The rich history of our church…

The year 2009 marked the celebration of the 225th anniversary of Asbury United Methodist Church. It was in 1784 that the little community known variously as Beeson’s Mill, Beeson’s Town or Beeson Town was established as a regular preaching site on the Redstone Circuit of the newly-created Methodist Episcopal Church. This year marks 104 years since the completion of the fourth building erected by this congregation. The 1919 dedication ceremonies were presided over by the Rev. J. M. Thoburn, pastor, and Bishop William F. McDowell, of Washington, D.C.

When our magnificent brownstone building was built, Uniontown was a city in which many fortunes were created by the vast underground reserves of bituminous coal. During that era, sizable sums were lavished on great buildings, homes, schools and churches – including our own. Architect Andrew P. Cooper, whose home was (and still is) up on E. Berkeley Street, designed a church in a mild translation of a Gothic style full of centuries-old Christian symbolism.

Employing the philosophy that a house of worship should inspire and uplift all who enter it, as well as be a fitting vessel for the Word of God, the congregation used all the resources it could command to fit out the sanctuary with windows and lighting fixtures made by the famed art company of Louis Comfort Tiffany. While the names of the individual designers and makers of the glass and metalwork are not known, these windows and fixtures were among the last projects personally approved by Tiffany, who retired in 1919 at the age of seventy-five.

• Meet our pastor •

Pastor Ryan Washabaugh transitioned into Pastor Ministry in July of 2020 after teaching and serving as Vice Principal at Armbrust Christian Academy for 10 years after receiving his M.S. in Elementary Education from California University of Pennsylvania. Ryan also holds a B.A. with a theatre concentration, as well as a minor in political science. Ryan is currently in his fourth year at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary pursuing a M. Div. with an expected graduation date of May 2024 and is pursuing commissioning as a Provisional Member at the 2024 WPA Annual Conference.
Ryan, a native of Southwest PA, has been married to the love of his life, Heather since 2006. Together they have 4 children, Evan, Eli, Asher and Abby. They enjoy family trips together, and watching the kids play soccer and basketball, as well as serving the community.
In ministry, Ryan enjoys development of new engagements between the community and the congregation by exhibition of the great commission in a local community setting. Through his varied life experiences, including Pastoral Ministry, Ryan has strived to connect ministries to local contexts and programs.

Our Dedicated Staff

Nancy McCann: Administrator

Bert Sesler: Organist & Director of Music

Worship: 10:30am
Children's Bible Adventures: 10:30am

20 Dunbar Street
Uniontown, PA 15401