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
SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY PA
Alford
ME
Location: 74 Station Road, village of Alford
Municipality: Harford township
County: Susquehanna
State: PA
Directions:
From Kingsley, go 3.5 miles north
on US 11 to Station Road. Station Road
is an unmarked road along a desolate section of US 11 that veers off to the
west with a sign “Weight Limit 10 tons” – just past an isolated mobile home along
the west side of the highway, and across from an unmarked road to the east by a
sign for a rock quarry. Go north on
Station Road ½ mile. The church is on
the right, before the road goes under the railroad track,
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1897,23 – new church erected
1925,92 – Heart Lake charge discontinued;
Alford added to Harford charge
Brief History:
The first Methodist class
organized here was in 1858 by the pastor of Brooklyn circuit. The first church building was dedicated
December 17, 1896. In 1912 the railroad
was relocated from the east side to the west side of the valley, and the church
was moved across the road to its present location. In the 1940’s the congregation appears to
have been making its own pastoral arrangements with Bible School students
and/or pastors from other denominations.
In the 1950’s the congregation appears to have dropped the Methodist
name in favor of “Alford Community Church.”
Final disposition:
The building is now Calvary Baptist Church of
Alford.
Ararat ME
Address: 2220 Ridge Road
Municipality: Ararat township
County: Susquehanna County
State: PA
Directions:
From the
borough of Thompson, go 4 miles south on PA 171 to Ararat Road. Go west on Arart Road 3 miles to Ridge
Road. Go south 500 feet on Ridge Road. The church is on the left, across from the
cemetery.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1929,83 –
old building sold, nearby congregational church purchased
Brief History:
While there
was an earlier class here that failed to survive, the present congregation
dates from a class formed in 1842 by the preacher on Lanesboro circuit. The first building was erected in 1873 and
stood in the field diagonally across from the present building – about ½ miles
to the northwest. The history of the
present building is confusing. It was
erected by the Congregation Church in 1850, and then became Presbyterian in the
1870’s. The Presbyterian congregation
faltered, and the Methodists began using the building in 1929. In 1942 the courts awarded title of the
property to the Presbyterians, who in turn rented the building to the
Methodists that had been using it. That
was the arrangement until the church closed in 2012.
Final disposition:
The building stands vacant,
property of the Presbyterian Church.
Auburn
Center ME
Location: PA 267, village of Auburn Center
Municipality: Auburn township
County: Susquehanna
State: PA
Directions: The church is in the south end of the village, on the east side of the highway.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
This building was dedicated November 10,
1886.
Final disposition:
This church was listed in the court house records as
“Haverly Hill Methodist Church.” If the
property ever ceased to be used for church purposes, all land, buildings and
contents were to revert back to the land owner.
In May 1963 the trustees of the Meshoppen Methodist Church formally
released all rights to the property to a Mr. Gerald Bullock, thus clearing up a
legal matter and ending all denominational interests in the property, which was
then knwn for a time as Bullock Hall.
Auburn
Four Corners ME
[no picture]
Location:
Municipality: Auburn township
County: Susquehanna
State: PA
Directions:
There was an Auburn Four Corners
post office “at the intersection of two old highways” from 12/12/1832 to
6/30/1915, with the mail routed through Springville. There is reportedly an Auburn Four Corners
Cemetery on state road 3004, and presumably the church was located there.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1959,980 – declared abandoned; permission
to sell; proceeds to Springville organ fund
Brief History:
This church building was dedicated
September 13, 1881. Regular services
were discontinued by agreement of the Springville charge conference on
1952. A congregational meeting, held at
Springville on May 14, 1959, voted to discontinue services permanently and that
the surviving trustees be empowered to sell the property and its contents –
with the proceeds used to purchase an organ for Springville.
Final disposition:
Bethel
Hill ME
Location: PA 171
Municipality: Harmony township
County: Susquehanna
State: PA
Directions:
From the borough of Susquehanna, go
4 miles south on PA 171 to Bethel Hill Road.
The church is on the southeast corner of PA 171 and Bethel Hill Road,
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1990,162 – placed on limited service
1991,304 – abandoned, permission to sell,
proceeds to Stevens Point
Brief History:
Meetings were held in this neighborhood in
private home and in schoolhouses for several years prior to the erection of the
chapel at Bethel Hill in 1883 – at a cost of $700, during the pastorate of J.R.
Wagner. According to the 1990 journal,
the congregation “has, for a number of years, been in decline” and “there have
only been four or five services in the church since the last Conference.”
Final disposition:
The property, building and contents were sold
“as is” (no water, no sewer, no perk test) in July 1992 for $8100 to a Mr. John
Burnard of Susquehanna PA
Brackney
ME
[aka Silver Lake ME]
[no picture]
Location: village of Brackney
Municipality: Silver Lake township
County: Susquehanna
State: PA
Directions:
From Montrose, go north on PA 167 for
20 miles to McCormick Road. Go east on
McCormick Road for 2 miles to Brackney Hill
Road. Go north on Brackney
Hill Road. Immediately on the east side
of the road is a cemetery believed to have been the location of the church
building.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
Earlier efforts to organize Methodist work
were made, but it wasn’t until about 1831 that a regular appointment was
established. Services were held in homes
and school houses. A series of revival
services started on January 1, 1840, that resulted in 40 conversions. A plain frame church on the northeast corner
of the crossroads south of Brackney was dedicated in February 1847. In 1867 this building was moved to a more
desirable spot further north on the same road.
This appointment was served from New York state.
Final disposition:
Brookdale
ME
[no picture]
Location: PA 29, village of Brookdale
Municipality: Liberty township
County: Susquehanna
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1898,44 – church builr
Brief History:
This appears to be a
continuation of the class that began in the nearby Bailey school house, erected
a building one mile south in Stanfordville in 1852, and relocated another one
mile south to Lawsville Center in 1883.
The church building at Brookdale was dedicated March 29, 1898. Services were held there by the Methodists
until 1921.
Final disposition:
In 1921 the building was sold to the Pentecostal
Rescue Mission, which one year later united with the New York District of the
Pilgrim Holiness Church.
Brooklyn ME
Address: village of Brooklyn
Municipality: Brooklyn township
County: Susquehanna County
State: PA
Directions:
From the
borough of Hop Bottom on US 11, go 4 miles northwest on PA 167 to the village
of Brooklyn. Turn left at the cross
roads and go 200 yards. The church is on
the left.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal References:
2004,99 & 178 – placed on limited service
Brief History:
This township was formed in
1814 and was named Waterford 1814-1823 and Hop Bottom 1823-25 before being
named Brooklyn in 1825. This Methodist
class here (which also went through name changes along with the township) is
one of the oldest classes in the county, having been organized in 1801 by
preachers Ephraim Chambers and Anning Owen of the Wyoming circuit. The church building erected by the
congregation in 1813 was the first in the township of any denomination. This structure was torn down in 1830 and a
new one erected in 1831. Brooklyn hosted
the 1853 annual sessions of the Wyoming Conference. After regular Methodist services ceased, the
United Methodists continued hold a service there once a year for several years,
but rented it to the Baptists for the holding of regular services.
Final Disposition:
The building was finally sold
to the Baptists who had been renting the property for several years.
Devine
Ridge ME
[no picture]
Location: Devine Ridge Road
Municipality: Rush township
County: Susquehanna
State: PA
Directions:
From the village of Rush on PA 706,
go 0.5 miles east to Devine Ridge Road.
Go north 2 miles on Devine Ridge Road.
The cemetery is on the left.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
A 30x40 foot building was dedicated here
July 4, 1868, largely through the generosity of George Devine and his five
sons. By action of the Quarterly
Conference on April 29, 1889, the appointment was discontinued and the property
reverted to the original owners. There
is a memorial window in the Rush church given in memory of a Devine family
member.
Final disposition:
Only the cemetery remains.
Dundaff
ME
Location: PA 247, village of Dundaff
Municipality: Clifford township
County: Susquehanna
State: PA
Directions:
From the square in Dundaff, go 50
yards east, just across the creek, on PA 247.
The church stood on the south side of the road.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1928,230 – sale authorized; proceeds to Conference trustees
1946,295 – discontinued; sale authorized
with proceeds split between Clifford and Vandling
Brief History:
This society was formed about 1830 and a
crude frame building erected on the back part of a lot about 1835. In 1872 the church was moved to a lot on Main
Street and thoroughly repaired. The
building was completely remodeled and rededicated May 26, 1898.
Final disposition:
The property was sold 6/7/1946
for $300, with the proceeds minus expenses divided between the Clifford and
Vandling congregations. The church
building was razed and replaced by a small house.
East
Bridgewater ME
[no picture]
Location:
Municipality: Bridgewater township
County: Susquehanna
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1925,91 - closed
Brief History:
Tradition says that a class and occasional
preaching services began here about 1815.
Meetings were held in private homes, bars, and school houses. A revival during the winter of 1876-77
resulted in over 100 conversions. The
church building here was dedicated in the spring of 1878. In 1925 it was reported that “the East
Bridgewater church, on the Heart Lake charge, through removals, automatically
closed” necessitated the discontinuance
of the Heart Lake charge – with Alford placed with Harford and Heart Lake
placed with New Milford. In 1967 the
Wyoming Conference relinquished all claim to the property in favor of the East
Bridgewater Community Church.
Final disposition:
East
New Milford ME [see Lakeside]
Elk
Lake ME
Location: highway 3923, village of Elk Lake
Municipality: Dimock township
County: Susquehanna
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1958,674 – declared abandoned; sold to Elk
Lake Community Church for $750
Brief History:
This class was organized about 1826. In 1876 a great revival resulted in about 80
conversions. The church building was
dedicated December 19, 1899.
Final disposition:
This building now houses an independent
congregation.
Fair
Hill ME
[no picture]
Location:
Municipality: Forest Lake township
County: Susquehanna
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1951,640 – Fair Hill abandoned; furnishings to
Warren Center
Brief History:
This class met in Taylor Hollow and in the
Chapman district school house before erecting their own church building, which
was dedicated November 26, 1877.
Final disposition:
When the Warren Center Methodist Church in
Bradford County burned in February 1951, the Fair Hill building and all of its
furnishings were donated to the cause.
The church was dismantled and trucked to Warren Center, where much of
the material was used in the new building.
It was stipulated that the windows be used with the names left on them,
and they were so used in the dining hall of the new building.
Forest City Centennial
ME
Address: 61 Dundaff Street
Municipality: borough of Forest City
County: Susquehanna County
State: PA
Directions:
Dundaff Street is PA 247. The church is on the southwest corner of the intersection
of PA 171 and PA 247 heading west.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1907,60 – new church building (but
dedication postponed)
1908,72 – new building dedicated
2006,168 – discussion about building
a new parsonage to replace the one that burned down
Brief History:
Regular
Methodist preaching services in Forest City were began in 1881 by the preacher
from Union Dale. The first Methodist
church building was dedicated November 17, 1886. The present building was dedicated May 5,
1907.
Final disposition:
The building is now a local
history museum.
Forest
Lake Center ME
[no picture]
Location: village of Forest Lake
Municipality: Forest Lake township
County: Susquehanna
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1926,55 – permission to sell
Brief History:
Known as the Town class, this society was
organized about 1834. In 1834 a church
was dedicated on the farm of John S. Town.
In 1871 the building was enlarged by an addition of twelve feet to its
length and the erection of a thirty-foot tower.
The improved facility was dedicated November 26, 1871. Preaching was discontinued here in 1923.
Final disposition:
Gelatt
ME
[no picture]
Location: village of Gelatt
Municipality: Gibson township
County: Susquehanna
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
Final disposition:
Only the cemetery remains.
Glenwood
ME
[no picture]
Location: village of Glenwood, west side of PA 92
Municipality: Lenox township
County: Susquehanna
State: PA
Directions:
The building stood on the west side of
PA 92.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1917, 77 – new building erected
Brief History:
This class came into existence about 1871
when the pastor from Nicholson held a series of evangelistic services in the
Baptist church. Soon afterward, that church
building, erected in 1856, became a union church. In 1882, the Methodists purchased full
ownership of the property and became an incorporated entity. A new building was dedicated November 18,
1916. The church was generally served
from Wyoming County in connection with Nicholson. In 1981 a majority of the congregation
withdrew from the United Methodist Church, but the building (as per a 1983
court decision) remained within the Wyoming Conference. Those who left the denomination formed an
independent congregation and erected a new building, and the remaining members
were not able to continue as a viable congregation. The church was closed in 1986, and the
building sold.
Final disposition:
The building was sold 2/26/1988
for $3,500.
Hallstead
ME
Location: Church Street
Municipality: borough of Hallstead
County: Susquehanna
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
2001,101 – merged into Great Bend
Brief History:
Methodists commenced work
here as early as 1842, holding services in an old Baptist church and in a
school house that stood on the site that would later house the church. During those years, preaching was usually done
by the pastors from Great Bend or New Milford charges. The church in Hallstead was dedicated March
17, 1896.
Final disposition:
Harford
ME
Location: village of Harford
Municipality: Harford township
County: Susquehanna
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1925,92 – Heart
Lake charge discontinued; Alford added to Harford charge
1938,230 – sale authorized for church,
parsonage & furniture; proceeds to Conference trustees
Brief History:
The first Methodist class
in the township was organized in North Harford about 1839, but that class never
erected a building. Another class was
organized in the village Harford in 1841.
Meetings were held in the large upper room of a house. Work on a church building was begun in 1844,
but there was not enough money to complete the project immediately. The basement was fitted up and used as a
church until 1850, when the sanctuary was completed and the building was
dedicated. A parsonage on Water Street
was purchased in 1889.
Final disposition:
The above picture of the church and
parsonage is circa 1920 and from the book Beechwood
Settlers. The church was closed in
1937 and demolished a few years later.
The bell was placed in the Congregational Church across the road.
Haverly Hill [see Auburn
Center]
Heart Lake ME
Location:
Municipality: Bridgewater township
County: Susquehanna County
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal References:
1898,44 – church built under direction of New Milford quarterly
conference
1925,92 – Heart Lake charge
discontinued; Heart Lake added to New Milford charge
Brief History:
The work
began here in 1896 when Methodists from Binghamton who summered at Heart Lake
instituted prayer services. Several
conversions resulted, and the following year the pastor from New Milford began
serving the community. The church
building was dedicated January 29, 1898.
When the appointment was discontinued in 2010, a reversion clause in the
original deed allowed the congregation to maintain the building as a community
church.
Final Disposition:
The building and
congregation continue as the Little White Community Church.
Herrick
Center ME
[no picture]
Location:
Municipality: Herrick township
County: Susquehanna
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
The class here was organized about
1830. Meetings were held in a
schoolhouse for about 50 years until a 30x50 church building was dedicated
March 5, 1882, on land donated by R.P. Patterson of Carbondale. The class was originally part of Dundaff
circuit. After not being in use for
several years, the building was officially abandoned in 1944 – the property and
structures thereon passing to a previous owner by virtue of a reversion clause
in the original deed.
Final disposition:
Jackson
ME
Location: PA 92 and county route 1002
Municipality: Jackson township
County: Susquehanna
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1967,63 – Jackson abandoned; property to
be sold, with proceeds and other assets distributed on the charge
Brief History:
The class here was organized about 1816
but went through periods of uncertainty and reorganization before finally
dedicating their church building December 21, 1850. On March 6, 1967, the congregation voted
unanimously to disband and sell the property, with the proceeds going to the
three remaining churches on the charge – Gibson, South Gibson and Lakeside.
Final disposition:
The property was sold to the Roman Catholic Church
for $3,300.
Jersey
Hill MP/ME
Location: PA 267
Municipality: Auburn township
County: Susquehanna
State: PA
Directions: The church is between Rushboro and Auburn Center, on the west side of the highway.
Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of
the Methodist Protestant Church
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
This building was erected by the Methodist
Protestants in 1852. In 1870, this MP congregation
asked to be served by the preacher of the Auburn ME charge. That arrangement worked well, and the
congregation was formally received into the ME denomination in 1873. The congregation was incorporated August 5,
1880.The building was rebuilt in 1906.
Final disposition:
Lakeside
ME
[Lathrop ME]
Location: near Lakeside Pond
Municipality: Lathrop township
County: Susquehanna
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1945,15 – declared discontinued and
abandoned; sale authorized
Brief History:
When a revival in the school house during
the winter of 1869-70 produced a large number of converts, the need for a
church building was felt. A class was
organized November 22, 1870, and a church above the east side of the lake was
dedicated February 16, 1871. This was a
merger of a number of Sunday Schools and worship services; the first spot
chosen for the building was just north of the Hillsdale cemetery, but the
lakeside site was one location selected.
Services were discontinued about 1924.
The church, which was on the Hopbottom charge, was officially abandoned
and the property disposed of in May 1945.
The land was transferred to the Baptist Church, the bell was given to
the Union ME Church in Lathrop township, and the building (which was in ruins)
was dismantled for building material.
Final disposition:
The above picture was taken in 1915.
Lakeside
ME
[East New Milford ME]
Location: PA 492, village of Lakeside
Municipality: New Milford township
County: Susquehanna
State: PA
Directions:
From the interchange of I-81 with PA
492, go 4.5 miles east on PA 492. The
church is on the left, a little before the large lake that gives the community
its name.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
2005,174 – motion to discontinue
2005,94 – discontinued
Brief History:
In the early records, this appointment is
called East New Milford. Meetings here
were held in a Good Templar’s hall for some time, and then in the school house,
before the church building was dedicated November 15, 1883, and the first annex
was added in 1934. The building was
significantly remodeled in 1943, and the annex was completed in 1955. Restrooms were installed in the basement in
1968. The congregation’s early charge
alignment was with New Milford, and its final charge alignment was with Gibson and
South Gibson. Because of dwindling
membership, the church was closed July 1, 2005.
Final disposition:
Lanesboro
ME
Location: 62 S. Main Street
Municipality: borough of Lanesboro
County: Susquehanna
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1973,76 –
permission to merge with the First United Presbyterian Church of Susquehanna to
form the Lanesboro Community Church (United Presbyterian, USA)
1973,88 – officially abandoned as a UM
congregation
Brief History:
This class was formed in 1812. The church building was complete and occupied
in the latter part of 1837. Pew rents
were charged until 1880, when it was resolved that all seats in the church be
free. The first parsonage was built in
1841, and a new one was erected in 1877.
By 1973 the congregation had dwindled and was barely viable. When the Presbyterian congregation in nearby
Susquehanna lost their building by fire, it was agreed to join the
congregations – with all assets going to the Lanesboro Community Church as a
United Presbyterian congregation.
Final disposition:
This building now houses the Lanesboro Community
Church (United Presbyterian).
Lawsville
Center ME
[no picture]
Location: PA 29, village of Lawsville
Municipality: Liberty township
County: Susquehanna
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
Lawsville was the name of a large township
from whose southern portion Franklin township was formed in 1835. The northern portion retained the name
Lawsville until 1836 when it was named Liberty.
The church building in Lawsville Center was erected by the Presbyterians
but became Methodist after the church in Stanfordville was destroyed by a
cyclone. The congregation appears to
have relocated two miles north Brookdale when a building was erected there in
1898.
Final disposition:
Locust
Hill ME
[no
picture]
Location: northeast corner of Locust Hill Road and Church
Road
Municipality: Great Bend township
County: Susquehanna
State: PA
Directions:
From Great Bend, go 5 miles east on
PA 171 to Locust Hill Road (in the village of Hickory Grove). Go 2.5 miles north on Hickory Grove Road to
Church Road. The building is on the
northeast corner of Locust Hill Road and Church Road.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1902,41 – parsonage purchased at Hickory Grove; [new
church building at Edson]
1928,52 – Hickory Grove charge
merged into Lanesboro; Locust Hill church abandoned,
parsonage at Hickory Grove abandoned,
permission to sell both properties
1959,979 – declared abandoned; permission
to sell
Brief History:
Chaffee’s 1904 History of the Wyoming Conference, lists a Hickory Grove PA charge
with 4 appointments: Beavansville (school house appointment), Edson (church
erected 1902), Locust Hill (church erected 1875), and Randolph (church erected
1866). None of these congregations is in
existence today. Three of the
appointments were in New York, but Locust Hill was in Pennsylvania. The charge was named Hickory Grove because a
parsonage was purchased there in 1901, but there was no church building in
Hickory Grove. The parsonage was later
the Hickory Grove Studio.
The church was officially closed in the
early 1920’s. In the early 1930’s, the
building was unofficially re-opened and services were held by the preacher from
Susquehanna – Rev. Harry Brooks, who undertook the work with great zeal. His successors at Susquehanna, however, held
only limited services at Locust Hill – and the work was abandoned in the early
1940’s.
With permission of the district
superintendent, Floyd Cowell, a student at Practical Bible Training School,
started independent services here in the mid 1940’s – and the work
prospered. In 1959 the congregation
purchased the building and formally organized as the Locust Hill Bible Church.
Final disposition:
The Locust Hill Bible Church closed in 2004. The building now houses a Mormon Church.
Lymanville
ME
Location: Paul Kato Road, village of Lymanville
Municipality: Springville township
County: Susquehanna
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1998, 229&314 – discontinued
1999, 282 – property
turned over to conference trustees
2001, 238 – sold
Brief History:
Early services were held in this area on
an irregular basis in private homes, barns, and woods until the school house
was erected. Regular services began
about 1830, and a church building was dedicated in August 1842
Final disposition:
Lynn
ME
Location: village of Lynn
Municipality: Springville township
County: Susquehanna
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1998, 229&314 – discontinued
1999, 282 – property turned over to
conference trustees
2001, 138 – sold
Brief History:
This society was organized about 1880, and
the church building was dedicated November 24, 1883.
Final disposition:
Lyon
Street ME
Location: county route 2027, 3 miles west of Uniondale
Municipality: Herrick township
County: Susquehanna
State: PA
Directions:
From the blinker light at PA 171 and
Church Street in Uniondale, go 0.5 miles west on Church Street to Main
Street. Go 0.3 miles north on Main
Street to Lewis Lake Road. Go 2 miles
west on Lewis Lake Road to Stark Road.
Go 0.5 miles south on Stark Road to Lyon Street. Go 0.5 miles west on Lyon Street. The site is on the left.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1888,20
– building “thoroughly repaired” and dedicated free of debt
1952,942 – permission to sell
Brief History:
This class was formed in 1830 and met in
school houses before their building was dedicated March 2, 1853.
Final disposition:
The structure has been remodeled into a private
home.
Middletown
Center ME
[no picture]
Location: village of Middletown Center
Municipality: Middletown township
County: Susquehanna
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
While the Methodists
maintained regular meetings here in a structure erected by the residents of the
community for school and church purposes, they never owned their own
building. The class relocated and built
in Prattsville, directly on the Susquehanna/Bradford county line. See the page for Prattsville ME in Bradford
County, Pike township.
Final disposition:
Montrose ME
Address: 526 Church Street
Municipality: borough of Montrose
County: Susquehanna County
State: PA
Directions:
Church
Street is PA 29 in the north part of Montrose.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal References:
2020,295 – merged into Fairdale Community
2021,S28 –
all members removed (due to merger)
Brief History:
This
class was formed in 1841 by uniting two earlier classes: one from South
Montrose, and one which met in a school house about 1.5 miles north of
town. They worshiped in the old
courthouse, where they had preaching and class meeting every two weeks, holding
the prayer meetings in private homes.
The first church building was dedicated November 26, 1845. It was a
plain building 38x50 feet, with two outside doors and no steeple. The present larger structure on the same site
was dedicated May 16, 1875. Montrose UMC
merged with Fairdale UMC on June 30, 2020. The final worship service at
Montrose was held on June 21, 2020. A union service was held
at Fairdale on June 28, 2020.
Final disposition:
The building was sold to
Susquehanna County Interfaith. A final deconsecration service was held
and a "passing of the keys" to Susquehanna Interfaith on July 19,
2020.
North
Bridgewater ME
[no picture]
Location:
Municipality: Bridgewater township
County: Susquehanna
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1897,23 – hall purchased, which will be moved to
a more suitable site
Brief History:
The above journal reference does not seem
to agree with this account from the 1967 centennial history of the Franklin
Forks church: “In 1894, North Bridgewater was added to the Franklin Forks
circuit. A two story building was built
on land donated by Ed Tyler. An Alliance
store was on the first floor, and church was held on the second. The building was located on the upper side of
the road, near the intersection of the Silver Lake and Forest Lake roads, on
property now owned by Joseph McMahon.”
In August 1899 it was decided to
discontinue the appointment, and the North Bridgewater trustees were instructed
“to sell the hall and use the money at their own discretion.” Ed Tyler used the building for a store for a
time.
Final disposition:
Oakland
[Avenue] ME
Location: Westfall Avenue
Municipality: borough of Oakland
County: Susquehanna
State: PA
Directions:
From the borough of Susquehanna,
cross the Susquehanna River to Oakland.
Turn right at the T onto River Street and go one block to Westfall
Avenue. Turn left and go 2.5
blocks. The building is on the
right.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1898,44 – building purchased
Brief History:
This class was formed in 1872, being
the successor to an earlier McKune class on the Lanesboro circuit, between
Oakland and Great Bend. The following
year they erected a chapel on State Street, in the north end of the borough. In 1880 the class formally split from
Susquehanna and became a separate congregation.
In 1896 they purchased the 1881 Evangelical Association building on
Westfall Avenue, in the south end of the borough. The congregation then became known as Avenue
ME Church. Their State Street site was
purchased by the Congregational Church, which erected a very large sanctuary
that was later abandoned as a church, used for storage, and finally torn down
in 1984.
In 1924 the Oakland congregation
voted to unite with Susquehanna. The
Oakland parsonage, next door to the church, became the home for the Susquehanna
ministers until a new brick house further up the Avenue was purchased in 1964. In later years that Avenue building became
the Oakland Borough Hall. Now it is used
for storage.
Final disposition:
The building is now owned by the borough and used
for storage.
Oakland
Trinity EA
Location: Westfall Avenue
Municipality: borough of Oakland
County: Susquehanna
State: PA
Directions:
From the borough of Susquehanna,
cross the Susquehanna River to Oakland.
Turn right at the T onto River Street and go one block to Westfall
Avenue. Turn left and go 2.5
blocks. The building is on the
right.
Historic Conference:
New York Conference of the Evangelical Association
Journal references:
Brief History:
This class was organized
in 1880 and operated entirely in the German language. A church building was erected on Westfall
Street in 1881. Being on the geographic
edge of the Conference, the congregation appears to have fallen victim to the
problems resulting from the 1894 split in the Evangelical Association. It existed as a separate
appointment until 1895, when it was placed "under supervision of the
Binghamton preacher who was to oversee the work there." In 1896 the building was sold to the Methodist
Episcopal congregation.
Final disposition:
The building is now owned by the borough
and used for storage.
Retta ME
Address: village of Retta
Municipality: Auburn township
County: Susquehanna County
State: PA
Directions:
From the
village of Rushboro on PA 267, go 2 miles east to the village of Retta. Continue through the intersection. The church is on the right.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1902,41 – site
secured; money pledged for church building
1903,43 – new church building erected and
dedicated
Brief History:
This
appointment was originally known as Cartertown and began about 1840 in a log
school house at the site of the present building, which was dedicated November
15, 1902. In 1876 the meetings shifted
to a new schoolhouse/church about ¼ mile south on Retta Road.
Final disposition:
The property was sold to the
cemetery association.
Rush ME
Address: PA 706, village of Rush
Municipality: Rush township
County: Susquehanna County
State: PA
Directions:
The church is on the south side of the
highway, just east of the road to East Rush.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal References:
1902,41 – new church building completed and
dedicated
2016,147 – merged into Fairdale
Community
Brief History:
This building was erected in Rush in 1901
and essentially replaced the 1871 Rush Center building which had been a mile
outside the village by the existing cemetery. A deconsecration service was held
9/20/2015, and the following week the congregation united with Fairdale to
create Fairdale Community UMC.
Final Disposition:
Rush
Center ME
aka State Road ME
aka Snyder ME
[no picture]
Location:
Municipality: Rush township
County: Susquehanna
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1952,957 – declared abandoned; permission
to sell
Brief History:
This building was dedicated February 23,
1871, and stood south of the old cemetery, on the road to East Rush. In 1901 the Rush ME building was erected in
the village of Rush on PA 706. This
essentially replaced the Rush Center appointment, although the old building was
maintained for funerals at other irregular services at least until 1912.
Final disposition:
Rush
Four Corners ME
aka Dunmore ME
[no picture]
Location:
Municipality: Rush township
County: Susquehanna
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
There was once a post office at Rush Four
Corners.
Final disposition:
Shannon
Hill ME
[no picture]
Location:
Municipality: Auburn township
County: Susquehanna
State: PA
Directions:
Shannon Hill Road intersects with,
and runs south from, PA 267 about 5 miles north of Meshoppen. The church was likely on this
road.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1902,41 –
basement church building erected
1903,43 – new church building dedicated
1948,868 – discontinued and abandoned
Brief History:
The appointment was known as Overfield
until 1858. After worshiping in a school
house for many years, this class finally dedicated a church building on May 6,
1902. On March 8, 1948, the members
voted unanimously to ask for the appointment to be discontinued. There had reportedly been no regular service
for “some time” and the building was in bad state of repair and the members had
been attending at Meshoppen.
Final disposition:
Silver
Lake ME [see Brackney ME]
Stanfordville
ME
[no picture]
Location: PA 29, village of Stanfordville
Municipality: Liberty township
County: Susquehanna
State: PA
Directions:
Stanfordville was a small collection of
homes on PA 29 one
mile north of Lawsville Center and one mile south of Brookdale.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
Early Methodists meetings
in the area were held near Brookdale in the Bailey school house. A revival there in 1851 resulted in a number
of converts, and a 36x40 foot brick church building was erected one mile south
in Stanfordville in 1852. It was used
regularly until destroyed by a cyclone on July 2, 1883. The class then moved its meetings one mile
south to the Presbyterian church at Lawsville Center and eventually became the
custodians of that property. It appears
that the congregation returned to Brookdale when a church building was erected
there in 1898.
Final disposition:
Stevens
Point ME
Location: county route 1011, village of Stevens Point
Municipality: Harmony township
County: Susquehanna
State: PA
Directions:
From the borough of Lanesboro, go 3
miles east on Viaduct Street/Starrucca Creek Road to the village of
Stevens Point. Turn north onto county
road 1011 and go ½ mile. The church is
on the left.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1897,23 – church built
1995,300 – placed on limited service
2008,99 & 154 – abandoned
Brief History:
Meetings were held in this neighborhood in
private home and in schoolhouses for several years prior to the dedication of
the church building November 19, 1899 – erected at a cost of $1900. [The 1896 date in Chaffee’ History of the
Wyoming Conference appears to be a misprint – but the congregation held the 58th
anniversary of the building of the church on November 10, 1944, with C.C.
Vrooman (who served 1895-98) listed the pastor when the church was built.] Regular services were discontinued July 1,
1995, and resumed for several months beginning in March 2001.
Final disposition:
Transue
MP
[no picture]
Location: 2709 SR3003
Municipality: Auburn township
County: Susquehanna
State: PA
Directions:
From Skinners Eddy, go north 2 miles
on PA 367 to Peet Hill Road. Bear right
onto Peet Hill Road and continue north 2 miles to Transue Road. Go east on Transue Road 0.4 miles to SR
3003. Turn north onto SR3003. The church is immediately on the
right.
Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Protestant
Church
Journal references:
1898,22 – church building dedicated
1/15/1898
Brief History:
According to Stocker’s 1887 History of
Susquehanna County, the first church building was erected sometime before
1849. A new building was erected in
1898.
Final disposition:
The building now houses the Transue Community
Church, which is legally incorporated as the Transue Methodist Protestant
Community Church Corporation.
Union
ME
Location: county route 3023
Municipality: Lathrop township
County: Susquehanna
State: PA
Directions:
Some sources place this on the western
edge of Lathrop township, others on the eastern edge of Springville
township. The above picture was takin in
1960.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1999, 184 – last listed membership (20)
1999, 237 – discontinued
2000, 275 – property turned over to
conference trustees
Brief History:
This class was served with West Nicholson,
East Lemon and other appointments in Wyoming County. Preaching services were held for some time at
Parkvale, but subsequently moved to Union, where a church building was
dedicated August 8, 1899, on land donated by John and Julia Johnson. In 1948 the belfry received the bell of the
closed Lakeside ME church in Lathrop township.
Final disposition:
The church property apparently reverted to the
original larger property from which it had been donated, and the building is
now used for storage.
Union
Dale ME
Location: Skyline Drive
Municipality: borough of Union Dale
County: Susquehanna
State: PA
Directions:
The borough of Union Dale is on
PA 171, 5 miles north of Forest City.
Skyline Drive is the first road north of the reservoir, where PA 171 has
a grass median. Turn west on Skyline Drive and go one block. The church is on the north side of the road.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1880,40 –
building erected
2022,178 – closed
Brief History:
There was Methodist preaching in Union
Dale as early as 1850, but the appointment lasted only a few years. A struggling class was formed in 1876 that
met in a school house. In 1879 the
society purchased the school house, moved it to a new location, and fitted it
for worship. Revival followed, and the
class began to grow. A lot was purchased
on which to erect a more substantial building, and the present structure was
dedicated January 21, 1891.
Final Disposition:
This property was sold in
2022 for $59,000.
West
Auburn ME
Location: PA 367
Municipality: Auburn township
County: Susquehanna
State: PA
Directions:
From US 6 at Skinner’s Eddy, go 11
miles north on PA 367 to the community of West Auburn. At the northern end of the community, when PA
367 bears left, proceed straight on to Jayne Road. Go about 50 yards. The cemetery is on the right.
note: There is another possible
site. Go east in the center of West
Auburn on route #3004 for about ¼ mile to Yonker Hill Road. There is a small cemetery on the southeast
corner of 3004 and Yonker Hill Road.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1976,119 – discontinued, abandoned;
permission to sell property and demolish the building
1976,135 – discontinued, abandoned
Brief History:
This class originally met in private home
and school houses. The church building here
was erected in 1868. It was 34x48 feet,
with a good basement and an 80-foot tower.
The congregation was incorporated January 24, 1868. Historically, West Auburn and South Auburn
were part of the Skinner’s Eddy circuit.
Final disposition:
West
Brooklyn EV
[no picture]
Location:
Municipality:
County: Susquehanna
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical
Association
Journal references:
East Pennsylvania
Conference of the Evangelical Association
1897,21
– request to either move building to a more suitable location or sell to reduce
debt on the Tunkhannock building
Brief History:
Final disposition:
West
Clifford EV
[no picture]
Location:
Municipality:
County: Susquehanna
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical
Association
Journal references:
East Pennsylvania
Conference of the Evangelical Association
1898,15
– West Clifford added to Tunkhannock
Brief History:
In 1879 the Rev. J.
W. Hollenbaugh, an itinerant of the Evangelical Association, visited this
section and his preaching was received with so much favor that he was solicited
to hold services regularly. An awakened interest made the organization of a
class possible, which had among its members G. W. Moore and wife, W.
H. Hasbrouck and wife, B. F. Bennett and wife, Thomas
N. Doud and wife, Moses Cox and wife, J.
R. Bennett and wife, Charles Truesdell and wife. Others
were added until, in a short time, about forty persons belonged. This made the
erection of a church possible. It was completed for dedication in the fall of
1880, by a building committee, composed of W. H. Hasbrouck, C.
D. Ransom and George W. Moore. The church is a frame, thirty-two
by forty-two feet, surmounted by a. spire, in which is a bell weighing seven
hundred and fifty pounds. The location is on an eligible lot from the Hasbrouck
farm. While both the United Evangelicals and the Evangelical Association tried
to keep this congregation during the split, the congregation and building
ultimately went to the United Evangelicals. But the congregation did not
survive. The Association seems to have abandoned the work in 1898 and the
United Evangelicals in 1908.
The charge also included preaching
appointments at Lenox and Harford.
Final disposition: