  23 years of Serving in the Business of Printing |
 [Click here for an explanation of our Coat of Arms] |
|
23 years of Serving in the Business of Printing |
[Click here for an explanation of our Coat of Arms] |
Castle Printing was started in November of 1978 by Lou
Rhoades, Jr. As a young man still in high school, Lou started
with a small hand printing press and a small hand button machine.
“You will find no hassle here at Castle” became its
slogan. In 1982 the business made its first move to a commercial
property near downtown McKeesport and four years later moved to
its current location on Versailles Avenue. In 1994 Castle Printing
also entered the computer age and started into Desktop Publishing.
For over 23 years, the business has been acquiring equipment to
better service its customers.
On a blind date in 1979,
he met Kristina Peterson, from West Mifflin, PA, who helped him
run the business and in 1982 they were married. In 1984 their
first of three children was born. Many customers would remember
seeing the cute little boy playing in the playpen in the office
next to his mother’s desk. In 1990 the second child was born
and in 1994, the third.
As a Christian proprietor, Lou strives to
maintain his business with a Christian perspective and with a
Christian attitude. The business is committed to upholding good
family values and will not print anything that is considered immoral,
illegal, obscene, or profane. For their 20th Business Anniversary
in 1998, Kris designed and developed a Coat
of Arms for Castle Printing as a symbol of their Faith in
God in their lives and business.
Lou and Kris were members of Kephart
United Methodist Church in McKeesport for many years, both
sharing their musical talents in the choir and on the Worship
Team where Kris also played her flute. In 1991 they were instrumental
in starting a puppet ministry. Puppets
for the King has become a favorite activity for many churches
and organizations in their area and is still very active. In 1998
their oldest son, just 15 years old, was certified there as a
Local Lay Speaker.
In May 1998 Lou volunteered to sing
tenor in a Southern Gospel Quartet, the Three
Rivers Gospel where he is featured on tow of their recordings
“Never Give Up” released February 1999 and “Look
to Jesus” released March 2000. Lou and Kris have delighted
Three Rivers Gospel’s fans with the puppets at many concerts.
Singing over two years with Three Rivers Gospel took much of his
time; their puppet ministry was put on the “back burner”
temporarily. He left Three Rivers in July 2000 to pursue the puppet
ministry again.
In April 1999 they started publishing “The Well,” a free Christian publication of inspirational and encouraging stories and poems, with the help of their printing business. During the first 12 months of the publication’s existence over 41,000 copies were printed and distributed free of charge to individuals, churches, food banks, and prison ministries. The monthly distribution has increased from 300 to 5,000 copies each month and it now reaches 27 states and two foreign countries.
Kris has been invited to speak at several local churches to share a testimony and talk about the publication.
As “The Well” grew quickly it became necessary to accept donations to finance the publication. In December 1999 Kris and Lou founded The Well Ministries, Inc. and later received a 501(c)(3) status from the Internal Revenue Service making the ministry an official non-profit charity. The Well Ministries now includes “The Well,” “Puppets for the King,” and “Chalice.”
They started attending the First
Church of the Open Bible, also in McKeesport, in September
1999 where again they have been able to share their musical talents.
They both have always participated as much as possible in their
church’s activities. In November 1999 a Worship Team was
formed there. Not only do they both sing on it, but Kris now plays
keyboard and occasionally her flute. The Worship Team consists
of Lou and Kris along with the Pastor, Bob Fagin, who also plays
guitar. In February 2000 the three of them decided to minister
outside of the church singing at nursing homes, other churches,
etc. and “Chalice”
was formed.
Their children have always been part of the business. Each one has been in the playpen next to mom and dad working. Their oldest son, Lance, now 16 years old, has become so adept in computer skills that he is currently writing his own MUD.
