Why JMPC?
Frequently Asked Questions
At John McMillan Presbyterian Church, we are a warm and friendly community of people who come together to know, glorify, and serve God.
JMPC is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA). Our members range from those who were born and raised in this church family to many others from a non-Presbyterian background. We offer numerous opportunities for members to: Know, Glorify and Serve God. Please browse our website to learn more about our church the other opportunities available here.
We invite you to join us for worship service this week. No matter where you are on life’s faith journey, you are welcome here.
Our traditional services on Sunday morning are complemented by Sunday School for preschool through adults and nursery care is also provided. We have a variety of education, fellowship, and outreach ministries to help us grow in fellowship with each other and in faithfulness as disciples of Jesus Christ. Many young families and members at JMPC have not grown up with a church family. We know people are at different places on their spiritual journeys, and we welcome you, wherever you are, to discover the love of God and new life as Christians.
Beliefs
JMPC is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA) and the Pittsburgh Presbytery which serves the PC(USA) congregations in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.
Staff and Leadership
Reverend Jeff Tindall has served as Senior Pastor of John McMillan Presbyterian Church since 2014. Jeff was born and raised a Pittsburgher. He grew up in Pleasant Hills and attended Pleasant Hills Community United Presbyterian Church with his family. After graduating from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1974, he received a bachelor’s degree in biology from Allegheny College, in 1978. Jeff graduated from Capital University Law School in 1983 and practiced law for the next 29 years. Jeff met his wife, Karen, in Columbus, Ohio where they both attended law school (though Karen attended Ohio State). They were married in 1985. Their son, Aaron, was born the next year and daughter, Juliana, was born almost six years later. Karen practices elder law. In 1996, Jeff felt a call of God to the ministry and enrolled at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary where he attended part-time while continuing a full-time law practice until graduating in 2007. Immediately after graduation, he was called to Carnegie Presbyterian Church and was installed in October of 2007. In 2012, Jeff was elected Stated Clerk of Pittsburgh Presbytery. In 2014 he received the call to be the Senior Pastor of John McMillan Presbyterian Church. Jeff is a fitness enthusiast; sometimes lifting at the gym, and sometimes at cardio at home. Golf, tennis and skiing are a few of his favorite activities, but his most interesting fitness activity is boxing at Wolfpack Boxing Club in Bridgeville. While Jeff has not had the opportunity to train there recently, he has learned a great many life’s lessons in the ring.
Matthew Fricker is our Associate Pastor. Matt is quite familiar with the southwestern part of the Pittsburgh metropolitan area as he grew up in Bridgeville. Matt is a 2013 graduate of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and a 2008 graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania (Cartography). For the past two years Matt has been the Director of Youth Ministry at First Presbyterian Church of San Antonio. Previously, he has served as the Youth Director at Bethany Presbyterian Church after interning at First Presbyterian Church of Crafton Heights. Matt was a member of the United States Army from 1999 to 2008 during which he served in Iraq. Matt is currently the high school coordinator for the New Wilmington Missionary Conference and has led several mission trips for both adults and youth. Matt’s primary responsibilities are overseeing Christian Education and Youth Ministries.
Carolyn Brow, Music Director
Carolyn has been the music director at JMPC since 2005. She has been directing various church choirs for over thirty years in Indiana, Ohio, Tennessee, and Pennsylvania after receiving her BA in Applied Music from Otterbein College. Carolyn is married to Rick and has three daughters, Katie, Betsy, and Emily. She enjoys gardening, hiking, sewing, cooking and biking.
Leslie Bogdon, Office Manager
Leslie is the newest addition at JMPC. She is originally from West View and now resides in Collier Township. Leslie has two children Grace and Ryan along with her dog, Gunner and cat, Solomon. Leslie is very active in the soccer community volunteering her time with Chartiers Valley Soccer Association and Pittsburgh Football Club. She enjoys watching her children play soccer, camping, boating and spending any free time with her kids.
Elisabeth Jeffries, Organist
Elisabeth is the organist at JMPC since December 1992. Married to Randall Jeffries, she has resided in the Bower Hill Eighty-Four area all her life. Music has always been important having taught piano and organ lessons since high school. Presently she teaches out of her home and at JMPC Church. Other church jobs include organist at the Lutheran Church of our Redeemer at Crossgates McMurray for 5 years, and Choir Director/Organist at Thomas Presbyterian Church in Thomas for 28 years. Elisabeth also owns and operates Elisabeth’s Beauty Salon in her home. She loves working at JMPC, as the staff and congregation are extremely loving and caring.
Kim Doughty, Preschool Director
Kim, our Preschool Director, began as Director in July 2020 and is excited to be a part of the John McMillan Preschool team. Kim has lived in Peters Township for the past 20 years with her husband and four children. She enjoys spending time with her family, taking walks with her dog, reading, traveling, baking, gardening, and connecting with friends. She has been working in the field of Education since graduating from college, both as an Elementary and Preschool teacher and as a Director. Kim is thrilled to bring her passion for education to the children and families of John McMillan Preschool!
The Foundation of HOPE is an interfaith non-profit with the mission to “Empower incarcerated and released individuals to restore their relationship with their God, rebuild their lives, and reconcile to their communities.” The goals of the program are accomplished through counseling, religious services, discipleship, practical resources and referrals, life skills education within and outside the jail, choice awareness training, and one-on-one mentoring. HOPE serves inmates regardless of their race, age, ethnic background, or faith tradition. Pre-release director, Rev. Caitlin Werth, has asked for a summer of prayer for our brothers and sisters who are incarcerated. Rev. Werth will send an email to Pastor Jeff each week and ask that we pray out loud and publicly for the issues she identifies. Jesus tells us that when we “visit the prisoners” we visit Jesus. I will be offering these prayers weekly in our worship.
Our Church Founding
John McMillan Presbyterian Church began its ministry in the Bethel Park Area in October of 1966. JMPC was started 50 years ago by a group of 118 people.
In 1965, Westminster Presbyterian and Pittsburgh Presbytery sponsored a pastor to plant a church in Bethel Park. The first service was held in September 1965 at William Penn School. Ground breaking for the first building took place in February 1966.
The first worship service, held in the current building, was on February 24, 1967 and excited members celebrated worship in what is now Fellowship Hall. The founding pastor was Rev. Richard Davis. He served at JMPC from 1965 – 1968.
After the church was built, the congregation took turns cleaning and taking care of the church. Because of frequent vandalism, all the members took turns performing security checks at the church in the evenings. The church congregation continued to grow and to attract members from not only Bethel Park, but surrounding communities.
There were many changes that would occur in the years to follow that first worship service, including the construction of a new sanctuary and the installation of two services on Sunday mornings. The congregation has always welcomed all visitors and has intensified its interest to serve the community through mission work.
In the mid 1970’s the John McMillan Preschool opened and continues to service young children and their families to this day. The community often uses the playground and the ball field located next to the church. Vacation Bible School is a successful outreach program that reaches hundreds of children each summer and A Christmas Affair has a reputation as one of the best fall craft and food fairs in the area. In recent years, a Columbarium was added to the outside of the church and members built a garden to support South Hills Interfaith Movement.
Throughout the years leadership at JMPC has been provided by the following pastors:
- 1965 – 1968 The Reverend Richard A. Davis
- 1969 – 1974 The Reverend Dr. Arthur D. Webster
- 1975 – 1986 The Reverend James O. Eby
- 1987 – 2000 The Reverend Daniel B. Merry
- 1995 – 2001 The Reverend Deborah Evanovich
- 2003 – 2013 The Reverend Charles H. Berthoud
- 2003 – 2015 The Reverend Louise H. Rogers
- 2014 – present The Reverend Marshall Jefferson Tindall
- 2016 – present The Reverend Matthew W. Fricker
John McMillan Presbyterian Church celebrated its golden anniversary in October 2016.
Biography of our Namesake, Rev. John McMillan:
Namesake: John McMillan
John McMillan (1752-1833) was a well-known Presbyterian minister and missionary. His Scots-Irish parents (William McMillan and Margaret Rea) came to Chester County from Ireland in 1742. He studied theology at Robert Smith’s Pequea Academy. He then attended Princeton at the age of 18, graduating in 1772. He was licensed at 22 under the Presbytery of Newcastle. He then traveled west on foot in 1775, preaching as he traveled. He married Catherine Brown in 1776. He was the founder of Pigeon Creek Church, and served there for 19 years. Afterwards he served at Chartiers Church for 47 years.
During the Revolutionary War and because of attacks from local Indians, McMillan moved his family to a cabin on Shanon Run, the east branch of Chartiers Creek in Washington County. He began teaching Greek and Latin to students in his log cabin. You can see the log cabin which is located at 25 East College Street in
Cabin where John McMillan taught
John McMillan was a very big man, 6 feet tall and 200 pounds. He was known for having a very strong speaking voice. He served in the militia in 1782 and received a donation farm in Mercer County from the government. He collected donations to build the Canonsburg Academy and moved his log cabin students there. This school eventually grew to be Washington & Jefferson College. He is known for being one of the founders of the University of Pittsburgh, the Pittsburgh Xenia Theological Seminary and the Western Theological Seminary. He educated over 100 ministers.