"We Welcome The Whoseover Will"
About Cross of Christ Church and Ministry
Our Values
We value compassion, kindness, and acceptance. We believe in treating others with respect and dignity, regardless of their race religious beliefs or backgrounds.
Church History
The Reformed Presbyterian (often called Covenanter) Church in New Alexandria, PA, was heavily tied to the Underground Railroad. While formal church logs were not kept to protect the identity of freedom seekers, its pastors, including Rev. James Milligan, directly aided runaway slaves. Here are the details of the church's involvement and historical impact:
The Pastors: Rev. James Milligan, who served the New Alexandria and Greensburg congregations from 1819 to 1848, was a fierce abolitionist. His son, Rev. Alexander McLeod Milligan, also served as pastor of the congregation and risked arrest by hiding individuals fleeing enslavement in Virginia.
The Covenanter Stance: The Reformed Presbyterian Church was unique. As early as 1800, the church strictly forbade any of its members from owning slaves. They believed it was a sin against God and heavily cited the Bible (Deuteronomy 23:15) which commanded communities not to return runaway slaves.
The Network: Covenanter congregations formed a physical network of "stations" across Pennsylvania and Ohio. The Milligans sheltered escaped slaves at their farms and homes, moving them further north toward Canada with the help of parishioners.
To learn more about the region's abolitionist history, you can visit the Blairsville Underground Railroad History Center located just a short 12-minute drive away.