Untitled 1

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.

BEDFORD COUNTY PA

1. Asbury ME

asbury

Location: W. Graceville Road
Municipality: East Providence township
County: Bedford
State: PA

Directions:
Take US 30 to the west end of the village of Breezewood, turn north on E. Graceville Road and go 4 miles to the T with W. Graceville Road. Turn left and go 0.5 miles. The church is on the left. The 1877 county atlas indicates the exact location of the building.

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
    1896,73 – preliminary steps taken for erection of a church
    1897,69 – building almost completed
    1958,55 - church declared abandoned, property to be sold and proceeds used on Rays Hill charge parsonage

Brief History:
The history of this building is not clear. A log church was erected in 1857, and was later boarded over. The church last listed a membership of 8 in 1957, but it had contributed no finances to the charge, and likely was no longer meeting, since 1949. The existing structure is believed to be a circa 1890's building and may have been erected across the road from the original building.

Final disposition:
Arrangements sell the property in the late 1950's and early 1960's were never completed. The building was sold April 4, 1991, to the Asbury Cemetery Association. The cemetery is still active.

2. Baughman ME
[Olin Chapel]

baughman

Location: Menchtown Road
Municipality: West Providence township
County: Bedford
State: PA

Directions:
Go 2 miles south of Everett on PA 26 to Felton Hollow Road. Turn left on Felton Hollow Road and go 2 miles to Menchtown Road. Turn left on Menchtown Road and go 0.5 milers. The church is on the right. The 1877 county atlas indicates the exact location of the building.

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
1927,426 - permission to sell

Brief History:
This class was organized in 1838. Originally named Olin Chapel, the building was erected through the efforts of George Baughman (1804-1884) in 1854 and renamed in his memory following his death in 1884. The 4-point Everett circuit consisting of Baughman's, Black Valley, Riverside [Earlston] and Tatesville existed from 1897 to 1906. Before and after that those appointments were attached to various other circuits. Only Tatesville remained to become a United Methodist congregation.

Final disposition:
The building is well-maintained, but no longer used for services.

3. Bean's Cove MES

beans

Location: village of Beans Cove
Municipality: Southampton township
County: Bedford
State: PA

Directions:
From Cumberland MD, go 11 miles east on US 40/I-68 to the Pleasant Valley Road interchange. Go 9 miles north on Pleasant Valley Road (which becomes Beans Cove Road when you enter PA) to the village of Beans Cove.

Historic Conference:
Baltimore Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South

Journal references:
Central Pennsylvania 1965,135 – transferred back to Baltimore Conference

Brief History:
This class was started by local preacher Thomas Lakin, who moved into Beans Cove about 1783. He is said to have attended every Quarterly Meeting and every camp meeting held on the circuit until he moved to Ohio in 1826. A log church was erected about 1816 and used until the existing 28x36' frame structure was built in 1881.
At the 1939 merger, Beans Cove and Oakdale became part of the Baltimore Conference of the Methodist Church. In 1962 the conference boundaries were changed to match the state line, and Beans Cove (8 members) and Oakdale (27 members) came into the Central Pennsylvania Conference as a 2-point TBS (to be supplied) charge with no parsonage. Only Oakdale was listed to be supplied in 1963, and neither church was listed to be supplied in 1964.

Final disposition:
Interested members of the community are attempting to keep the building in a reasonable state of repair.

4. Bedford UMC

$Description: Description: Description: X:\image\open_churches\bedford\bedford_first.jpg$

Address: 132 E. John Street, Bedford 15522
Municipality: Bedford borough
County: Bedford
State: PA

Directions:
John Street is parallel to and 4 blocks south of Pitt Street, the old US 30.

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:

Brief History:
     Methodism was likely introduced to Bedford about 1784 by local preacher Thomas Lakin. The first official circuit to include Bedford was likely the Huntingdon circuit formed in 1788. Circuit rider Robert Ayres, who helped organize the Huntingdon circuit, preached in Bedford on June 13, 1788 ― at Thomas Norton's house to between twenty and thirty people. Later preaching services were typically held at the courthouse, while the class meetings were held in private homes. The Bedford circuit was formed in 1809 and split in two in 1842. In 1851 the Bedford charge was formed, and for the first time congregation could enjoy the services of a stationed pastor who was not away riding a circuit for days at time.
    All the Methodist Church buildings in Bedford have been located on the present site, acquired by the society in 1818. A small one-story brick structure was completed in 1826 and added to in 1839. The Wesley Hall was erected in 1871 as the first stage of the present complex. The sanctuary was erected in 1873, the two-story unit at the rear of the church was added in 1935, and the education building to the east was completed in 1963.
     On 1/26/2023 the congregation voted 178-8-1 to disaffiliate from the United Methodist Church, and that disaffiliation along with 140 others was approved at a 5/17/2023 special session of the Susquehanna Conference.

Final disposition:

5. Bedford Forge UMC

$Description: Description: Description: X:\image\open_churches\bedford\bedford_forge.jpg$

Address: 389 Jacks Corner Road, Hopewell 16650
Municipality: Hopewell township
County: Bedford County
State: PA

Directions:
From Everett, 9 miles north on PA 26 to Jacks Corner Road (1/2 mile past intersection with PA 36 at Cottles Corners), left on Jacks Corner Road for 1 mile.

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:

Brief History:
This appointment has also been known as Yellow Creek. Methodist meetings were held in area homes beginning in the late 1700's. A small wooden church was erected in 1851 and replaced by a larger brick building in 1900. The educational wing of four classrooms was added in the 1950's.
On 1/18/2023 the congregation voted 57-2 to disaffiliate from the United Methodist Church, and that disaffiliation along with 140 others was approved at a 5/17/2023 special session of the Susquehanna Conference.

Final disposition:

6. Black Valley ME

[no picture]

Location: Black Valley Road
Municipality: Monroe township
County: Bedford
State: PA

Directions:
From Everett, cross the Juniata River on the bridge at the west end of town (by the intersection of business US 30 and the US 30 bypass). After crossing the river, Black Valley Road is the first road to the right. Go 12 miles south on Black Valley Road, near the intersection with Indian Ridge Road. The church was on the right. [This is not the present Black Valley Church located 6 miles south at Horseman Ranch Road]. The 1877 county atlas indicates the exact location of the building.

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:

Brief History:
The 4-point Everett circuit consisting of Baughman's, Black Valley, Riverside [Earlston] and Tatesville existed from 1897 to 1906. Before and after that those appointments were attached to various other circuits. Only Tatesville remained to become a United Methodist congregation.

Final disposition:
Unknown. The site appears to be an open field.

7. Burning Bush UMC

burning bush

Location: US 220
Municipality: Bedford township
County: Bedford
State: PA

Directions:
From the intersection of US 220 and US 30, go 9 miles south on US 220. The church is on the right.

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
2007,219 - discontinued
2009,349 - sold to Bedford Mennonite Church

Brief History:
The church building was erected about 1880 and was always on the Wolfsburg charge. On 1/14/2007 the congregation voted to discontinue, with the official closing date being 1/31/2007.

Final disposition:
When the church was discontinued, the altar ware and other worship materials were given to Mission Central on 1/24/2008 to be sent to United Methodist congregations in Sierra Leone. The building now houses the Bedford Mennonite congregation.

8. Centerville UMC

$Description: X:\image\open_churches\bedford\centerville.jpg$

Address: 1052 Centerville Road, Bedford 15522
Municipality: Cumberland Valley township
County: Bedford County
State: PA

Directions: In the village of Centerville, off US 220 16 miles south of US 30. Centerville Road is the old US 220.

Historic Conference: Maryland Conference of the Methodist Protestant Church

Journal references:
2021,267 – sold 7/27/2020 for $70,000 to Bedford County Players

Brief History: For many years Centerville was part of a 6-point charge in the Maryland Conference of the Methodist Protestant Church ― with 4 churches (Centerville, Cove, Fellowship and Mineral Springs) and the parsonage in Pennsylvania, and 2 churches in Maryland. By the time of the 1939 union of the Methodism Episcopal (ME) and Methodist Protestant (MP) denominations to form the Methodist Church, the MP Fellowship congregation had already ceased to exist ― the property having been taken in 1931 for the damming of Evitts creek. In 1945 the Baltimore Conference adjusted its overlapping former ME and MP circuits in the area and placed Centerville and Cove and Mineral Springs on a 4-point charge with nearby former ME church Bethel. In 1962 the conference boundaries were fixed to match the state lines and that charge came into the Central Pennsylvania Conference. By the time of the 1968 union to form the United Methodist Church, only Bethel (former ME) and Centerville (former MP) were still active congregations, and for many years they constituted the Bedford Valley charge.

Final disposition:

9. Centerville Union ME

[no picture]

Location: Centerville Road, village of Centerville
Municipality: Cumberland Valley township
County: Bedford
State: PA

Directions:
Centerville Road is the old US 220. The church stood at the southeast corner of Centerville Road and White Church Lane. The 1877 county atlas indicates the exact location of the building.

Historic Conference:
Baltimore Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:

Brief History:
Centerville Union was part of the 8-point Union Grove charge of the Baltimore Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, only two of which were in Pennsylvania: Bethel [now Bethel United Methodist] and Centerville Union. The Centerville Union structure was built by the Methodists and Lutherans about 1858. There was a Methodist Episcopal class into the twentieth century, but in the face of strong Methodist Protestant competition (from the church that is now Centerville United Methodist) it had been discontinued by the time of the 1939 denominational union.

Final disposition:
Only a cemetery marks the spot today.

10. Chaneysville UMC

chaneysville

Location: Church Hill Road, village of Chaneysville
Municipality: Southampton township
County: Bedford
State: PA

Directions:
Go 1 mile east of Bedford on US 30 to PA 326. Go south on PA 326 15 miles to the village of Chaneysville.

Historic Conference:
Baltimore Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
    1986,246 - discontinued
    1988,65 - permission to sell
    1992,355 - sold to Chaneysville Community Church

Brief History:
Pioneer local preach John Lakin preached at the house of Joseph Powell about 1838. Subsequent meetings were held in the Adams schoolhouse until 1860, when the church edifice was erected. A children's area and bathrooms were added in the 1980's. The church was part of the Flintstone circuit of the Baltimore Conference until 1962, when it was transferred by boundary changes to the Central Pennsylvania Conference and placed on the Clearville circuit.

Final disposition:

11. Coaldale ME

colaldale

Location: Main Street
Municipality: borough of Coaldale
County: Bedford
State: PA

Directions:
From Everett, go 16 miles north on PA 26 to Six Mile Run Road, which crosses the Juniata River and enters Riddlesburg. Follow Six Mile Run Road for 3 miles to Coaldale. Six Mile Run Road becomes Main Street in Coaldale. The site is on the left near the center of town. A small monument in an empty lot marks the spot.

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
1969,106/139 - united with Defiance and Riddlesburg to form Six Mile Run UMC

Brief History:
The first church edifice of any denomination in the township was a log building erected by the Methodists about a mile northeast of Coaldale in 1805. The Coaldale church building was erected in 1888. On July 1, 1969, the congregations at Coaldale, Defiance and Riddlesburg joined to form the Six Mile Run United Methodist Church. The united congregation met in the Coaldale building until their new structure was erected at 863 Six Mile Run Run in the village of Defiance in 1981.

Final disposition:
The site is now a small park, with a monument identifying the site of the church.

12. Defiance ME

defiance

Location: College Street
Municipality: Broad Top township
County: Bedford
State: PA

Directions:
From Everett, go 16 miles north on PA 26 to Six Mile Run Road, which crosses the Juniata River and enters Riddlesburg. Follow Six Mile Run Road for 2 miles to Defiance. Fox Street runs parallel to and one block south of Six Mile Run Road. The church stood on the east side of College Street, near the east end of Fox Street.

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
1969,106/139 - united with Coaldale and Riddlesburg to form Six Mile Run UMC

Brief History:
The first church edifice of any denomination in the township was a log building erected by the Methodists about a mile northeast of Coaldale in 1805. The Defiance church building was erected in 1905 On July 1, 1969, the congregations at Coaldale, Defiance and Riddlesburg joined to form the Six Mile Run United Methodist Church. The united congregation met in the Coaldale building until their new structure was erected at 863 Six Mile Run Run in the village of Defiance in 1981.

Final disposition:
The site is now the side entrance to the elementary school property.

13. Earlston ME
[Riverside]

Earlstone

Location: PA 26, village of Earlston
Municipality: West Providence township
County: Bedford
State: PA

Directions:
From Everett, take PA 26 south across the Juniata River into Earlston. Go about 0.5 miles. The church is on the left.

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
1911,76 – new tower entrance built
1925,59 - permission to sell; proceeds to be applied to the improvement of Barndollar Church

Brief History:
As the population around Everett grew, this church was built across the river in Earlston in 1897 and dedicated as the Riverside Methodist Episcopal Church ― but the name was later changed to Earlston, to match the community. The 4-point Everett circuit consisting of Baughman's, Black Valley, Riverside [Earlston] and Tatesville existed from 1897 to 1906. Before and after that those appointments were attached to various other circuits. Only Tatesville remained to become a United Methodist congregation.
When the Earlston iron furnace closed in 1924, populations shifted and activity in the church vanished. An effort was made to transfer the remaining member to Barndollar [Everett] or Tecumseh, but most moved their membership to other denominations or discontinued going to church altogether. [The Pennsylvania Turnpike maintenance headquarters was built on the site of the Earlston Iron Furnace, and concrete piers from the furnace still stand in the parking lot.]

Final disposition:
The church building was used by the Pillar of Fire denomination for several years, but now the property is used for storage. The cornerstone of the Earlston Church was presented to Everett United Methodist Church in 1971.

14. Eichelbergertown UMC

eichelburgertown

Location: village of Eichelbergertown
Municipality: Hopewell township
County: Bedford
State: PA

Directions:
The village of Eichelbergertown is 2 miles west of the borough of Hopewell, just off PA 26.

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
    1928,643 – new church to be dedicated 3/25/1928
    1929,80 – rebuilt and greatly enlarged church building dedicated
    1971,109 – no longer listed
    1972,216 – members transferred to Hopewell

Brief History:
A one-room church at Eichelbergertown was dedicated January 6, 1884. The congregation experienced so much revival and growth over the years that in 1927 it was decided to build out on both side walls. A sanctuary was built to the east, with partitions so that the original building could be use for overflow seating, and three Sunday School rooms were added to the west. The basement was tiled in 1961, adding even more to what was already a remarkable structure for such a small community.
The Hopewell charge consisting of Eichelbergertown, Hopewell, Kearney (discontinued in 1921) and Langdondale existed from 1906 to 1969. Only Hopewell remains as a United Methodist congregation.

Final disposition:
The Hopewell still owned the building in 1980. No record of sale is on file with the archives. The building had been used as a gathering place for community youth and for storage, but it is no longer usable.

15. Fellowship MP

fellowship

Location: Growden Road
Municipality: Cumberland Valley township
County: Bedford
State: PA

Directions:
From the village of Centerville, go 2 miles east on White Church Road to Evitts Creek Road. Turn right on Evitts Creek Road and go 5 miles south across the dam for Lake Koon to Growden Road. Turn right on Growden Road and go one mile. The site is on the right. The 1877 county atlas indicates the exact location of the building.

Historic Conference:
Maryland Conference of the Methodist Protestant Church

Journal references:
1931,118 – sold to Evitts Creek Water Company for $5000

Final disposition:
The site is under water.

16. Hartley Chapel ME

hartley

Location: US 30
Municipality: Snake Spring township
County: Bedford
State: PA

Directions:
Go 5 miles west of Everett on US 30. Just past the hospital there is a triangle of land on the right. The church stood by the existing cemetery. The 1877 county atlas indicates the exact location of the building.

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
    1926,243 – sale authorized
    1930,51 – check for $213.15 received as the proceeds of the sale of Hartley Chapel
    1935,61 – proceeds given to the Annuity Funds
     1939,39 – $14.80 proceeds from sale of Hartley Chapel

Brief History:
In 1852 the community built a union church on land belonging to John G. Hartley, who was a Methodist. In February 1854, much to the displeasure of some, he deeded the land to Methodist Episcopal Church

Final disposition:
Only the cemetery remains.

17. Hopewell MP

[no picture]

Location: Teaberry Road
Municipality: Cumberland Valley township
County: Bedford
State: PA

Directions:
Go 4 miles north of Centerville on US 220 to Evitts Creek Road. Turn right on Evitts Creek Road and go 0.5 miles to Buck Falls Road. Go 1 mile on Buck Falls Road and bear left onto Teaberry Road. Go 1 mile on Teaberry Road. The site is on the left. The 1877 county atlas indicates the exact location of the building.

Historic Conference:
Maryland Conference of the Methodist Protestant Church

Journal references:

Brief History:
The meetings of this class were originally held in Hunt's schoolhouse. In 1858 the place of meeting was changed to the schoolhouse in Schober's Valley, and in 1869 a church building was erected. The 1884 county history states that the "Hopewell appointment has recently been discontinued."

Final disposition:
Unknown

18. Kearney ME

kesney

Location: Kearney Hill Road
Municipality: Broad Top township
County: Bedford
State: PA

Directions:
Kearney is off PA 915 east of the borough of Hopewell. Go 2 mile east of Hopewell on PA 915 to Kearney Hill Road [aka Mosquito Hollow Road]. Turn left on Kearney Hill Road and go 1.5 miles. The church is on the right..

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
1906,69 - class organized at Kearney and will erect a church building in the immediate future

Brief History:
The Hopewell charge consisting of Eichelbergertown, Hopewell, Kearney (discontinued in 1921) and Langdondale existed from 1906 to 1969. Only Hopewell remained to become a United Methodist congregation.

Final disposition:
The building now houses the Kearney Union Church.

19. Langdondale UMC

longdale

Location: Stone Row Road, community of Langdondale
Municipality: Broad Top township
County: Bedford
State: PA

Directions:
Langdondale is off PA 915 one mile east of the borough of Hopewell. Go 1 mile east of Hopewell on PA 915, bear to the right on the old highway (Stone Row Road), go about 100 yards. The site is on the right.

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
    1923,63 - former union church we had been using deeded to Methodist Episcopal Church
    1971,109 - no longer listed
    1972,216 - members transferred to Hopewell

Brief History:
    Originally constructed as a union building, this structure was rededicated as a Methodist church on October 1, 1922.
    The Hopewell charge consisting of Eichelbergertown, Hopewell, Kearney (discontinued in 1921) and Langdondale existed from 1906 to 1969. Only Hopewell remained to become a United Methodist congregation.

Final disposition:
The Hopewell still owned the building in 1980. No record of sale is on file with the archives. The building has been razed, and only a hole and a entrance step remain to mark the site.

20. Loysburg UMC

Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: loysburg

Address: 5768 Churchview Road
Municipality: South Woodbury township
County: Bedford County
State: PA

Directions:
Go 3 miles north on PA 36 from its southern terminus on PA 26, turn left on Churchview Road into the village of Loysburg. The church is in the center of the village of Loysburg.

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
2018,143 – merged into Bedford Forge

Brief History:
The first Methodist services in Loysburg were held in 1850 in the old Loy school house by members of the Martinsburg class. A class was organized in 1852, and a church building was erected in 1853. By 1898 there was a need for larger structure, and W.H. Aaron donated the lot for such a purpose. The present building was dedicated on that lot in 1900. The Loysburg congregation has given three of her sons to the Methodist ministry: Elmer E. Noble (1862-1904) of the Ohio North Conference , and brothers Charles Wesley Karns (1858-1951) and William Emerson Karns (1868-1936). In 20188, Loysburg merged into Bedford Forge.

Final disposition:

21. Mineral Springs MP

mineral_springs

Location: Evitts Creek Road
Municipality: Cumberland Valley township
County: Bedford
State: PA

Directions:
From the village of Centerville, go 2 miles east on White Church Road to Evitts Creek Road. Turn right on Evitts Creek Road and go 2 miles south. The church is on the left. The 1877 county atlas indicates the exact location of the building.

Historic Conference:
Maryland Conference of the Methodist Protestant Church

Journal references:

Brief History:
    The Bedford Methodist Protestant charge, with parsonage in Centerville, historically included 6 appointments: 2 (Centenary, Fairview) in Maryland, 4 (Centerville, Fellowship, Mineral Springs, Rainsburg) in Pennsylvania. Fellowship closed in 1931. At the 1939 union, the charge was placed in the Baltimore Conference of the Methodist Church. In 1945 the Baltimore Conference adjusted its charge boundaries so its Bedford charge was entirely within the state of Pennsylvania. Rainsburg merged into the former Methodist Episcopal church in that community in 1959. In 1962 the remaining congregations on the Bedford charge (Bethel [former Baltimore Conference ME], Centerville, and Mineral Springs) of the Baltimore Conference came into the Central Pennsylvania Conference as the Centerville charge ― and that was the beginning of the end for this church.
    Mineral Springs entered the conference with 42 members in 1962, reported 41 in 1963, and 40 in 1964. In 1965 there is a blank line for the church, and beginning with 1966 there is no listing at all. There is no official journal record of its fate, and there is no equivalent increase in membership for nearby churches.
     Mineral Springs is last included in the charge conference records in 1962, and the reports for that year include the following account of the congregation’s closing and the apparent attempted sale of the property: “Mineral Springs – give back money to buyer and have the church conference resell… no deed was given… let it rest for 1 year.”
     It appears that former members and community persons maintained the church and used it for occasional services until September 2010, at which point the “congregation” disbanded and gave a donation to the Centerville church “in appreciation for the support that some of the members of the Centerville United Methodist gave to Mineral Springs Church.”

Final disposition:
The building is maintained by the adjacent property owner and used for storage. The spring on the property still produces distinctive mineral water.

22. Mount Smith ME

mount smith

Location: Business Route US 220
Municipality: Bedford township
County: Bedford
State: PA

Directions:
Go 3 miles north of Bedford on business route US 220. The church site is on the right, by the cemetery, north of Belden Road and south of Country Ridge Road. The 1877 county atlas indicates the exact location of the building.

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
     1884,51 – “neat and comfortable” church erected
     1955, 54 – sold for $150; funds being held until Conferences directs the disposition
     1963, 83 – $200 received for electric company power lines right-of-way

Brief History:
The church was erected sometime before 1877 and was on the Wolfsburg charge from 1882 until it was closed. Services appear to have stopped in 1933, as that is that last year the appointment is recorded as making a financial contribution to the charge. A membership of 16 is listed until 1936, but beginning in 1937 the appointment disappears completely from the records. There appears to have been a general cleaning up of the records on the Wolfsburg charge in 1937, as every appointment reported fewer members ― the charge membership was listed as 347 in 1936, but only as 214 in 1937. The frame building was dismantled about 1950.

Final disposition:
Only the cemetery remains. The cemetery Association was separately incorporated in 1930, but appears to be no longer functioning and the grounds are being cared for by the local post of the American Legion.

23. Oakdale MES

oak_dale

Location: Flintstone Creek Road
Municipality: Southampton township
County: Bedford
State: PA

Directions:
From Cumberland MD, go 16 miles east on US 40/I-68 to the Flintstone interchange. Go 5 miles north on Flintstone Creek Road. The church is on the left.

Historic Conference:
Baltimore Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South

Journal references:
Central Pennsylvania 1965,133 – transferred back to Baltimore Conference

Brief History:
At the 1939 merger, Beans Cove and Oakdale became part of the Baltimore Conference of the Methodist Church. In 1962 the conference boundaries were changed to match the state line, and Beans Cove (8 members) and Oakdale (27 members) came into the Central Pennsylvania Conference as a 2-point TBS (to be supplied) charge with no parsonage. Only Oakdale was listed to be supplied in 1963, and neither church was listed to be supplied in 1964.
Unbeknownst to the Central Pennsylvania Conference, who literally ignored the congregation, the appointment was supplied by pastors from the Baltimore Conference for several years.

Final disposition:
The Central Pennsylvania Conference sold the property to the non-denominational Oakdale Community Church for $4,000 in 1974. The building now houses an independent Christian ministry.

24. Pavia ME [officially in Western PA Conference]

Scan-221221-0001

Location: PA 869
Municipality: Union township
County: Bedford
State: PA

Directions: From Clearville, go 1 mile south on PA 26 to Pleasant Union Church Road. Turn left on Pleasant Union Church Road and go 4 miles to Beegle road. The church is on the right, at the intersection of Pleasant Union Church Road and Beegle Road.

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
1892,52 – “At Pavia, Alum Bank charge, a tasteful and substantial frame church has been erected at a cost of $8.50.

Brief History:
The 1915 journal lists Pavia as Methodist-owned building on the Alum Bank charge, and the 1916 journal lists 7 members – those are the first years the journal gives such statistics at the individual church level.

Final disposition:

25. Pleasant Union ME

Location: Pleasant Union Church Road
Municipality: Monroe township
County: Bedford
State: PA

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
1970,102 - no longer listed

Final disposition:
The building houses an independent congregation.

26. Providence ME

providena

Location: Bunker Hill Road
Municipality: West Providence township
County: Bedford
State: PA

Directions:
Take US 30 west of the village of Breezewood for 6 miles to Bunker Hill Road. Turn north on Bunker Hill Road and go 1.5 miles. The church is on the right. The 1877 county atlas indicates the exact location of the building, identifying it as a Baptist Church.

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Journal references:
    1915,68 - listed as a union church, with Methodists having part ownership
    1956,52 - church discontinued, any proceeds from sale of property to be applied to the other churches on the Rays Hill charge
    1958,55 - church discontinued and members transferred, Methodists have "no property holding"

Brief History:
The church last listed a membership of 25 in 1957, but it had contributed no finances to the charge, and likely was no longer meeting, since 1952.

Final disposition:
The building houses an independent congregation.

27. Rainsburg UMC

rainsburg

Location: Main Road
Municipality: borough of Rainsburg
County: Bedford
State: PA

Directions:
Main Road is PA 326. As you head south out of Rainsburg on PA 326, the church is on the left, one lot north of Seminary Street

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
    1879,45 - two-story church erected and dedicated
    1999,S14 – all members transfer or withdraw
    2003,287 – sold to borough of Rainsburg

Brief History:
This congregation erected a stone building in1849. The brick structure pictured above was dedicated December 15, 1878.

Final disposition:

28. Rainsburg MES

[no picture]

Location: Main Road
Municipality: borough of Rainsburg
County: Bedford
State: PA

Directions:
Main Road is PA 326. As you head south out of Rainsburg on PA 326, the church is on the left, on the northeast corner of Main Road and Seminary Street.

Historic Conference:
Baltimore Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South

Journal references:

Brief History:
In 1875 Rainsburg MES class purchased the stone school building to the right of the Rainsburg ME church ― at which time the public school moved into the building operated by the Methodists as the Rainsburg Academy from 1855 to 1860. The congregation worshiped there until erecting their own frame building in 1877. This congregation was always small. They sold the stone building in 1883 and the frame building in 1888, when it became known as Patriot's Hall. During its short existence the congregation appears to have been an isolated appointment of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and not part of any larger circuit or charge.

Final disposition:

29. Rainsburg MP
[Cove Church]
[Woods Church]

rainsburg

Location: Harrietta Lane
Municipality: Colerain township
County: Bedford
State: PA

Directions:
From Rainsburg, go west on Valley Road 0.5 miles to Harrietta Lane. Turn righ on Harrietta Lane and go 1 mile to Rose Lane. The church sits on the northwest corner of Harrietta Lane and Rose Lane. The 1877 county atlas indicates the exact location of the building.

Historic Conference:
Maryland Conference of the Methodist Protestant Church

Journal references:
Central Pennsylvania Conference 1959,58 – merged into the former Methodist Episcopal church in Rainsburg

Final disposition:
Deeded to the Rainsburg Cemetery Association in 1970, the building continues to be used for funerals and homecoming services.

30. Riddlesburg UMC

riddlesburg

Location: Schoolhouse Hill Road, village of Rddlesburg
Municipality: Broad Top township
County: Bedford
State: PA

Directions:
From intersection of PA26 and Pa 915 at Hopewell, go 2 miles north on PA 26 to Six Mile Run Road. Turn right on Six Mile Run Road to cross the Juniata River and enter the village of Riddlesburg. Go 2 blocks to Schoolhouse Hill Road. Turn left on Schoolhouse Hill Road and go 200 yards. The church stood on the left. The 1877 county atlas indicates the exact location of the building.

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
    1874,41 – church building erected jointly by Presbyterians and Methodists
    1969,106/139 – united with Defiance and Coaldale to form Six Mile Run UMC
    1991,375/379 – sold

Brief History:
The first church edifice of any denomination in the township was a log building erected by the Methodists about a mile northeast of Coaldale in 1805. The Riddlesburg church building was erected in 1873 and owned jointly with the Presbyterians , followed by a larger structure owned solely by the Methodists that was dedciatec July 11, 1926. On July 1, 1969, the congregations at Coaldale, Defiance and Riddlesburg joined to form the Six Mile Run United Methodist Church. The united congregation met in the Coaldale building until their new structure was erected at 863 Six Mile Run Run in the village of Defiance in 1981.

Final disposition:
The building has been razed. The site is an empty lot.

31. Robinsonville ME

robinsville

Location: Robinsonville Road
Municipality: Monroe township
County: Bedford
State: PA

Directions:
From the village of Mattie in East Providence township, go1 mile west on West Mattie Road to Robinsonville Road. Go 10 miles south on Robinsonville Road (after 2 miles, Stevens Chapel United Methodist Church is on the left) to the village of Robinsonville. The church is on the left.

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
1881,46 - building dedicated
1971,185 – permission to sell to Cemetery Association

Brief History:
The charge known as Robinsonville 1880-86 and Clearville 1886-1991 coordinated the Methodist work in southeastern Bedford County for over 100 years. The original 5 appointments of Clearville, Robinsonville, Pleasant Union, Shreves Chapel, and Stevens Chapel were joined by Tatesville (from being supplied separately) in 1942 and Chaneysville in (from the Baltimore Conference) in 1962. A 28x44 chapel at Robinsonville was dedicated October 24, 1881, on land deed to the Methodists the previous year by Hiram Robinson The January 31, 1801, Christian Advocate (page 193) reports that when the carpenter had finished, the congregation had a "new church" ― but it is unclear whether that was a new building, or an extensive remodeling. The membership dropped from 33 in 1953 to 16 in 1955, and by 1957 it appears that services were no longer being held.

Final disposition:
The property was deeded to the Robinsonville Cemetery Association in 1972.

32. Shreves Chapel UMC

shereves

Location: off Big Creek Road
Municipality: Monroe township
County: Bedford
State: PA

Directions:
Leave the village of Clearville on Rockhill Church Road, which continues east when PA 26 makes a right angle to head south. Go 0.5 miles on Rockhill Church Road to Big Creek Road. Turn left on Big Creek Road and go 7.7 miles to Shreves Road, an upaved lane that goes off to the right to Shreves Chapel. The chapel is 0.5 miles down Shreves Road, on the leftThe 1877 county atlas indicates the exact location of the building.

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
1990,229 – discontinued
1991,375/379 – sold

Brief History:
The charge known as Robinsonville 1880-86 and Clearville 1886-1991 coordinated the Methodist work in southeastern Bedford County for over 100 years. The original 5 appointments of Clearville, Robinsonville, Pleasant Union, Shreves Chapel, and Stevens Chapel were joined by Tatesville (from being supplied separately) in 1942 and Chaneysville in (from the Baltimore Conference) in 1962.
John Shreve (1782-1862) was a local preacher who homesteaded this land in 1806. He is buried in the adjacent cemetery. In 1848 he erected a log chapel on his property. The present building was erected in 1879 by the members of the log chapel. The membership gradually dwindled until there were only four active members in 1990, and they voted unanimously to discontinue the appointment.

Final disposition:
The property was sold to the Shreves Chapel Cemetery Association in 1991.

33. Tatesville UMC

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Address: 151 Methodist Church Road, Everett 15537
Municipality: Hopewell township
County: Bedford County
State: PA

Directions:
Turn east off PA 26 onto Plank Road to the village of Tatesville. Plank road is the first road north of Everett after business PA 26 and the PA 26 by-pass come back together. Go 0.5 miles on Plank Road and turn right at the church sign onto Methodist Church Road, the fourth road to the right.

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:

Brief History:
Tatesville was once known as John's Branch, and also as Hamilton. The church was erected on land given in 1861 by Joseph W. Tate.
On 2/1/2023 the congregation voted 42-0 to disaffiliate from the United Methodist Church, and that disaffiliation along with 140 others was approved at a 5/17/2023 special session of the Susquehanna Conference.

Final disposition:

34. Tecumseh ME

tecumseh

Location: N. Spring Street
Municipality: borough of Everett
County: Bedford
State: PA

Directions:
N. Spring Street is PA 26. The church stood on the east side of the street, south of the present bypass for US 30.

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
1967,98 – merged into Everett Barndollar effective 6/1/1967

Brief History:
In the 1880's the area known as Tecumseh was not yet within the borough limits of Everett. A large tanning plant had been built there, and the area was experiencing rapid growth. Methodists living in the area organized and held meetings in the schoolhouse. In 1885 they purchased the school building and converted it into a church.
On June 3, 1967, the Tecumseh Church united with the Barndollar Church to form, using the expanded former Barndollar facilities, the present Everett United Methodist Church. The Tecumseh building was renamed the Methodist Center and for several years was used by scouts and other community groups, and for various social functions of the united congregation. The property was eventually sold and the building removed.

Final disposition:
The site is now home to the Tecumseh apartments, a project of the local housing authority. Many of the worship artifacts are preserved in the Tecumseh room/chapel at the Everett United Methodist Church. Some of the building materials were used in the schoolhouse at Old Bedford Village.

35. Wesley Chapel UMC

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Address: 1299 E. Mattie Road, Breezewood 15533
Municipality: East Providence township
County: Bedford County
State: PA

Directions:
Southeast of Everett. East Mattie Road is the road from Mattie to Jackson Mills. The chapel is about 2/3 of the way from Mattie to Jackson Mills.

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
2023,180 – closed 9/9/2022

Brief History:
The land on which Wesley Chapel was constructed was deeded by Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Mellott on November 25, 1884. The vestibule on the front of the church was added in 1971. For many years, Wesley Chapel and Breezewood were the last two United Methodist congregations from the rural Rays Hill Methodist Episcopal charge that once included six church buildings. The Wesley Chapel congregation closed 9/9/2022.

Final disposition:
The property was sold to Kolby L. Weaver on 5/6/2024 for $92,400.00.