According to the Williamsport Sun-Gazette, “Pine Street United Methodist Church was destroyed by a fire in the wee hours of the morning Sunday, Feb. 13, 1977. While some firefighters were leaving Pine Street, another call came in — this time, Trinity Episcopal Church, at West Fourth Street and Trinity Place, was ablaze. Just a few minutes later, an apartment building at 765 W. Fourth St. caught on fire. While that fire was being investigated, a fourth blaze, this time in a thrift store at Willow Street and Government Place, broke out.”

Located at 441 Pine St., of all the fires that night, the only structure deemed destroyed was Pine Street’s church and parsonage.

“At home the night of the Feb. 13 fire were the pastor, his wife Lois and their three daughters Ruth 22, Kitty 19 and Jan Marie eight. Outside the burning church, they joined hands,” reported the Feb. 27 edition of The Grit.

Pine Street’s Rev. Derwood Strunk, Jr was quoted as saying in The Grit article, “We made a circle with the family and prayed to God, thanking him that we were all safe. Had we been inside three or five minutes longer, we wouldn’t have gotten out of there.”

The fire was believed to be arson but no one was ever convicted for the crime.

According to the Sun-Gazette’s Feb. 13 article, it said, “A previously convicted arsonist who had been let out of prison just three months prior allegedly confessed to his being ‘involved’ at the thrift store fire, according to reports.”

Sadly, the stately church that was an architectural jewel in downtown was gone. Built in 1908, its exterior was constructed with white Pennsylvania marble and a roof of red asbestos slate, according to a history book written by David Young Brouse, Jr. and Mary Jo Ault Brouse in 2001 titled “175th Anniversary Pine Street United Methodist Church.”

In addition, there were stained glass windows and an organ paid for partially by Andrew Carnegie, a steel magnate and philanthropist in the late 19th Century.

The present-day church was erected in the footprint of the old church in 1980 and now within its lobby is the only stained glass window saved from the former church.

Because church members were so efficient with the insurance money received for the fire, they were able to build the church for less than they received. As a result, they were able to establish the Pine Street Foundation, which is active to this day.

While Black Sunday will forever be a sad day for the church, there are plenty of triumphs to celebrate. For instance, James M. Black joined the church in 1904. He is best known for penning When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder in 1893, which is one the most popular hymns still sung today. In addition, notable visitors included President William Howard Taft in 1917 and Harry Houdini in 1924.

Perhaps Pine Street’s biggest triumph is its parishioners’ love of God.

“Pine Street has baptized hundreds of babies and adults in the faith and hundreds of weddings have taken place here,” said Joan Schell, who was herself baptized at the church at 6 weeks old and has been a congregant for 50 years.

“Part of our goal in celebrating our 200th anniversary is not to just look back but to look ahead,” said Rev. James Wooster.

The anniversary committee is comprised of Barb Flock, Carley Smith, Rev. Dr. John Piper, Joan Schell and Wooster. They are tasked with anniversary planning throughout 2026.

“We’ve been at it for months and we are still planning,” said Smith, who has been a congregant for over 50 years.

“To us it is a very meaningful time. This is what our parents, grandparents and great grandparents did as churchgoers,” said Flock, who has attended Pine Street for over 50 years, along with five generations of her family.

There will be a celebration for parishioners with 50 and more years with the church on a date to be determined and on Sunday, July 5, a hymn sing is planned to celebrate United States presidents.

“Hymns that have been known to be presidents’ favorites and stories of how faith and presidency have intersected” will be shared, said Wooster.

On Sunday, Sept. 13, Pine Street will welcome the district superintendent and the bishop, which will be a big celebration.

While planning anniversary events, the church continues serving church members and the community.

“Pine Street is known for having really sterling people who are pillars of the community, who have inspired people in their faith journey. Pine Street is about service to others. That is two-pronged – in the U.S. and around the world,” said Schell.

Wooster added, “The Pine Street Foundation has given away hundreds of thousands to different community organizations. Groups just need to apply.”

The church continues to open its doors to organizations that need a place to meet.

“We have 5 recovery groups that meet here as well as a site for bigger events,” said Wooster. “Our mission at Pine Street is to be a place where transformation can happen, where people are embraced and discover that God loves them.”

For more information about anniversary events or church services, visit pinestreetumc.org.