Founder
Dr.
Edwards came to the United States in 1870 and began his ministerial career at
the Mineral Ridge Chapel in Ohio. He arrived in the Wyoming Valley
and accepted the pastorate of the First Welsh Congregational Church of Wilkes-Barre and later received a call from the
Welsh Congregational Church of
Edwardsville, serving both churches.
Beginning Jan. 1, 1880, Cynonfardd
— his Bardic title which means "Bard of Cynon" — decided to devote full time to the
Edwardsville church.
On March 1, 1889, (St. David's Day) this church became the home of what is now the oldest continuing Eisteddfod outside of Wales. Shortly after Dr. T.C.'s death on March 13, 1927, the members of the Welsh Congregational Church honored him by changing the name to the Dr. Edwards Memorial Congregational Church.
Present Pastor
Rev.
Louis Falcone was
born in Luzerne to Joseph and Rose Falcone. He was educated in Luzerne schools, attended East Stroudsburg State College,
Pinecrest Bible
Institute and Reformed Episcopal Seminary. Rev. Falcone
has taught in the Luzerne and Wyoming Valley West school districts and served
for 10
years on the WVW Board of Education.
Many of his community services
include coaching numerous sports at many age levels and he is a former director
of Kingston Recreation.
He has served our area at Bethel
Congregational Church, Nanticoke; Wyoming
Avenue Christian Church, Kingston; and is currently pastor
at Christian Assembly Church, Wilkes-Barre, and here at Dr. Edwards Memorial.
He celebrated his 26th anniversary with us last year and we are extremely
pleased to have him as our shepherd.