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.

JUNIATA COUNTY PA

1. Bethlehem EV

bethlehem

Location: PA 235
Municipality: Greenwood township
County: Juniata
State: PA

Directions:
From the intersection of PA 235 and PA 333 in the village of East Salem, go 5 miles east on PA 235 to Bethlehem Church Road. The church stood at the southwest corner of PA 235 and Bethlehem Church Road, with the front door facing Bethlehem Church Road.

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical Church

Journal references:

Brief History:
Religious services in the area began about 1855, most likely by the Lutherans. The church building was erected in 1892 by the people of the community.. The stones for the wall came from the David Swartz farm, and the bricks were fired at the Luke Meiser farm. The exact date and circumstances under which the property became exclusively Evangelical has not been determined.
On October 21, 1984, the Whiteland (former United Brethren) and Bethlehem congregations voted to unite and use the Whiteland building. By 1991 that building was no longer adequate and the congregation erected the present Turkey Valley United Methodist Church adjacent to the Bethlehem building.

Final disposition:
The Bethlehem building as been razed. The church site is now part of the parking lot for the Turkey Valley United Methodist Church.

2. Cross Keys ME

cross keys

Location: village of Cross Keys
Municipality: Lack township
County: Juniata
State: PA

Directions:
Cross Keys is on PA 35, 24 miles south of its intersection with US 322 near Mifflintown. At Cross Keys, go south onto the road to Waterloo and go 200 yards. The church is on the left. The 1877 Juniata County Atlas gives the exact location.

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
2003,171 - discontinued
2008,323 - disposal of property

Brief History:
This building was erected as a Lutheran Church. In 1873 a powerful Methodist revival moved up Shade Valley from Silverthorn schoolhouse (Richvale), to Shade Valley Chapel (near the Huntingdon/Juniata county line), to Cross Keys (meeting in the Lutheran building). Soon afterwards, the building at Cross Keys was purchased by the Methodists and became a regular appointment.
The 4-point East Waterford charge (Cross Keys, East Waterford, Honey Grove, Reeds Gap Wesley Chapel) was formed in 1895 and proved to be one of the conference's most enduring charges. For over 100 years (sometimes including a few other churches) those 4 congregations remained together. In 2002, Honey Grove and Wesley Chapel merged into East Waterford, and Cross Keys closed in 2003.

Final disposition:

3. Ebenezer ME

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Address: Ebenezer Church Road
Municipality: Spruce township
County: Juniata
State: PA

Directions:
From the interchange of US22-322 with PA75, go 4.5 miles southwest on PA 75 to Ebenezer Church Road. There is a “V” in the road, with the main road PA75 veering off to the left and a much smaller Ebenezer Church Road going straight ahead. Go straight onto Ebenezer Church Road for 1.5 miles. The church is on the right.

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:

Brief History:
This property was set aside for church and cemetery purposed in 1843. The present church building was dedicated October 7, 1877. Following dwindling membership and attendance, the church was closed in the fall of 2016.

4. Honey Grove ME

honey grove

Location: PA 75, village of Honey Grove
Municipality: Tuscarora township
County: Juniata
State: PA

Directions:
Honey Grove is on PA 75, 4 miles east of East Waterford, at the intersection of PA 75 and PA 850. The church is on PA 75, south side of the road, 0.5 miles east of the intersection of PA 75 and PA 850.

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
1892,53 – church edifice erected at cost of $1700
2002,598 – merged into East Waterford

Brief History:
The cornerstone for the first Methodist church at Honey Grove was laid May 3, 1891, just north of town on the southwest corner of PA 850 and Burnt Church Road. This building was destroyed by fire in 1916, hence the name of the road. For the next 23 years, services were held in the Honey Grove schoolhouse. The cornerstone for the existing building shown above was laid April 2, 1939, and the building was dedicated June 25, 1939.
The 4-point East Waterford charge (Cross Keys, East Waterford, Honey Grove, Reeds Gap Wesley Chapel) was formed in 1895 and proved to be one of the conference's most enduring charges. For over 100 years (sometimes including a few other churches) those 4 congregations remained together. In 2002, Honey Grove and Wesley Chapel merged into East Waterford, and Cross Keys closed in 2003.

Final disposition:

5. Locust Run UB

locust run

Location: county road 2007
Municipality: Walker township
County: Juniata
State: PA

Directions:
From the village of Locust Run on old US 22, go 0.5 north on county road 2007 (the only road going north off old US 22). The road makes a bend to the right before going under US 22. The church stood on the left side of the road, right at the bend ― i.e., if the road didn't bend, it would go through the church site.

Historic Conference:
Allegheny Conference of the United Brethren Church

Journal references:
    1894,14 - new church dedicated at Locust Run
    1894,14 - church at Mexico ordered to be sold
    1896,13 - install a new bell
    1913,29 - 10 members reported, but no Sunday School or other congregational activity

Brief History:
    The church building at Locust Run was dedicated December 16, 1893, apparently replacing a building located in the nearby village of Mexico. But the building in Mexico may represent a different congregation or a very temporary arrangement until the Locust Run structure was completed, for the 1913 conference journal, page 29, states that the Locust Run congregation was organized in 1893.   The congregation did not endure, for the archives has statements from persons recalling that the building was abandoned by about 1918.
    The following series of deed transfers indicate difficulties in the congregation.
(1) lawsuit results in sheriff's sale of the property from the UB trustees to Island Grove Camp Meeting Association on August 30, 1907
(2) property and church building sold back to UB trustees on June 10, 1908
(3) UB trustees sell the property to Robert E. Dressler on April 6, 1915
    It is reported that the Association had intended to move the building, or at least use the lumber, for a structure at their camp meeting in Mexico. There is oral tradition that the Association did use some lumber from the UB property to erect a camp meeting structure. It is also reported that Mr. Dressler used lumber form the church to erect a house on the property, and that he and his family lived in a section of the church while the house was being built.

Final disposition:
The building is no longer standing.

6. Maze EV

[no picture]

Location: PA 235, village of Maze
Municipality: Delaware township
County: Juniata
State: PA

Directions:
The village of Maze is on PA 235, 3 miles east of East Salem. The exact location of the church building has not been determined.

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical Church

Journal references:

Brief History:
Land for this building was deeded December 20, 1881. For several years prior, the Evangelical Association had a regular appointment at the Cross Roads school house in Maze, now the Maze Community Hall. The May 24, 1917, Juniata Tribune reports that the building was destroyed by fire on May 17, 1917. Nothing else is known about this structure or its exact location.

Final disposition:

7. McCabe ME

mccabe

Location: Rhine Hollow Road
Municipality: Lack township
County: Juniata
State: PA

Directions:
The church is between Waterloo (on PA 75) and Cross Keys (on PA 35). From Waterloo, take the Waterloo-Cross Keys road 2 miles north to the first cross road (Batton Hollow/Rhine Hollow Road). The church is on the northeast corner of that intersection.

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:

Brief History:
This building was erected at what was once a major cross roads - the intersection of the road from Waterloo to Cross Keys, with the road from Perulack to Blair Mills. The first structure at this site was a frame building erected in 1896 on lad deeded April 17, 1896. That building burned in 1932 and was replaced by the existing stone structure in 1935. There is no village at this location, and the membership dwindled. Regular services ceased in 1955, but area residents hopeful of one day re-opening the church held annual homecoming services and other special gatherings for several more years. The building was sold in 1977.

Final disposition:
The building is a private home.

6. Mexico UB

[no picture]

Location:
Municipality: Walker township
County: Juniata
State: PA

Directions:

Historic Conference:
Allegheny Conference of the United Brethren Church

Journal references:
1894,14 – building order sold by the quarterly conference

Brief History:

The 1886 Ellis & Hungerford history covering parts of the Susquehanna and Juniata valleys, in chapter XVII for Walker township states “The United Brethren of this region erected a meeting-house in Mexico, in 1845, on a lot bought of James Thompson October 12, 1844, which was burned down about 1857 and rebuilt. The congregation is under charge with others, and is without a regular pastor.” – but this believed to be an error, and a reference to the Church of the Brethren.

Final disposition:

8. Oppleville ME

black 001 oppleville

Location: Black Log Valley Road
Municipality: Lack township
County: Juniata
State: PA

Directions:
Reeds Gap is on PA 35, 17 miles south of its intersection with US 322 near Mifflintown. Black Log Valley may be entered from the east at Reeds Gap by going north on Black Log Valley Road. Follow Black Log Valley Road for 10 miles. The church site is on the left, in what was once the village of Oppelville. The 1877 Juniata County Atlas gives the exact location, marked by a square around a solid black box.

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:

Brief History:
The 1886 Events, Peck and Richards history, page 738, states: "There is a Methodist Episcopal Church at Oppelville, built principally by Mr. Shindle as a Lutheran Church, and so used while he was running the tannery, nearby there is also a graveyard. The church at Oppelville was at one time used for a school." Blacklog Valley is an isolated valley 20 miles long, with one entrance at each end. This appointment was likely supplied, as was the Methodist chapel at Reeds Gap, by the East Waterford charge. There was also a United Brethren class in Blacklog Valley ― but it was likely located in Huntingdon County, in the western part of the valley.

Final disposition:

9. Pollock ME
[Polk]

pollock

Location: Hog Hollow Road
Municipality: Lack township
County: Juniata
State: PA

Directions:
The church is between Waterloo (on PA 75) and Cross Keys (on PA 35). From Cross Keys, take the Waterloo-Cross Keys road 1 miles south to the first cross road , Hog Hollow Road. Turn right on Hog Hollow Road and go 1 miles. The church is back a long drive way to the left.

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:

Brief History:
James Pollock was born in Ireland in 1762 and came to America about 1788. He settled in Lack township and erected a log Methodist church on his property. He apparently functioned as a local preacher, for his headstone in the remaining cemetery identifies him as Rev. James Pollock. He died in 1848. His will assigns the meeting house and 1/2 acre of land to the Methodists, along with $300 to support the church and missionary causes. What happened next is not entirely clear, but the church building and congregation did not survive. It appears that two factors combined to bring this about: (1) the gathering of people and erecting of church buildings in more convenient and more populated areas, (2) family squabbles about the estate.

Final disposition:
The church building is gone, but the cemetery remains.

10. Reeds Gap Wesley Chapel ME

reeds

Location: PA 35, village of Reeds Gap
Municipality: Tuscarora township
County: Juniata
State: PA

Directions:
Reeds Gap is on PA 35, 17 miles south of its intersection with US 322 near Mifflintown. The church is on the right. The 1877 Juniata County Atlas gives the exact location.

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
2002,598 - merged into East Waterford

Brief History:
This building was erected in 1867 and served from Port Royal until the formation of the East Waterford charge. The stones were hauled from Black Log Valley, and the structure originally had the usual two front entrances and separate seating by gender. The front vestibule was added in 1969.
The 4-point East Waterford charge (Cross Keys, East Waterford, Honey Grove, Reeds Gap Wesley Chapel) was formed in 1895 and proved to be one of the conference's most enduring charges. For over 100 years (sometimes including a few other churches) those 4 congregations remained together. In 2002, Honey Grove and Wesley Chapel merged into East Waterford, and Cross Keys closed in 2003.

Final disposition:

11. Richfield EV

richfield

Location: Church Street, village of Richfield
Municipality: Monroe township
County: Juniata
State: PA

Directions:
Church Street runs parallel to and one block south of PA 35 in the eastern end of the village.

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical Church

Journal references:
1936,49 – worshiping in United Brethren building (across the road)
1938,88 – permission to sell when services are discontinued

Brief History:
This congregation started in a union Evangelical/Methodist Pine church building by the existing cemetery east of town in Snyder County. The congregation relocated in town, and the cornerstone was laid July 26, 1914. The membership eventually dwindled and the appointment was discontinued. In the 1930's the building was used for children's work by the United Brethren Church located across the street. The building was later purchased by O.B. Basom and W. Homer Hood and donated to the United Brethren Church.

Final disposition:
The building is the social hall for the Richfield United Methodist (formerly United Brethren) Church.

12. St. James EV

st.james

Location: PA 235
Municipality: Susquehanna township
County: Juniata
State: PA

Directions:
From Seven Stars, go 3 miles east on PA 235 to the T in the road, where PA 235 turns left and the road to the right goes into Pfoutz Valley. The church is at that intersection, on the left. The 1877 Juniata County Atlas gives the exact location, marked by a square around a solid black box.

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical Church

Journal references:
2006,376 - no longer listed

Brief History:
The structure was originally a Reformed and Lutheran building, hence its "un-Evangelical" name of St. James. It was erected in 1852. The date and circumstances of its "acquisition" by the Evangelicals have not been determined. Excavation for the basement was completed in 1958. The land across the road to the east of the church was later donated to the church and improved with a picnic pavilion (1965) and paved parking (1970).

Final disposition:
The structure houses an independent congregation.

13. St. Paul's UB

st pauls

Location: St. Paul Road
Municipality: Susquehanna township
County: Juniata
State: PA

Directions:
From the intersection of PA 104 with US 11/15 north of Liverpool, go north on PA 104 2 miles to St. Paul Road. Turn right on St. Paul Road and go 1 mile. The church is on the right. The 1877 Juniata County Atlas gives the exact location.

Historic Conference:
Allegheny Conference of the United Brethren Church

Journal references:
    1984,297 – discontinued
    1985,317 – closed
    1991,375/379 – sold

Brief History:
This congregation was organized in 1831 and met in a log building until erecting the present brick structure in 1871.

Final disposition:

14. Waterloo ME

waterloo

Location: PA 75, village of Waterloo
Municipality: Lack township
County: Juniata
State: PA

Directions:
The 1877 Juniata County Atlas gives the exact location of the first building.

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
1892,54 – lot purchased and subscription opened for new church to cost $2000

Brief History:
George Noss and Isabella Coulter were married in 1837 and converted shortly thereafter. They joined the Methodists, but there was no organized class between Nossville and the Pollock Church near Cross Keys ― and so they began to hold services in their own farmhouse at Waterloo. The first small church building was erected in 1842, by the cemetery across the road and back a hundred yards from the present site. In 1906 a successful revival provided the quantity and quality of members necessary to erect the building pictured above.

Final disposition:
The building is now a museum and interpretive center of local history and culture.

15. Whiteland UB

whitland

Location: PA 235, village of Maze
Municipality: Delaware township
County: Juniata
State: PA

Directions:
The village of Maze is on PA 235, 3 miles east of East Salem. The church is on the south side of the highway.

Historic Conference:
Allegheny Conference of the United Brethren Church

Journal references:
1997,315 - sold

Brief History:
This building was dedicated May 18, 1879, by Rev. H.M. Eberly. as the Whiteland United Christian Church. Rev. Eberly was a former member of the Allegheny Conference of the United Brethren Church whose name was removed from conference rolls in 1877. He was also involved in the 1878 dedication of a United Christian church at Graham's Ore Banks and an 1895 split in the United Christian Church at Dressler's Ridge. Apparently H.M. Eberly was involved with an independent group operating in Juniata County organized as the United Christian Church ― believed to be distinct from the United Christian Church that broke away from the United Brethren Church in 1864 under George W. Hoffman, and still exists today with headquarters in Annville PA. At what date and under what circumstances the Whiteland Church became United Brethren have not been determined.
On October 21, 1984, the Whiteland and Bethlehem (former Evangelical) congregations voted to unite and use the Whiteland building. By 1991 that building was no longer adequate and the congregation erected the present Turkey Valley United Methodist Church adjacent to the Bethlehem building.

Final disposition: