Our History
1937
PROVIDENCE MISSION FOUNDED
Providence Mission had its humble beginnings in a rented storefront in Chinatown, founded by Mrs. Lizzie Shaw. It aimed to reach out to its neighbors in Chinatown.
1945
FIRST MOVE
At this time, Providence Mission expanded to work with the Salvation Army. During this time, teachers continually and faithfully presented God’s word by life and lips and older students began to assume some teaching responsibilities.
EXPANDED OUTREACH
The mission also expanded, primarily targeting the Pittsburgh Chinese people (Toishanese) for outreach.
1960
STUDENTS FROM CHINA
An immense blessing in a group of overseas Chinese students came, bringing leadership ability, experiences, and love for the Lord.
1965
INCORPORATION OF PCC
Pittsburgh Chinese Church is established, after years of persistence and prayer led to the incorporation of the original mission.
FIRST PART-TIME MINISTER
Along with its incorporation, PCC is blessed with its first part-time minister, Ben Au-Yeung (served 1965-1968).
1966
ESTABLISHMENT OF MINISTRIES
In line with previous goals, PCC aimed to reach out to the Mandarin- and Toishanese- speaking Chinese and American-born Chinese in Pittsburgh.
EXPANDED OUTREACH
In line with previous goals, PCC aimed to reach out to the Mandarin- and Toishanese- speaking Chinese and American-born Chinese in Pittsburgh.
1968
FIRST FULL-TIME MINISTER
God continued to bless PCC by bringing Wally Yew (1968), PCC’s first full-time minister.
MINISTRY EXPANSION
In this time, PCC’s ministries continued to increase through holding its own baptismal services, instituting regular missionary programs, starting the church library, sponsoring intercity retreats, and bringing its youth to attend Chinese Christian conferences in other cities.
NEW PLACE IN OAKLAND AND LARGER OUTREACH
PCC was also blessed in the acquisition of the Church Home on Parkview Avenue in Oakland. PCC continued to expand its mission, trying to reach out to the Chinese beyond Pittsburgh.
1971-1983
NEW PLACE IN DOWNTOWN
PCC has its first worship service at the First Presbyterian Church in Downtown.
A NEW CHINESE/ ENGLISH MINISTER
After minister Wally Yew left to pursue a different calling (1973), Jonathan Liu (1973) joins PCC as a Chinese and English minister.
EXPANDING REACH
PCC aims to reach Chinese in Pittsburgh and beyond. The body of PCC continues to be nourished as members attend Missions Conferences, Annual Church Retreats (ACRs), and Evangelistic meetings.
NEW ENGLISH MINISTER
At this time, William Fong (1977) is called to PCC to minister to the English and Youth ministries.
COLLEGE AND YOUNG ADULT MINISTRIES
Youth and college fellowships also expanded, as PCC plants the Young Adults Fellowship (YAF), and the Chinese and English College Fellowships on nearby college campuses.
1983-89
NEW CHINESE MINISTER
After the departure of Jonathan Liu (1982), a new minister for the Chinese congregation is brought on board, Joseph Cheng (1983).
FIRST BUILDING PURCHASE
God blesses PCC with the ability to purchase its first building - which was on 4101 Perrysville Avenue in the Northside.
ESTABLISHMENT OF CHURCH COUNCIL
God continues to solidify PCC’s structure, with the establishment of the first Council system with the Board of Elders and Board of Deacons. It is also during this time that PCC adopted the Pittsburgh Chinese Church Constitution.
EQUIPPING THE BODY
Sunday School is rescheduled to follow Worship Service. Fellowship/church-wide luncheons are also instituted, following after Sunday School.
EXPANDED OUTREACH
PCC continues to aim to reach Chinese and non-Chinese in Pittsburgh and beyond. Alongside this effort, the English College Fellowship was renamed to Asian Christian Fellowship, and short-term Mission trips were taken by adults and college students.
MONROEVILLE FELLOWSHIP
Monroeville Fellowship became the Eastern Suburban Chinese Church.
1990-1999
NEW ENGLISH MINISTER
William Fong ends his service at PCC (1990), and God blesses PCC with Paul Bucknell (1991) as the new English minister.
CONCURRENT LANGUAGE SERVICES
During this time, PCC also started holding concurrent Chinese (Mandarin & Cantonese) and English worship services.
PLANTING PCCO
PCC takes a step of faith in planting the Pittsburgh Chinese Church in Oakland (PCCO).
NEW CHINESE MINISTER
Joseph Cheng is called elsewhere (1996), and Caleb Chang (1996) joins PCC as the new Chinese minister.
FIRST PCCO PASTOR
After its inception in 1995, God blessed PCC immensely with Hugo Cheng becoming the first pastor of PCCO.
GLOBAL OUTREACH
In this time, PCC begins a global outreach and conducts evangelistic training for members. Judy Khuu Shine and Tim Shine were sent off as missionaries serving in East Asia.
2000-2010
PURCHASE OF A NEW PLACE
God calls PCC to another location, and purchases the ESPE school building on 8711 Old Perry Highway.
PCC MOVES TO ITS CURRENT PLACE
PCC moves into the Old Perry Highway building and establishes the very first PCC Church Office. By God’s grace, on June 2, PCC holds its first Worship Service at the Old Perry Building
BUILDING DEDICATION
On April 26, The Old Perry Highway building is dedicated.
NEW ENGLISH MINISTER
Paul Bucknell is called to another ministry (2000), and after an extended period of prayer and supplication, Tom Tessaro begins his ministry to the PCC English congregation (2002).
MISSION-DRIVEN CHINESE AND ENGLISH CONGREGATIONS
The Chinese congregation first holds revival meetings in the Fall evangelistic meetings in the Spring. Members of the English congregation attends local seminars on biblical enrichment, mission awareness and missionary care. Many short-term Mission trips were taken by adults, college students, and youth Fellowship students, both locally, within the U.S., and overseas.
PCCO AND PCC CHINESE MINISTERS
God brings Terence Liu to become the Chinese pastor of PCCO. In the same year, following the departure of Caleb Chang (2007), God also brought Benjamin Lee (2008) as the minister for the Chinese congregation.
NEW FELLOWSHIPS
North Hills and South Hills Women Fellowship established.
NEW YOUTH MINISTER
Luther Schrum (2009) joins PCC as the minister for the youth ministry.
2011-2019
NEW FELLOWSHIP
The Young Adult Fellowship is adapted to become The English Young Professional Ministry (RISE). (2016)
NEW YOUTH MINISTER
2020-
God calls Luther Schrum elsewhere (2017), and Adam Eckel (2017-present) joins as the minister for the youth ministry.
NEW ENGLISH MINISTER
James Fulmer leaves PCC after years of faithful service (2018), and PCC undergoes another period of prayer before God blesses PCC with Hans Sun (2020-present), who joins as the minister for the English congregation.
NEW CHINESE MINISTER
Benjamin Lee is called to a different ministry (2020), and God brings Jun-Jang Jeng (2021-present) to join as the minister for the Chinese congregation. Pastor Jeng was ordained at PCC in 2024.