Our History
March 1st, 2010
Our church was originally founded in 1973 under the name “Greater Pittsburgh Bible Church”. We met for a period of time in the Masonic Building in Carnegie, even using a portion of that facility to operate a Christian Bookstore and a Christian Coffeehouse.
In 1979, we relocated to the Carnegie Branch of the Andrew Carnegie Library, leasing all portions of the building excluding the library itself. The facility included a 700+ seat auditorium that had been shuttered for 17 years. Needless to say, between the area youth that had broken in and set fires on the stage and the numerous bats that had taken up residence, the facility required extensive renovations to be usable.
Shortly after the move to the library building, the church changed its name to New Life Fellowship. This was reflective of our new life in Christ, as well as the new life being brought to the community through the rejuvenation of a historical landmark.
In 1981, Dudley Mays responded to the call of God on his life and
was ordained as Pastor. During this period, New Life Fellowship had planted a second congregation in Moon Township. Pastor Dudley shared preaching duties at both facilities and took over the full-time pastorate of the Carnegie branch of the church in 1982.
In 1989, the lease that the church had signed with the previous library board was expiring and a new agreement could not be reached with new board. For a couple months the church temporarily met on Sunday afternoons at the facility owned and graciously offered to us by Hillside Community Church on Campbell’s Run Road in Carnegie.
In late-1989 God opened the door for the church to begin leasing – and eventually purchase - the building in Elliott (one of Pittsburgh’s West End Neighborhoods) that formerly housed the Lorenz Avenue Baptist Church. The name New Life Fellowship once again proved appropriate as the opportunity to renovate another historical building presented itself (the building was originally built in 1907).
During the past 20+ years in Eliott, we have not only cared for a building, but had an amazing opportunity to embody the compassion of Jesus by serving the community.
In January of 2008, Pastor Dudley went home to be with the Lord. He built a rich foundation in the people of New Life Fellowship and was dearly loved by many in the community who knew him.
When Pastor Dudley became ill, the elders of the church extended an invitation to his son, Chris to fill the pastorate. Prior to Pastor Dudley’s passing, he was able to participate in one of the great desires of his heart: the ordination of Chris as the new senior Pastor.
1 Corinthians 3:10 – By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it.
Pastor Chris continues to build upon the legacy left by his father and the church continues to move forward.
