Tredyffrin Easttown Historical Society
History Quarterly Digital Archives

Source: April 1960 Volume 11 Number 1, Pages 20–21

The Highway Mission (Pentecostal church)

Dorothy Reed

Page 20

In writing the history of the Highway Mission it becomes necessary to write about the founder, the Rev. Lillian Jackson, an ordained clergyman in the Pentecostal denomination. Without the loving efforts which Sister Jackson made for the mission there would be no "Highway Mission" in Howellville.

The Highway Mission started as a church for children, and when founded in Howellville there were only children except two adults. The Mission is dedicated to work with Negroes, Italians, and Mexicans who are employed at Johnson's Quarry, and their children.

While Sister Jackson was employed at the home of Mrs. Harry Crider in Wayne, as she has been for over forty years, she became interested in children and their lack of religious training and knowledge of the Bible. During World War II she was affiliated with a church in Wayne and paid to have the children taxied, or arranged to have private cars bring them to the Sunday School meeting. When gasoline rationing was enforced during the war it was impossible to carry out the automobile service either by public or private means.

As time passed Sister Jackson became concerned as the children were not having their religious training, so she therefore searched for a possible place to meet. Her reward was an old building at the northwest corner of Route 202 and Howellville Road, Howellville, Berwyn, Pennsylvania. The Sunday School was held in that building for ten years from 1942. Much work and effort went into this venture but Sister Jackson had a greater vision, a larger church that would serve more in the community and its spiritual life as a whole. So with, prayer and many misgivings a piece of ground was purchased, and a brick church with a six-room apartment attached has been the result of years of waiting, soliciting for funds at the Farmers' Market in Wayne, at the Anthony Wayne Theatre, and at other local public stores where odd change would find its way to Sister Jackson's collection basket.

Much personal sacrifice has gone into this dream-come-true, The Highway Missions. When the shack became too small, Sister Jackson knew that other quarters were needed. With the help of Mrs. Crider, Sister Jackson had her salary put into a savings fund, and when she had accumulated $2000 she purchased the piece of land for $800; with the balance of $1200 ground was broken for the church, and with faith in God and her fellowman the church was completed and dedicated in June 1953 at a total cost of $35,000.

Page 21

Sister Jackson as a Pastor makes visits to hospitals and juvenile institutions as well as performing pastoral duties in her own neighborhood. She was born January 16, 1897.

Beside the interest in building of the church, personal missionary work is carried on for the needs of her people.

There is an average attendance of fifty at Sunday School which is held on the ground floor. This room serves as a meeting place and dining hall for large groups, the folding chairs having come from the Central Baptist Church in Wayne. The pews for the church proper (which is peaceful and quiet) came from St. John's Presbyterian Church, Devon.

Berwyn is most fortunate in having such a home mission and a home missionary.

Howellville Highway Mission