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.
Adams | Bedford | Blair | Bradford | Centre | Clearfield | Clinton | Columbia | Cumberland | Dauphin | Franklin | Fulton | Huntingdon| Juniata | Lackawanna | Luzerne | Lycoming | Mifflin | Montour | Northumberland
| Perry | Pike | Potter | Schuylkill | Snyder | Sullivan | Susquehanna | Tioga | Union | Wayne | Wyoming | York
ADAMS COUNTY PA
1. Barts UB
Address: Barts
Church Road
Municipality: Union township
County: Adams County
State: PA
Directions:
From Littlestown, go 2 miles east on
PA 194 and then 2 miles south on Barts Church Road.
Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the the United Brethren Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
This congregation traces its origin
to an 1840's United Brethren camp meeting on the grounds of John Jones, just
over the Mason-Dixon line in Maryland. The Jones appointment was formed,
and they erected their first church building in 1852 on land donated by local
exhorter John Bart. A farewell service was held in the original building
on May 8, 1907, before it was razed the following week. The congregation
held services in an adjoining grove during the summer and fall of 1907, and the
present structure was dedicated January 12, 1908. In 1992 Barts merged with Littlestown Centenary (former Methodist
Episcopal) to form Barts-Centenary United Methodist
Church ― a single congregation meeting on two
campuses. The Barts
campus was discontinued in 2010.
Final disposition:
2. Beamers EV/ME
Location: Nawakwa Road
Municipality: Menallen township
County: Adams
State: PA
Directions:
From Arendtsville, go 3 miles west
on PA 234 to Nawakwa Road. Turn north on Nawakwa Road and go 1 mile to the intersection with
Celebration Hill Road, at which point Nawakwa Road
makes a right turn. The garage pictured above sits on Nawakwa
Road a stone's throw past southeast corner of that intersection. The
church stood just east of the garage. The 1872 atlas of Adams County
indicates the exact location of the church building.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the
Evangelical Association
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal
Church
Journal references:
Methodist
1897,65 - Beamers church building
bought and paid for
1898, Statistics #5 (York Springs circuit) - last
mention of Beamers in the Methodist annual conference journal
Brief History:
In 1853, area citizens (the names Beamer, Burkholder and
Oyler appear in this context) were named to erect a
meeting house on the site. In 1870, the property was formally deeded to
trustees Solomon Beamer. John Mackly and Alexander D.
Oyler of the Evangelical Association. In 1871,
under the leadership of Rev. James M. Price of the Bendersville
charge, a new church building was erected.
Later, probably in 1894 at the time of the split in the
Evangelical Association, the membership and the property identified with the
Methodist Episcopal Church. A 1957 newspaper article states that the
membership of Beamers and Wenksville overlapped
"even to the point that they both had some of the same trustees.
Beamers church was torn down in the early 1900's, and at present those people
belong to the Wenksville Methodist Church."
Final disposition:
The site is now an empty lot and part of the surrounding
farmland. There apparently was a cemetery there, as there were once
gravestones piled behind the garage.
3. Bendersville
EV
Location: North Main Street, Bendersville
Municipality: borough of Bendersville
County: Adams
State: PA
Directions:
The church stood on the northeast corner of
the Main Street and the second cross street/alley north of the square.
The 1872 atlas of Adams County indicates the exact location of the church
building.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the
Evangelical Association
Journal references:
Brief History:
Evangelical preaching in Bendersville
can be documented as early as 1839. Services were held in a union
building in which all denominations worshipped, until one-by-one they each
erected their own structures. The Evangelical chapel was dedicated May
31, 1857. The group was better known locally as the Albright Church
(after denominational founder Jacob Albright) rather than the Evangelical
Association. The congregation is the subject of an article in Volume
XVIII (spring 2007) of The Chronicle, pages 34-39. They became
the home congregation of the Bendersville charge,
which was created in 1870 and existed up to the time of the 1891-94
denominational troubles.
The 1894 denominational split effectively ended all the
Evangelical work in Adams County (except for Idaville,
along the northern boundary of the county). The property was transferred
from the Evangelical Association to the newly formed United Evangelical
denomination on September 3, 1895. But without prospects of a continuing
congregation, The United Evangelical Church sold the property to Montana Lodge
#653 of the I.O.O.F. the following month on October 12, 1895. Before
building was sold to the Odd Fellows, the pulpit, altar, pews and other church
furnishings were sold to the soon to be dedicated Idaville
United Brethren Church (Old Constitution).
Final disposition:
The property is now an empty lot.
4. Center Mills Bethlehem UB
Location: Old Carlisle Road, just north of Center Mills
Municipality: Butler township
County: Adams
State: PA
Directions:
From Biglerville, go east on PA 234 two
miles to Old Carlisle Road. Go north on Old Carlisle Road 1.5 miles,
through the village of Center Mills. The site is just north of Center
Mills, along the left side of the road. The 1872 atlas of Adams County
indicates the exact location of the church building.
Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the United Brethren Church.
Journal references:
Brief History:
The church was erected in 1860 on land donated Mr. and
Mrs. Edward Staley. Prime motivator for the project was Elias Guise, a
former Methodist, who served as the class leader for many years. The
congregation never recovered from the denominational split of 1889 ― and the presence of the Mt. Olivet United Brethren
(Old Constitution) church building erected about a mile away, between Centre
Mills and Biglerville. By 1952 the building was badly in need of repair
and the remaining 25 members were transferred to the Centenary congregation in
Biglerville.
Annual homecoming services were held until 1960, when the
church celebrated its 100th anniversary. In 1964 the bell was removed
from the bell tower to replace the one at Centenary, which was no longer
usable. The building collapsed during a winter storm in 1968 and was
razed.
Final disposition:
The remaining cemetery is maintained by the Biglerville
Centenary United Methodist Church. Since 1971 a scale replica of the
edifice in the cemetery marks the spot of the original building.
5. Chamberlain ME
Location: Mount Carmel Road, 2.5 miles west of Orrtanna
Municipality: Franklin township
County: Adams
State: PA
Directions:
From the village of Orrtanna,
go 2.5 miles west on Mount Carmel Road. The building stood across the
road from the cemetery. The 1872 atlas of Adams County indicates the
exact location of the church building.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
This congregation grew out of a rural appointment filled
by a circuit rider and meeting at the Chamberlain home. The church
building was erected in 1850 on land donated by John Chamberlain. It was
a stone building with separate entrances and seating for the men and the
women. An 1857 obituary for Catherine Chamberlain, wife David, states
that "she, with her husband, became members of the Methodist Episcopal
Church almost thirty years ago, during the greater part of which their home was
a preaching place where the itinerant always found a cordial
welcome."
By 1890 the congregation had become too large for the
structure. Since most of the congregation lived in the village of Orrtanna, the new building was erected there in 1892.
Final disposition:
At the August 2, 1896, quarterly conference of
Littlestown circuit, permission was given the Orrtanna
trustees to sell or dispose of the furnishings and lumber, stone, etc. of the
old church known as Chamberlains. The cemetery is maintained by the Orrtanna United Methodist Church.
6. Clines UB
Location: Clines Church Road, off PA 34, between
Biglerville and Idaville
Municipality: Menallen township
County: Adams
State: PA
Directions:
From Biglerville, go 5 miles north on PA 34 to the
intersection with Gabler Road (west) and Center Mills
Road (east). Twenty yards past the intersection, Clines Church Road (the
old route 34) goes off to left (and rejoins PA 34 in 1.5 miles). Go one
mile on Clines Church Road. The stone chapel and cemetery are on the
right. The 1872 atlas of Adams County indicates the exact location of the
church building.
Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the United Brethren Church.
Journal references:
Brief History:
Clines Church was erected in
1850. Before that time, Sunday school was held in the school house in the
nearby village of Gardners, and the circuit rider
filled the weekday appointment at the home of Joseph Cline, who lived on the
large farm immediately adjoining the church property to the north. The
membership never was large, and the church was closed for several years in the
1950's. In 2003, the building was approved for listing on the National
Register of Historic Places. The congregation was discontinued in 2008.
Final disposition:
The cemetery is the property of the Clines Cemetery
Association. The church building was sold to the R & L Orchard
Company, whose lands surround the property, for possible use as a field
office.
7. East Berlin Trinity EV
Location: southwest corner of Locust and
Fourth Streets, East Berlin
Municipality: borough of East Berlin
County: Adams
State: PA
Directions:
From the square in East Berlin, travel west on King
Street (PA 234) 4 blocks to Fourth Street. Go south (left) on Fourth
Street 2 blocks to Locust Street.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical
Association/United Evangelical Church
Journal references:
1914,75
authorization to sell, proceeds towards debt on Wellsville circuit parsonage
1915,45 sold for $700, proceeds toward
debt on Wellsville circuit parsonage
Brief History:
The Evangelical Association purchased a lot in New
Berlin and erected a church building in 1879. In the denominational split
of 1894, the congregation sided with the United Evangelical faction and had to
purchase (through an intermediary) the property from the Evangelical Association.
The appointment was part of the Wellsville charge. By 1914, however,
there was only one member remaining, there had been no regular services for two
years, and the building was deteriorating. The property was sold that
year to Washington Camp #159 of the P.O.S.A. [Patriotic Order of the Sons of
America], which owned the building until 1945. The structure was then
sold to Curtis A. Eisenhart, longtime East Berlin
borough secretary, who converted it nto a home and
lived there for many years. The building burned to the ground on February
12, 1986.
Final disposition:
A modern house occupies the site.
8. East Berlin ME
Location: West King Street (PA 234), New
Berlin
Municipality: borough of East Berlin
County: Adams
State: PA
Directions:
The site is on the north side of West King Street (PA
234), on the northeast corner of the alley between Fourth and Fifth Streets.
The 1872 atlas of Adams County indicates the exact location of the church
building ― but the cross streets have been renumbered
since 1872, and what the atlas shows as being between 3rd and 4th Streets is now between 4th and 5th Streets.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church.
Journal references:
East Baltimore Conference
1866,8
discussion concerning sale of church
Brief History:
Because this congregation was never
very strong and existed for only a short time, its history is vague. It
appears that a board of trustees was appointed in 1844, solicitations for
contractors for advertised in 1850, the cornerstone was laid in 1851, and the
building was completed and occupied in 1854. It was brick building of
medium size and part of the York Springs charge. The congregation
struggled, and permission to sell the building was granted in 1865 and in 1873 ― but the congregation managed to continue. Finally,
in 1886, the property was purchased by Michael McSherry
and converted into a home ― and occupied as such in good condition for
over 100 years.
Final disposition:
The structure was torn down in 1994 to
extend the parking lot across the alley.
9. Fairfield ME
Location: W. Main Street (PA 116), Fairfield
Municipality: borough of Fairfield
County: Adams
State: PA
Directions:
The church stood on the northwest corner of Main Street
(PA 116) and 8th Avenue. The 1872 atlas of Adams County indicates the
exact location of the church building.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1877,41 -
church dedicated Thanksgiving Day 1876
1933,61 - authorization to sell the Fairfield property
and apply to proceeds to the Orrtanna church property
1935,66 - Fairfield property "abandoned for years"
sold 7/30/1934 for $200
Brief History:
The congregation was organized about 1827 and worshipped
in private homes until 1830 when the first church was erected. A new
building, named Centennial Methodist Episcopal Church, was dedicated on the
same site on November 30, 1876. The congregation never was very large,
and its last reported membership was 21 in 1921. It appears to have
stopped being served at that time.
The property was sold to the Fairfield School District in
1934, and to Warren R. and Laura R. Jones in 1942. It and the entire block
eventually became the property of the Fairfield Shoe Company ― but the entire complex was destroyed by a fire.
There was also a cemetery behind the church. The 1886
history of Adams County indicates that the cemetery was "removed",
but there were burials there in the 1900's. County cemetery information
states that a factory was built over the cemetery.
Final disposition:
Since the shoe factory burned, the lots have stood
empty.
10. Gardners UB
Location: Mountain Road
Municipality: Latimore township
County: Adams
State: PA
Directions:
From the interchange of US 15 and PA 94, go 3 miles
north on US 15 to Latimore Creek, where Latimore Creek Road and Mountain Road
intersect US 15. Turn left on to the cross road, and immediately take the
fork to the left. This is Mountain Road. Continue for 2
miles. The church and cemetery are on the right. The 1872 atlas of
Adams County indicates the exact location of the church building.
Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the United Brethren Church
Journal references:
1969,205 unused
1980,A80 entered
closed list
1990,353 entered abandoned list
1993,349
sold to the Cemetery Association
Brief History:
Sometime during the 1846-47 conference year, the pastors
of the Littlestown circuit conducted a very successful revival at the
Blackberry school House, about two miles from the church. The following
year their successor held a similar meeting in a tent in the immediate vicinity
of the church. The meetings generated many converts, and the need for a
church was obvious. Thomas Gardner donated the land, and the building was
dedicated June 15, 1851. The church is sometimes referred to as the
Latimore Church. While the building underwent significant improvements in
1871, and again in 1894, it never enjoyed an upgrade to indoor plumbing.
The congregation was officially discontinued January 1, 1967.
Final disposition:
The church and cemetery are being well-maintained by the
Cemetery Association.
12. Gettysburg ME
Location: 34 E. Middle Street
Municipality: borough of Gettysburg
County: Adams
State: PA
Directions:
Middle Street runs parallel to and one block south of US
30. From the square in Gettysburg, go one block south on Baltimore Street
and the one half block east on Middle Street.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
While Francis Asbury and/or Freeborn Garrettson may have preached in the area as early as 1783,
regular Methodist preaching in Gettysburg did not begin until 1803. The first
class formed in 1815, and the first church building was erected in 1822.
It was a 42.5x37.5' brick structure with a gallery, box seats, and upholstered
pulpit furniture. Located at 55 East Middle Street, that building is now
a G.A.R. museum.
A new church building was dedicated across the street on
February 6, 1874. A large educational unit was added to the rear of the
building in 1958. On January 20, 1968, the sanctuary was destroyed by
arson. With the union of the Methodist and Evangelical United Brethren
denominations scheduled to take place in April 1968, it was decided to merge
the two Gettysburg congregations and use the Evangelical United Brethren
building on High Street. The education addition that had been spared in
the fire now houses judicial offices for Adams County, with the site of the
1874 serving as the parking lot for that facility.
Final disposition:
The 34 E. Middle Street site of the 1874 building is now
a parking lot for the county offices in the former educational unite at the rearof the property.
13. Gettysburg Asbury ME
Location: South Franklin Street, Gettysburg
Municipality: borough of Gettysburg
County: Adams
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Washington Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
The African Methodist Episcopal Zion (AMEZ) denomination
was formed in 1820 by African Americans who left the Methodist Episcopal
Church. Those who remained in the parent Methodist Episcopal (ME)
denomination were eventually grouped into separate conferences that overlapped
boundaries with the corresponding white conferences. This segregation
persisted until 1968. Asbury ME Church in Gettysburg was part of the
black Washington Conference, and not part of the white Central Pennsylvania
Conference.
The congregation was formed by members who left the Gettysburg
AMEZ congregation. On November 22, 1873, a lot was purchased on what is
now South Franklin Street, and a church building was erected in 1874. On
April 5, 1889, a lot on S. Washington Street was purchased for a
parsonage. Because the congregation never was very strong and could not
support a full-time pastor, it had to be part of a circuit. But black
congregations in the ME church in Pennsylvania were few and far between.
From 1899 to 1910 the Washington Conference had a church in Hanover, and a reasonable
two-point charge could be formed. The church was served by the
Washington Conference on a regular basis until 1947 ―
and for the last several of those year it was on a charge with a church in
Harper Ferry WV.
A 1956 article in the Gettysburg Times
stated that "the leading members of the Asbury ME Church were the Penn
family, and for a number of years this was the leading Negro Church" but
that its membership "has gradually declined until now only one last member
of the Penn family is left" and the church is "supplied for services
on an infrequent basis." Finally the church was discontinued
completely. The parsonage was sold April 23, 1935, and the church
building was sold on May 29, 1959.
Final disposition:
The cornerstone of the 1874 building, shown in the
picture above, is part of the collection of the Adams County Historical Society
housed in Schmucker Hall.
14. Green Springs Trinity EV
Location: Green Springs Road, village of Green Springs
Municipality: Berwick township
County: Adams
State: PA
Directions:
From the square in Hanover, go 3 miles north on PA 94
(about 1.5 miles after leaving the borough of Hanover) to Green Springs
Road. Turn right and follow Green Springs Road to the village of Green
Springs. The church is in the village on the left.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical
Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
The United Evangelical congregation in Green Springs was
organized Easter Sunday afternoon, 1911, by the pastor of the Hanover Grace
congregation. Services were to be held every two weeks as an extension of
the Hanover ministry. The cornerstone for a building was laid July 30,
1911, and the building was dedicated October 29, 1911. During the
construction, services were held in a grove near the church site. In 2001
Green Springs merged into the New Oxford congregation.
Final disposition:
The structure has been remodeled into a private home.
15. Hampton EV
[no picture]
Location: village of Hampton
Municipality: Reading township
County: Adams
State: PA
Directions:
The village of Hampton is between Hanover and York Springs,
at the intersection pa PA 94 and PA 394. The
site on which the church was erected in not known.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the United
Evangelical Church
Journal references:
1901,89 - report of the Committee appointed to inquire into the affairs of
the Hampton Church
Brief History:
The Evangelical Church never actually owned land in
Hampton, but they did have enough invested to merit inclusion in this
document. In 1898 an un-named evangelist began the work by stirring up
the people to the point where there was interest in forming a congregation and
erecting a building. The presiding elder (district superintendent)
arranged for the formation of a board of trustees and a supply pastor, with
instructions that they should rent property for the erection of a church.
Lumber was purchased and a church building was erected, but no ground rent was
ever paid. At this point the owner of the land took down the building and
claimed the lumber as rent payment, and the lumber merchants and carpenters
sued Mr. Miles (the only trustee with any assets) and compelled him to pay $200
for their costs. The 1901 conference took pledges to reimburse Mr. Miles
for his expenses, and that was the end of the Evangelical presence in Hampton.
Final disposition:
unknown
16. Hampton Union ME
Location: Carlisle Pike (PA 94), village
of Hampton
Municipality: Reading township
County: Adams
State: PA
Directions:
The square in Hampton,
and the buildings on the square, is surrounded by a square formed by 4
alleys. The Methodist church stood on the first lot across the alley off
the northwest corner of the square. The 1872 atlas of Adams County
indicates the exact location of the church building.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1893,63 - "An excellent
brick union church, in which we have a third interest, was erected at Hampton,
and our service reestablished."
1897,23 -
$175 received for our share in the union church
Brief History:
This building was a joint and equal effort of the
Evangelical Lutheran, English Presbyterian, German Reformed and Methodist
Episcopal denominations. The property was deeded as such on June 22,
1843. The cornerstone for the first structure was laid September 16,
1843, and the building was dedicated June 16, 1844. The present building
was erected at the same site in 1893, but apparently with only 3 participating
denominations
The church was part of the York
Springs charge, but apparently it was never very strong. While it is
unknown exactly when and how Methodist interest in the building ceased, the
appointment is not listed in the 1898 Statistics #5 ―
the first listing of individual appointment data in the annual conference
journal. The English Presbyterian congregation worshiping there
sold their interest to the Emanuel German Reformed congregation, also
worshiping there, on November 10, 1896 ― with the
privilege of holding services there four times a year. It appears that the Methodists sold their
interests, presumably also to the German Reformed Church, about the same time.
Final disposition:
The building is still standing, although not is regular
use as a church.
17. Hampton UB
Location: Stony Point Road (PA 394), village of Hampton
Municipality: Reading township
County: Adams
State: PA
Directions:
The square in Hampton, and the
buildings on the square, is surrounded by a square formed by 4 alleys.
The United Brethren church stood on the first lot across the alley off the
southeast corner of the square. The 1872 atlas of Adams County indicates
the exact location of the church building.
Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the United Brethren Church
Journal references:
1914,40 - "Hampton Church,
Bendersville charge, was sold for $400. The
proceeds will be used in [the] new parsonage at Mt. Tabor."
Brief History:
The United Brethren society worshiped
in the Union Church until their building was dedicated January 30,
1859. The congregation was part of the Bendersville
charge and apparently was never very strong. Its last reported membership
was 11 in 1913, and the building was sold the following year.
Final disposition:
The site is currently occupied by a cinder block garage.
18. Hunterstown ME
Location: PA 394, village of Hunterstown
Municipality: Strabane township
County: Adams
State: PA
Directions:
From the intersection of US 30 and US 15, go 4 miles north
in US 15 to the intersection with PA 394. Go 1 miles east to teh village of Hunterstown.
The church is on the left, at the east end of the village. The 1872 atlas
of Adams County indicates the exact location of the church building.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1880,37 building
destroyed by cyclone
1968,88 discontinued; permission to sell
1973,93 - sold
Brief History:
Methodist preachers from Gettysburg held services in the
old school house near the eastern end of the village until the first church
building was dedicated January 19, 1859. That building was blown down
September 3, 1879, and the present brick building was dedicated April 4, 1880.
The church was on the York Springs charge from its founding until 1968, when
the United Methodist Church was formed and the area's former Methodist and EUB
charges were re-aligned, and Hunterstown was
discontinued. The property was sold in 1972, with the money realized from
the sale used for improvements on the Salem (former EUB) Church on the New
Oxford Charge.
Final disposition:
The building was sold to William T. Waddell
et ux for $3,700 and now
houses an independent congregation.
19. Kingsdale Emanuel EV
no picture
Location: Georgetown Road
Municipality: Germany township
County: Adams
State: PA
Directions:
Go southeast from Littlestown on PA 194 3 miles to the
village of Kingsdale. Turn left onto Georgetown
Road and go 0.5 miles. The church stood on the north side of the road,
across from a brick house and just west of a medium-sized pond and the old
railroad bed. The 1872 atlas of Adams county
indicates the house of John L. Fisher, which was farther to the east.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical
Association
Journal references:
Brief History:
A 60x160' plot of land was deeded to the Evangelical
Association June 29, 1888, by John and Lucinda Davidson, the latter having received
the property from her father John L. Fisher. Cornerstone laying services
were held at the site September 23, 1888, a 28x40' frame church building was
erected on the lot, and the structure was dedicated January 20, 1889. The
property was sold at a sheriff's sale, presumably in connection with the 1894
denominational split, on August 25, 1894. The December 4, 1894, Star
& Sentinel reported that the building was later resold to the Lutheran
Board of Extension to be a mission for St. John's in Littlestown. The
fate of the building and of that Lutheran mission is not known.
Final disposition:
The site is now an empty lot.
20. Littlestown UB
Location: S. Queen Street, Littlestown
Municipality: borough of Littlestown
County: Adams
State: PA
Directions:
Queen Street (PA 97) is the main
north-south route through town. The church stood on the west side of the
street, between Charles Street and Lumber Street, on the second lot south of
Charles Street. The first lot south of Charles (i.e., on the corner of
Queen and Charles) was the Catholic Church, which has since expanded and taken
over the former United Brethren property. The 1872 atlas of Adams County
indicates the exact location of the church building.
Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the United Brethren Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
This congregation has a long and distinguished
history. The original log building erected in 1822 was one of the first
10 churches constructed in the entire denomination. It was erected by
Philip Bishop Sr. and deeded to United Brethren trustees in 1826 with two
restrictions: that the building be freely open top any other society of
Christians, and that the property revert to Philip Bishop if the United
Brethren society in Littlestown ceased to exist. A new brick building was
erected in 1863. Among the the prominent
ministerial sons of the congregation are James M. Bishop (1821-1891), Jerremiah Philip Bishop, Zephaniah A. Colestock
(1824-1924), and William B. Raber (1824-1875).
Problems started in the 1870's when the Pennsylvania
Conference of the United Brethren Church tried to gain exclusive control of the
building, causing hard feelings and driving away several key families.
The 1889 denominational split proved fatal to the already wounded congregation.
The split divided the congregation. Both groups continued to meet in the
building, but neither was strong enough to maintain a viable
congregation. By 1900 the Liberals (new constitution faction) had
abandoned the appointment and the Radicals (old constitution faction) were
meeting irregularly, if at all. In 1901 the heirs of Philip Bishop sued
to recover the property, and a long court battle and appeals dragged on until
1923. The building was finally razed in 1925, the property sold to the Catholic
Church in 1926, and the proceeds divided among the heirs.
Final disposition:
The site of the church is now a lawn in front lawn of
St. Aloysius School.
21. Mount Hope UB
Address: 1945 Mount Hope Road,
Fairfield 17320
Municipality: Hamiltonban
township
County: Adams County
State: PA
Directions: Mount Hope Road goes west from PA 116 about 1 mile north of Fairfield. The church is 5 miles west of 116 in the community of Mount Hope.
Historic Conference: Pennsylvania Conference of the United Brethren Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
This United Brethren class was
formed in 1892, shortly after the Mount Carmel class was organized. The
church building was erected under the leadership of local pastor Irvin Group
and dedicated May 7, 1893. A vacant school house adjacent to the church
was purchased in 1946, and it 1958 it was remodeled to provide facilities for
children's Sunday School and a social hall for the
church. For many years Mount Calvary, Mount Carmel and Mount Hope were a
three-point United Brethren charge. In 2000 Mount Carmel and Mount Hope
were linked with the former Methodist church in Orrtanna
to form a three-point United Methodist charge.
Because of declining membership and attendance, the congregation vfoted to discontinue, and a final service was held in July
2022.
Final disposition:
The property was sold at auction
on 9/24/2022 for a total purchase price of $151,800.
22. Mount Pleasant EV
Location: Narrow Drive
Municipality: Conewago township
County: Adams
State: PA
Directions:
The community of Mt. Pleasant is at a crossroads on PA
194, one mile west of Hanover. The crossroad is Mt. Pleasant Road
heading north, and Narrows Drive heading south. Go south on Narrows Drive
about 20 yards to where the road takes a sharp curve to the right. The
church stood on the triangle of ground to left, between the present road and
the imaginary extensions of the road before and after the sharp curve.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical
Association
Journal references:
1893,36 request
to move building to Hanover or to sell building to buy lot in Hanover
Brief History:
The church was dedicated on Christmas Day, 1878, and was
a frame building 26x38 feet. It was supplied regularly until the 1894
denominational split. At this point the congregation ceased to
exist. The property was sold in 1895 at a sheriff's sale and purchased in
1896 by the Lutherans. The 1886 History of Adams County refers to the
structure as the Lutheran and Union Church, and so it appears that the
Lutherans were using the building prior to 1896 and may have been the dominant
congregation ― even though it clearly was erected and
dedicated as an Evangelical Association edifice. An excellent comprehensive article on this
church (and other area Evangelical churches caught up in the 1894 denomination
split) is Mt. Pleasant Church, Conewago Township by
Larry C. Bolin in the 2005 Adams County
History volume 11, article 4 (pages 22-38).
Final disposition:
The site of the church is an extended front yard of
modern homes sitting along the curve in the road.
23. Mount Zion UB
Location: Baltimore Pike (PA 97), just east of the
interchange with us 15
Municipality: Mount Joy township
County: Adams
State: PA
Directions:
From the interchange of US and PA 97, go east toward
Gettysburg 0.5 miles. The site is on the right. The church stood in
the large yard in front of the house and west (i.e., to the right) of the
building along the highway. The 1872 atlas of Adams County indicates the
exact location of the church building.
Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the United Brethren in Christ
Journal references:
Brief History:
The first church was a small frame building, dedicated
May 5, 1869. A new church was dedicated Easter Sunday, April 27,
1887. The new structure was a 34x46 frame structure with a recessed
pulpit and arched ceiling. The church was on the Littlestown
circuit. Apparently the work did not prosper and the property was sold in
1896 to John Trostle and J.Oliver
Blocher. One of the selling trustees was
Alexander D. Oyler (1836-1918), who had been an 1870
trustee of the Beamers Evangelical Church which appears in this list.
In 1897 the building was purchased by the Marsh Creek
congregation of the German Baptist Brethren, of which J. Oliver Blocher was a trustee. In 1905 the German Baptist
Brethren torn down the building and moved it into Gettysburg, on Stratton
Street, and encased it in brick.
Final disposition:
The property where the church was located is now the
large from yard of a private residence.
24. Rock Creek Chapel ME
[no picture]
Location: corner of Barlow and Chapel Roads
Municipality: Cumberland township
County: Adams
State: PA
Directions:
Leave Gettysburg going south on PA 134
for 5 miles. Just before crossing Rock Creek and entering the village of
Barlow, turn right onto Barlow Road. Go 0.5 miles on Barlow Road to
Chapel Road, the first road to the right. The chapel stood on the
northwest corner of the intersection of Barlow and Chapel Roads. The 1872
atlas of Adams County indicates the exact location of the church
building.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
From the
Quarterly Conference Minutes of Littlestown circuit
August 2, 1896: remaining nine members of
Rock Creek Chapel released to the Gettysburg charge
October 3, 1896: the annual
apportionment of Rock Creek Chapel was distributed among the four remaining
viable appointments Littlestown, Orrtanna, Union Mills
[MD], Fairfield.
Brief History:
Rock Creek Chapel appears as a regular and active
appointment in the Gettysburg circuit books that begins in 1840, presently kept
at the Gettysburg UM Church. It is
unclear how much before 1840 the appointment began and/or the building was
erected. In 1876, Gettysburg was made a
station and Rock Creek and the other appointments became Littlestown
circuit. From 1883 to 1894, Rock Creek Chapel
was attached to Gettysburg to form a two-point charge. In 1894, Gettysburg was paired with New
Oxford and Rock Creek chapel was returned to Littlestown circuit. The Littlestown circuit records for 1894 list
trustees for Rock Creek Chapel, but no class leader. It is seems that the appointment was no
longer viable. The building is identified as an "M.E. Church" on the 1858 map of
Adams County ― and as the 1858 map places the building on the east side
of Barlow Road, it is possible that structure of the 1872 atlas is the second
building. This is not to be confused with the Revolutionary War
era Presbyterian Rock Creek church northeast of Gettysburg.
Final disposition:
There are open fields, with nothing to
mark the location of the chapel.
25. York Springs Chapel UB
[no picture]
Location: unknown
Municipality: Huntington township
County: Adams
State: PA
Directions:
The 1872 atlas of Adams County indicates a school house
surrounded by Myers families south of York Springs in southern Huntington township. This is the site, but the area has been
completely relandscaped.
Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the United Brethren in Christ
Journal references:
1883,4
enlarged and remodeled; ready to reopen
1884,4 - "Four new churches have been dedicated
during the year ― York Springs Chapel,..."
1906,25 - "York Springs Chapel, a small church where
the preaching appointment was discontinued a number of years ago, was sold and
the money used for the parsonage of the Bendersville
charge, of which this appointment was a part.
Brief History:
Surprisingly little is known about this apparently once
significant appointment. That was a York Springs circuit from 1853 (when
the former Franklin circuit was so re-named) until 1888 suggests that the
appointment and/or the village may have been the strongest in the area and/or
the location of the parsonage. In 1887 the large York Springs circuit was
split, and the northern portion became the Dillsburg circuit. In 1888 the
remaining York Springs circuit was demoted to being the York Springs mission
(i.e., an appointment that could not support a full-time itinerant on its own)
with 6 appointments and 4 organized churches. In 1892 the York Springs
mission was dismantled: Hampton and York Springs Chapel were placed on the Bendersville circuit, Gardners
was placed on the Dillsburg circuit, and Mount Victory was placed on the
Boiling Springs circuit. The fact that this dismantling of the once
mighty York Springs appointment coincides with the 1889 denominational split is
probably more than a coincidence.
The 1886 History of Adams County, page 294, states the
following. "York Springs Chapel of the United Brethren may be said
to date back to 1859. In 1875 the society purchased the Myers
Schoolhouse, fitted it up as a house of worship, and today it forms one of the
leading societies of the denomination in the county."
Final disposition:
unknown, apparently nothing remains to mark the site of
the chapel