History of St. Andrew Lutheran Church
St. Andrew held its first worship service in Moon Township in June 1962, and was formally organized, with 91 charter members, in February 1963.
The church’s first pastor, J. Edward Lilja, was killed in a tragic automobile accident on June 21, 1963. In 1964, pastor Donald Lavelle was installed as the church’s second pastor. Two years later, land was purchased, an architect was hired and ground was broken to build a church. The new church was completed and dedicated in September 1967.
The Rev. Robert Thomas became St. Andrew’s third pastor in November 1968 and remained until August 1976. During his tenure, in September 1972, St. Andrew’s Day School was founded. It has operated continuously since then, providing a quality pre-school program for more than 90 children each year with classes of two-year-olds through Pre-K.
In June 1977, Pastor William Braun was installed St. Andrew’s fourth pastor. Because the congregation was growing rapidly, an Education Wing was added to the church in 1978.
Pastor William Hower was selected as St. Andrew’s fifth pastor in May 1983. Under his guidance, a Fellowship Hall was added to the church in 1995. In 2008, Pastor Hower was honored with the title, Pastor Emeritus, and the Fellowship Hall, was renamed Hower Hall, in his honor.
Pastor Larry Mort was installed as St. Andrew’s sixth pastor in September 2003. He has been instrumental in leading the church to do works of service for those in need. Pastor Mort has traveled, with members of the congregation, to New Orleans to participate in rebuilding projects following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. He has led the congregation to serve needy families in the community by providing lodging, food and clothing, as well as physical, spiritual and financial support. Today, members of St. Andrew work with other supporting organizations to provide food to over 100 needy families in the Coraopolis area.