Timeline of the Geneva Reformed Presbyterian Church

On Nov. 4, 1892, Geneva Reformed Presbyterian Church was organized. Worship services were held in the chapel of Old Main at Geneva College.

Reverend H.G. Foster was the first pastor of the congregation elected in 1894, where he served for 15 years.

The church buiding was constructed at the corner of 31st Street and 4th Avenue in Beaver Falls.

The Reverend J.C. Slater was the pastor from 1910-1937.

Reverend James Henery was the guiding shepherd of the congregation, but died one year into his pastorate.

Reverend J. B. Willson served the congregation as pastor from April 1940 until 1953 when he went to teach at the seminary.

Rev. Robert B. Tweed served as pastor from June 11, 1954 to May 13, 1956.

Rev. Herbert Hays, who had served for a time as a missionary in Syria, became the pastor from Sept. 26, 1956 to August 1968.

J. Renwick Wright served as pastor from May 21, 1969 to Oct. 31, 1975.

John H. Tweed served as pastor from Nov. 12, 1976 to April 15, 1983. He would later serve at First RPC.

Timothy Russell became pastor Sept. 8, 1985. He would later serve as Chaplain at Geneva College.

Dr. Willard G. McMillan was installed as pastor on Oct. 3, 1990, where he remained until May 31, 1995.

Bruce R. Backensto became pastor on Oct. 4, 1995. He pastored the Geneva congregation through the merger with First RPC and retired from there on May 31, 2014.

113 years after being daughtered by First RPC, the Geneva congregation was again joined with her through merger. The Geneva name was kept for a couple more years before the new, merged congregation reverted to its original name of First RPC of Beaver Falls.