Churchill offers quiet living, natural beauty and strong community
Churchill is a small borough just 10 miles east of Pittsburgh, named after a Presbyterian church that has stood here since its original construction in 1837. Established as a municipality in 1934, the population of Churchill swelled after World War II, with families moving to Pittsburgh's eastern suburbs for quieter lifestyles outside of the city. With roughly 3,000 residents, Churchill fosters an active community and laidback way of living. “I’ve lived here for 21 years, and it’s the longest I’ve ever stayed in one place. It’s beautiful, heavily surrounded by trees, and our community is very involved. There are so many volunteer-based clubs and organizations,” says local Deb Casini Klein, a member of the Churchill Borough Council. “It’s a small, intimate borough, only 2.5 square miles with one little gas station. It’s a place where neighbors know neighbors and everyone respects one another.”
Unique architecture, from midcentury modern homes to Colonial Revivals
Churchill’s residential streets are quiet, shaded by thickets of forests and adorned with pops of colorful blooms planted by the Churchill Garden Club. Comprised mostly of single-family homes, the architecture in the community is diverse, with no two homes looking the same. “You won’t find new homes here. We have a lot of unique, older houses, so it’s not cookie-cutter in the slightest,” Klein says. “The borough has a lot of cool midcentury modern homes, and we’ll do tours of them during the year.” Styles range from classic ranch and brick Colonial Revival properties to Cape Cods and the sleek midcentury modern homes for which the area is known. Smaller vintage homes and lightly renovated properties sell between $100,000 and $290,000, while large, updated properties can sell anywhere between $300,000 and $610,000.
Public school options that offer career and technology routes
Woodland Hills School District serves the community, and local children may attend kindergarten through fifth grade at Turtle Creek Elementary STEAM Academy, which earns a B-minus from Niche. Students move on to Dickson Preparatory STEAM Academy, which gets a C, before heading to B-minus-rated Woodland Hills High School. Woodland Hills partners with the Forbes Road Career and Technology Center so students can have hands-on learning experiences for different careers, from cosmetology to culinary arts.
Local parks and country club amenities offer outdoor recreation
Churchill is heavily forested, with trees lining the residential streets and creating thickets around the community’s border. “We’re very committed to preserving the natural beauty of our area. We have strict ordinances around trees and landscaping, and we work hard to make sure there’s no trash or anything found around,” Klien says. Nearby Koch Park provides a playground, as well as pickleball and basketball courts. Many residents are members of the private Edgewood Country Club, anchored by an 18-hole course designed by Donald Ross. The club has a swimming pool and tennis courts.
Annual events bring the Churchill community together
Though Churchill might have a small community, it’s highly active, with local committees planning several annual events throughout the year. Churchill Community Day brings locals together during summer for a huge potluck meal, outdoor games and arts and crafts. “On Easter, I dress head-to-toe in a bunny costume, and our mayor decorates his little sports car to drive us around. Rain, snow, it doesn’t matter, kids line up on the sidewalks to wait for us to stop by and take pictures with them,” Klein says.
Options for stores and restaurants in nearby Monroeville
While Churchill may not have shopping or dining hubs, its neighboring community of Monroeville is flush with retail and entertainment plazas. "We literally have one gas station, so we don't get revenue through businesses," Klein says. "But we're close to plenty." Within a 5-mile radius, residents can get to big-box stores such as Sam’s Club and Target, as well as several chain restaurants and national retailers.
Easy access to Pittsburgh via I-376 and public bus routes
Interstate 376 cuts through Churchill’s north side and connects to the heart of Pittsburgh, 10 miles west. I-376, alongside nearby Interstate 76, are major thoroughfares for getting around Pennsylvania. Pittsburgh Regional Transit has two bus routes that run out to Churchill for commuters. The closest major medical center, Forbes Hospital, is 7 miles away in Monroeville.
