The Oakland Free Methodist Church is welcoming back the Rev. Harold E. Haire--better known now as "Pastor Hal"--who served the congregation at 506 Wedgewood St. starting at age 30 in 1982. In 1995, he accepted another pastoral position in Spencerville, Maryland, and has since preached in several other states, as well as overseas.

When he was assigned to the Oakland church decades ago, it was during a turbulent time for a lot of the town. Having been born and raised in New Brighton, Pennsylvania, Pastor Hal certainly had a firm understanding of the effects on local families pertaining to the closing of one of the area's largest employers -- Crucible Steel in Midland, Pa. -- and the diminishing pottery industry. It seemed to be a make or break time for many churches found throughout the immediate Tri-State location as people struggled with their faith, or sought out a higher power for comfort and guidance. During his tenure there, the weekly numbers in the pews rose to over 200.

Today, however, as with many churches across the United States, congregations are struggling as attendance has declined, especially after the COVID era. Many factors have contributed to this drop in numbers from changing society including more school events and team activities on Sundays, online options, and a diminishing belief by younger generations.

Following the retirement of Pastor Carol Forsythe, who had been the preacher there for 13 years since June 2013, Pastor Hal began his duties in July. Now in his 70s with an even greater arsenal of experience under his belt, he made a vow to those dedicated and committed to seeing their dwindling population increase once again.

"With God's help and yours, I am expecting something significant to happen," Haire said. "I have committed a year to you and I promise to give you my best and I know God will."

The church was organized in 1902 with the first structure built on property situated in a grove of oak trees located on Holliday and Walter Streets. By 1963, the baby boomer generation had exploded and the former building was bursting at the seams. The current location was chosen just a couple blocks away to help accommodate those whose main mode of attending services was walking.

Pastor Hal invites his old friends from the area and the neighborhood to once again join him on what he feels will be an amazing journey of revival and renewal. He also hopes to meet a lot of new people and first-time church goers. Everyone is welcome to attend services every Sunday at 10:30 a.m.