The Johnstown First Mennonite Church was founded in 1939 as a mission under the district mission board of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Mennonite Conference (later known as Allegheny Mennonite Conference). The services were held in rented dwelling houses until 1949. In 1945 a lot with house was purchased close to the center of the city; the house was converted into a parsonage. A brick meeting house was built on an adjoining lot, and dedicated in 1949. The membership was 66 in 1955 with John E. Gingrich as pastor and bishop. In 2005 the membership was 46.

Adapted by permission of Herald Press, Harrisonburg, Virginia, and Waterloo, Ontario, from Mennonite Encyclopedia, Vol. 3, p. 118. All rights reserved. For information on ordering the encyclopedia visit the Herald Press website.

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