In 1867 Emmanuel Episcopal Church began as a mission fulfilling the need for a Sunday school for the children of English workmen.

At first it met in homes and then in rented rooms.
Membership grew to 76 people in 1868 when they received a church charter.
The next year they built a frame church.

By 1875 the area became fashionable and the frame church became too small.
The building committee was formed in 1882 with Postmaster Malcolm Hay as chairman.
The land for the new church was purchased for $750 in 1883.
H. H. Richardson was selected as the architect at the same time he was designing Pittsburgh's Allegheny County Courthouse and Jail in January, 1884.
The church was dedicated in March, 1886.

Over the next 20 years the neighborhood became much less fashionable, larger mansions were torn down, and new houses were built for the working class.
Due to the financial straits of the congregation, the church was not renovated for many years.

Designed by Richardson, the church was erected in 1884–1886 and built by Henry Shenk.
The original plans were for a stone building of about the same size as the present church, but with central-tower theme, similar to the Trinity Church in Boston.
The cost estimate of $25,000 was too high, and the congregation rejected the plans.
The new budget was $12,000 and plans for the smaller brick church were approved.
In 1867 Emmanuel Episcopal Church began as a mission fulfilling the need for a Sunday school for the children of English workmen. 
At first it met in homes and then in rented rooms. Membership grew to 76 people in 1868 when they received a church charter. The next year they built a frame church.
By 1875 the area became fashionable and the frame church became too small. The building committee was formed in 1882 with Postmaster Malcolm Hay as chairman. The land for the new church was purchased for $750 in 1883. H. H. Richardson was selected as the architect at the same time he was designing Pittsburgh's Allegheny County Courthouse and Jail in January, 1884. The church was dedicated in March, 1886.
Over the next 20 years the neighborhood became much less fashionable, larger mansions were torn down, and new houses were built for the working class. Due to the financial straits of the congregation, the church was not renovated for many years.
Designed by Richardson, the church was erected in 1884–1886 and built by Henry Shenk. The original plans were for a stone building of about the same size as the present church, but with central-tower theme, similar to the Trinity Church in Boston. The cost estimate of $25,000 was too high, and the congregation rejected the plans. The new budget was $12,000 and plans for the smaller brick church were approved.
Emmanuel Episcopal Church (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)