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
WAYNE COUNTY PA
In Wayne County PA, the major north-south highway PA 191 and the major east-west highway US 6 intersect at the county seat of Honesdale. All Wayne County directions will be given from starting points on PA 191 or US 6.
1. Aldenville
ME
Location: PA 170, village of Aldenville
Municipality: Clinton township
County: Wayne
State: PA
Directions:
From US 6, 4 miles west of
Honesdale, go 5 miles north on PA 170 to the village of Aldenville.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1881,36 – Aldenville church, Bethany charge, repaired
1894,21 – church building thoroughly
remodeled
1972,75 & 86 – abandoned; furnishings
divided between Prompton and Bethany
Brief History:
This building was dedicated January 3,
1856. The property was a gift to the
church the following year by Julius T. and Levi H. Alden and their wives. The construction of the Prompton
Reservoir necessitated the relocation of several of the congregation’s active
families, and the final service was held December 1970 – there being an average
attendance of 7. The church was formally closed in 1972.
Final disposition:
As no legal heirs of the Alden family could
be located to satisfy the reversion clause in the original deed, the property
was given via a quit claim deed to the Aldenville
Baptist Church.
2. Arlington Centenary ME
Location: PA 590, village of Arlington
Municipality: Salem township
County: Wayne
State: PA
Directions:
From PA 191 at Hamlin, go 6 miles
east on PA 590 to the village of Arlington.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1958,675 –
church closed and abandoned;
land to cemetery
association with understanding that the building be removed
Brief History:
This class worshiped in homes and school
houses before their church building was dedicated December 17, 1885, on a lot
donated by James Osborne. The building
was reported to be “24x40, with a lecture room 14x24, and a tower 40 feet high. Services were discontinued in 1958, and the
property was sold to the cemetery association.
Final disposition:
The church building was razed, the property
was deeded to the cemetery association, and a marker was erected to memorialize
the church building.
3. Bidwell Hill ME
Address: Ledgedale
Road, village of Bidwell Hill
Municipality: Salem township
County: Wayne County
State: PA
Directions:
From PA 191 1.5 miles
south of Hamlin, go 1 mile east on Ledgedale
Road. The church is on the right, just
past the intersection with Bidwell Hill Road.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
2014,191 - discontinued
Brief History:
This class reportedly had existed “a
number of years” before a cornerstone for a building was laid October 9,
1869.
Final disposition:
4. Calkins Union ME
Location: village of Calkins
Municipality: Damascus township
County: Wayne
State: PA
Directions:
From US 6, 3 miles south of
Honesdale, go west 6 miles on PA 652 to Beach Lake. At Beach Lake bear left onto Milanville Road and go 1 mile to Butternut Flats Road. Turn left ointo
Butternut Flats Road and go 5 miles to the village of Boyds
Mills. At Boyds
Mills, turn left onto Boyds Mills Road and go 2 miles
to Calkins Road. Turn left onto Calkins
Road, and the village of Calkins.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1930,310 – new belfry
1975,74 – Beach
Lake Calkins, Narrowsburg NY charge dissolved; Narrowsburg to NY Conf.
1977,133 –
congregation discontinued
Brief History:
This was a union church building, serving
both Baptist and the Methodist constituents.
In October 1976 the congregation voted to affiliate solely with the
American Baptist denomination. United
Methodist members not expressing a desire to transfer elsewhere were assigned
to the Beach Lake UMC.
Final disposition:
This building now houses the Calkins Baptist
Church.
5. Carley
Brook ME
Location: 491 Carley Brook Road
Municipality: Oregon township
County: Wayne
State: PA
Directions:
From the east end of Honesdale on US
6 (immediately after crossing the creek), go north on Cliff Street 1 miles to Bunnell Pond Road.
Bear left onto Bunnell Pond Road and go 1 mile
to Carley Brook Road.
Bear left onto Carley Brook Road and go 1.5
miles. The church is on the left.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
2005,181 – permission to sell parcel of land behind the
church
2009,221 – church closed
Brief History:
The Methodist work here began in 1853.
During that time Carley Brook had sawmills, tanneries and a chemical acid
factory. Services were originally held
in a local home. From 1854 until 1886, services were held in the Carley Brook
schoolhouse. On February 6, 1867, the court granted a charter to the Methodist
Episcopal Church of Oregon. In 1876 John Riefler sold
two acres and four perches of land to the church for $13.50. This land was used
to build the existing church and parsonage. The parsonage was built in 1876,
and the church was built in 1886 at a cost of $1250. The church bell was installed in 1923. The
stained glass windows were put in when Rev. William Schenk and Rev. Pearl Osterhout served the parish. A new basement under the
church was later installed to serve the needs of the various groups.
Final disposition:
The building is now the Carley Brook Chapel, housing a Mennonite-related
congregation.
6. Cherry Ridge ME
[no picture]
Location: village of Cherry Ridge
Municipality: Cherry Ridge township
County: Wayne
State: PA
Directions:
From PA 191, 3 miles south of
Honesdale, turn west onto Owego Turnpike and go 1 mile to the village of Cherry
Ridge. The church stood about ½ mile
past the intersection that defined the Community of Cherry Ridge, on the north
side of the highway, before the next cross road. The exact location is given in the 1872
county atlas.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1930,208 – Cherry Ridge and Hoadleys abandoned as part of charge consolidations
1934,250 – charge discontinued “several
years ago”; permission to sell parsonage
1947,574 –
property abandoned and quit claim deed to those cited in reversion clause
Brief History:
This building was erected in 1849 as a
union structure owned by the Methodists and Presbyterians, but eventually it
was served exclusively by the Methodists.
The Cherry Ridge charge was formed in 1852, with the pastors using
rental housing until a parsonage was acquired in 1892, and consisted of Cherry
Ridge and Cherry Valley [Hoadley’s] and Middle Ridge
[Clemo].
Regular services were discontinued about 1935. It is possible that this appointment was once
known as Clarks Corners, which is a location in Cherry Ridge township.
Final disposition:
The site is now open land.
7. Conklin Hill Union ME
[no picture]
Location:
Municipality:
County: Wayne
State: PA
Directions:
From the intersection of PA 191 and
PA 371 at Rileyville, go east 9 miles on PA 371 to Dasmascus. At
Damascus go 100 yards north to the Y where Galilee Road goes left and Conklin
Hill Road goes right. Go north on
Conklin Hill Road 3 miles. The church
stood on the east side of the road by the cemetery.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
This building was
erected near the foundation of an earlier church that had burned. In August of
1913 William Boults gave one-third acre from his farm
to the trustees for the church. The 1914 charter states "the said
corporation is formed for the purpose of the support of public worship,
according to the faith, doctrine, discipline and usages of the Methodist,
Presbyterian and Baptist Churches." The church was completed in 1915. In
1929 Floyd Deighton, then owner of the Boults farm,
donated additional land to the church. Next to it is the Conklin Hill Cemetery
that has a separate Board of Trustees.
While the building hosted Methodist preaching, the Methodists never had
any formal share in the property. Before
the church building was erected, this had been a school house appointment..
Final disposition:
8. East Canaan ME
[no picture]
Location: village of East Canaan
Municipality: Canaan township
County: Wayne
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1945,15 – discontinued and
abandoned. East Canaan trustees directed
to sell, proceeds to Conference Board of Missions.
Brief History:
This church was on the Waymart charge.
Final disposition:
9. East Chapel ME
Location:
Municipality: South Canaan township
County: Wayne
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
This chapel was erected
for a cost of $662.95, one mile east of South Canaan, on land that was leased from
Alexander Correll.
It was dedicated January 22, 1899 – with the understanding that the
property would revert to Mr. Correll when it was no
longer used for church purposes.
Final disposition:
10. East Sterling MP
Location: PA 191, village of East Sterling
Municipality: Dreher township
County: Wayne
State: PA
Directions:
From the interchange of PA 191 with
I-84, go 4 miles south on PA 191 to Phillips Road, at the south end of East
Sterling. The building is on the
southeast corner of PA 191 and Phillips Road.
The 1872 atlas gives the exact location.
Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Protestant
Church
Journal references:
1888,6 – deed
for church lot secured and placed in hands of the treasurer
1888,7 – deed for an additional lot
secured and placed in hands of the treasurer
1922,53 – Angels, Cortez, Hollisterville, Mt. Cobb & [East] Sterling to form Hollisterville circuit
1925,47 – new pipeless furnace
installed.
Brief History:
The East
Sterling and West Sterling Methodist Protestant churches were both formed about
the same time by dissenting members from the Sterling Methodist Episcopal
Church. The East Sterling Church
Final disposition:
The building has been transformed into a private
dwelling.
11. Galilee ME
Location: village of Galilee
Municipality: Damascus township
County: Wayne
State: PA
Directions:
From PA 191, 3 miles north of the
intersection with PA 371, turn right onto Rutledgedale
Road and go 1 mile to Galilee Road. Turn
left onto Galilee Road and go 3 miles to the village of Galilee.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1988,226 – placed on limited service
2003,106 & 187 - abandoned
Brief History:
This class was organized in 1840 and
worshiped in a school house for 36 years before erecting a church building in
1876. The building was dedicated January
10, 1877, and decommissioned June 29, 2003.
The congregation had dwindled over the years and had been on “limited
service” since 1988.
Final disposition:
12. Girdland ME
Address: village of Girdland
Municipality: Lebanon township
County: Wayne County
State: PA
Directions:
Exit Honesdale on Cliff
Street (after US 6 crosses the Lackawaxen River at
the south end of town) and go 2 miles to Bunnels
Pond. Turn left on Bunnels
Pond Road and go 1 miles to Carley Brook Road.
Turn left and go 2 miles to Carley Brook. Girdand is 4 miles
north of Carley Brook, on Carley Book Road.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal References:
1895,23
– church building erected and dedicated
1957,353 – receives membership and
assets of West Damascus [schoolhouse appointment]
Brief History:
This is an appointment on
what was called the Oregon charge until it was re-named Carley Brook charge in
1899. At one time there were four church
buildings on the charge: Torrey (1849), Smith Hill (1852), Rileyville
(1871), Carley Brook (1886), Girdland
(1894). Services were held in Girdland at the home of Jonathan Bryant in 1851, and
regular preaching was established at the school house in 1857. The school house was used until the present
church building was erected in 1894.
Final Disposition:
13. Gravity ME
Location: PA 296, village of Gravity
Municipality: Lake township
County: Wayne
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1921,77 – public
hall purchased to be remodeled into worship center
1922,91 – building dedicated March 12
1930,308 – moved from South Canaan charge
to Ariel charge as part of charge consolidations
1945,15 –
bequest turned over to conference trustees, proceeds to go to Hamlin Centenary
building fund.
Brief History:
This was a schoolhouse appointment for
many years on the South Canaan charge.
In 1921 the congregation purchased the POSA Hall pictured above and used
it until 1943, when it was sold and became a Grange Hall. When it closed, the church was on the Lake
Ariel charge.
Final disposition:
The building is now a
private home.
14. Hoadley’s
ME
[a.k.a. Cherry Valley ME]
[no picture]
Location: PA 191, village of Hoadley’s
Municipality: Cherry Ridge township
County: Wayne
State: PA
Directions:
From Honesdale, go 5 miles south on
PA 191.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1906,55 – building dedicated July 23, 1905
1930,208 – Hoadleys
and Cherry Ridge abandoned as part of charge consolidations
Brief History:
This class met in schoolhouses for many
years until land was donated in 1904 for a church building. The final Methodist services were held in the
building in May 1941. In 1946 the heirs
of the original owners reclaimed the property, via a reversion clause in the
deed, and converted the building into a dwelling.
Final disposition:
15. Hollisterville ME
Address: Pond Road, village of Hollisterville
Municipality: Salem township
County: Wayne County
State: PA
Directions:
From PA 191 in Hamlin, go
west on PA 590 2 miles to the PA 690.
Turn left on PA 690 and go one block to Pond Road. Turn left on Pond Road and fo one block.
The church is on the right.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
2016,147 – merged into Hamlin Centenary to
form Salem Community UMC
Brief History:
This class was formed in
1850 and worshipped with the Methodist Protestants in a union church
building. In 1870 they began meeting
with the ME class at Greenwood, but in 1874 they returned to Hollisterville and met in the Baptist building. In 1884 they erected the present structure,
the first building that was truly their own.
In 2016, Hollisterville
UMC and Maplewood Grace UMC merged into Hamlin Centenary UMC to form Salem
Community UMC.
Final disposition:
The property was sold in 2020 and is being
converted into a residence.
16. Hollisterville
MP
Location: PA 590, village of Hollisterville
Municipality: Salem township
County: Wayne
State: PA
Directions:
The church is in the west end of
Hollisterville, on the northwest corner of PA 590 and Stanet Road. The parsonage and original church lot are on
the East side of Hollisterville Road, about 100 yards south of Newville
Road.
Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Protestant
Church
Journal references:
1922,53 –
Angels, Cortez, Hollisterville, Mt. Cobb &
Sterling to form Hollisterville circuit
Brief History:
This building originally
stood on the west corner of the junction where Hollisterville
road joins the Moscow road, and was the West Sterling MP Church. It was later moved to Hollisterville
and became the Hollisterville MP Church. It was shared with the ME congregation
until 1870, when that group left to worship with the Greentown ME congregation
and later returned to Hollisterville to erect their
own building (now Hollisterville UM Church) in
1884. The Hollisterville
MP Church did not participate in the 1939 union, and continues today as the Hollisterville Bible Church.
Final disposition:
The 0.5 acre rectangular
parsonage lot at 294 Hollisterville Road is still
listed in the 2011 Wayne County tax rolls as is owned by the “Methodist
Protestant Parsonage.” The empty 0.5
acre square lot to the south is listed as owned by the “Methodist Protestant
Church” and may have been site of an earlier church building.
17. Kingsbury Hill ME
Location: community of Autumn Leaves
Municipality: Buckingham township
County: Wayne
State: PA
Directions:
From Hancock NY,
cross in to Pennsylvania on PA 191. In 2
blocks, bear right onto Winterdale Road. Proceed on Winterdale
Road 1.5 miles to Autumn Leaves Road.
Turn left on Autumn Leaves Road and proceed 2.5 miles. The cemetery is on the right, immediately
after the road makes a 90 degree right turn.
It is believed the church was near the cemetery.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1883,60 – new
church building dedicated on February 18, 1883
1949,52 – declared closed and abandoned;
sale authorized with proceeds to Hale Eddy [NY]
1950,338 – sale accomplished, proceeds in
possession of Hale Eddy church
Brief History:
This society
worshiped in a schoolhouse for many years before erecting a church. It was always part of the Hale Eddy [NY]
charge, which was actually called the Kingsbury Hill charge for two years when
it first appeared in 1868.
Final disposition:
18. Lakewood ME
[a.k.a. Winwood
ME]
Location: community of Lakewood
Municipality: Preston township
County: Wayne
State: PA
Directions:
Lakewood is on PA route 370, 7 miles
east of Thompson PA and 10 miles southwest of Hancock NY.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1904,59 – new
church worth, with lot, $6,500
1964,63 – declared abandoned; permission to sell with
proceeds divided between Lake Como and Shehawken
1964,80 – officially discontinued
Brief History:
The village of Winwood
became known as Lakewood about 1910. Services
were begun here about 1899 and held in the schoolhouse until the church
building was dedicated August 16, 1903.
The church was always on the Lake Como charge. Lakewood last appears in the statistical
tables, but with no entries, in 1962.
Final disposition:
There were bad feelings
and controversy about the closing, with specific interest expressed in selling
to the Free Methodist congregation worshiping in an inadequate building in Lake
Como. There was also interest in
re-starting the congregation or selling the property to the township for a
community building. After legal
considerations, the property was finally sold in 1967 – the stained glass windows having been sold
separately, and the remainder of the building having been removed. The negotiations involved are recorded in the
vertical file at the conference archives.
19. Little Chapel ME
Location:
Municipality: Salem township
County: Wayne
State: PA
Directions:
From PA 191 in Hamlin, go 2 miles
east on PA 590 to Chapman Road. Turn
north onto Chapman Road and go 2 miles to Little Chapel.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1927,45 –
permission to sell
Brief History:
This chapel was conveyed to the Methodists
in 1858. The class was greatly
strengthened by a revival in 1899. The
proceeds of the sale were turned over to the Hamlin congregation, which had
originally launched the enterprise.
Final disposition:
20. Maplewood EA
Location: Lake Henry Road, south of the village of
Maplewood
Municipality: Lake township
County: Wayne
State: PA
Directions:
From PA 191 in Hamlin, go 2 miles
west on PA 590 to PA 348. When PA 590
bends south, go straight on PA 348 1 mile to Lake Henry Road. Go 1.5 miles north on Lake Henry Road. The cemetery is on the right.
Historic Conference:
East Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical
Association
Journal references:
1924,36 – permission to merge
with Maplewood Grace and sell the building
1926,297 – permission to sell the
church lot and cemetery
Brief
History:
This building stood by the Maplewood
Evangelical Cemetery on Lake Henry Road.
The congregation divided as a result of the denominational split and the
dissenters formed the Grace United Evangelical Church of Maplewood and erected
their own building a short distance up the road. When the two Wayne circuits came back
together in 1922, there were two Maplewood buildings. The United Evangelical structure being the
newer and better, this congregation voted to merge into Maplewood Grace and to
sell their building – which was then removed from the site. The church lot and adjoining cemetery were
sold two years later to the Cemetery Association.
Final disposition:
The site is now an active cemetery controlled by a
cemetery association.
21. Maplewood Grace ME
Address: Lake Henry Road, Maplewood
Municipality: Lake township
County: Wayne County
State: PA
Directions:
From PA 191 in Hamlin, go
west on PA 590 2 miles to PA 348.
Continue straight on PA 348 1 mile to Lake Henry Road. Turn north on Lake Henry Road and go 1.5
miles. The church is on the left, at the
intersection of Lake Henry and Maplewood Roads.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1970,195 – receives 50 members from
Maplewood Grace (former EUB)
2016,147 – merges into Hamlin
Centenary to form Salem Community
Brief History:
The Methodist class here was
organized in 1870, and the community was known first as Forest Hills and then
Forest Chapel before it became known as Maplewood. The church building was begun in 1871 and
dedicated in 1874. The congregation was
known as the “Maplewood” Church. In 1970
the congregation received the members of the former Maplewood Grace EUB church
and became known as “Grace.” The wing to
the left of the town was added following that congregational meger.
In 2016, Maplewood Grace UMC and Hollisterville UMC merged into Hamlin Centenary to form
Salem Community UMC.
Final disposition:
The property was sold in 2017, reportedly
to be used as a recording studio.
22. Maplewood Grace UE
Location: Lake Henry Road, village of Maplewood
Municipality: Lake township
County: Wayne
State: PA
Directions:
From PA 191 in Hamlin, go 2 miles
west on PA 590 to PA 348. When PA 590
bends south, go straight on PA 348 1 mile to Lake Henry Road. Go 2 miles north on Lake Henry Road. The church is on the right.
Historic Conference:
East Pennsylvania Conference of the United Evangelical
Church
Journal references:
1969,246 – 50 members to Wyoming Conference
Wyoming Conference 1969,60 – transfer by change of boundaries to Wyoming Conference
1970,195 – merges into Maplewood (former ME)
Brief History:
This congregation was formed by those in
the Maplewood Evangelical Association congregation who sided with the United
Evangelicals. They erected their own
building a short distance away. The
congregations followed the example of their parent denominations and re-united
in 1922, worshiping in the Grace building and selling the former Evangelical
Association property. In 1969, following
the Methodist-EUB denominational union, the congregation brought 50 members
into the Wyoming Conference of the United Methodist Church. Those members joined with the 16 members of
the Maplewood Methodist congregation to form the Maplewood United Methodist
Church, meeting in the former Methodist building. The Grace building has been sold and now
houses an independent congregation.
Final disposition:
Formerly home to the Calvary Bible Church, the building now houses the Avoy Christian Church.
The Maplewood Evangelical Cemetery exists on Lake Henry Road, 1 mile
south of Maplewood Road.
23. Milanville
ME
Location: Milanville Road,
village of Milanville
Municipality: Damascus township
County: Wayne
State: PA
Directions:
From Honesdale, go 3 miles east on
US 6 to PA 652 [Beach Lake Highway]. Go
north on PA 652 6 miles to Beach Lake.
Bear left onto Milanville Road [at Beach Lake
UMC]. Follow Milanville
Road 6 miles (through Milanville – i.e., bear right
at the triangle and head toward the bridge to New York state). The church is on the left as you leave the
village.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
2007,93 – merged into Damascus
to form Damascus Manor UMC
[note: the journal erroneously
states Abrahamsville instead of Milanville]
Brief History:
Milanville was a
schoolhouse appointment on the Damascus charge until the class purchased land
and erected a church building in 1910.
January 1, 2007, Milanville UMC merged into Damascus
UMC to form Damascus Manor UMC. A
detailed history of the Milanville church, including
many photographs, is given in the 2007 anniversary booklet of the Damascus
Manor church.
Final disposition:
24. Orson ME
Address: PA 370, village of Orson
Municipality: Preston township
County: Wayne County
State: PA
Directions:
From PA 191 1 mile south of Hancock NY, go
13 miles south on PA 370 to the crossroad at Orson. Turn right on Oxbow Road [the road to the
left is PA 670] and go ½ mile. The church
is on the left.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal References:
1916,76
– church building moved nearer to the center of the community
Brief History:
Methodist work began in Hine’s
Corners, Wayne County, in 1849 after Catherine (Mrs. Merritt) Hine was
converted and invited the preacher from Lanesboro to hold a series of meetings
that resulted in some 50 additional conversions. Meetings were held in the schoolhouse until a
church building was dedicated on the Hine farm in 1878. In 1890 the Ontario and Western (O&W) Railroad
extended its service to Scranton and the Orson depot/post-office (named for
Catherine’s grandson Orson who had died of diphtheria) at Hine’s Corners became
a town with two creameries, two ices houses, a grain mill, a saw mill, and
several hotels and stores. Land was
purchased to move the church building nearer the village, and on May 22, 1916,
the Orson Methodist Episcopal Church was dedicated at its new location. The railroad, the post office, and the town
disappeared years ago, but the Church continued serving the community until
2013 – when the remaining congregation celebrated 97 years at the present
location and decided to discontinue services and present its assets to the
Susquehanna Conference.
Final Disposition:
The land and building was sold to an
adjacent land owner.
25. Poyntelle
ME
Location: village of Poyntelle
Municipality: Preston township
County: Wayne
State: PA
Directions:
Poyntelle
is on PA 370, 1 mile east of Orson. The
location of the church building is unknown.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
The 9/24/1909 Wayne County Herald mentions
a funeral held at the Poyntelle Methodist Church, and
states that “the Orson choir did the singing.” The 1908 record book of the Herrich Center charge lists congregations at Herrick
Center, Poyntelle, Hines Corners, East Ararat and
Orson. The appointment/building is not
mentioned in Chaffee’s 1904 History of
the Wyoming Conference.
Final disposition:
26. Prompton
ME
Location:
Municipality:
County: Wayne
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1888,20 –
building secured, which will be “reseated” and improved over the years
1952,942 – permission to sell
Brief History:
According to court records, the “Eaton
Methodist Episcopal Church of Prompton was registered
April 20, 1870, and the “Methodist Episcopal Church of Prompton”
was incorporated July 20, 1922. The
actual building was erected by the Universalists in 1839 and used by them until
1859 when it was converted into the Wayne County Normal School. In 1880 the property reverted to the original
owners, and in 1882 it was purchased by the Methodists. The building was formally dedicated in 1887
and improved over the years. In 1952 the
Methodist and Presbyterian congregations united to form a Methodist
congregation owning both properties. The
former Methodist property was sold and the congregation (now Prompton UMC) continued in the former Presbyterian
building.
Final disposition:
27. Rileyville
ME
Location: village of Rileyville
Municipality: Lebanon township
County: Wayne
State: PA
Directions:
Rileyville
is on PA 191, 10 miles north of Honesdale, at the intersection of PA 191 and PA
371. The church is believed to have been
on PA 371, about 0.5 miles west of PA 191.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1894,21 –
reopened after no services for “eight or nine years”
Brief History:
The first Methodist preaching here was in
the house of Joseph Bass in the 1860’s.
A class was formed, and Mr. Bass became a licensed exhorter. The church building was dedicated October 4,
1871. The church was closed 1889-1894,
and then reopened and placed with Galilee.
In 1896 it was placed on the Carley Brook charge, where it remained
until being closed in the early 1900’s.
Final disposition:
By 1915 the building had
ceased to be used for a church and a 99 year lease was granted to Hickory
Grange. Hickory Grange is now defunct
and in 2008 assigned the remaining years of its lease to the Rileyville Community Association. When the lease was about to expire the Rileyville Community Association sought and received a quit
claim deed for the property from the Susquehanna Conference UMC in September
2013. The building is now property of
the Rileyville Community Association.
28. South Canaan ME
Location: Saint Tikhons Road,
village of South Canaan
Municipality: South Canaan township
County: Wayne
State: PA
Directions:
From PA 191 in Lake Ariel, take PA
296 north for 6 miles to the crossroads in the village of South Canaan. Turn right at the cross roads and go 200
yards. The church building is on the
left.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1947, 573 – Since the property has
been sold, all open accounts shall revert to the Conference.
Brief History:
Methodist circuit riders began visiting
this area about 1810. Services were held
in homes and the school house until a church was erected in the old cemetery
(just north of the main crossroads) in 1834. This area was severely impacted by the
Methodist Protestant division. Both
factions continued worshiping in the old church until the Methodist Episcopal
congregation erected the original section of the building pictured above in
1865 on a lot donated by Philip Lerch and wife – and
the nearby crossroads was once known as Lerch’s [or Learch’s] Corners. A
parsonage was purchased in 1871, and the South Canaan charge included church
buildings at East Canaan, Gravity, South Canaan and a school house appointment
at Varden.
None of the Methodist Episcopal congregations survive today, although
the former Methodist Protestant congregation (which did not participate in the
1939 denominational re-union) does.
Final disposition:
The property was sold to
the Free Methodist Church for $100 in 1942.
The nearby Simontown Free Methodist
congregation (whose building stood across from the existing graveyard) moved
into the building, and they were joined by the Pink Free Methodist congregation
(whose building north of Lake Ariel, near the old drive-in theater, is now a
hunting cabin) in 1948. The building was
raised and the basement added in the 1950’s, and the Christian education wing
to the east was added in the 1960’s. The
building now houses the South Canaan Free Methodist Church, which considers the
building’s Methodist Episcopal history as part of its heritage.
29. South Canaan MP
Location: PA 296, village of South Canaan
Municipality: South Canaan township
County: Wayne
State: PA
Directions:
From PA 191 in Lake Ariel, take PA
296 north for 6 miles to the village of South Canaan. The church stood in the existing cemetery ½
mile north of the crossroads, on the left side of the road.
Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Protestant
Church
Journal references:
1922,53 – South Canaan & Varden
form a circuit
Brief History:
A German Reformed
congregation was founded in the area by Hans Ulrich Swengle
about 1790. That appears to have been
the nucleus of the group that became Methodist and erected a meeting house here
about 1823. The congregation was
affected by the 1830 denominational split, and both the Methodist Episcopal and
Methodist Protestant congregations worshiped in the building until 1865, when
the Methodist Episcopal Church erected its own structure. The building continued to be Methodist
Protestant until 1939, when the congregation opted out of the union that
created the Methodist Church and joined the newly-formed Bible Protestant Church.
Final disposition:
This congregation joined with its sister
congregation at Varden in 1975 to erect the present
Canaan Bible Church, located at the southern end of South Canaan, just east of
PA 296 on Hemlock Road. The building at
this site was razed and replaced by a monument housing the old bell and an
historical plaque.
30. South Preston ME
[no picture]
Location:
Municipality: Preston township
County: Wayne
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1888,20 – new
structure erected from old Tallmansville building
1927,45 – permission to sell
Brief History:
This building was dedicated December 3,
1887, on a lot donated by David Doyle.
The structure was actually the 1866 Tallmansville
ME Church, which had been dismantled, moved, and re-erected slightly reduced in
size.
Final disposition:
31. South Sterling ME
Location: village of South Sterling
Municipality: Dreher township
County: Wayne
State: PA
Directions:
South Sterling is on PA 191, 3 miles
above the Monroe County line.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1981,86-89 – charge reorganization and distribution of property and
assets following the fire
1981,93 - discontinued
Brief History:
A Methodist Sunday School
meeting in the school house existed in South Sterling in 1850. A revival in 1853 resulted in the erection of
a church building the following year and the formal chartering of a
congregation in 1859. In 1930 the
Sterling circuit was divided and Hemlock Grove, LaAnna
and South Sterling became the South Sterling charge, with a parsonage erected
that year next to the church. When the
church was destroyed by fire November 27, 1979, the charge considered several
options for rebuilding. In 1981, it was
decided not to rebuild: the 3 point charge was officially dissolved, most of
the members transferred to Hemlock Grove, and the parsonage served the Hemlock
Grove congregation until it was sold in 1986 when a new parsonage was erected
next to the Hemlock Grove church.
Final disposition:
32. Stalker ME
[no picture]
Location: village of Stalker
Municipality: Manchester township
County: Wayne
State: PA
Directions:
The village of Stalker is about 2
miles east of Braman
Historic Conference:
New York Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
It is unclear whether this Methodist
building was in Wayne County PA or in Sullivan County NY. A communication from the New York Conference
reported in the 1996 History of the Equinunk
Methodist Church reads as follows.
“Stalker was probably organized about 1890 and absorbed by Equinunk in 1929.
The New York Conference minutes show authorization on May 4, 1935 to
sell for $250. The best offer was $150,
with the bell and furniture worth $100.”
There are also recent references in the Wayne County Historical Society
minutes to a “Stalker Church” – but without denominational reference.
Final disposition:
33. Stanton Hill ME
Location:
Municipality:
County: Wayne
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
This class was organized about 1855 with
H.P. Stanton as the class leader. The
schoolhouse was used for worship until the church building was dedicated
October 27, 1883, on land from A.R. Dix.
It appears that Mr. Dix may have actually donated a lot for a new school
on the condition that the Methodists could have the old school lot on which to
erect their building.
Final disposition:
34. Starrucca
ME
Location: 1 Shadigee Creek Road
Municipality: borough of Starrucca
County: Wayne
State: PA
Directions:
Although in Wayne County, Starrucca is near the county line and has identified with
the Thompson charge in Susquehanna County.
From the main intersection in the village of Thompson [where PA 171
makes a right angle turn] in Susquehanna County, go east 5 miles on Starrucca Road [which becomes Starrucca
Creek Road] to the village of Starrucca. The church is in the village of Starrucca, near the main intersection of Shadigee Creek Road and Starrucca
Creek Road.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
2006,93 – merged into Thompson
2006,167 – permission to sell
building
Brief History:
The congregation here
developed from services held first in a barroom and later in the
schoolhouse. The first Methodist
Episcopal church building in Starrucca was dedicated
January 1, 1848, and stood across the road and slightly toward the schoolhouse
from the present structure. The existing
building was dedicated June 13, 1872.
The church was part of the Thompson charge from 1893 until it closed.
Final disposition:
The building was sold by the Thompson charge
on 3/30/2009 to the Body of Christ Church of Starrucca
for $53,000.
35. Steene
ME
Location: US 6, village of Steene
Municipality: Canaan township
County: Wayne
State: PA
Directions:
The village of Steene
is on US 6, between Waymart and Prompton. The building sits on the southeast corner of
US 6 and Davis Road.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1924,51 –
permission to sell
1925,93 –
building sold; proceeds total $535
Brief History:
Canaan Corners was the site of the
original Methodist class in this area, but the population shifted. After worshiping in a schoolhouse for a
number of years, the class at Steene secured the old
church at Canaan Corners and moved it to a lot donated by Emmons Eaton, where
it was dedicated in 1859. The class was
incorporated April 20, 1870, as “The Eaton Methodist Episcopal Church.”
Final disposition:
The building is now a private residence.
36. Sterling EV
Location: PA 191, village of Newfoundland
Municipality: Dreher township
County: Wayne
State: PA
Directions:
From the interchange of PA 191 with
I-84, go 6 miles south on PA 191 to the south end of Newfoundland. The building stood on the east side of PA
191, in front of the existing cemetery.
The 1872 atlas gives the exact location.
Historic Conference:
East Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical
Association
Journal references:
1921,103 – permission to sell “Newfoundland church
property on Wayne charge”
Brief History:
As Dreher
township was originally part of Sterling township,
this appointment is referred to as Sterling in the church records. The appointment is first named in the records
in connection with Wayne mission in 1869, but the work seems to have begun in
the early 1860’s. The church building
is reported to have been erected about 1854, perhaps by Moravians. There was a separate Sterling circuit in the
1870’s until the appointment was permanently attached to Wayne circuit in
1877. The parsonage for Wayne circuit
was here from 1880 until 1887, when a more centrally located house was purchased. Preaching continued here at least until
1908. Authorization to sell the property
was granted in 1921. The church building
was reportedly moved across the street to become a private residence in the
1940’s. The so-called Albright Cemetery
of this congregation exists just south of Newfoundland, about 20 yards off the
highway, and it is unclear how near the church site was to the cemetery.
Final disposition:
37. Stockport ME
[no picture]
Location: community of Stockport
Municipality: Buckingham township
County: Wayne
State: PA
Directions:
Stockport is on PA 1919, 5 miles
north of Equinunk.
Historic Conference:
New York Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
Stockport was on the Equinunk
charge. The last services here were held
in 1916.
Final disposition:
38. Tallmansville
ME
Location:
Municipality: Preston township
County: Wayne
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
This class was organized in 1831, with
David Wooley as class leader and meetings held in homes. The Tallmansville charge first appears among
the appointments in 1859, having been separated from the Lanesboro
circuit. Tallmansille was a schoolhouse
appointment for many years until a church was erected and dedicated June 23,
1866, on land donated by C.P. Tallman.
The building was dismantled and moved to South Preston in 1887.
Final disposition:
39. Torrey ME
Address: village of Torrey
Municipality: Oregon township
County: Wayne County
State: PA
Directions:
Exit Honesdale on Cliff Street (after US 6
crosses the Lackawaxen River at the south end of
town), which becomes Daniels Road and then Fox Hill Road. Stay on this road about 7 miles. At the stop sign with Torrey Road, turn left
and go 1 mile to the village of Torrey.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal References:
1906,55
– building dedicated May 21, 1905
1928,88 – building destroyed by fire
3/4/1927
1930,309 – building burned to ground
2 years ago; new structure dedicated 5/29/1929.
Brief History:
This is the first church
building erected on what was called the Oregon charge until it was re-named
Carley Brook charge in 1899. At one time
there were four church buildings on the charge: Torrey (1849), Smith Hill
(1852), Rileyville (1871), Carley
Brook (1886), Girdland (1894). Because of declining membership, the
congregation voted unanimously to discontinue.
The closing service was held December 11, 2011,
40. Tresslarville
EV
Location: PA 196, village of Tresslarville
Municipality: Lake township
County: Wayne
State: PA
Directions:
From the intersection of PA 191 and
PA 196 south of Lake Ariel, proceed north on PA 196 3 miles to the intersection
with PA 296. The church is one lot north
of the northwest corner of the intersection.
Historic Conference:
East Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical
Association
Journal references:
1923,20 – “At Tresslarville our church
is used and the then UE property abandoned.”
Wyoming Conference 1969,60 – transfer by change of boundaries to Wyoming Conference
Brief History:
This congregation began sometime before
1894. There were both Association and
United Evangelical buildings in Tresslarville during
the 1894-1922 denominational split. This
is the Association building that was used by the post-1922 merged
congregation. Following the 1968 Methodist-EUB
union, the 27 members of this congregation became part of the Wyoming
Conference of the United Methodist Church.
There were 16 members on the rolls when services were discontinued in
1979. Tresslarville
and the nearby Lackawanna County congregation at Elmdale,
both formerly of the Wayne circuit of the Evangelical Church, had sought and
were given permission to leave the United Methodist Church. The property was sold to the Tresslarville Evangelical Bible Church for $2000. The property not having suitable facilities,
it was soon abandoned and the congregation merged into the Elmdale
Evangelical Bible Church.
Final disposition:
In 2011 the building was empty and for sale by a
realtor.
41. Union MP
[Angels MP]
Location: village of Angels Corners
Municipality: Dreher township
County: Wayne
State: PA
Directions:
From PA 191, 2 miles south of
Newfoundland, go west on PA 507 3 miles to PA 196. The intersection of PA 507 and PA 196 is
called Angels Corners.
Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Protestant
Church
Journal references:
1911,61 – listed as part of the
charge’s report of the Committee on Ladies’ Aid
1916,40 – conference president
preaches here Monday 2/14/1916
1922,53 – Angels, Cortez, Hollisterville, Mt. Cobb & Sterling to form Hollisterville circuit
1925,47 – interior of church painted
1952,945 – declared abandoned;
permission to sell
Brief History:
This building was
dedicated in 1888 on land donated by the Nevin
family. For many years the congregation was part of the 3-point Salem
& Sterling charge consisting of Hollisterville,
East Salem and Union. That charge later
added Mt. Cobb and Cortez and became the Hollisterville
charge. Church services in the building
appear to have ceased as a result of the 1939 denominational merger. The
structure must have been significant, as the December 7, 1916, issue of the Wayne Independent in Honesdale reported
as follows: "Last Sunday the Union Church
which had been remodeled by the addition of a basement and a capacious
vestibule containing a stairway to the second story as well as the fine
basement was rededicated. Services were held all day and evening.
Free chicken dinner and supper was served to the crowd. Rev. Mr. McAckley of Daleville held the attention of the
congregation in the evening by a good address."
Final disposition:
The building was purchased by
Harry C. Roof, pastor of the 3-point LaAnna – South
Sterling – Greentown Methodist parish.
In 1956 he dismantled the structure and used the materials to build his
retirement home on the southeast corner of the intersection of PA 507 and PA
196. The nearby original site is now
overgrown.
42. Varden
EV
Location: PA 296, village of Varden
Municipality: South Canaan township
County: Wayne
State: PA
Directions:
From PA 191 in Lake Ariel, go 2
miles north on PA 296 to the village of Varden. The church stood in the south end of town, on
the top of hill before the bridge crossing Middle Creek, on the right side of
the road. The church building stood
directly in front of the house pictured above, and its foundations lie just
beneath the surface of the front yard.
Historic Conference:
East Pennsylvania Conference of the United Evangelical
Church
Journal references:
1922,126 – listed
for the final time as a conference building
Brief History:
This congregation was
formed after the 1894 denominational split and discontinued at the 1922
denominational re-union. It is believed
that the building erected in 1897 was owned ½ by the United Evangelical Church
and ½ by the Methodist Protestant Church.
Final disposition:
The building became in
full possession of the Methodist Protestant denomination in 1922.
43. Varden
MP
Location: PA 296, village of Varden
Municipality: South Canaan township
County: Wayne
State: PA
Directions:
From PA 191 in Lake Ariel, go 2
miles north on PA 296 to the village of Varden. The church stood in the south end of town, on
the top of hill before the bridge crossing Middle Creek, on the right side of
the road. The church building stood
directly in front of the house pictured above, and its foundations lie just
beneath the surface of the front yard.
Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Protestant
Church
Journal references:
1922,53 – South Canaan & Varden
form a circuit
Brief History:
In 1896, after 65 years of
worshiping with the South Canaan Church, the people of Varden
decided to build a sanctuary of their own.
They partnered with the newly-formed United Evangelical congregation to
erect a building which was dedicated in June 1897. With the 1922 denominational reunion, the
Evangelicals appear to have ended their interest in the building and it
continued to be Methodist Protestant until 1939, when the congregation opted
out of the union that created the Methodist Church and joined the newly-formed
Bible Protestant Church.
Final disposition:
This congregation joined
with its sister congregation at South Canaan in 1975 to erect the present Canaan
Bible Church, located at the southern end of South Canaan, just east of PA 296
on Hemlock Road. The property was sold
and the church building was razed.
44. West Damascus ME
Location:
Municipality:
County: Wayne
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1957,353 – membership and assets merged
into Girdland
Brief History:
This schoolhouse appointment 7 miles
northeast of Carley Brook is included in this list because it was active for
over 100 years, beginning in 1854. In
1857 the membership and assets were merged into Girdland.
Final disposition:
45. West Sterling MP
Location:
Municipality:
County: Wayne
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Protestant
Church
Journal references:
1883,4 – new church building dedicated
Brief History:
The East Sterling and West
Sterling Methodist Protestant churches were both formed about the same time by
dissenting members from the Sterling Methodist Episcopal Church. The West Sterling Church
Final disposition:
46. Whites Valley ME
Address: 1995 Bethany Turnpike [PA 670],
village of Whites Valley
Municipality: Mt. Pleasant township
County: Wayne County
State: PA
Directions:
From PA 191 at the north end of
Honesdale, go 10 miles north on PA 670 to the village of Whites Valley. The church is on the right.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
2019,168 – closed 4/24/2019
Brief History:
The present building here was dedicated in
June 1891. The building was
decommissioned May 3, 2019, and sold on July 11, 2020, to Neeco
A. Beahan for $12,500.
Final disposition: