An intentionally interracial, ecumenical, progressive Christian Church
Join us for Worship
Sundays at 11am
100 N Bellefield Ave
or on Zoom
For the link to join our Zoom worship services,
please email our church administrator, here.
Our History
Community of Reconciliation Church (COR) was founded in the midst of the 1960's civil rights movement in the United States. The congregation grew out of the vision and commitment of African American and white clergy and congregations who were concerned about the racial divides that were reflected in the worship and membership of Pittsburgh churches.
COR’s life as a congregation began in July 1968, when it was started as the worshiping body of University and City Ministries, an organization already engaged in campus, youth and children ministries in Oakland. COR’s first congregation was formed of clergy and lay people from First Presbyterian, Bellefield Presbyterian, and Grace Memorial Presbyterian Churches: two of them historically white churches, and one historically African American. Initial members moved their membership to COR for a one-year period, and many chose to stay after that.
As the congregation grew, its members and leaders sought to extend its commitment to inclusion in new ways. In the early 1980s, COR reached out to other Protestant denominations to build new relationships. In addition to its starting affiliation with the Presbyterian Church (USA), today COR is also a congregation in good standing with three other Protestant denominations: the Disciples of Christ, the United Church of Christ, and the United Methodist Church.
We began as an intentionally interracial church, and have always welcomed the leadership of men and women. In 2006 we further affirmed our commitment to be a radically inclusive congregation with an addition to our church covenant: "we invite the full participation of all people regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, ability or worldly condition in the life and ministry of our church.” Within each of our partner denominations, we are members of groups working for the full inclusion of LGBTQ persons in life and ministry of the church.