Friends recall West Deer's Rev. James Legge as tireless advocate for less fortunate

The Rev. James Legge, longtime pastor at Bull Creek Presbyterian Church in West Deer, is being recalled by friends as a team player and ardent supporter of leveling the playing field for the less fortunate.

Serving on the board at Allegheny Valley Association of Churches and the Alle-Kiski Area HOPE Center, were among his many leadership posts across the region.

Legge died Sunday at 82.

“He was a servant leader in the A-K Valley,” said Michelle Gibb, HOPE Center executive director.

Legge was appointed to the board in the 1980s and was involved in every significant vision moving forward, Gibb said. He was there for the opening of the first shelter in the mid-’80s and then when the group pivoted to transitional housing in 2001.

“He was a creative and intelligent leader who was responsible for the services and safety of tens of thousands of victims of domestic violence,” Gibb said.

John Bailey, pastor at Christ Our Hope Anglican Church in Harrison, said Legge’s mindset was always ecumenical.

Bailey served on the Allegheny Valley Association of Churches board with Legge for years and said “he cared about all the churches and wanted everyone to work together.

“He was a team player, not just for ‘warm fuzzies,’ but for the purpose of helping the less fortunate,” Bailey said.

Even after his retirement from the HOPE Center board 10 years ago, Legge stayed closely involved and active, Gibb said.

“He was kind without reason,” she said. “He was involved in the large-view ideas that set the direction for us.

“The answer was never ‘no’ with him; he always looked at how we could get things done.”

Legge grew up in the Monroeville area and graduated from Gateway High School. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and earned his master’s and doctorate of divinity from the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.

Legge began his ministerial career at First United Presbyterian Church of Tarentum before serving several churches in Delmont and Boswell, and as the chaplain at the University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown.

He was pastor for three decades in West Deer.

Legge also was a member of Habitat for Humanity and Camp Crestfield in Slippery Rock.

Karen Snair, executive director of the Allegheny Valley Association of Churches, formed a bond with Legge during his decades of service. He became involved in the early 1960s and was instrumental in changing the face of the Valley through ministry, Snair said.

He headed the project to develop Pine Ridge Heights Apartments in Harrison, a 40-unit senior apartment complex, through a partnership of the association of churches, Presbyterian SeniorCare and UPMC Senior Services, she said.

“He was an incredible man who was a true visionary and was always full of ideas on how to improve services for those in need,” Snair said. “He was an incredible friend and mentor to me and will be terribly missed by many.

“A man of his compassion and drive comes but once in a lifetime. The Allegheny Valley is better because of him, and we should all be grateful for his contributions and sacrifices.”