In the late 1800s, Aliquippa was a rural community defined by small industries and an amusement park along the railroad. Congregants had to cross the Ohio River in boats to attend worship in the town of Baden until 1875, when Lutheran minister William Passavant opened House of Prayer. By the early 1900s, the area’s population boomed as the J&L steel mill opened and became one of the largest in the country. As church membership soared, House of Prayer built a new structure in 1910 and again in 1956. The current 1956 Midcentury Modern building was designed by Beaver County architect Arthur L. Martsolf. One of its most notable features is a 73-foot steel spire in the church courtyard, reflecting the town’s steel heritage.

The church has played an active role in the community during decades of economic challenges. After the closure of the steel mills in the 1980s, about 8,000 workers were laid off, and the city’s economy collapsed. Aliquippa was designated an economically distressed municipality from 1987 until 2023. The congregation’s most significant contribution to the recovery of the community is its food ministry, which provides more than four tons of free food each month through a weekly community meal, a free food truck, and a large pantry that is restocked multiple times a day. Operating since 2008, the program serves up to 1,000 people per month, with many individuals using services multiple times per month. The church shares space with a daycare, a knitting group, and Narcotics Anonymous meetings. House of Prayer also has a ministry focused on helping churches become more inclusive and accessible to people who are neurodivergent or have disabilities.

In April 2025, a bow echo thunderstorm hit Southwestern Pennsylvania, with wind speeds up to 80 miles per hour. The storm caused widespread damage in the Pittsburgh region, including multi-day power outages. House of Prayer’s soffit and fascia were damaged during the storm, causing active water infiltration in the sanctuary.

An Intervention Fund grant of $16,000 will help the church repair and replace the damaged fascia board, helping prevent further water damage to the building.