Locals restore 1790 church 7 miles from Pittsburgh
The worn red brick building of Old St. Luke’s Church is the only trace of Scott Township’s past. Established in 1861 but inhabited since 1758 due to a military battle, the township, 7 miles from Pittsburgh, was once where black bears, panthers and coyotes roamed free. Now, the area is a commuter suburb of winding streets with planned developments. “Scott Township was one of the first suburbs that was outside the city limits and close to the interstate,” says Robin Taylor, a Realtor at Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. “It is in an area that developed in the 1950s, right outside the limits of these older suburbs.” Most construction in Scott Township was done in the 1950s, making Old St. Luke’s Church the only remaining relic of the area’s previous inhabitants. To keep their history alive, residents restored the old church and religious services are held there every Saturday during the fall and spring.
Single-family homes starting at $200,000
“There are lots of ranch-style homes,” says Taylor. “Which are very popular with young families and people looking to downsize. They make great starter homes.” Winding streets are lined with dense foliage. There are no sidewalks, which makes room for rolling front and backyards. Properties are divided only by a long driveway. Ranch and split-level style homes sit next to multifamily homes, townhouses and condos. Single-family homes range from $200,000 to $500,000, while multifamily homes, townhouses and condos range from $100,000 to $450,000.
Chartiers Valley School District Student Assistance Program
Children may attend Chartiers Valley Primary School, which receives a B-plus from Niche, for kindergarten through second grade and Chartiers Valley Intermediate School, which receives a B, for third through fifth grade. Students advance to Chartiers Valley Middle School, which receives a B-minus, and Chartiers Valley High School, which receives a B. The Chartiers Valley School District has a Student Assistance Program that identifies any underlying problems in students whose grades are declining and assists them with any barriers they may face.
Commuters use I-376 and I-79
Scott Township is car-dependent, and commuters use Interstates 376 and 79 to get around. There are also bus stops along Greentree Road. The Pittsburgh International Airport is 15 miles away. The St. Clair Hospital provides a family outpatient center and emergency room within the neighborhood.
Eateries on Greentree Road
Residents looking for a bite to eat may visit the strip mall off Greentree Road for shops and eateries like Tamarind Savoring India Pittsburgh and Osaka, a Chinese restaurant that also serves sushi. Meats and vegetables fly high into the air and land on a sizzling grill while guests sit back and enjoy the show at the nearby Benihana. Across the street, locals may buy groceries at Giant Eagle Supermarket.
Kane Wood Nature Area and Scott Township Park
For quiet spaces in nature, residents visit Kane Wood Nature Area, a small greenspace that offers hiking trails in a dog-friendly environment. This nature area takes pride in its history, as it was once home to General John Neville, a federal tax inspector during the Whiskey Rebellion, whose house was burned down during the famous whiskey rebellion. For more outdoor amenities, Scott Township Park has shelters that can be rented for events, including an amphitheater. Nearby are sports fields and a playground. The community pool beside the park is open to all township residents and their guests.
Events at the library and more
The Scott Township Public Library hosts frequent events to help build community within the area. Offerings include movie nights and creative events for adults, Fun with Fairytales for younger children and book clubs. The Jewish Community Center: South Hills has personal trainers and a swimming pool available to members. Residents who wish to attend religious services may visit the Temple Emanuel of South Hills, Beth El Congregation: South Hills and others.
