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
CLINTON COUNTY PA
1. Avis Albright EV
Location: 712 Reed Street
Municipality:
borough of Avis
County: Clinton
State: PA
Directions:
From the center
of Avis, go 1 blocks west on Central Avenue to Reed Street. Go 1 block north on Reed Street to Park
Street. The church stood on the
southwest corner of Park and Reed Streets.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical
Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
A class was organized in the small
community of Oak Grove in 1902 and met in the Episcopal church. This coincided with the New York Central
Railroad began acquiring land for a storage yard and locomotive shop, thus creating
the town of Avis. A chapel was erected
at the present location in 1904, and in 1928 the structure was enlarged, put
over a basement and given a brick veneer.
The Albright and Grove Street (former Methodist) congregations merged in
1980 to form the Avis UMC, and met in the larger Grove Street building until
erecting a new structure in 1986.
Final disposition:
The Albright building remained vacant for a while
and was then rented to an independent congregation. The church and parsonage were sold in 1986
when the present Avis UMC building was erected and have been remodeled into a
home.
2. Avis Grove Street ME
Location: 224 Grove Street
Municipality: borough of Avis
County: Clinton
State: PA
Directions:
From the center of Avis, go 2 blocks west on Central
Avenue to Fox Street. Go 1 block north
on Fox Street and bear left onto Park Street.
Go 1 block to Grove Street. The
church stood on the northeast corner of Park and Grove Streets.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
A Sunday School was
organized in the small community of Oak Grove in 1890 and met in the school
house. In 1900 the New York Central
Railroad began acquiring land for a storage yard and locomotive shop, and the
town of Avis was born. The Methodist
church building on Grove Street was erected in 1902. The Grove Street and Albright (former
Evangelical) congregations merged in 1980 to form the Avis UMC and erected a
new building in 1986.
Final disposition:
The building was razed and is now the parking lot
for the Avis UMC.
3. Beech Creek ME
Location: Harrison Street
Municipality: borough of Beech Creek
County: Clinton
State: PA
Directions:
Cross Beech Creek to enter Clinton County from Centre
County on Eagle Valley Road (PA 150).
This is now Main Street in the borough of Beech Creek. The second road to the left is Harrison
Street. Turn left (north) on to Harrison
Street.
Historic Conference:
Central
Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
2002,170&327
– no longer listed
2008,323 – disposal of property
Brief History:
This class was organized in 1833 and erected
a log church building “just west of the present [1954] borough limits in the
township.” That building was sold in
1868 and later burned to the ground. The
present building was erected in 1873.
The membership peaked at 254 in 1930.
Final disposition:
4. Booneville EV
Location: village of Booneville
Municipality: Logan township
County: Clinton
State: PA
Directions:
From Loganton, go 3 miles
west on PA 880 to the village of Booneville.
The church stood on the southwest corner of the intersection of PA 880
and Campground Road (the road to Greeenburr).
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical
Association
Journal references:
1928,66 –
building unused
Brief History:
This building was erected in 1862 and
sometimes referred to as St. Mark’s. The
congregation remained with the Evangelical Association during the 1894-1922
denominational split, but it suffered losses from which it never
recovered. The church was closed in 1922
and merged into Greenburr. The building was sold in 1929 and dismantled
to be rebuilt in Greenburr as a band hall.
Final disposition:
The
cemetery remains at the site.
5. Booneville UB
Location: village of Booneville
Municipality: Logan township
County: Clinton
State: PA
Directions:
From Loganton,
go 3 miles west on PA 880 to the village of Booneville. The church is on the right side of the road
by the cemetery.
Historic Conference:
Allegheny Conference of
the United Brethren Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
The
original part of this building was erected by the United Brethren in 1854. It was used for a few years and then sold to
the Lutherans.
Final disposition:
The
building is now St. John’s Lutheran church.
6. Carroll [St. John’s] EV
Location: village of Carroll
Municipality: Greene township
County: Clinton
State: PA
Directions:
From Loganton, go 5 miles east
on PA 880. When 880 turns north,
continue straight (toward the intersection with I-80) for 50 yards. The site is on the left.
Historic Conference:
Central
Pennsylvania Conference of the United Evangelical Church.
Journal references:
Brief History:
The Evangelical Association had a class
(associated with the Price church) meeting in Carroll at the time of the 1894
denominational split. That class sided
with the United Evangelicals and erected a building in 1896. The church was closed in 1961 and merged into
Loganton. The
building was sold in 1964 and dismantled to use the lumber to build a
residence.
Final disposition:
7. Castanea
EV
[Lock Haven Faith UMC]
Address: 23 E. Brown Street, town of Castanea
Municipality: Castanea township
County: Clinton
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania
Conference of the Evangelical Church
Journal references:
2015,139 – received
members of Lock Haven East Main Street; renamed Faith
Brief History:
A community Sunday School
began in Castanea about 1878. The group became an Evangelical congregation
in 1891 when the Evangelical Association preacher from Lock Haven began holding
services there. When the schoolhouse
they were using was vacated by the township, the building was turned over to
the Evangelicals with the stipulation that the property always be used for
religious purposes. In 1954 the building
was rotated 90 degrees and two rooms were added. In 2001 a major addition in the form of a new
sanctuary and fellowship hall led to the church being renamed the Castanea Community UMC.
In September 2014, the Castanea Community UMC
received by merger the members of the Lock Haven East Main Street UMC and was
renamed the Lock Haven Faith UMC (even though they continued meeting in Castanea). That
subtle name change seemed to contribute to a lack of support from the people of
Castanea and attendance began to dwindle. The final service of deconsecration
was held 12/12/2021.
Final disposition:
The property was sold at auction on
2/26/2022 for $76,000. There is a
restriction in the original deed that the property must be used for religious
purposes.
8.
Centerville EA
[Schracktown
UE]
Location:
Municipality:
County: Clinton
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical
Association
Central Pennsylvania Conference of
the United Evangelical Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
The history of this building is vague. James D. Frank’s 1979 history states that the
1880 Evangelical Association records list 31 members at Centerville, “but by
1886 the Centerville Class is no longer listed.” There is a December 1896 reference to a
wedding the Shracktown United Evangelical
Church. It could be that the Evangelical
Association had abandoned the work there prior to the split and then the United
Evangelicals began using the structure again.
Final disposition:
Frank’s 1979 history states the church building was
later used as a school and that “Elmer Douty later tore the building down and
used the lumber to erect a building on his farm.” Only the cemetery remains.
9. Charlton ME
Location: Church Hill Road, village of Charlton
Municipality: Pine Creek township
County: Clinton
State: PA
Directions:
From the
interchange, just west of Avis, of PA 150 and US 220. Go west on PA 150 1.5
miles to Church Hill Road. Turn south on
Church Hill Road and go 200 feet. The
church is on the left.
Historic Conference:
Central
Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1894,70 – new
church building 12/10/1893, replaced the Chatham Run building
2004,173 – merged into Phelps Chapel
Brief History:
This
congregation’s original building in nearby Chatham Run, on the site of the Big
Twins Motorcycle Club complex, was destroyed in the flood of 1889. The congregation then rebuilt on higher
ground in the more populated village of Charlton.
Final disposition:
In 2005 the building was sold to
Lighthouse Ministry, associated with the American Evangelical Christian
Churches, and renamed Charlton Chapel.
The adjoining fellowship hall was converted into the parsonage.
10. Eastville UB/EV
Location: Winter Road, village of Eastville
Municipality: Greene township
County: Clinton
State: PA
Directions:
From Loganton, go east on PA
880 4 miles to its intersection with the eastern terminus of Winter Road, just
before PA 880 turns to the north at Carroll.
Go 1.5 miles on Winter Road. The
structure is on the right.
Historic Conference:
Allegheny Conference of
the United Brethren Church
Central Pennsylvania Conference
of the United Evangelical Church
Journal references:
Allegheny Conference
1912,98 –
permission to sell
1913,113 – on Millheim
charge; sold to United Evangelical Church
Central Pennsylvania
Conference
1914,50 – abandoned United Brethren
building purchased and being remodeled
1929,57 – building sold; proceeds to
Caroll
Brief History:
This building was rented to the Church of
the Brethren for their worship services 1878-80, until they erected their own
structure.
Final disposition:
The
building is now a private home.
11.
Elizabeth ME
Nippenose
EV
St. Elizabeth EV
Location: Heck Road
Municipality: Crawford township
County: Clinton
State: PA
Directions: From Jersey Shore, go south on PA 44 six
miles to PA 880. Go west on PA 880 to
the bend at Gottshall Road. Go straight on Gotshall
Road 1 mile (becomes Barger Road in Clinton County) to the T with Davidson
Road. Turn right on Davidson Road and
for 1 mile to the bend at Heck Road. Go
straight on Heck Road 0.3 miles. The
church stood on the left, just before the road that goes up to the cemetery.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the
Evangelical Association/United Evangelical Church
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
Central Pennsylvania ME
1897,71 purchase noted
1918,39
permission to sell
Brief History:
The church building was erected by the
Clinton (Sugar Valley) charge of the Evangelical Association. Conference records refer to the appointment
as Nippenose, but some local records use the name St.
Elizabeth. In 1871 it was placed on the
newly-formed Jersey Shore charge. In
1897 the property was sold to the Methodist Episcopal Church for $100, the
money to be used for the Jersey Shore Trinity UEV parsonage debt. The Methodists placed the church on the
Jamestown (later Oriole and Antes Fort) charge and used the name Elizabeth for
the appointment. It appears to have
become inactive about 1906.
Final disposition:
The church site along the road is now empty, and
the precise location of the building cannot be determined. The cemetery at the top of the hill still
exists, but it is not maintained. The
conference trustee minutes for July 7, 1965, authorized a quitclaim deed to the
church property to Byron and Olive Welshans who
purchased the adjoining farm in 1935, have been farming the church property
since that date, and were told at the time that a quitclaim deed have been
previously executed.
12. Fairpoint ME
Location: Fairpoint Road
Municipality: Bald Eagle township
County: Clinton
State: PA
Directions:
In the borough of Flemington, proceed west on High
Street (the main street) to Canal Street, the last cross street at the west end
of town. Turn north onto Canal Street,
which becomes Fairpoint Road, and go 2 miles. The church is on the left.
Historic Conference:
Central
Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1984,297 – discontinued
1985,208 – sold
Brief History:
This building was erected in 1892 and closed
in 1984.
Final disposition:
The
building was sold in 1984 to become the offices of an historical/architectural
consultant.
13. Farwell ME
[no picture]
Location:
Municipality: Chapman township
County: Clinton
State: PA
Directions:
Farwell is on
PA 120, midway between Renovo and North Bend.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1913,101 – a schoolhouse congregation
raises funds for a church building
1915, 87 – report of the dedication
1963, 83 – declared abandoned and sale
authorized
Brief History:
The congregation was organized as a school
house appointment in 1912 and the church building was dedicated 12/6/1914. The membership was steady at about 70 up to
1963 and then the property was abruptly declared abandoned.
Final disposition:
14. Green Grove EV
Location: Harbaugh Road
Municipality: Greene township
County: Clinton
State: PA
Directions:
From Loganton, follow PA 880
5 miles east to Carroll, where PA 880 turns north and passes under I-80. Harbaugh Road is the first (unpaved) road to
the left (a few hundred feet) after going under I-80. Follow Harbaugh Road about 1.5 miles. The remaining cemetery is on the left,
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical Association
Journal references:
East Pennsylvania Conference of the
Evangelical Association
1898,19 – permission to move building to a more suitable
location [not accomplished]
1900,20
– permission to sell
Brief History:
The church building which stood here was
erected in in 1873 and closed in 1918.
Henry Shoemaker’s 1917 Eldorado
Found, page 28, states: “Green Grove Church is a deserted Esherite Church, with a queer and eerie atmosphere about,
and a sparsely tenanted graveyard behind it.”
Final disposition:
The
structure was sold for building material in 1919, but struck by lightning and burned
to the ground before it could be taken down.
Only the cemetery remains.
15. Hammersly Fork ME
Location:
Municipality:
County: Clinton
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Journal references:
Brief History:
Final disposition:
16. Lock Haven East Main Street ME
Address: 507 E. Main Street
Municipality: borough of Lock Haven
County: Clinton
State: PA
Directions:
Journal references:
1894,47 – new
church building dedicated 12/31/1893
2015,139 – merged into Castanea
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania
Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Brief History:
This building was erected in 1893. The congregation began with a group of
Methodists living in the east end of Lock Haven who organized a Sunday School and, in 1880, acquired a building on East Main Street
that had been intended for a school house.
In 1884, regular preaching service were added – first as part of the
Mill Hall charge, and later in connection with Flemington. In 1893 the congregation needed a larger and
more appropriate building. Instead of
purchasing a new (vacant) lot on East Main and Washington Avenue, they chose to
move their existing structure to the rear of the present lot and erect a new
church building on the old lot.
In September 2014, East Main Street UMC
merged into Castanea Community UMC to form Lock Haven
Faith UMC (meeting in Castanea). The East Main Street property was rented out
for several years until it was sold to help defray the debt remaining on the Castanea property. A
final deconsecration service was held 12/12/2021.
Final disposition:
The property was sold at auction 9/11/2021
for $50,000 to four local businessmen who plan to repurpose the building into a
community asset.
17. Lock Haven Trinity ME
Location: 201 W. Main street
Municipality: borough of Lock Haven
County: Clinton
State: PA
Directions:
Enter Lock Haven from the east on PA 150 [East Main
Street]. Continue west on Main Street
for about 10 blocks to the Y, where PA 150 (and the traffic flow) bears left
onto Bellefonte Avenue. Continue
straight on West Main Street for 2 blocks.
The building is on the northwest corner of West Main and Second Streets.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1988,310 – merged into Lock Haven First
1990,351 – building enters discontinued
list
1994,351 – building enters abandoned list
1995,357 – building sold to House of the
Lord Fellowship
Brief History:
The first building was erected in 1843 on a
lot purchased on the east side of Hanna Street, between Church Street and
Willard’s Alley. The second building was
erected on what is now Triangle Park, 33 Bellefonte Avenue, in 1857. It was sold to the Second Presbyterian
congregation in 1972, which disbanded and sold it to the Reformed Church in
1878. The structure was damaged beyond
repair in the 1972 flood, and the congregation, now St. Luke’s UCC has
relocated to W. Fourth Street. The third
and final building at West Main and Second was
dedicated in 1872.
Final disposition:
The
property now houses the congregation and ministry of the House of the Lord
Fellowship, an independent congregation.
18. Logan Mills St. Paul's EV
Location: Winter Road
Municipality: Logan
township
County: Clinton
State: PA
Directions:
From Tylersville, go 3 miles
east on Winter Road to the intersection with Logan Mills Road. The church is on the southeast corner.
Historic Conference:
Central
Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical Association
Journal references:
Brief History:
This oldest Evangelical church in the valley
– and the second oldest of any denomination.
A log church was erected here about 1830 and replaced by the present
structure in 1877. During the 1894-1922
denominational split the congregation remained with the Evangelical Association
– but the dissenters began meeting in homes in Greenburr
and erected a United Evangelical building (now Greenburr
United Methodist Church) there in 1897.
This church and the one at Tylersville were
closed in 1964 and merged into Greenburr
Final disposition:
The
building is maintained and services are held here once a year.
19. Loganton Salem EA
Location:
Municipality:
County: Clinton
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical
Church
Journal references:
1928,66 –
building sold; proceeds invested in permanent fund for upkeep of the graveyard
Brief History:
This congregation sided with the Evangelical
Association during the 1894-1922 split.
Final disposition:
20. McElhatten EV
Location:
Municipality:
County: Clinton
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Journal references:
Brief History:
Final disposition:
21. Mount Pleasant EV
Location: village of Rosencrans
Municipality: Greene township
County: Clinton
State: PA
Directions:
From Loganton, go 3.5 miles
north on PA 477. The church is on the
right, just north of the village.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical
Association
Journal references:
Brief History:
The first church building in the community
was a chapel erected by the Lutherans and the Evangelical Association by the
present cemetery. The Evangelical
Association erected this present structure in 1893. The church remained with the Evangelical
Association during the 1894-1922 denominational split but left the Evangelical
United Brethren denomination in 1968 during the formation of the United
Methodist Church.
Final disposition:
The
building has housed the Mt. Pleasant Community Church since 1968.
22. Mount Union EV
Location:
Municipality:
County: Clinton
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Journal references:
Brief History:
Final disposition:
23. Pine ME
Location: village of Pine Station
Municipality: Wayne township
County: Clinton
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
This building was erected in 1874 at a cost
of $2235.
Final disposition:
The June 15, 1983, report
of the conference trustees states the property “is sold to Franklin and June
Lapp… and all proceeds and furnishings go to the McElhattan
Church. Restrictions on the use of the
church are placed in the deed.” The
building has since been razed.
24. Pine Station Ebenezer EV
Location: village of Pine Station
Municipality: Wayne township
County: Clinton
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the
Evangelical Association
Journal references:
East Pennsylvania Conference of the
Evangelical Association
1898,18 – request denied for financial help from the Conference
Brief History:
This building was erected in 1875 at a cost
of $2800. Linn’s 1883 county history declares
it to be “the largest and most commodious church in the township.”
Final disposition:
The
building was sold in 1915, dismantled, and moved to Sunbury by a mission
congregation that eventually became the Emmanuel Bible Fellowship Church of that
city. Only the cemetery remains. The June 15, 1983, report of the conference
trustees states that the property “was deeded to the Jacob Stamm
Cemetery Association for cemetery purposes only.”
25. Price [Bethel] EV
Location: PA 880
Municipality: Green township
County: Clinton
State: PA
Directions:
From Loganton, go 3 miles east on PA 880. The cemetery is on the right.
Historic Conference:
Central
Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical Association.
Journal references:
1944,31&90 –
discussions abou church building, lot and cemetery
1946,85 – church building and grounds sold
Brief History:
The building was erected in 1880 on land
donated by John F. Price. The
congregation remained with the Evangelical Association during the 1894-1922
split, but had suffered losses from which it never recovered. The church was closed in 1922 and merged into
Carroll. The building was sold in 1945
to be dismantled for the lumber. The bell
was sold to Trinity Evangelical Church in Jersey Shore.
Final disposition:
The Price Cemetery remains at the site.
26. Shintown ME
Location: off PA 120, village of Shintown
Municipality: Noyes township
County: Clinton
State: PA
Directions:
Shintown
is on PA 120, 3 miles west of Renovo.
The church is in the middle of the village, 75 yards south of PA 120 and
behind a residence but easily visible from PA 120. To reach the site, turn south on an unnamed
lane that goes only 75 yards and ends at the railroad tracks.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
2004,173 – merged into North Bend
Brief History:
D.S.
Maynard’s 1875 Historical View of Clinton County, page 205, states: “The first church
was built at Shintown in 1866 or 1867. It is now
under the control of the Methodist Evangelical denomination.”
Final disposition:
27. South Renovo ME
Location:
Municipality:
County: Clinton
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1913,101 – ongoing Sunday School, lot purchased, chapel to be erected in a few months
Brief History:
This was a Sunday School
outreach of Renovo that existed for several years before erecting a building in
1913. It was never a separate organized
congregation, but always an extension of Renovo.
Final disposition:
28. Swissdale EA
[no picture]
Location:
Municipality:
County: Clinton
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical
Church
Journal references:
1928,66 –
building sold; proceeds applied to Farrandsville
apportionments
Brief History:
The congregation remained in the Evangelical
Association during the 1894-1922 split.
Final disposition:
29. Tylersville EA
Location: village of Tylersville
Municipality: Logan township
County: Clinton
State: PA
Directions:
From Loganton, go 7 miles
west on PA 880 to the village of Tylersville. Turn right onto Narrows Road. The site is immediately on the right.
Historic Conference:
Central
Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical Association
Journal references:
1933,96
– permission to sell; proceeds to be held in true to maintain cemetery
Brief History:
This building was erected in 1871 and
remained in use during the 1894-1922 split, served from the East Pennsylvania
Conference, even though a majority of the congregation sided with the United
Evangelicals. Following the split, the congregations
re-united into the new United Evangelical building. This building was dismantled in 1936 by F.D.
Miller, who used the materials to erect a private residence. The bell was moved to the former United
Evangelical building.
Final disposition:
Only the
cemetery remains.
30. Tylersville UE
Location: village of Tylersville
Municipality: Logan township
County: Clinton
State: PA
Directions:
From Loganton, go 7 miles
west on PA 880 to the village of Tylersville. Turn right onto Narrows Road and proceed
about 100 yards. The site is on the
left.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania
Conference of the United Evangelical Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
This building was erected by the United
Evangelical is 1894. Following the
1894-1922 split, it was home to Tylersville’s
re-united Evangelical congregation. This
church and St. Paul’s at Logan Mills were closed in 1964 and merged into Greenburr. The building
was maintained until 1976, and was eventually razed. The pews were taken to the Booneville
Campground, and the bell was taken to the Greenburr
church.
Final disposition:
The site is
now an empty lot.
31. Westport ME
Location: Kettle Creek Road, village of Westport
Municipality: Noyes township
County: Clinton
State: PA
Directions:
Westport is on PA 120, 6 miles west of
Renovo. Kettle Creek Road goes off PA 120, away from the river, just before PA
120 crosses Kettle Creek. The church is
250 yards down Kettle Creek Road , on the right
side of the road.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the
Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1969 Uniting Session,70
– placed in Western Pennsylvania Conference
1987,169/170 – returned to Central
Pennsylvania Conference
2008,219 – merged into Renovo First
Brief History:
D.S. Maynard’s 1875 Historical View of Clinton
County, page 203, states the following about Westport: “It contains one church,
Methodist, which was built in 1866. The first preacher who preached in the new
church was J.[sic] L. Chandler.” The first
preacher was Ira L. Chandler.
Final disposition:
32. Wharton ME
Location:
Municipality:
County: Clinton
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Journal references:
Brief History:
Final disposition: