CLOSED CHURCHES WITHIN THE
PRESENT BOUNDARIES OF THE
SUSQUEHANNA CONFERENCE OF
THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
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SNYDER COUNTY PA
0. Comments
Evangelical Churches in Snyder County
The Evangelical Association, founded by
Jacob Albright and predecessor denomination of the Evangelical Church, suffered
a denomination split that began in 1891 and resulted in two competing separate
denominations from 1894 to 1922. In the Central Pennsylvania Conference,
the vast majority of the congregations belonged to the United Evangelical
Church from 1894 to 1922. Those congregations that chose to remain in the
Evangelical Association were transferred to East Pennsylvania Conference, where
the loyalties were more evenly divided and bother denominations were able to
support a Conference. The courts ruled that all property belonged to the
Evangelical Association, and those congregations siding with the United
Evangelicals had to buy back their buildings or erect a new church
structure. The two denominations re-united in 1922 to form the
Evangelical Church, which united with the United Brethren Church in 1946 to
form the EUB Church.
In Snyder County, one group of appointments chose to remain
in the Evangelical Association and were served,
beginning in 1894, from the East Pennsylvania Conference. Those
congregations formed the Port Trevorton charge and
included
Aline [Troutman Church]
Daniels
Fremont
Hoover's [St. Peter's]
Port Trevorton [White Church]
Witmers [Witmers West]
United Brethren Churches in Snyder County
The Allegheny Conference of the United Brethren Church
existed from 1839 to 1952 and essentially covered the western/mountain portion
of Pennsylvania. Its approximate eastern boundary was as follows,
starting at the Maryland line: north along Tuscarora Mountain to the Juniata
River, east along the Juniata River to the Susquehanna River, north along the
Susquehanna River (following the North Branch) to the New York Line.
But while the Allegheny Conference is listed as the
"Historic Conference" for Snyder County United Brethren churches,
some of those appointments were actually in the Allegheny Conference for
relatively few, if any, years. For Snyder County, the United Brethren
timeline generally read as follows:
before 1847 original (Pennsylvania) Conference
1847-1870 East Pennsylvania Conference
1870-1901 East German Conference of the United Brethren
Church
1901-1952 Allegheny Conference of the United Brethren/EUB
Church
1952-1964 Central Pennsylvania Conference (former Evangelical)
of the EUB Church
1964-1970 Susquehanna Conference of the EUB/United Methodist
Church
1970- Central
Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church
1. Aline EV
[Troutman]
[no picture]
Location: community of Aline
Municipality: Perry township
County: Snyder
State: PA
Directions:
The church building stood on the site of the present
cemetery.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical
Association
Journal references:
Brief History:
The first Evangelical church building here was erected
in 1869 and known as the Troutman Church. In 1890 that building was
struck by lightening and burned to the ground.
A new building was built building erected 1890, just as the unrest that
eventually split the denomination was beginning to grow..
When the 1894 denominational split divided the congregation, those siding with
the United Evangelicals erected a new building. Beginning in 1894, the
original congregation was served by the East Pennsylvania Conference of the
Evangelical Association. By 1918, however, the congregation had dwindled
to the point where it could not continue. The remaining members joined
United Evangelical congregation, now Aline United
Methodist Church, and the 1890 building was sold to a Mr. John Basom of Richfield, who removed it from the site.
Final disposition:
The building site is part of the
present cemetery.
2. Beaver Springs ME
[no picture]
Location: village of Beaver Springs
Municipality: Spring township
County: Snyder
State: PA
Directions:
The exact location of the property was not been
determined with certainty.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the
Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1896,72 - "The unfinished church in Adamsburg, Snyder County, which was sold by the sheriff
before my appointment to the district, has been reclaimed through the aid of
the Church Extension Society and a number of generous laymen. It is now
nearly completed, and will give us another Bethel in that county, where Methodism
is so little known."
1897,68 - church dedicated
Brief History:
This community was first known as
Beaver Dam, and then Adamsburg, before finally
becoming Beaver Springs. The Methodist congregation here
was short-lived. The building was erected on the site of the
Lutheran/Reformed union church building, and a chronological account of that
site is as follows.
1855 - cornerstone laid on May 28 for the town's
Lutheran/Reformed union church building
1856 - building dedicated November 4
1877 - the two congregations agree to separate. The Reformed congregations buys out the Lutherans, who relocate to the
square.
1884 - the Reformed congregation also relocates and sells the property, which
becomes the GAR Hall
1893 - property deeded on August 8 to the Methodist Episcopal Church, who raze
the building and begin erecting a new structure
1894 - property sold at sheriff's sale
1895 - property deeded back to the Methodist Episcopal Church on December 7
1896 - the new Methodist Episcopal church building was dedicated free of debt
on August 2
1897 - the property is transferred out of Methodist hands for good, for unknnown reasons, by the congregation's trustees on March
27
The congregation was served from the Wagner charge in
Mifflin County. The 1906 History of Beaver Springs and Centennial
Souvenir Book, calls the Methodist Episcopal church
building the fifth one to be erected in town and states: "The GAR Hall,
formerly the old church, was sold to the M.E. Church, who razed it to the
ground and constructed a new church on the spot. The membership being
weak, it was of but a few years' duration, when it was sold and removed to
Bedford County." There is no record of who moved the building, to
where in Bedford County it was moved, and for what purpose it was then used.
Final disposition:
3. Beavertown UB
Location: Orange and Walnut Streets, Beavertown
Municipality: borough of Beavertown
County: Snyder
State: PA
Directions:
Beavertown is on US 522, 9
miles west of Middleburg. From the square in
Middleburg, go 9 miles west on US 522 to Orange Street, one block past the
"square" in Beavertown. Turn
right on Orange Street and go two blocks to Walnut Street. The church is
on the southwest of Orange and Walnut Streets.
Historic Conference:
Allegheny Conference of the United Brethren Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
The United Brethren organized a class and
erected a building in Beavertown in 1865, but for
some reason the congregation did not endure. The building was purchased
July 19, 1872, by members of the Evangelical Association ―
which included some of the former United Brethren.
Final disposition:
The original structure was moved back,
and a tower and Sunday School room added, in
1897. The building houses the Beavertown United
Methodist congregation.
4. Bowersox UB
[no picture]
Location: Middle Road
Municipality: Center township
County: Snyder
State: PA
Directions:
From the village of Penns
Creek, go 2 miles south on PA 104 to Middle Road. Turn west on Middle
Road and go 4 miles. [Ocker's school house was
at the corner of Middle Road and Bergey Road, and the
Bowersox farm was 0.5 miles past the school house.]
Historic Conference:
Allegheny Conference of the United Brethren Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
Dunkelberger's 1948 The
Story of Snyder County, page 651, states the following. "Bowersox's Church was located about one-half miles from Ocker's Schoolhouse. The church was referred to as Die
Darre Kaerrich (The
Tar Church) because its vertical weather-boarding was painted with coal
tar. It was called the Bowersox's Church after
John Bowersox, the owner of the farm on which the
church was located. The building was removed in 1894 and the material was
used in the erection of an addition to the Evangelical Church at Penns Creek."
Final disposition:
5. Boyers EV
Location: 1472 W. Ridge Road
Municipality: Franklin township
County: Snyder
State: PA
Directions:
From the square in Middleburg, go 0.5 miles north on
PA 104 to New Berlin Road. Turn right on New Berlin Road and go 2 miles
to Sunset Drive. Turn right on Sunset Drive and go 0.5 miles to Oak
Drive. Turn left on Oak Drive and go 1 mile [Oak Drive becomes W. Ridge
Road]. The church is on the left.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical Church
Journal references:
1952,112 - sale authorized
Brief History:
This building was erected in 1895 by the
United Evangelicals on land donated by Susan Boyer. Regular services were
discontinued in 1922, but the building was kept in reasonable repair and used
irregularly on special occasions for many years until being sold.
Final disposition:
Since 1954, the building has housed the Boyer
Mennonite congregation. The original
building has been moved further away from the road and added to in the front.
6. Chapman St. John's UB
Location: Old US 11-15, community of Chapman
Municipality: Chapman township
County: Snyder
State: PA
Directions:
The community of Chapman is 2 miles south of Port Trevoton, along the old US 11-15. The back of the
church property extends to the present US 11-15.
Historic Conference:
Allegheny Conference of the United Brethren Church
Journal references:
2001,322&S62 - merged into
Port Trevorton Grace to form Port Trevorton
Hope United Methodist Church
Brief History:
The congregation began under Eusebius Hershey in 1850
and met at the school house in nearby Independence. The one-room frame
structure at Chapman was erected in 1895.
The Susquehanna circuit of the United Brethren Church
existed for almost 100 years. It was established in 1854 and continued
until the dismantling of the Allegheny Conference in 1951. While various
other churches were on the circuit from time to time, there were seven main
churches that kept the charge together. Six of those appointments formed
the original circuit ―Cross Roads [Mount
Zion], Hoffer [Paradise] Independence [Chapman St. John's], Grainery
[St. Thomas], Mahantango [St. Paul's, in Juniata
County], McKees [McKees
Half Falls Trinity] ― and the seventh, which became
the main church, Port Trevorton Markwood,
was formed later. While various denominational and congregational mergers
have reconfigured the region so that none of the seven exits any more as a
distinct congregation, they continue in ministry as parts of local United
Methodist congregations.
Final disposition:
7. Ebenezer UB
Location: Rownzy Hill Road
Municipality: Washington township
County: Snyder
State: PA
Directions:
From the intersection of PA 104 and PA 35 east of
Mount Pleasant Mills, go 0.5 miles south on PA 104 to Flint Valley
Road. Go east on Flint Valley Road 3 miles to Rownzy
Hill Road. Go south on Rownzy Hill Road 200
yards to Neitz Valley Road. The church is on
the norwesteast corner of the intersection of Rownzy Hill Road and Neitz Valley
Road.
Historic Conference:
Allegheny Conference of the United Brethren Church
Journal references:
1976(2),96 - permission to sell
1977,A74 - sold
Brief History:
This class met in the Flint Valley
schoolhouse until securing the present building in 1880. There is a tradition that the structure was
erected by Mennonites and known as Dreese’s Mennonite
Church, but a split in the congregation shortly after the dedication of the
building allowed the structure to become United Brethren property.
Final disposition:
The building was sold to the “Neitz
Valley Religious Association,” which became an independent congregation using
the name Ebenezer Bible Church. The
congregation was pastored by Raymond D. Neitz from 1977
until his retirement in 1999.
8. Fremont EV
Location: Potato Valley Road, village of Mount Pleasant
Mills
Municipality: Perry township
County: Snyder
State: PA
Directions:
Mount Pleasant Mills is on PA 35, 1 mile west of the
intersection of PA 35 and PA 104. Potato Valley Road is the north-south
cross street in Mount Pleasant Mills ― it is also
known as Fremont Road. From the square in Mount Pleasant Mills, go two
blocks north on Potato Valley/Fremont Road. The church was on the right,
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical
Association
Journal references:
East Pennsylvania EA 1902,22 -
permission to sell
Brief History:
The village of Fremont is no known as Mount
Pleasant Mills. When the 1894 denominational split divided the
congregation at Fremont, the Evangelical Association maintained control of the
building, known locally as "The Dam Church." Beginning in 1894,
the congregation was served by the East Pennsylvania Conference of the
Evangelical Association, and it was one of the few central Pennsylvania
Association congregations to survive until the 1922 denominational
re-union. Services were discontinued about 1930, and most of the members
transferred to the United Brethren congregation, now Emmanuel United
Methodist. The building was sold to Rev, Oscar G. Martin, who used the
lumber to erect a shed that still stands on the family property one mile north
of town. While the United Evangelicals supplied Fremont for a few years
following the division, their congregation did not survive and never erected a
building.
Final disposition:
The site is now used as an off-road parking space
for large trucks.
9.
Hoover's EV
[St. Peter's]
[no picture]
Location: Middle Creek Road
Municipality: Penn township
County: Snyder
State: PA
Directions:
From Selinsgrove, go south on Market Street (old US
11-15) 2 miles to Middle Creek Road, the last road before being forced to
rejoin US 11-15 south. Turn right on Middle Creek Road and go one
mile. The church is on the right.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical
Association
Journal references:
East Pennsylvania EA 1901,22 -
permission to sell denied
East Pennsylvania EA 1902,22 - permission to sell
Brief History:
This congregation was formed with the Evangelical
Association in 1891, and they moved a school house from Hoover's Island to
become the original church building. Most of the congregation left in the
1894 denominational split and erected the present Faith (Hoover's) United
Methodist Church. The remaining members struggled as an Evangelical
Association for a while and then reorganized as a Lutheran congregation.
The Lutheran denomination formally purchased the building in 1902.
Final disposition:
In 1903, the Lutheran razed the original building
and erected the present St. Paul's Lutheran Church.
10. Hummel's Wharf St. Paul's EV
Location: Pennsylvania Avenue, village of Hummels Wharf
Municipality: Monroe township
County: Snyder
State: PA
Directions:
The village of Hummels Wharf
is on US 11-15, just south of the borough of Shamokin Dam. In the village of Hummels Wharf, turn
east off of US 11-15 at the red light with Park Road. Go 2 blocks
to Pennsylvania Avenue. Turn south on Pennsylvania Avenue and go 1 block
to Brown Street. The church stood at the northwest corner of Pennsylvania
Avenue and Brown Street.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical
Church.
Journal references:
Brief History:
In 1912 the pastor at Winfield started an
Evangelical mission in Hummels Wharf to serve his
members living in the area. The Wagenseller
schoolhouse was secured, and a Sunday School was
organized. In 1913 a lot was secured on Pennsylvania Avenue, and the
cornerstone for the above sanctuary was laid. The building was completed
the following year. A substantial Sunday School
annex was erected in 1948, and the sanctuary was completely remodeled in
1956.
Hummels Wharf and Shreiners were made a two-point charge in 1915, and
continued as such (with the addition of Witmer's East
from 1933 to 1964) until 1976, at which time the congregations voted to unite
and purchased property at Park Road and Fisher Road to erect the present Christ
Community United Methodist Church. The St. Paul's building was sold in
1981, and the occupation of the new facility and the sale of Shreiner's building occurred in 1983. A small
monument in front of the new building includes the church bells from the former
St. Paul's and Shreiner's buildings.
Final disposition:
The sanctuary has been razed and is now the parking
lot for the remaining Sunday School annex, which has
been converted into offices.
11. Kissimmee St. Luke's UB
Location: Kissimmee Road, village of Kissimmee
Municipality: Franklin township
County: Snyder
State: PA
Directions:
From the square in Middleburg, go one mile west on US
522 to Kissimmee Road. Turn right on Kissimmee Road and go 2 miles to the
village of Kissimmee. The church is on the left.
Historic Conference:
Allegheny Conference of the United Brethren Church
Journal references:
2006,233 - merged into Hummels
Brief History:
This congregation dates from 1854, where a United Brethren
class erected a building at the site of the present Zion United Methodist
Church. There was a split in that congregation. The split group
erected a building somewhere between Zion Church and the village of Kissimmee
and then, using materials from their first building, erected the present
building in Kissimmee in 1916. The United Brethren group from which they
split did not survive ― and they sold their
property to the Evangelicals in 1890, which property is now Zion United
Methodist Church.
Final disposition:
12. Kratzerville St. Paul's EV
Location: PA 204, village of Kratzerville
Municipality: Jackson township
County: Snyder
State: PA
Directions:
From the intersection of US 522 and PA 204 in the
north end of Selinsgrove, go 5 miles north on PA 204 to the village of Kratzerville. The church is on the right.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical
Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
Dunkelberger's 1948 The
Story of Snyder County, page 634, states the following. "The
first Evangelical church services in this locality were conducted in the home
of David Heiser. This home was located on the
south side of the road at the east end of the town, about halfway down the
hill. In 1869, David Heiser donated a tract of
land to the township for the erection of a schoolhouse, with the understanding
that his people would have the privilege to conduct their church services in
it. In 1902, the congregation erected the present church building.
The cemetery is known by the name of the United Evangelical Cemetery.
This church was officially closed June 1948 on account of small
membership."
Final disposition:
The building is still standing and is in private
use by a construction company.
13. Kreamer EV
[[no picture]
Location: East Main Street, village of Kreamer
Municipality: Middle Creek township
County: Snyder
State: PA
Directions:
The village of Kreamer is just off
US 522 [on what was once the main road] about half-way between Middleburg and
Selinsgrove.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the
Evangelical Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
Dunkelberger's
1948 The Story of Snyder County, page 649, states the following.
"The Evangelical church at Kreamer was organized
about 1868 by Reverend Simon Aurand. The
original frame building was destroyed by fire January 4, 1900, and a second
building was immediately erected. In the course of time the Evangelical
members diminished in numbers to such an extent that they found it no longer
possible to operate as a congregation. In 1933 the church property was
purchased by the Lutheran congregation of Globe Mills and was rededicated as
St. Peter's Lutheran Church of Kreamer."
Final disposition:
The building now houses St. Peter's Lutheran
Church.
14. Manbeck EV
Location: Stage Road
Municipality: Spring township
County: Snyder
State: PA
Directions:
From the intersection of US 522 and PA 235 at the
north edge of Beaver Springs, go one block west on US 522 to Ridge Road.
Turn right on Ridge Road and go 1 mile to Stage Road. Turn right on Stage
Road and go 1 mile. The church is on the right.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical
Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
The first building at this site was a frame structure
erected in 1850. In 1888 it was replaced by the present frame structure,
the corner stone reading “Saint Luke Evangelical Church.” There is a cemetery
associated with the church – a few hundred yards away on Middle Road, which
goes off Stage Road across from the church. The membership gradually
dwindled until 1955 – when the last reported membership was 5, 3 of which were
classified as non-residents. For several years prior, only an annual
homecoming service had been held.
Final disposition:
The building now houses the Manbeck
Mennonite Church.
15. McKee's Half Falls Trinity UB
Location: McKees Road
Municipality: Chapman township
County: Snyder
State: PA
Directions:
The village of McKees Half
Falls is on US 11-15 5 miles south of Port Trevorton.
In McKees Half Falls, go south 0.5 miles on Old Trail
Road to McKees Road. Turn right on McKees Road. The church stood on the right.
Historic Conference:
Allegheny Conference of the United Brethren Church
[The Susquehanna charge was not formally given to the
Allegheny Conference until 1901, when services were discontinued at
Trinity. Before that the charge
was part of the East German and Pennsylvania
Conferences.]
Journal references:
Brief History:
The building that stood here was a
large, two-story structure with a cupola that housed a bell. It was
erected in 1860 as a union Methodist-United Brethren church, but became
exclusively United Brethren in 1885. When the membership dwindled, the
appointment was abandoned in 1901. The bell was placed in the Paradise
Church in 1902.
The Susquehanna circuit of the
United Brethren Church existed for almost 100 years. It was established
in 1854 and continued until the dismantling of the Allegheny Conference in
1951. While various other churches were on the circuit from time to time,
there were seven main churches that kept the charge together. Six of
those appointments formed the original circuit ―Cross
Roads [Mount Zion], Hoffer [Paradise] Independence [Chapman St. John's], Grainery [St. Thomas], Mahantango
[St. Paul's, in Juniata County], McKees [McKees Half Falls Trinity] ― and
the seventh, which became the main church, Port Trevorton
Markwood, was formed later. While various
denominational and congregational mergers have reconfigured the region so that
none of the seven exists any more as a distinct congregation, they continue in
ministry as parts of local United Methodist congregations.
Final disposition:
The building was used for many years to house
migrant workers and farming equipment. It was dismantled in 1973. The site is now an overgrown lot, with a depression in the
ground marking the site of the building and remnants of the cemetery visible
upon close inspection.
16. Middleburg Salem UB
Location: 101 W. Market Street
Municipality: borough of Middleburg
County: Snyder
State: PA
Directions:
W. Market Street is is US
522. The church is on the southwest corner of Market and Walnut Street, 1
block west of the town square.
Historic Conference:
Allegheny Conference of the United Brethren Church
Journal references:
1980,268 - discontinued
1981,A77 - discussion about the
property
1982, 256 - sold
Brief History:
United Brethren activity in the area dates back to 1800
and Christian Newcomer. People met in homes and schoolhouses until
erecting their first building in 1848. A second larger building was
erected at the same site in 1871, followed by the present structure in
1909. In 1980 the members and board of trustees withdrew from the church,
causing the Conference to declare the building abandoned. After much
discussion, the property was sold to the Salem Independent Brethren Church in
1981.
Final disposition:
The building now houses an independent
congregation.
17. Paradise
Location: Paradise Church Road
Municipality: Chapman township
County: Snyder
State: PA
Directions:
From Prot Trevorton, go 3 miles south on US 11-15 to Black Woods
Road, in the community of Independence. Turn right on Black Woods Road
and go 2 miles to Paradise Church Road. Turn left on Paradise Church Road
and go 1 mile. The church is on the left.
Historic Conference:
Allegheny Conference of the United Brethren Church
Journal references:
2001,322&S62 - merged into
Port Trevorton Grace to form Port Trevorton
Hope United Methodist Church
Brief History:
The Paradise congregation was organized by Eusebius
Hershey about 1848. A one story log church building was constructed in
1854 on land deeded by William T. Reichenbach for a
church and a free burial ground. The present church building was
constructed on the same site in 1899. In 1924 several
families left Paradise to start a holiness church, Chapman Community Chapel,
located about 0.5 miles to the west.
The Susquehanna circuit of
the United Brethren Church existed for almost 100 years. It was
established in 1854 and continued until the dismantling of the Allegheny
Conference in 1951. While various other churches were on the circuit from
time to time, there were seven main churches that kept the charge
together. Six of those appointments formed the original circuit ―Cross Roads [Mount Zion], Hoffer [Paradise]
Independence [Chapman St. John's], Grainery [St.
Thomas], Mahantango [St. Paul's, in Juniata County], McKees [McKees Half Falls
Trinity] ― and the seventh, which became the main
church, Port Trevorton Markwood,
was formed later. While various denominational and congregational mergers
have reconfigured the region so that none of the seven exits any more as a
distinct congregation, they continue in ministry as parts of local United
Methodist congregations.
Final disposition:
18.
Pine EV
Pine ME
Pine UB
[aka Pine Swamp]
Location: Crater Hill Road
Municipality: West Perry township
County: Snyder
State: PA
Directions:
From Richfield, go 1 mile east on PA 35 to the cross roads,
where Mill Creek Road goes to the right. Turn right on Mill Creek Road,
which becomes Crater Hill Road, and go 1 mile. The site is on the left,
where Potato Valley Road goes off to the east.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical
Church.
Journal references:
Brief History:
On this site, about 1840, was erected a
union church building that was used by the Evangelicals, Methodists, and United
Brethren. The Methodists appear to have abandoned the work here almost
immediately. The United Brethren ceased meeting here in 1876 when they
re-located to Richfield. The Evangelicals appear to kept
meeting here until the 1894 denominational split, at which point those siding
with the United Evangelicals re-located to Richfield and those remaining with
the Evangelical Association transferred to Daniels. The 1868 county atlas
identifies the structure as a United Brethren Church.
Final disposition:
The marker at the site reads
"Evangelical Methodist Cemetery."
19. Port Trevorton EV
Location: Main Street, village of Port Trevorton
Municipality: Union township
County: Snyder
State: PA
Directions:
The village of Port Trevorton
is on US 11-15, six miles south of Selinsgrove. Main Street is the old US
11-15. The church stood on the west side of the street, north of the fire
hall.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical
Association
Journal references:
1915,209 – church and parsonage sold; more
suitable parsonage purchased
Brief History:
The frame structure that stood on this site
was erected by the Evangelical Association and was known as the "White
Church." The 1894 denominational split divided the congregation, and
the majority of the members left to side with the United Evangelical Church and
erect the Olive Church. Unable to compete with the United Evangelicals,
the congregation dwindled during the split. While there may have been a
handful of members on the books at the time of the 1922 denomination re-merger,
it appears that services were no longer being held here. Unused for many
years, the structure was standing in ruins when it was destroyed by the August
1949 blaze that burned out the center of town and prompted the formation of the
local fire department.
Final disposition:
20. Port Trevorton Markwood UB
Location: Main Street, village of Port Trevorton
Municipality: Union township
County: Snyder
State: PA
Directions:
The village of Port Trevorton
is on US 11-15, six miles south of Selinsgrove. Main Street is the old US
11-15. The church stood on the west side of the street, across from the
present Hope United Methodisst Church.
Historic Conference:
Allegheny Conference of the United Brethren Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
The Markwood
church was erected in 1873 and named as a memorial to the popular United
Brethren Bishop Jacob Markwood (1815-1873).
In 1952 the Markwood
and Olive (former Evangelical) congregations in Port Trevorton
united to form the Grace Evangelical United Brethren congregation and erect a
new building, now the Hope United Methodist Church.
The Susquehanna circuit of the United Brethren Church
existed for almost 100 years. It was established in 1854 and continued
until the dismantling of the Allegheny Conference in 1951. While various
other churches were on the circuit from time to time, there were seven main
churches that kept the charge together. Six of those appointments formed
the original circuit ―Cross Roads [Mount
Zion], Hoffer [Paradise] Independence [Chapman St. John's], Grainery
[St. Thomas], Mahantango [St. Paul's, in Juniata
County], McKees [McKees
Half Falls Trinity] ― and the seventh, which became
the main church, Port Trevorton Markwood,
was formed later. While various denominational and congregational mergers
have reconfigured the region so that none of the seven exits any more as a
distinct congregation, they continue in ministry as parts of local United
Methodist congregations.
Final disposition:
The Markwood church
building was torn down in 1957, and a new parsonage for the Port Trevorton charge was erected on the site.
21. Port Trevorton Olive EV
Location: Main Street, village of Port Trevorton
Municipality: Union township
County: Snyder
State: PA
Directions:
The village of Port Trevorton
is on US 11-15, six miles south of Selinsgrove. Main Street is the old US
11-15. The church stood on the west side of the street, a few lots north
of the "White Church" of the Evangelical Association.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical
Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
The building that stood at this site
was erected in 1894 by the members of the "White Church" that sided
with the United Evangelicals during the
denominational split. In 1952 the Olive
and Markwood (former United Brethren) congregations
in Port Trevorton united to form the Grace
Evangelical United Brethren congregation and erect a new building, now the Hope
United Methodist Church.
Final disposition:
22. Salem EV
Address:
Municipality:
County: Snyder
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Journal references:
Brief History:
Final disposition:
23. Shreiner's EV
Location: 11th Avenue, outskirts of
Shamokin Dam
Municipality: Monroe township
County: Snyder
State: PA
Directions:
The borough of Shamokin Dam is on US 11-15, across the
Susquehanna River From Sunbury. In Shamokin Dam, turn west off US-15 at the red light at 11th
Avenue. Go 2 miles west on 11th Avenue. The church is on the
left.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical Church.
Journal references:
Brief History:
Named for local resident John Shreiner, this congregation was organized in 1882 and
attached to the Winfield charge. The
church building was erected in 1884.
Hummels Wharf
and Shreiners were made a two-point charge in 1915,
and continued as such (with the addition of Witmer's
East from 1933 to 1964) until 1976, at which time the congregations voted to
unite and purchased property at Park Road and Fisher Road to erect the present
Christ Community United Methodist Church. The St. Paul's building was
sold in 1981, and the occupation of the new facility and the sale of Shreiner's building occurred in 1983. A small
monument in front of the new building includes the church bells from the former
St. Paul's and Shreiner's buildings.
Final disposition:
The building now houses a Southern
Baptist congregation. The cemetery is owned by a separate Shreiner's Cemetery Association.
24. St. Luke's UB
Address:
Municipality:
County: Snyder
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Journal references:
Brief History:
Final disposition:
25. St. Thomas UB
Location: St. Thomas Road
Municipality: West Perry township
County: Snyder
State: PA
Directions:
From the intersection of US 11-15 and PA 104, 5 miles
north of Liverpool, go north on PA 104 4 miles to the village of Meiserville. In the village of Meiserville,
turn left onto Mill Road and go 0.5 miles to St. Thomas Road. Turn left
on St. Thomas Road and go 1 mile to Church Road. the
church is on the left, and the cemetery is on the hill across Church Road.
Historic Conference:
Allegheny Conference of the United Brethren Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
This congregation met in homes and in the schoolhouse
for several years before erecting the present structure in1871 on land donated
by Eli Portzline. In 1979 the congregation was
split when many of the members left to form an independent St. Thomas Church
and erect a new building less than one mile away. Having the two
congregations in the same area made for difficult family and community relations.
In 1983 the St. Thomas congregation united with the Daniels (former
Evangelical) congregation to form the present Daniels-St. Thomas United
Methodist Church, meeting in the former Daniels building in Buckwheat
Valley. The St. Thomas building was sold to the Mennonite Church.
The Susquehanna circuit of the United
Brethren Church existed for almost 100 years. It was established in 1854
and continued until the dismantling of the Allegheny Conference in 1951.
While various other churches were on the circuit from time to time, there were
seven main churches that kept the charge together. Six of those
appointments formed the original circuit ―Cross
Roads [Mount Zion], Hoffer [Paradise] Independence [Chapman St. John's], Grainery [St. Thomas], Mahantango
[St. Paul's, in Juniata County], McKees [McKees Half Falls Trinity] ― and
the seventh, which became the main church, Port Trevorton
Markwood, was formed later. While various
denominational and congregational mergers have reconfigured the region so that
none of the seven exits any more as a distinct congregation, they continue in
ministry as parts of local United Methodist congregations.
Final disposition:
The building now houses a congregation
of the Weaverland Conference of the Mennonite Church.
26. Troxelville EV
Address:
Municipality:
County: Snyder
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Journal references:
Brief History:
Final disposition:
27. Witmers East EV
Location: Witmer Road
Municipality: Union township
County: Snyder
State: PA
Directions:
From Port Trevorton, go 2
miles north on US 11-15 to Dundore Road. Go
west on Dundore Road 1 mile to Witmer
Road. Go north on Witmer Road 0.5 miles.
The church stood by the cemetery on the right side of the road.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical
Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
This congregation was formed by the
members of the Witmers congregation that sided with
the United Evangelical Church in the denominational split of 1894. They
erected the building pictured above across the street from the building kept by
those remaining with the Evangelical Association. The division in the
congregation was so deep that at least one casket was removed from the original
Evangelical Association graveyard and re-interred in the new United Evangelical
cemetery.
Following the 1922 denominational
re-union, the two congregations remained on separate charges for many
years. The two Witmers congregation began being
served by the same pastor in 1964, and in December of that year a fire
destroyed the Witmers East building. In 1965
the East (42 members) and West (102 members) congregations united to form a
single congregation, the present Witmers United
Methodist Church, and erect a new building.
Final disposition:
28. Witmers West EV
Location: Witmer Road
Municipality: Union township
County: Snyder
State: PA
Directions:
From Port Trevorton, go 2
miles north on US 11-15 to Dundore Road. Go
west on Dundore Road 1 mile to Witmer
Road. Go north on Witmer Road 0.5 miles. The
church stood on the left side of the road, to the left of the present Witmers United Methodist Church.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical
Association
Journal references:
Brief History:
Ministers of the Evangelical
Association entered this area in 1834 and formed a class. A log church
building was erected in 1835. In 1856, some dissenting members withdrew
to form the short-lived Zion Evangelical congregation west of Port Trevorton. In the 1894 denominational split, some
dissenting members withdrew and erected a United Evangelical building across
the road. This congregation remained in the Evangelical Association and
was served by the East Pennsylvania Conference of that denomination from 1894
to 1922.
Following the 1922 denominational re-union, the two
congregations remained on separate charges for many years. The two Witmers congregation began being served by the same pastor
in 1964, and in December of that year a fire destroyed the Witmers
East building. In 1965 the East (42 members) and West (102 members)
congregations united to form a single congregation, the present Witmers United Methodist Church, and erect a new building.
Final disposition:
29.
Zion UB
Zion EV
[aka Mt. Zion]
Location: Silver Creek Road
Municipality: Union township
County: Snyder
State: PA
Directions:
Silver Creek Road leaves Main Street (the old US
11-15) at the southern end of Port Trevorton.
Go west 1.5 miles on Silver Creek Road to the intersection with Witmer Road. The site of the church is now part of
that intersection.
Historic Conference:
Allegheny Conference of the United Brethren Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
The building that stood here was
erected in 1856 by members of the Evangelical Association who withdrew from the
nearby Witmers church because of a dispute.
That congregation prospered for only a few years. About 1865, the
remaining members re-united with the Witmers
congregation and the building was sold to the United Brethren class meeting in
the area. The United Brethren closed the church in 1904,
and it was torn down for road relocation purposes about 1919.
The Susquehanna circuit of the United Brethren Church
existed for almost 100 years. It was established in 1854 and continued
until the dismantling of the Allegheny Conference in 1951. While various
other churches were on the circuit from time to time, there were seven main churches
that kept the charge together. Six of those appointments formed the
original circuit ―Cross Roads [ Zion], Hoffer
[Paradise] Independence [Chapman St. John's], Grainery
[St. Thomas], Mahantango [St. Paul's, in Juniata
County], McKees [McKees
Half Falls Trinity] ― and the seventh, which became
the main church, Port Trevorton Markwood,
was formed later. While various denominational and congregational mergers
have reconfigured the region so that none of the seven exits any more as a
distinct congregation, they continue in ministry as parts of local United
Methodist congregations.
Final disposition:
The church site is within the relocated
intersection pictured above. The cemetery is on the hill in the distance,
on the right ride of the road.