CLOSED CHURCHES WITHIN THE
PRESENT BOUNDARIES OF THE
SUSQUEHANNA CONFERENCE OF
THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
The information for each
church is arranged in alphabetical order within counties. Select a county.
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BEDFORD COUNTY PA
1. Asbury ME

Location: W. Graceville Road
Municipality: East Providence township
County: Bedford
State: PA
Directions:
Take US 30 to the west end of the village of Breezewood,
turn north on E. Graceville Road and go 4 miles to the T with W.
Graceville Road. Turn left and go 0.5 miles. The church is on the
left. The 1877 county atlas indicates the exact location of the building.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the
Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1958,55 - church declared abandoned, property to be sold
and proceeds used on Rays Hill parsonage
Brief History:
The history of this building is not clear. A log
church was erected in 1857, and was later boarded over. The church last
listed a membership of 8 in 1957, but it had contributed no finances to the
charge, and likely was no longer meeting, since 1949. The existing
structure is believed to be a circa 1890's building and may have been erected
across the the road from the original building.
Final disposition:
Arrangements sell the property in the late 1950's and
early 1960's were never completed. The building was sold April 4, 1991,
to the Asbury Cemetery Association. The cemetery is still active.
2. Baughman ME
[Olin Chapel]

Location: Menchtown Road
Municipality: West Providence township
County: Bedford
State: PA
Directions:
Go 2 miles south of Everett on PA 26 to Felton Hollow
Road. Turn left on Felton Hollow Road and go 2 miles to Menchtown
Road. Turn left on Menchtown Road and go 0.5 milers. The church is
on the right. The 1877 county atlas indicates the exact location of the
building.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the
Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1927,426 - permission to sell
Brief History:
This class was organized in 1838.
Originally named Olin Chapel, the building was erected through the efforts of
George Baughman (1804-1884) in 1854 and renamed in his memory following his
death in 1884. The 4-point Everett circuit consisting of Baughman's,
Black Valley, Riverside [Earlston] and Tatesville existed from 1897 to
1906. Before and after that those appointments were attached to various
other circuits. Only Tatesville remained to become a United Methodist
congregation.
Final disposition:
The building is well-maintained, but no longer used for
services.
3. Bean's Cove MES

Location: village of Beans Cove
Municipality: Southampton township
County: Bedford
State: PA
Directions:
From Cumberland MD, go 11 miles east on US 40/I-68 to
the Pleasant Valley Road interchange. Go 9 miles north on Pleasant Valley
Road (which becomes Beans Cove Road when you enter PA) to the village of Beans
Cove.
Historic Conference:
Baltimore Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, South
Journal references:
Brief History:
This class was started by by local
preacher Thomas Lakin, who moved into Beans Cove about 1783. He is said
to have attended every Quarterly Meeting and every camp meting held on the
circuit until he moved to Ohio in 1826. A log church was erected about
1816 and used until the existing 28x36' frame structure was built in
1881.
At the 1939 merger, Beans Cove and Oakdale became part of
the Baltimore Conference of the Methodist Church. In 1962 the conference
boundaries were changed to match the state line, and Beans Cove (8 members) and
Oakdale (27 members) came into the Central Pennsylvania Conference a
2-point TBS (to be supplied) charge with no parsonage. Only Oakdale was
listed to be supplied in 1963, and neither church was listed to be supplied in
1964.
Final disposition:
Interested members of the community are attempting to
keep the building in a reasonable state of repair.
4. Black Valley ME
[no picture]
Location: Black Valley Road
Municipality: Monroe township
County: Bedford
State: PA
Directions:
From Everett, cross the Juniata River on the bridge at the
west end of town (by the intersection of business US 30 and the US 30
bypass). After crossing the river, Black Valley Road is the first road to
the right. Go 12 miles south on Black Valley Road, near the intersection
with Indian Ridge Road. The church was on the right. [This is not
the present Black Valley Church located 6 miles south at Horseman Ranch Road].
The 1877 county atlas indicates the exact location of the building.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the
Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
The 4-point Everett circuit consisting of Baughman's,
Black Valley, Riverside [Earlston] and Tatesville existed from 1897 to
1906. Before and after that those appointments were attached to various
other circuits. Only Tatesville remained to become a United Methodist
congregation.
Final disposition:
Unknown. The site appears to be an open field.
5. Burning Bush ME

Location: US 220
Municipality: Bedford township
County: Bedford
State: PA
Directions:
From the intersection of US 220 and US 30, go 9 miles south
on US 220. The church is on the right.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the
Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
2007,219 - discontinued
2009,349 - sold to Bedford Mennonite Church
Brief History:
The church building was erected about 1880 and was
always on the Wolfsburg charge.
Final disposition:
When the church was discontinued, the altar ware and
other worship materials were given to Mission Central on 1/24/2008 to be sent
to United Methodist congregations in Sierra Leone. The building now
houses the Bedford Mennonite congregation.
6. Centerville Union ME
[no picture]
Location: Centerville Road, village of Centerville
Municipality: Cumberland Valley township
County: Bedford
State: PA
Directions:
Centerville Road is the old US 220. The church stood
at the southeast corner of Centerville Road and White Church Lane.
The 1877 county atlas indicates the exact location of the building.
Historic Conference:
Baltimore Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
Centerville Union was part of the 8-point Union Grove
charge of the Baltimore Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, only two
of which were in Pennsylvania: Bethel [now Bethel United Methodist] and
Centerville Union. The Centerville Union structure was built by the
Methodists and Lutherans about 1858. There was a Methodist Episcopal
class into the twentieth century, but in the face of strong Methodist
Protestant competition (from the church that is now Centerville United
Methodist) it had been discontinued by the time of the 1939 denominational
union.
Final disposition:
Only a cemetery marks the spot today.
7. Chaneysville ME

Location: Church Hill Road, village of Chaneysville
Municipality: Southampton township
County: Bedford
State: PA
Directions:
Go 1 mile east of Bedford on US 30 to PA 326. Go south
on PA 326 15 miles to the village of Chaneysville.
Historic Conference:
Baltimore Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1986,246 - discontinued
1988,65 - permission to sell
1992,355 - sold to Chaneysville Community Church
Brief History:
Pioneer local preach John Lakin preached at the house of
Joseph Powell about 1838. Subsequent meetings were held in the Adams
schoolhouse until 1860, when the church edifice was erected. A children's
area and bathrooms were added in the 1980's. The church was part of the
Flintstone circuit of the Baltimore Conference until 1962, when it was
transferred by boundary changes to the Central Pennsylvania Conference and
placed on the Clearville circuit.
Final disposition:
8. Coaldale ME

Location: Main Street
Municipality: borough of Coaldale
County: Bedford
State: PA
Directions:
From Everett, go 16 miles north on PA 26 to Six Mile Run
Road, which crosses the Juniata River and enters Riddlesburg. Follow Six
Mile Run Road for 3 miles to Coaldale. Six Mile Run Road becomes Main
Street in Coaldale. The site is on the left near the center of
town. A small monument in an empty lot marks the spot.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the
Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1969,106/139 - united with Defiance and Riddlesburg to
form Six Mile Run UMC
Brief History:
The first church edifice of any denomination in the
township was a log building erected by the Methodists about a mile northeast of
Coaldale in 1805. The Coaldale church building was erected in 1888.
On July 1, 1969, the congregations at Coaldale, Defiance and Riddlesburg joined
to form the Six Mile Run United Methodist Church. The united congregation
met in the Coaldale building until their new structure was erected at 863 Six Mile
Run Run in the village of Defiance in 1981.
Final disposition:
The site is now a small park, with a monument
identifying the site of the church.
9. Defiance ME
Location: College Street
Municipality: Broad Top township
County: Bedford
State: PA
Directions:
From Everett, go 16 miles north on PA 26 to Six Mile Run
Road, which crosses the Juniata River and enters Riddlesburg. Follow Six
Mile Run Road for 2 miles to Defiance. Fox Street runs parallel to and
one block south of Six Mile Run Road. The church stood on the east side
of College Street, near the east end of Fox Street.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the
Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1969,106/139 - united with Defiance and Riddlesburg to
form Six Mile Run UMC
Brief History:
The first church edifice of any denomination in the
township was a log building erected by the Methodists about a mile northeast of
Coaldale in 1805. The Defiance church building was erected in 1905
On July 1, 1969, the congregations at Coaldale, Defiance and Riddlesburg joined
to form the Six Mile Run United Methodist Church. The united congregation
met in the Coaldale building until their new structure was erected at 863 Six
Mile Run Run in the village of Defiance in 1981.
Final disposition:
The site is now the side entrance to the elementary
school property.
10. Earlston ME
[Riverside]

Location: PA 26, village of Earlston
Municipality: West Providence township
County: Bedford
State: PA
Directions:
From Everett, take PA 26 south across the Juniata River into
Earlston. Go about 0.5 miles. The church is on the left.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the
Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1925,59 - permission to sell; proceeds to be applied to
the improvement of Barndollar Church
Brief History:
As the population around Everett grew, this church was
built across the river in Earlston in 1897 and dedicated as the Riverside
Methodist Episcopal Church ― but the name was later
changed to Earlston, to match the community. The 4-point Everett
circuit consisting of Baughman's,
Black Valley, Riverside [Earlston] and Tatesville existed from 1897 to
1906. Before and after that those appointments were attached to various
other circuits. Only Tatesville remained to become a United Methodist congregation.
When the Earlston iron furnace closed in
1924, populations shifted and activity in the church vanished. An
effort was made to transfer the remaining member to Barndollar [Everett] or
Tecumseh, but most moved their membership to other denominations or
discontinued going to church altogether. [The Pennsylvania Turnpike maintenance headquarters was
built on the site of the Earlston Iron Furnace, and concrete piers from the
furnace still stand in the parking lot.]
Final disposition:
The church building was used by the Pillar of Fire
denomination for several years, but now the property is used for storage.
The cornerstone of the Earlston Church was presented to Everett United
Methodist Church in 1971.
11. Eichelbergertown ME

Location: village of Eichelbergertown
Municipality: Hopewell township
County: Bedford
State: PA
Directions:
The village of Eichelbergertown is 2 miles west of the
borough of Hopewell, just off PA 26.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the
Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1971,109 - no longer listed
1972,216 - members transferred to Hopewell
Brief History:
A one-room church at Eichelbergertown
was dedicated January 6, 1884. The congregation experienced so much
revival and growth over the years that in 1927 it was decided to build out on
both side walls. A sanctuary was built to the east, with partitions so
that the original building could be use for overflow seating, and three Sunday
School rooms were added to the west. The basement was tiled in 1961,
adding even more to what was already a remarkable structure for such a small community.
The Hopewell charge consisting of Eichelbergertown,
Hopewell, Kearney (discontinued in 1921) and Langdondale existed from 1906 to
1969. Only Hopewell remains as a United Methodist congregation.
Final disposition:
The Hopewell still owned the building in 1980. No
record of sale is on file with the archives. The building had been used
as a gathering place for community youth and for storage, but it is no longer
usable.
12. Fellowship MP

Location:
Municipality: Cumberland Valley township
County: Bedford
State: PA
Directions:
From the village of Centerville, go 2 miles east on White
Church Road to Evitts Creek Road. Turn right on Evitts Creek Road and go
5 miles south across the dam for Lake Koon to Growden Road. Turn right on
Growden Road and go one mile. The site is on the right. The 1877
county atlas indicates the exact location of the building.
Historic Conference:
Maryland Conference of the Methodist
Protestant Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
The Bedford Methodist Protestant charge, with parsonage
in Centerville, historically included 6 appointments: 2 (Centenary, Fairview)
in Maryland, 4 (Centerville, Fellowship, Mineral Springs, Rainsburg) in
Pennsylvania. Fellowship was closed in1931 when the property was taken
for Lake Koon and the damming of Evitts creek. The members, living and
dead, were transferred to Centerville ― the living by
a merger of Fellowship Church into Centerville Church, the dead by relocation
of the graves to the Methodist Protestant cemetery at Centerville. The
foundation of the church may still be seen when the water in the lake is low
― and the cavities which once were grave may be explored on the higher
cemetery ground, which was not flooded. In recognition of this former
congregation, the Centerville United Methodist Church still has a designated
Fellowship Room in its facility.
Final disposition:
The site is under water.
13. Hartley Chapel ME

Location: US 30
Municipality: Snake Spring township
County: Bedford
State: PA
Directions:
Go 5 miles west of Everett on US 30. Just past the
hospital there is a triangle of land on the right. The church stood by
the existing cemetery. The 1877 county atlas indicates the exact location
of the building.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the
Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1926,243 - sale authorized
1930,51 - check for $213.15 received as the proceeds of the
sale of Hartley Chapel
Brief History:
In 1852 the community built a union church on land
belonging to John G. Hartley, who was a Methodist. In February 1854, much
to the displeasure of some, he deeded the land to Methodist Episcopal Church
Final disposition:
Only the cemetery remains.
14. Hopewell MP
[no picture]
Location: Teaberry Road
Municipality: Cumberland Valley township
County: Bedford
State: PA
Directions:
Go 4 miles north of Centerville on US 220 to Evitts Creek
Road. Turn right on Evitts Creek Road and go 0.5 miles to Buck Falls
Road. Go 1 mile on Buck Falls Road and bear left onto Teaberry
Road. Go 1 mile on Teaberry Road, The site is on the left.
The 1877 county atlas indicates the exact location of the building.
Historic Conference:
Maryland Conference of the Methodist
Protestant Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
The meetings of this class were originally held in
Hunt's schoolhouse. In 1858 the place of meeting was changed to the
schoolhouse in Schober's Valley, and in 1869 a church building was
erected. The 1884 county history states that the "Hopewell
appointment has recently been discontinued."
Final disposition:
Unknown
15. Kearney ME

Location: Kearney Hill Road
Municipality: Broad Top township
County: Bedford
State: PA
Directions:
Kearney is off PA 915 east of the borough of Hopewell.
Go 2 mile east of Hopewell on PA 915 to Kearney Hill Road [aka Mosquito Hollow
Road]. Turn left on Kearney Hill Road and go 1.5 miles. The church
is on the right..
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the
Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1906,69 - class organized at Kearney and will erect a
church building in the immediate future
Brief History:
The Hopewell charge consisting of Eichelbergertown,
Hopewell, Kearney (discontinued in 1921) and Langdondale existed from 1906 to
1969. Only Hopewell remains as a United Methodist congregation.
Final disposition:
The building now houses the Kearney Union Church.
16. Langdondale ME

Location: Stone Row Road, community of
Langdondale
Municipality: Broad Top township
County: Bedford
State: PA
Directions:
Langdondale is off PA 915 one mile east of the borough of
Hopewell. Go 1 mile east of Hopewell on PA 915, bear to the right on the
old highway (Stone Row Road), go about 100 yards. The site is on the
right.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the
Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1923,63 - former union church we had been using deeded
to Methodist Episcopal Church
1971,109 - no longer listed
1972,216 - members transferred to Hopewell
Brief History:
Originally constructed as a union building, this structure
was rededicated as a Methodist church on October 1, 1922.
The Hopewell charge consisting of Eichelbergertown,
Hopewell, Kearney (discontinued in 1921) and Langdondale existed from 1906 to
1969. Only Hopewell remains as a United Methodist congregation.
Final disposition:
The Hopewell still owned the building
in 1980. No record of sale is on file with the archives. The
building has been razed, and only a hole and a entrance step remain to mark the
site.
17. Mineral Springs MP

Location: Evitts Creek Road
Municipality: Cumberland Valley township
County: Bedford
State: PA
Directions:
From the village of Centerville, go 2 miles east on White
Church Road to Evitts Creek Road. Turn right on Evitts Creek Road and go
2 miles south. The church us on the right. The 1877 county atlas
indicates the exact location of the building.
Historic Conference:
Maryland Conference of the Methodist
Protestant Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
The Bedford Methodist Protestant charge, with parsonage
in Centerville, historically included 6 appointments: 2 (Centenary, Fairview)
in Maryland, 4 (Centerville, Fellowship, Mineral Springs, Rainsburg) in
Pennsylvania. Fellowship closed in 1931. At the 1939 union, the
charge was placed in the Baltimore Conference of the Methodist Church. In
1945 the Baltimore Conference adjusted its charge boundaries so its Bedford
charge was entirely within the state of Pennsylvania. Rainsburg merged
into the former Methodist Episcopal church in that community in 1959. In
1962 the remaining congregations on the Bedford charge (Bethel [former
Baltimore Conference ME], Centerville, and Mineral Springs) of the Baltimore
Conference came into the Central Pennsylvania Conference as the Centerville
charge ― and that was the beginning of the end for
this church.
Mineral Springs entered the conference
with 42 members in 1962, reported 41 in 1963, and 40 in 1964. In 1965
there is a blank line for the church, and beginning with 1966 there is no
listing at all. There is no official journal record of its fate, and
there is no equivalent increase in membership for nearby churches.
Final disposition:
The building is maintained by the adjacent property
owner and used for storage. The spring on the property still produces
distinctive mineral water.
18. Mount Smith ME
Location: Business Route US 220
Municipality: Bedford township
County: Bedford
State: PA
Directions:
Go 3 miles north of Bedford on business route US 220. The
church site is on the right, by the cemetery, north of Belden Road and south
of Country Ridge Road. The 1877 county atlas indicates the exact
location of the building.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the
Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
The church was erected sometime before 1877 and was on
the Wolfsburg charge from 1882 until it was closed. Services appear to
have stopped in 1933, as that is that last year the appointment is recorded as
making a financial contribution to the charge. A membership of 16 is
listed until 1936, but beginning in 1937 the appointment disappears completely
from the records. There appears to have been a general cleaning up of the
records on the Wolfsburg charge in 1937, as every appointment reported fewer
members ― the charge membership was listed as
347 in 1936 , but only as 214 in 1937. The frame building was dismantled
about 1950.
Final disposition:
Only the cemetery remains. The cemetery
Association was separately incorporated in 1930, but appears to be no longer
functioning and the grounds are being cared for by the local post of the
American Legion.
19. Oakdale MES

Location: Flintstone Creek Road
Municipality: Southampton township
County: Bedford
State: PA
Directions:
From Cumberland MD, go 16 miles east on US 40/I-68 to the
Flintstone interchange. Go 5 miles north on Flintstone Creek Road.
The church is on the left.
Historic Conference:
Baltimore Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
South
Journal references:
Brief History:
At the 1939 merger, Beans Cove and
Oakdale became part of the Baltimore Conference of the Methodist Church.
In 1962 the conference boundaries were changed to match the state line, and
Beans Cove (8 members) and Oakdale (27 members) came into the Central
Pennsylvania Conference a 2-point TBS (to be supplied) charge with no
parsonage. Only Oakdale was listed to be supplied in 1963, and neither
church was listed to be supplied in 1964.
Unbeknownst to the Central Pennsylvania Conference, who
literally ignored the congregation, the appointment was supplied by pastors
from the Baltimore Conference for several years. The Central Pennsylvania
Conference sold the property to non-denominational Oakdale Chapel in 1974.
Final disposition:
The building houses an independent
Christian ministry.
20. Pleasant Union ME

Location: Pleasant Union Church Road
Municipality: Monroe township
County: Bedford
State: PA
Directions: From Clearville, go 1 mile south on PA 26 to Pleasant Union Church Road. Turn left on Pleasant Union Church Road and go 4 miles to Beegle road. The church is on the right, at the intersection of Pleasant Union Church Road and Beegle Road.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1970,102 - no longer listed
Brief History:
The charge known as Robinsonville 1880-86 and Clearville
1886-1991 coordinated the Methodist work in southeastern Bedford County
for over 100 years. The original 5 appointments of Clearville,
Robinsonville, Pleasant Union, Shreves Chapel, and Stevens Chapel were joined
by Tatesville (from being supplied separately) in 1942 and Chaneysville in
(from the Baltimore Conference) in 1962.
Final disposition:
The building houses an independent congregation.
21. Providence ME

Location: Bunker Hill Road
Municipality: West Providence township
County: Bedford
State: PA
Directions:
Take US 30 west of the village of Breezewood for 6 miles to
Bunker Hill Road. Turn north on Bunker Hill Road and go 1.5 miles.
The church is on the right. The 1877 county atlas indicates the exact
location of the building, identifying it as a Baptist Church.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the
Methodist Episcopal Church.
Journal references:
1915,68 - listed as a union church, with Methodists
having part ownership
1956,52 - church discontinued, any
proceeds from sale of property to be applied to the other
churches on the Rays Hill charge
1958,55 - church discontinued and members transferred,
Methodists have "no property holding"
Brief History:
The church last listed a membership of 25 in 1957,
but it had contributed no finances to the charge, and likely was nom longert
meeting, since 1952.
Final disposition:
The building houses an independent
congregation.
22. Rainsburg ME

Location: Main Road
Municipality: borough of Rainsburg
County: Bedford
State: PA
Directions:
Main Road is PA 326. As you head south out of
Rainsburg on PA 326, the church is on the left, one lot north of Seminary
Street
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1879,45 - two-story church erected and dedicated
Brief History:
This congregation erected a stone building in1849.
The brick structure pictured above was dedicated December 15, 1878.
Final disposition:
23. Rainsburg MES
[no picture]
Location: Main Road
Municipality: borough of Rainsburg
County: Bedford
State: PA
Directions:
Main Road is PA 326. As you head south out of
Rainsburg on PA 326, the church is on the left, on the northeast corner of Main
Road and Seminary Street.
Historic Conference:
Baltimore Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, South
Journal references:
Brief History:
In 1875 Rainsburg MES class purchased the stone school
building to the right of the Rainsburg ME church ― at
which time the public school moved into the building operated by the Methodists
as the Rainsburg Academy from 1855 to 1860. The congregation worshiped
there until erecting their own frame building in 1877. This congregation
was always small. They sold the stone building in 1883 and the frame
building in 1888, when it became known as Patriot's Hall. During its
short existence the congregation appears to have been an isolated appointment
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and not part of any larger circuit or
charge.
Final disposition:
24. Rainsburg MP
[Cove Church]
[Woods Church]

Location: Harrietta Lane
Municipality: Colerain township
County: Bedford
State: PA
Directions:
From Rainsburg, go west on Valley Raod 0.5 miles to
Harrietta Lane. Turn righ on Harrietta Lane and go 1 mile to Rose
Lane. The church sits on the northwest corner of Harrietta Lane and Rose
Lane. The 1877 county atlas indicates the exact location of the building.
Historic Conference:
Maryland Conference of the Methodist
Protestant Church
Journal references:
Central Pennsylvania Conference 1959,58 - merges into
the former Methodist Episcopal church in Rainsburg
Brief History:
The Bedford Methodist Protestant charge, with parsonage
in Centerville, historically included 6 appointments: 2 (Centenary, Fairview)
in Maryland, 4 (Centerville, Fellowship, Mineral Springs, Rainsburg) in
Pennsylvania. Fellowship closed in 1931. At the 1939 union, the charge
was placed in the Baltimore Conference of the Methodist Church. In 1945
the Baltimore Conference adjusted its charge boundaries so its Bedford charge
was entirely within the state of Pennsylvania. In 1959, in action across
conference lines, this congregation, officially known as Cove Church, merged
into the Rainsburg (former Methodist Episcopal) Church of the Central
Pennsylvania Conference.
The first Cove church was erected in 1837, expanded in 1842,
and replaced by the present building in 1870
Final disposition:
Deeded to the Rainsburg Cemetery Association in 1970,
the building continues to be used for funerals and homecoming services.
25. Riddlesburg ME

Location: Schoolhouse Hill Road, village of Rddlesburg
Municipality: Broad Top township
County: Bedford
State: PA
Directions:
From intersection of PA26 and Pa 915 at Hopewell, go 2 miles
north on PA 26 to Six Mile Run Road. Turn right on Six Mile Run Road to
cross the Juniata River and enter the village of Riddlesburg. Go 2 blocks
to Schoolhouse Hill Road. Turn left on Schoolhouse Hill Road and go 200
yards. The chuch stood on the left. The 1877 county atlas indicates
the exact location of the building.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the
Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1874,41 - church building erected
jointly by Presbyterians and Methodists
1969,106/139 - united with Defiance and Coaldale to form
Six Mile Run UMC
1991,375/379 - sold
Brief History:
The first church edifice of any denomination in the
township was a log building erected by the Methodists about a mile northeast of
Coaldale in 1805. The Riddlesburg church building was erected in 1873 and
owned jointly with the Presbyterians , followed by a larger structure owned
solely by the Methodists that was dedciatec July 11, 1926. On July 1,
1969, the congregations at Coaldale, Defiance and Riddlesburg joined to form
the Six Mile Run United Methodist Church. The united congregation met in
the Coaldale building until their new structure was erected at 863 Six Mile Run
Run in the village of Defiance in 1981.
Final disposition:
The building has been razed. The site is an empty
lot.
26. Robinsonville ME

Location: Robinsonville Road
Municipality: Monroe township
County: Bedford
State: PA
Directions:
From the village of Mattie in East Providence township, go1
mile west on West Mattie Road to Robinsonville Road. Go 10 miles south on
Robinsonville Road (after 2 miles, Stevens Chapel United Methodist Church is on
the left) to the village of Robinsonville. The church is on the left.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the
Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1881,46 - building dedicated
Brief History:
The charge known as Robinsonville 1880-86 and Clearville
1886-1991 coordinated the Methodist work in southeastern Bedford County
for over 100 years. The original 5 appointments of Clearville,
Robinsonville, Pleasant Union, Shreves Chapel, and Stevens Chapel were joined
by Tatesville (from being supplied separately) in 1942 and Chaneysville in
(from the Baltimore Conference) in 1962. A 28x44 chapel at Robinsonville
was dedicated October 24, 1881, on land deed to the Methodists the previous
year by Hiram Robinson The January 31, 1801, Christian Advocate
(page 193) reports that when the carpenter had finished, the congregation had a
"new church" ― but it is unclear whether
that was a new building, or an extensive remodeling. The membership
dropped from 33 in 1953 to 16 in 1955, and by 1957 it appears that services
were no longer being held.
Final disposition:
The property was deeded to the Robinsonville Cemetery
Association in 1772.
27. Shreves Chapel ME

Location: off Big Creek Road
Municipality: Monroe township
County: Bedford
State: PA
Directions:
Leave the village of Clearville on Rockhill Church Road,
which continues east when PA 26 makes a right angle to head south. Go 0.5
miles on Rockhill Church Road to Big Creek Road. Turn left on Big Creek
Road and go 7.7 miles to Shreves Road, an upaved lane that goes off to the
right to Shreves Chapel. The chapel is 0.5 miles down Shreves Road, on
the leftThe 1877 county atlas indicates the exact location of the building.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the
Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1990,229 - discontinued
1991,375/379 - sold
Brief History:
The charge known as Robinsonville 1880-86 and Clearville
1886-1991 coordinated the Methodist work in southeastern Bedford County
for over 100 years. The original 5 appointments of Clearville,
Robinsonville, Pleasant Union, Shreves Chapel, and Stevens Chapel were joined
by Tatesville (from being supplied separately) in 1942 and Chaneysville in
(from the Baltimore Conference) in 1962.
John Shreve (1782-1862) was a local preacher who homesteaded
this land in 1806. He is buried in the adjacent cemetery. In 1848
he erected a log chapel on his property. The present building was erected
in 1879 by the members of the log chapel. The membership gradually
dwindled until there were only four active members in 1990, and they voted
unanimously to discontinue the appointment.
Final disposition:
The property was sold to the Shreves Chapel Cemetery
Association in 1991.
28. Tecumseh ME
Location: N. Spring Street
Municipality: borough of Everett
County: Bedford
State: PA
Directions:
N. Spring Street is PA 26. The church stood on the east
side of the street, south of the present bypass for US 30.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the
Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
In the 1880's the area known as Tecumseh was not yet within
the borough limits of Everett. A large tanning plant had been built
there, and the are was experiencing rapid growth. Methodists living in
the area organized and held meetings in the schoolhouse. In 1885 they
purchased the school building and converted it into a church.
On June 3, 1967, the Tecumseh Church united with the
Barndollar Church to form, using the expanded former Barndollar facilties, the
present Everett United Methodist Church. The Tecumseh building was
renamed the Methodist Center and for several years was used by scouts and other
community groups, and for various social functions of the united
congregation. The property was eventually sold and the building removed.
Final disposition:
The site is now home to the Tecumseh apartments, a
project of the local housing authority. Many of the worship artifacts are
preserved in the Tecumseh room/chapel at the Everett United Methodist
Church. Some of the building materials were used in the schoolhouse at
Old Bedford Village.