WEIRTON — Oakland Presbyterian Church will celebrate its 150th anniversary August 2-3. A meet-and-greet will take place at 4 p.m. Aug. 2 at the church, located off Wylie Ridge Road at 34 Swearingen Road in Weirton.

The meet-and-greet will offer finger foods, entertainment by singer Jonathan White, and DiCarlo’s Pizza following the concert.

A church service led by the Rev. Randy Krebs will be held at 11 a.m. Aug. 3. Following the service, a luncheon will be held in the Friendship Hall. The church women will provide the meal.

The church’s foundation was laid in June 1875. The building was completed in November of that year, officials announced. There were no regular worship services until the Rev. J. H. Breaden accepted the call to lead the congregation on Jan. 1, 1878. At that time, membership went from having 20 members, to having 45 church members.

The name “Oakland” was selected for the church by Ella Maxwell. In 1884, a petition passed to allow organ music into the church.

Then, in 1956, major repairs were made to the structure, including the drilling of a water well. The church was raised and a basement was constructed underneath the entire building.

Restrooms were added, an oil heating system was installed and the walls, pews and floors were painted. New ceiling lights were installed in the upstairs portion of the church and a new cross was erected. The grounds around the church were landscaped, a parking lot was built and cement sidewalks were laid.

In 1959, the building fund was paid in full and the congregation grew from 62 members to 132 members within three years, church officials said. In 1960, the Rev. Jim Bailey became the church’s first full-time minister. In May 1964, the church purchased the manse, which refers to a clergyhouse, with a 20-year loan. The manse is still owned by the church today.

In November 1973, the Rev. Bruce Pursell became the church’s minister. He reorganized its youth group, which began a project to raise money for a steeple. Approximately $4,000 was raised through the sale of sandwiches and individual contributions.

In May 1978, the Rev. Ann Carson became the church’s first female minister. In 1980, siding was placed on the outside of the church and paneling was installed on the basement’s walls.

In 1998, a new organ was purchased at the cost of $12,000. The entire amount was paid within 60 days, officials noted.

A new baby grand piano was purchased in June 2001. In March and April of 2002, a new propane furnace and air conditioning unit were installed. In September 2002, a new addition consisting of an office/choir room, housing a kitchen underneath, was erected, as well as a storage area in rear of the basement.

In October 2003, completed jobs included a new handicapped ramp, the installation of sidewalks, new steel double doors and landscaping projects. A new roof on the main building was installed during the fall of 2005.