CLOSED CHURCHES WITHIN THE PRESE

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.

FRANKLIN COUNTY PA

1. Blairs Valley MP

Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: blairs

Location: Blairs Valley Road
Municipality: Montgomery township
County: Franklin
State: PA

Directions:
From PA 16 at the east end of Mercersburg, go 2 miles south on Fort Loudon Road [PA 75]to Shimpstown. Go west 2 miles on Shimpstown Road to Blairs Valley Road. Go south 5 miles on Blairs Valley Road. The church is on the left.

Historic Conference:
Maryland Conference of the Methodist Protestant Church.

Journal references:

Brief History:
This land was purchased at the church erected in 1844. This territory was split off from the Concord circuit in 1840 to form the Licking Creek circuit. The Licking Creek circuit was discontinued in 1845 and the fate of the appointments is not documented. This church appears to have been dropped from the list of regular appointments soon after 1845.

Final disposition:
A project to restore the church was begun in 1972. The building is still standing, but not in regular use.

2. Blue Rock ME

$Description: Description: Description: Description: X:\image\closed_churchs\franklin\bluerock.jpg$

Location: Mentzer Gap Road
Municipality: Guilford township
County: Franklin
State: PA

Directions:
From the village of Quincy on PA 997, go south 2 miles on Menter Gap Road to Blue Rock Road. The church is on the right, on the northwest corner of Mentzer Gap Road and Blue Rock Roads.

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
1955, 54 – sold for $1,000; proceeds distributed to remaining churches on the charge

Brief History:
The church was on the Mont Alto charge. After the appointment had been abandoned, the structure was sold to the Winebrenner Church of God congregation that had been using the building.

Final disposition:
The building is still standing.

3. Chambersburg Chapel ME

$Description: Description: Description: Description: X:\image\closed_churchs\franklin\cambersburgme.jpg$

Location: Second and McKinley Streets
Municipality: borough of Chambersburg
County: Franklin
State: PA

Directions:
Second Street is northbound US 11. McKinley Street is 6 blocks south of US 30, and one block north of where US 11 becomes one-way. The chapel stood on the northeast corner of Second and McKinley Streets.

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:

Brief History:
This was a mission extension of St. Paul’s, which sponsored a Sunday School at this location and possibly some worship services. The frame chapel that stood on this site was erected by the Methodists about 1884 and sold to the Church of God (Winebrenner) in June 1894. The Church of God erected the present brick building in 1909 and remodeled it significantly in 1952.

Final disposition:
A Baptist congregation now occupies the building.

4. Chambersburg Second ME

$Description: Description: Description: Description: X:\image\closed_churchs\franklin\chambersburgsecond.jpg$

Location: 209 E. King Street
Municipality: borough of Chambersburg
County: Franklin
State: PA

Directions:
This building is on the northeast corner of King and Second Streets.

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Pennsylvania Conference of the United Brethren Church

Journal references:

Brief History:
This building was the home of the short-lived Second Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1878 the property was purchased by conservative members of the First United Brethren Church who intended for it to be the town’s second UB congregation – and a congregation that upheld the denomination’s ban on secret societies. Hearings and appeals about the status of the congregation within the Conference extended all the way to the General Conference of 1881, at which point it was determined that the congregation was not within the Pennsylvania Conference. Following the denominational split of 1889, the congregation sided with the United Brethren Old Constitution Church. In 1939 they erected a new building diagonally across the intersection and continue today as the King Street United Brethren Church.

Final disposition:
Since 1939 this building is now the home of the Congregation Sons of Israel, a blended Jewish fellowship that includes all branches of Judaism.

5. Clay Hill UB

$Description: Description: Description: Description: X:\image\closed_churchs\franklin\clayhill.jpg$

Location: village of Clay Hill
Municipality: Antrim township
County: Franklin
State: PA

Directions:
From Greencastle, go 4 miles north on US 11 to Kauffman Road. Torn easy on Kauffman Road and go 1 mile to the village of Kauffman. At the east end of Kauffman, bear left (i.e., do not go to Browns Mills) onto Clay Hill Road [aka East Kauffman Road] and proceed 3 miles to the village of Clay Hill. The church is on the right.

Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the United Brethren Church

Journal references:
1905,45 – that Clay Hill appointment be discontinued, the members be requested to transfer to Greencastle, and the trustees be authorized to dispose of the church property and that the proceeds go to Greencastle to help pay for the parsonage.

Brief History:
This building was erected in 1872. Prior to that the congregation worshipped for many years in the old Union School House near the Antrim/Quincy township line and the newer school building erected later in Clay Hill.

Final disposition:
The building now houses an independent congregation.

6. Concord MP

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Location: Back Road
Municipality: Fannett township
County: Franklin
State: PA

Directions:
From the south end of Concord on PA 75, turn west onto Back Road and go 0.25 miles. The church stood in the triangular lot on the right, where the road bends to the left. The 1868 county atlas gives the exact location.

Historic Conference:
Maryland Conference of the Methodist Protestant Church

Journal references:

Brief History:
The name of the Shippensburg circuit, organized in 1830, was change to Concord circuit in 1839. In 1929 the name was changed to Doylesburg circuit. It is assumed, therefore, that this building was in use in 1839 and no longer in use in 1929.

Final disposition:

7. Criders UB

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Location: Loudon Road
Municipality: St. Thomas township
County: Franklin
State: PA

Directions:
From the square in Chambersburg, go 4 blocks west on Lincoln Way to Franklin Street. Go north on Franklin Street 1 mile to the Y with Edenville Road. Bear left onto Edenville Road. Go west on Edeville Road 6 miles to the Y with Loudon Road. The church stood within the Y formed by Edenville and Loudon Roads.

Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the United Brethren Church.

Journal references:

Brief History:
The first church building of the congregation was erected at this site in 1844 and replaced by a new structure in 1868. In the 1889 denominational split, the congregation sided with the Old Constitution faction and was able to retain possession of the property. A new church building was erected across the street in 1975, and the old building was torn down in 1986.

Final disposition:
The site is now the property of Criders United Brethren (Old Constitution) Church.

8. Dry Run ME

$Description: Description: Description: Description: X:\image\closed_churchs\franklin\dryrun.jpg$

Location: Back Road [Main Street], village of Dry Run
Municipality: Fannett township
County: Franklin
State: PA

Directions:
From the intersection of PA 75 and PA 461 in Spring Run, go 2 miles north on PA 75 to the village of Dry Run. Bear left onto Bark Road [Main Street] and go two blocks. The site is on the right. The 1868 county atlas gives the exact location.

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Journal references:

Brief History:
This church is in the 1868 county atlas, but not on the 1858 county map. It first appears in the Concord circuit book as an appointment with membership in 1863. It appears to have been abandoned before 1900. The church/appointment does not appear in the 1898 supplemental statistics or the 1915 list of ME properties.

Final disposition:
The site is now the parking lot for the adjacent funeral home.

9. Ebenezer UB

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Location: Williamson Roads
Municipality: Antrim township
County: Franklin
State: PA

Directions:
From US 30 in the west end of Chambersburg, go 10 miles south on PA 995 to the village of Williamson. In the south end of Williamson, turn east onto Williamson Road. Go 3 miles to Guitner Road. The church is on the left, on the northeast corner of Guitner and Williamson Roads,

Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the United Brethren Church

Journal references:

Brief History:
This congregation worshiped in the Highland School (aka locally as the Guitner School) until the first church building was dedicated January 17, 1880. In the 1889 split, the congregation sided with the Old Constitution faction. When the courts decided the structure was a union church and not owned by the United Brethren denomination, the building was awarded to the local congregation and became UBOC.

Final disposition:
The building is home to the Ebenezer United Brethren (Old Constitution) Church.

10. Emmanuel [aka Immanuel] UB

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Location: Boundary Road
Municipality: Hamilton township
County: Franklin
State: PA

Directions:
From the square in Chambersburg, go 4 blocks west on Lincoln Way to Franklin Street. Go north on Franklin Street 1 mile to the Y with Edenville Road. Bear left onto Edenville Road and go 1 mile to the cross road where Edenville Road turns left, Short Cut Road goes right, and Keefer Road goes straight. Go straight on Keefer Road 1 mile to Boundary Road. Turn left on boundary road and go 100 yards. The site is on the left.

Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the United Brethren Church.

Journal references:

Brief History:
This church was part of the Rocky Springs circuit and was closed in 1905. Some records refer to this as Immanuel Church.

Final disposition:
A few readable headstones remain from the cemetery. The site is privately owned.

11. Fannettsburg ME

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Location: Fannettsburg Road, village of Fannettsburg
Municipality: Metal township
County: Franklin
State: PA

Directions:

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:

Brief History:

Final disposition:

12. Greencastle ME

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Location:
Municipality:
County: Franklin
State: PA

Directions:

Historic Conference:

Journal references:

Brief History:

Final disposition:

13. Greenvillage ME

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Location:
Municipality:
County: Franklin
State: PA

Directions:

Historic Conference:

Journal references:

Brief History:

Final disposition:

14. Hawley Memorial MP

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Location:
Municipality:
County: Franklin
State: PA

Directions:

Historic Conference:

Journal references:

Brief History:

Final disposition:

15. Horse Valley Keefer's UB

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Location:
Municipality:
County: Franklin
State: PA

Directions:

Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the United Brethren Church

Journal references:
1928,29 – brief history and status report as an unused site

Brief History:
This building near the center of Horse Valley was dedicated October 25, 1895. It is reported to be the successor to a building known as Honne’s Church that was erected about 1805. Keefers, St. Paul and Zion for many years constituted the Horse Valley charge. When that charge was no longer viable, they were attached to the Spring Run charge. By 1928 only the Keefer building remained, and the pastor from the Scotland charge was holding a few services a year. Efforts to re-establish a viable congregation as a mission project under care of the Scotland charge were successful for a while.

Final disposition:

16. Horse Valley St. Paul UB

$Description: Description: Description: Description: X:\image\closed_churchs\franklin\horsevalley_paul.jpg$

Location:
Municipality:
County: Franklin
State: PA

Directions:

Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the United Brethren Church

Journal references:
1928,29 – brief history and status report as an unused site

Brief History:
This building was erected in 1900 and stood in the east end of the valley. It was also known locally as the Laurel Run church. Keefers, St. Paul and Zion for many years constituted the Horse Valley charge. When that charge was no longer viable, they were attached to the Spring Run charge. The St. Paul building was erected on land for which the church never had a deed. The building was sold and torn down at some date before 1928.

Final disposition:

17. Horse Valley Zion UB

$Description: Description: Description: Description: X:\image\closed_churchs\franklin\horsevalley_zion.jpg$

Location:
Municipality:
County: Franklin
State: PA

Directions:

Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the United Brethren Church

Journal references:
1928,29 – brief history and status report as an unused site

Brief History:
This was the first United Brethren church building in Horse Valley. It was erected about 1847 in the west end of the valley. Keefers, St. Paul and Zion for many years constituted the Horse Valley charge. When that charge was no longer viable, they were attached to the Spring Run charge. The Zion building was erected on land for which the church never had a deed. The building was sold and torn down at some date before 1928.

Final disposition:

18. Lurgan UB

Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: lurgar.jpg

Location:
Municipality:
County: Franklin
State: PA

Directions:

Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the United Brethren Church.

Journal references:

Brief History:
The first building at this site was constructed in 1856 as a union building, but the congregation became United Brethren within a few years. In the 1889 denominational split, this congregation sided with the Old Constitution faction and was able to retain possession of the church property – possibly because of the original union origins of the property. A new building was erected in 1903, and the present structure in 1965

Final disposition:
This building is now the Lurgan United Brethren (Old Constitution) Church.

19. Macedonia UB

$Description: Description: Description: Description: X:\image\closed_churchs\franklin\macedonia.jpg$

Location:
Municipality:
County: Franklin
State: PA

Directions:

Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the United Brethren Church.

Journal references:

Brief History:
This congregation had its beginning in revival services conducted in the Paradise and California school houses. The congregation was organized in 1881 and dedicated the church building in 1882. In the 1889 denominational split, the congregation sided with the Old Constitution faction and was able to maintain possession of the property. The multipurpose building across the street was erected in 1987.

Final disposition:
This building is now home to the Macedonia United Brethren (Old Constitution) Church.

20. Mainsville UB

Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: mainsville.jpg

Location:
Municipality:
County: Franklin
State: PA

Directions:

Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the United Brethren Church.

Journal references:

Brief History:
The first deed for this as church property dates from 1871. In the 1889 denominational split, this congregation sided with the Old Constitution faction and was able to retain possession of the church property. The original frame building was replaced by the present structure in 1967.

Final disposition:
This building is now the Mainsville United Brethren (Old Constitution) Church.

21. Markes ME

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Location:
Municipality:
County: Franklin
State: PA

Directions:

Historic Conference:

Journal references:

Brief History:

Final disposition:

22. Mercersburg UB

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Location:
Municipality:
County: Franklin
State: PA

Directions:

Historic Conference:

Journal references:

Brief History:

Final disposition:

23. Metal ME

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Location:
Municipality:
County: Franklin
State: PA

Directions:

Historic Conference:

Journal references:

Brief History:

Final disposition:

24. Mount Alto Otterbein UB

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Location:
Municipality:
County: Franklin
State: PA

Directions:

Historic Conference:

Journal references:

Brief History:

Final disposition:

25. Mount Zion UB

$Description: Description: Description: Description: X:\image\closed_churchs\franklin\mt_zion.jpg$

Location:
Municipality:
County: Franklin
State: PA

Directions:

Historic Conference:

Journal references:

Brief History:

Final disposition:

26. Mountain Green Bethel UB

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Address:
Municipality:
County: Franklin
State: PA

Directions:

Historic Conference:

Journal references:

Brief History:

Final disposition:

27. New Franklin UB

$Description: Description: Description: Description: X:\image\closed_churchs\franklin\newfranklin.jpg$

Location:
Municipality:
County: Franklin
State: PA

Directions:

Historic Conference:

Journal references:

Brief History:

Final disposition:

28. Orrstown UB

$Description: Description: Description: Description: X:\image\closed_churchs\franklin\orrstown.jpg$

Location: Orrstown Road [PA 533]
Municipality: Orrstown borough
County: Franklin
State: PA

Directions:
The site is on the south side of the road, almost across from the current Orrstown United Brethren [UBOC] Church.

Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the United Brethren Church

Journal references:

Brief History:
The building at this site was erected in 1852 and was part of the large Rocky Spring circuit. The church and circuit were severely weakened by the 1889 denominational split, and the larger part of this congregation left to erect the present Orrstown United Brethren (Old Constitution) Church across the street. The last service was held here in 1905 and the building was razes in 1912.

Final disposition:
The cemetery remains. No longer an open cemetery, it is reportedly maintained via an endowment on deposit at a Chambersburg bank.

29. Roxbury ME

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Location:
Municipality:
County: Franklin
State: PA

Directions:

Historic Conference:

Journal references:

Brief History:

Final disposition:

30. Salem UB

$Description: Description: Description: Description: X:\image\closed_churchs\franklin\salem.jpg$

Location:
Municipality:
County: Franklin
State: PA

Directions:

Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the United Brethren Church.

Journal references:

Brief History:

Final disposition:

31. Spring Run MP

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Location:
Municipality:
County: Franklin
State: PA

Directions:

Historic Conference:

Journal references:

Brief History:

Final disposition:

32. St. Thomas ME

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Location:
Municipality:
County: Franklin
State: PA

Directions:

Historic Conference:

Journal references:

Brief History:

Final disposition:

33. St. Thomas UB

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Location:
Municipality:
County: Franklin
State: PA

Directions:

Historic Conference:

Journal references:

Brief History:

Final disposition:

34. Upper Strasburg ME

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Location:
Municipality:
County: Franklin
State: PA

Directions:

Historic Conference:

Journal references:

Brief History:

Final disposition:

35. Waynesboro Peace UM

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Location:
Municipality:
County: Franklin
State: PA

Directions:

Historic Conference:

Journal references:

Brief History:

Final disposition: