A Sanctuary with a Century of Use
Tucked into a quiet residential stretch in the 15221 ZIP code, Mifflin Avenue United Methodist Church stands at 905 Mifflin Avenue in Pittsburgh, just a short drive from the borough of Wilkinsburg. Its sanctuary, with seating for 500 and good acoustics for choir and congregational singing, marked a century of worship in November 2024 with a 100th anniversary service. The stained glass windows and warm wood interior have drawn visitors who, after touring the building during past community food drives, have left raving about the craftsmanship and beauty of the space.
Sunday Worship with a Neighboring Sister Church
Worship at Mifflin Avenue is shared with South Avenue United Methodist Church, the sister congregation located at 733 South Avenue. The two churches rotate the location of their Sunday gatherings throughout the year, with Adult Sunday School meeting at 9:30AM and worship following at 10:30AM at the host location for that month. In September the gathering is held at Mifflin Avenue, in October at South Avenue, and in November back at Mifflin Avenue, with the rotation continuing across the year.
The Lord's Supper is celebrated on the first Sunday of every month, and gluten-free bread is provided so everyone can take part. Children are invited to Junior Church following the Children's Moments in worship - families can connect with Ms. Diana at that time. For those who cannot attend in person, services are broadcast on Zoom, and recent and past services are posted to the church's YouTube channel.
A Year Marked by Special Services
The seasons of the Christian year shape the rhythm of the building. Ash Wednesday worship is held at 7PM in the sanctuary, with Mifflin Avenue and South Avenue joining together. The Advent season opens with a Hanging of the Greens service, followed by a Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at 7PM. Easter Sunday gathers the two congregations for a celebratory morning, and a Blessing of the Animals service each fall welcomes leashed and caged pets onto the front steps of Mifflin Avenue.
Children, Youth, and Sunday School
Children and youth have dedicated rooms for learning and gathering. The Children's Complex accommodates up to 40 people and is used for lessons and activities, while the Youth Room holds up to 20 for the older students. Vacation Bible School has long been a part of the church's summer tradition, with the program most recently on pause but expected back in future seasons.
Adults gather for Sunday School in the John Wesley Room, accessible through the glass door entrance on Mifflin Avenue. Coffee is poured at 9:45AM, with class beginning shortly after. Past Bible studies have included a six-week series called "Making Sense of the Bible" led by a previous pastor and a Lenten curriculum titled "Claiming the Promise" that explored the Bible and human sexuality. Midweek Bible studies have been held on Tuesdays at 11AM.
Feeding Neighbors through the Wilkinsburg Community Ministry
Feeding the surrounding community sits at the heart of the church's outreach. Mifflin Avenue partners with the Wilkinsburg Community Ministry (WCM), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides food, clothing, and energy assistance to residents of Wilkinsburg, Homewood, Swissvale, and Edgewood. The church supports WCM through regular monetary gifts and ongoing drives for non-perishable food, paper products, cleaning supplies, and toiletries.
Donations can be dropped off on Sunday mornings or during office hours on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays between 9AM and 1PM. Canned soup drives in January, "Fill the Pantry" events, and larger community food drives happen throughout the year. Each fall the congregation joins the Pittsburgh East CROP Walk, gathering walkers to support hunger relief efforts across the region. WCM operates out of 702 Wood Street in Wilkinsburg, where donations are delivered and distributed.
Spaces for the Wider Community
The Mifflin Avenue building houses more than just the sanctuary. Rooms are available for recurring rentals by community groups, including basketball teams, exercise classes, dance classes, and meetings. The Adult Complex on the street level accommodates up to 50 people for yoga, dance, craft, or educational classes. The Whitney Room, also street level, hosts smaller gatherings of up to 20 people. The Conference Room seats 15-20 around a non-working fireplace, and the Small Room fits up to eight.
The Gym is available for basketball, dance lessons, and exercise classes from September through May, with outside food and beverages allowed under the balcony with prior approval. The Youth Room, Children's Complex, and a commercial kitchen round out the lower level, though the kitchen is currently unavailable for rental. The sanctuary itself can be reserved for one-time weddings, funerals, memorials, or music and concert presentations. No alcohol, drugs, or smoking - including vapor and e-cigarettes - are allowed anywhere on church property.
What to Know as a First-Time Visitor
Visitors will find ample street parking near the church, with an accessible parking space in front of the building and another on Whitney Avenue. The main entrance is the pair of big red doors on Mifflin Avenue, with an additional glass door entrance also on Mifflin Avenue. For those needing step-free access, the red door on Whitney Avenue opens to a chair lift to the main level.
The congregation's welcome is plain and warm: "Everyone is welcome, no matter who you are, where you come from, or why you are here. We are Christ's people and this is Christ's place with its doors wide open. If you are passing through, Godspeed. If you are looking for a worship home, please stay with us." There is no expectation about how guests should dress - the church invites everyone to come as they are. Greeters are on hand at the doors to answer questions and help with any needs.
A United Methodist Identity
Mifflin Avenue is part of the United Methodist Church, a global connection of more than 12 million people who seek to put faith into action through worship, mission, and service. The congregation describes itself with four core verbs: Welcoming, Worshiping, Nurturing, and Sending. Members promise to uphold the church through their prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness.
Worship is grounded in tradition and focused on God, with the goal of inspiring participants to deepen their faith. The congregation belongs to the Western Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church and shares in the denomination's wider commitments: engaging in ministry with the poor, improving global health, developing principled Christian leaders, dismantling racism, and involving more people in the church's mission.
Pastor Russel Shuluga and Pastoral Writing
Pastor Russel Shuluga joined the Mifflin Avenue church family in mid-2020 and continues to lead worship across the rotating schedule with South Avenue UMC. In a January 2021 letter titled "From the Pastor's Heart," he reflected on the pandemic year and quoted the Alison Krauss and The Cox Family rendition of "I Know Who Holds Tomorrow": "Many things about tomorrow I don't seem to understand, but I know who holds tomorrow and I know who holds my hand." The letter became a touchstone for the congregation during a season of separation and grief.
Staying Connected Beyond the Building
For those unable to attend in person, the church's YouTube channel carries recent Sunday services and a deep archive of past worship, including special services from Easter, Christmas Eve, and the sanctuary anniversary. The congregation is active on Facebook and Instagram, where announcements, photos from food drives, and updates about community events are shared. A public Google Calendar keeps members and visitors informed about upcoming events and recurring meetings.
The church office can be reached at office@mifflinave.org or 412-731-2511, with office hours on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 9AM to 1PM. Inquiries about space rental, weddings, funerals, or community partnerships are all welcome through the office.