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
CLEARFIELD
COUNTY PA
1. Allport UMC
Location: PA 53, village of Allport
Municipality: Morris township
County: Clearfield
State: PA
Directions:
From the interchange of I-80 and PA
53, go miles south on PA 53. The church
building is on the left. In the north end of Allport, ½ south of the
Bigler-Allport cutoff.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1888,53 – church building erected
1988,310&311 – merged
with Centre Hill, Kylertown and Munson to erect the present Gethsemane United
Methodist Church
1990,351 – discontinued
1994,220&350 – abandoned
1995,337 – sold
Brief History:
Final disposition:
The building has been remodeled into apartments,
with the sanctuary converted into upstairs units.
2. Ansonville ME
Location: Ansonville Road, village
of Ansonville
Municipality: Jordan township
County: Clearfield
State: PA
Directions:
Ansonville is on PA 729, 5.5 miles northwest of Glen
Hope. At the intersection of PA 729 and
Ansonville Road, go east on Ansonville Road about 100 yards. The church stood on the south side of the
road, across from the commercial circular drive.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1891,60 – church building dedicated
1899,48 – Ansonville
circuit purchases parsonage in New Millport
1946,31 – abandoned; permission to sell
1947,33 – sold; net proceeds $681.03
[should be $684.03?]
1947,158-159 – sold for $700,00, with
$14.97 expenses
1948,162 – $685.03 proceeds being held in
trust
1949,54 & 1950,183 – proceeds
transferred to Faxon-Kenmar Church, Williamsport
Brief History:
This appointment was on the New Millport
charge. The church building here was
dedicated July 20, 1890, and dissembled in 1946. The pictured fire pit was constructed using
stones from the structure.
Final disposition:
The property was sold for
$700 (1947,159) and the site is now occupied by a private residence.
3. Banian ME
[no picture]
Location: PA 453, community of
Banian
Municipality: Bigler township
County: Clearfield
State: PA
Directions:
Banian Junction is on PA 453 about ½ miles south of
Madera. The railroad bed is still
visible, but the tracks are gone. The
exact location of the church building is unknown
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church.
Journal references:
1913,77 – unused; building torn down and
materials to be used to erect church at Smoke Run
Brief History:
Final disposition:
4. Belsena Mills UMC
Location: community of Belsena
Municipality: Bigler township
County: Clearfield
State: PA
Directions:
Exit Madera
heading west on PA 53 [Main Street]. At
the west end of towm, just after crossing Clearfield Creek, turn north onto
Belsena Road. Go about 2.5 miles on
Belsena Road. The church is on the left.
Historic Conference:
Central
Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1984,297 – discontinued
1984 -289 – sold
Brief History:
This was erected as a community church and
later transferred to the Central Pennsylvania Conference. Regular preaching ceased about 1976.
Final disposition:
5. Bethel UMC
Location: PA 729, village of
Beccaria
Municipality: Beccaria township
County: Clearfield
State: PA
Directions:
From Janesville, go 2 miles west on PA 729 to the
village of Beccaria. The church is on
the right.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1980,A80 – entered closed list
1986,212 – confer with western PA
Conference
1990,351 – entered discontinued list
Brief History:
This church was on the Glen Hope charge,
closed in 1929 with a last reported membership of 9, and is officially within
the boundaries of the Western Pennsylvania Conference. At the time of the 1970 conference
realignments it was being overseen by the Ramey charge and it never entered the
records of the Western Pennsylvania Conference.
For many years an annual homecoming service was held. This is also known as Bethel Church at
Hegarty Crossroads, even those Hegarty Crossroads is about 1 mile west of the
village of Beccaria.
Final disposition:
6. Betz UMC
Location: community of Betz
Municipality: Bigler township
County: Clearfield
State: PA
Directions:
In Madera,
Spruce Street runs parallel to and two blocks north of PA 53 [Main
Street]. Exit Madera to the northwest on
Spruce Street and go about 2.5 miles.
The church is on the left.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1984,297 – discontinued
1984,289 – sold
Brief History:
The work here began before 1900 with
preachers from the Glen Hope charge. The
appointment met in the school house, which the congregation purchased on
September 5, 1942. In 1950, Betz and
Belsano were added to the Houtzdale-Madera parish to make it a four-point
charge. Regular preaching services here
ceased about 1976, although neighbors continued a very small Sunday School for
several more years.
Final disposition:
7. Beulah City David S. Monroe Memorial ME
[no picture]
Location: community of Beulah
Municipality: Bigler township
County: Clearfield
State: PA
Directions:
The community of Beulah is on the western edge of
Ramey. Where the main road makes a
sweeping curve to the left, proceed straight ahead.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1900,57 – introduced as a new church, David
S. Monroe Memorial Church of the Ramey charge
1911,63 – re-roofed
1915,65 – listed as a preaching appointment
1925,59 – sale authorized, proceeds to
Ramey
Brief History:
The 2/15/1900
Christian Advocate, page 274,
reports: “Beulah City, an appointment on Ramey Circuit, H.A. Straub, pastor,
has a new Methodist church, named in honor of the presiding elder of Altoona
District, David S. Monroe, by his friend, James H. Minds, a prominent coal
operator, who secured a large piece of land for the church and a cemetery. On Sunday afternoon, February 4, the corner
stone of the new structure was laid by Presiding Elder Monroe.” The
1/3/1901 Christian Advocate, page 32,
reports, “Davis S. Monroe Chapel, built by Mr. James H. Minds, at Beulah City,
on Ramey charge, W.W. Reese pastor, was dedicated on Sunday, November 25, by
brother Monroe… who protracts a meeting that begins with encouraging signs.”
Final disposition:
8. Bigler UMC
Address: 310 Bigler road, town of
Bigler.
Municipality: Bradford township
County: Clearfield
State: PA
Directions:
From Philipsburg, go 9 miles north on US 322
to the traffic light at Bigler Road.
Turn west on Bigler Road and go 0.5 miles. The church is on the left, in the west end of
town.
Historic Conference:
Allegheny Conference of the United
Brethren Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
The first church at Bigler, a frame
building, was dedicated October 3, 1895.
The brick structure was dedicated May 4, 1924. The brick parsonage to the left of the church
was also erected in 1924, following the sale of the former frame
parsonage. A plaque on the Sunday School
building on the west side of the parking lot reads, “The Westminster Chapel of
the Bigler Evangelical United Brethren Church – formerly the Bigler
Presbyterian Church 1875-1953.”
Membership dwindled and the church as closed July 1, 2017.
Final disposition:
9. Bloomington UMC
Location: PA 453, village of
Bloomington
Municipality: Pike township
County: Clearfield
State: PA
Directions:
The village of Bloomington is on PA
453, 2 miles south of Curwensville
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1987,350 –
resolution to receive New Millport charge from Western PA Conference
1988,310 – New Millport charge
transferred from Western PA Conference
1996,198 and 1997,199 – merged into
O’Shanter
1997,316 – discontinued
2008,323 – reportedly offered to New
Clearfield Baptist Church in 1997
Brief History:
This church was established by the Central
Pennsylvania Conference in 1868. From
1970 to 1988 the New Millport charge was in the Western Pennsylvania
Conference.
Final disposition:
Community
Baptist Church met in the building until acquiring 10 adjoining acres to the
south and erecting a new structure. The
Methodist building still stands on the north end of the Baptist property.
10. Centre ME
Location: Washington Avenue
Municipality: Lawrence township
County: Clearfield
State: PA
Directions:
From the community of Hyde, go south on Washington
Avenue (the old Clearfield-Curwensville highway). The church site is in the second cemetery on
the right, at the junction with Country Club Road, ½ mile past Village Road and
before the high school.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
Organized in 1815, this is the oldest
Methodist Society in Clearfield County and the mother
church for all area Methodism. The congregation
first met in a log cabin that was also used as a schoolhouse. Two church building were erected on this
site, on land donated by the Philip Antes who had done the same thing at Curtin
in Centre County in 1787: one in 1834, and the second, pictured above at the
right, in 1862. The Pleasant Grove and
Centre congregations began worshiping together in this building in 1959. In 1962 the united congregation, now Centre
Grove United Methodist Church, moved into its new building on Village Road in
the south end of Hyde.
Final disposition:
The church building has been razed, but the
cemetery remains. The church site is
marked by a stone monument with a plaque.
11. Centre Hill UMC
Location: Sington Road
Municipality: Graham township
County: Clearfield
State: PA
Directions:
From Morrisdale, go north on Deer Creek Road 2.5 miles
to Allport Cutoff Road. Go west on
Allport Cutoff Road 1.5 miles to Centre Hill Road. Go south on Centre Hill Road 0.5 miles to
Sington Road. Go eat on Sington Road 100
yards. The site is on the right.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1884,55 – church building dedicated
8/5/1883
1988,310&311 – merged with Allport,
Kylerton and Munson to form Gethsemane UMC
1990,229&353 – enters abandoned list
Brief History:
Final disposition:
The church has been razed. Only the cemetery remains
12. Chester Hill UB
[no picture]
Location:
Municipality: borough of Chester Hill
County: Clearfield
State: PA
Directions:
The borough of Chester Hill is the
populated area adjacent to Phillipsburg (which is in Centre County) which lies
in Clearfield County, and it happens to have been the lands of United Brethren
pioneer Valentine Flegal.
Historic Conference:
Allegheny Conference of the United Brethren Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
Salem church in Boggs township was erected in
1848 and is the mother church for Wallaceton UB (erected 1871, but did not
endure and was converted to a school house after a few years) and Spring Valley
UB (erected 1879 and now United Methodist) and Chester Hill UB (although it is
unclear whether the United Brethren ever erected a building here).
Final disposition:
13. Clearfield Christ UMC
Address: 703 Dorey Street
Municipality: borough of Clearfield
County: Clearfield
State: PA
Directions:
Dorey Street runs parallel
to and 3 blocks south of US 322 in the eastern part of Clearfield. The street numbers of Dorey Street follow the
usual pattern coordinated with the numbered cross streets and agree with the
street numbers on US 322.
Historic Conference:
Allegheny Conference of the United
Brethren Church
Journal References:
2021,267 – sold 9/14/2020 for $30,000 to
Donald and Nicole Gillingham
Brief History:
This congregation began when United
Brethren families who had moved into East Clearfield from Woodland and Bigler
began meeting in homes. They purchased a
lot and dedicated a chapel on the site 7/22/1894. In October 1901 the chapel was moved to the
rear of the lot, and the cornerstone for the present building was laid in
1902. The completed structure was
dedicated 12/27/1903, and additions were constructed in 1941 and 1951. The congregation voted to close in April 2019.
14. Eden UMC
Location: Goshen Road
Municipality: Goshen township
County: Clearfield
State: PA
Directions:
From Shawville, go east on PA 879 for 1 mile to Knobs
Road. Turn north onto Knobs Road and go
3 miles. The church is on the left.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1905,61 – church building at Eden
dedicated summer 1905
1970,93 – discontinued
1971,185 – sold to Cemetery Association
Brief History:
The land was deeded to the congregation in
1902, and that is considered the founding date.
Final disposition:
15. Egypt ME
Location: Egypt Road
Municipality: Bradford township
County: Clearfield
State: PA
Directions:
From the interchange, east of Clearfield, of PA 970
and I-80, go 0.5 miles north to Egypt Road.
Turn east onto Egpyt Road and follow Egypt Road east and north for 3
miles. The church is on the left.
Historic Conference:
Central
Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1915,66 – Egypt is listed as a school
house appointment
Brief History:
The community of Egypt has two structures
erected as church buildings, one historically Church of Christ and one
historically Christian & Missionary Alliance. The Methodists are believed to have met in
the school house, and so the building pictured above was not likely the
Methodist meeting place.
Final disposition:
16. Fairview UMC
Address: 6159 Deer Creek Road
Municipality: Graham township
County: Clearfield
State: PA
Directions:
Deer Creek Road heads north off PA 53 in
Morrisdale. From Morrisdale, go north 6
miles on Deer Creek Road. The church is
on the left.
Historic Conference:
Allegheny Conference of the United
Brethren Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
The work here began with a
union church erected in 1848. Later a
new building was erected – and over the years a tower was added to front of the
building and a fellowship hall to the left.
For many years Fairview was on the
Allegheny Conference’s five-point Bigler charge (Bigler, Fairview, Pleasant
Hill, Shiloh, Summit Hill), and after 1958 on the three-point Summit Hill
charge (Fairview, Pleasant Hill, Summit Hill).
On
3/9/2023 the congregation voted 14-1 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:
The congregation has continued
to operate as the Fairview Bible Church of Morrisdale.
17. Faunce Union ME
Location: Faunce Road, community of
Faunce
Municipality: Boggs township
County: Clearfield
State: PA
Directions:
From Curwensville, go 5 miles south on PA 879 to Mt.
Zion Road. Go east on Mt. Zion Road 1.5
miles to Faunce Road. Bear right onto
Faunce Road and continue east 2 miles.
The church is on the left, soon after crossing over Clearfield Creek.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1915,65 – Faunce is listed as “a church
building rented or leased by us”
Brief History:
Final disposition:
18. Forest Emmanuel UMC
[aka Winburne]
Address: 4064 Winburne Road
Municipality: Cooper township
County: Clearfield
State: PA
Directions:
From the interchange of I-80 and PA 53, go
south on PA 53 0.5 miles to Schoolhouse Lane.
Turn left onto School house Lane and go 0.5 miles to Forest Road. Turn left on Forest Road and go 0.5 miles to
the crossroad with Main Street. Turn
left onto Main Street and go 0.5 miles.
The church is on the right.
Historic Conference:
Pittsburgh Conference of
the Evangelical Association
Journal References:
1997,199 – named changed from Winburne
Emmanuel to Forest Emmanuel
2016,147 – discontinued
Brief History:
This church was part of
the Evangelical Association prior to 1922 and was served with Rosebud, quite a
distance to the southwest and in territory now within the Western Pennsylvania
Conference.
Final
Disposition:
19. Gazzam ME
[no picture]
Location: Main Street, community of
Gazzam
Municipality: Jordan township
County: Clearfield
State: PA
Directions:
Gazzam is on PA 729, 8 miles south of Lumber
city. It is now a ghost town. The church stood on the east side of Main
Street on lot 56, the first lot north of Little Clearfield Creek.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church.
Journal references:
1894,48 – church building completed, will
be dedicated in the near future
Brief History:
This society was organized during the
winter of 1886-87 by local preacher J.A. Miller and served from Lumber
City. The Methodist church building in
Gazzam was operational 1893-1914 and does not appear in the comprehensive 1915
list of appointments.
Final disposition:
20. Gillingham UMC
Location: Gillingham Road
Municipality: Girard township
County: Clearfield
State: PA
Directions:
From Shawville, go east on PA
879 for 1 mile to Knobs Road. Turn north
onto Knobs Road and go 3 miles to Gillingham Road (just past Eden church). Go east of Gillingham Road 2 miles. The church is on the left (just after Odessa
Road goes off to the north.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the
Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1970,93 – discontinued
1971,185 – sold to the
Cemetery Association
Brief History:
This property was deeded to the Gillingham
class in 1902.
Final disposition:
21. Grahamton ME
Location: village of Grahamton
Municipality: Graham township
County: Clearfield
State: PA
Directions:
From Morrisdale, go north on PA 3 miles to Allport
Cutoff Road (where PA 53 turns to the right). Go west on Allport Cutoff Road 2
miles to Deer Creek Road. Go north on
Deer Creek Road 2.5 miles to Grahamton Road.
Go west on Grahamton Road 2 miles.
The village of Grahamton stood where the road crosses the creek.
Historic Conference:
Central
Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
Grahamton is now a ghost town, with no
remaining signs of its existence. There
was a Grahamton circuit, presumably with a parsonage in Grahamton, from 1870 to
1886. That final year the circuit
included at least 7 appointments [Oak Grove, Centre Hill, Bradford, Palestine,
Sylvan Grove, Hunter’s and Wallaceton], and reported 7 church buildings and 1
parsonage, but Grahamton itself appears to have already ceased to exist. The following year the charge was known as
the Wallaceton circuit. While the
circuit was named Grahamton, it is possible that there was only the parsonage
in the village – and not a church building.
Final disposition:
22.
Hawk Run ME
[aka Ashcroft ME]
[no picture]
Location: 4th Street,
village of Hawk Run
Municipality: Morris township
County: Clearfield
State: PA
Directions:
The church stood on the southeast
corner of Fourth and Telcott Streets.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania
Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1895,53 – members at Ashcroft, on Morrisdale
charge, hope to build next year
1899,48 – church completed at Ashcroft
1938,24 – permission to sell
Brief History:
This is believed to have been known as the
Ashcroft church when it was erected, as there is the Ashcroft cemetery in Hawk
Run. After the new stone church in
Morrisdale was completed in 1936, this frame building was determined to be
unnecessary. The church was closed in
1938 and the building sold to a Lesko family, who razed the structure.
Final disposition:
A private
home has been erected on the property.
23. Houtzdale MP
Location: Brisbin Street
Municipality: borough of Houtzdale
County: Clearfield
State: PA
Directions:
Brisbin Street is PA 153. From the intersection of Brisbin Street [PA
53] and PA 53, go 6 blocks north on Brisbin Street to Sue Street. The church stood on the northeast corner of
Brisbibn and Sue Streets.
Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Protestant
Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
This church closed in 1941 when the
congregation merged into the former Methodist Episcopal Church on the southwest
corner of Clara and Good Streets.
Final disposition:
The
building and land were sold in 1941 to a private individual, who later had the
building torn down.
24. Karthaus ME
Location: Market Street, town of
Karthaus
Municipality: Karthaus township
County: Clearfield
State: PA
Directions:
From Clearfield, go 20 miles east on PA 879 to the
town of Karthaus, the last town before crossing the Susquehanna River into
Centre County. PA 879 becomes Market
Street in the town of Karthaus. The
church stood on the south side of the street between Smith Street and Potter
Street. The house pictured on the right is the former parsonage, and the church
stood to the right of the parsonage.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1894,48 – church dedicated 12/17/1893
1967,86 – abandoned; direction to sell
1970,201 – directions to sell
Brief History:
This appointment on the Snow Shoe charge erected
their church building in 1893. In 1915
the Karthaus charge, with parsonage at Karthaus, included 4 church buildings:
Karthaus, Oak Hill, Pine Glen, Pottersdale.
The building was sold in 1970 and then torn down.
Final disposition:
The cornerstone
is set in a planter in front of the former parsonage. The pews were given to a non-denominational
church in Ginter, south of Houtzdale.
25. Keewaydin ME
Location:
Municipality: Covington township
County: Clearfield
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Journal references:
Brief History:
The Methodists may have had an appointment
here, but probably not a church building.
Final disposition:
26. Kylertown UMC
Location:
Municipality:
County: Clearfield
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Journal references:
1995,337 – sold
Brief History:
Final disposition:
27. Marysville ME
[no picture]
Location:
Municipality: Boggs township
County: Clearfield
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Journal references:
Brief History:
Marysville is included in
the 1877-92 records of the Wallaceton charge – which included Oak Grove,
Wallaceton, Hunters, Bradford, Sylvan Grove in Cooper township, Marysville and
Blue Ball [West Decatur].
Final disposition:
28. Morrisdale UMC
Address: 3540 Morrisdale-Allport
Highway, village of Morrisdale
Municipality: Morris township
County: Clearfield
State: PA
Directions:
Morrisdale-Allport Highway
is PA 53. The church is on PA 53, 4
miles north of Philipsburg, on the right side of the road.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference
of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
The original building erected at
Morrisdale Mines in 1870 was erected as a union church by the employees of the
Morrisdale Coal Company, each employee agreeing to donate the proceeds of two
days work. The building was served
irregularly by Episcopal, United Brethren, Methodist and Presbyterian
preachers, but eventually the Methodists prevailed. The original frame church building burned in
1932. In 1935 there were five churches
on the Morrisdale charge: Morrisdale
(440 members), Munson (66), Allport (90), Kylertown (86) and Hawk Run
(29). The congregation worshipped in the
Morris Township school building until the present stone structure was dedicated
10/4/1936 – on a site purchased for $900 that had included an old hotel that
had been previously used as a hospital during the 1918 flu epidemic and as a
factory.
On
3/5/2023 the congregation voted 25-0-1 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:
29. Mount Hope UMC
Location:
Municipality:
County: Clearfield
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Allegheny Conference of the United Brethren Church
Journal references:
1997,317
– reversion clause mentioned
2000,155 – discontinued
Brief History:
This class was organized in October 1928 with
35 members as a mission of the Clearfield Christ congregation. Meetings were held in an old tabernacle until
land was donated by Mr. and Mrs. Roy Parks.
The cornerstone to the church building was laid June 2, 1929, and the
dedication took place October 20 of that year.
Final disposition:
In September 2000 the furnishings of the church
building were sent to North Carolina, to churches that had lost their furniture
the previous year in a flood.
30. Mount Zion ME
Location: Martin Street Extended
Municipality: Lawrence township
County: Clearfield
State: PA
Directions:
From Clearfield, go 3 miles west on
US 322 to Mt. Zion Road. Go south on Mt.
Zion road 2 miles to the sharp turn to the east. The road has become Martin Street
Extended. Go ½ mile to the curve to the
right. The cemetery is on the left,
behind the house on what used to be the school property. The school where the class met (pictured
above on the left) is a private home on Martin Street Extended, but the
cemetery the class owned (pictured above on the right) is behind the school and
not visible from the road. Martin Street
originates in Clearfield at West End UMC, heading off to the northwest.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church.
Journal references:
Brief History:
The 7/25/1901 Christian
Advocate, page 1186, reports
the organization of “Mount Zion, a new appointment on West Clearfield
circuit.” In 1901, that circuit
consisted of Centre, Clearfield West Side, Mount Joy and Mount Zion. In 1903 Pleasant Grove was added. In 1904 the charge was split, with Mount Joy
attached to West Clearfield and Centre, Mount Zion and Pleasant Grove becoming
Hyde City circuit – which was renamed Clearfield circuit in 1907. The last specific mention of Mount Zion is in
the 1910 report of missionary giving. In
1914 the Clearfield and Sandy Ridge circuits were combined. In the first official comprehensive listing
of preaching appointments in 1915, Mount Zion does not appear. While the Mount Zion ME Church was deeded a
cemetery in 1906, the appointment apparently met in the adjacent school house
and never owned a church building; the journal records for the period indicate
the charge had 3 Sunday Schools but only 2 church buildings (Centre and
Pleasant Grove – which united in 1960 to form the present Centre Grove UM
Church).
Final disposition:
The Mount
Zion cemetery remains.
31. Munson UMC
Location: Church Street, community
of Munson
Municipality: Morris township
County: Clearfield
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the
Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1988,310&311 – merged into Kylertown,
along with Allport and Centre Hill, to forem Gethsemane
Brief History:
The town of Munson had a post office until
2002, and it still has its own zip code.
Final disposition:
32. New Castle UMC
Location: PA legislative route 2014
Municipality: Decatur township
County: Clearfield
State: PA
Directions:
From Osceola Mills, go south on PA 53 1 mile to Coal
Run Road. Go west on Coal Run Road 3
miles to crossroad in the community of Ashland.
Proceed straight for 1 mile on legislative route 2014 [aka 17133]. The church is on the left.
Historic
Conference:
Allegheny Conference of
the United Brethren Church
Journal references:
1928,84 – cornerstone laid 6/23/1928
1928,86 – building dedicated 9/9/1928
1999,218 – served independent of Morgan
Run charge
2001,163 – discontinued
2002,180 – abandoned
2007,329 – property reverted to heirs of original donors
Brief History:
New Castle was for many years part of the
3-point (with Ohio and Sanborn) Morgan Run UB charge that was split off from
the large West Decatur circuit in 1958..
It split from the charge in 1999 and continued for a few years under a
local pastor.
Final disposition:
Property reverted to heirs of the original donors.
33. New Millport UMC
Location:
Municipality:
County: Clearfield
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1884,56 – new church building “under
contract”
1987,350 – resolution to
receive New Millport charge from Western PA Conference
1988,310 – New Millport charge
transferred from Western PA Conference
1999,217 and 2000,S-92 – merged into Mt.
Zion
Brief History:
Final disposition:
34.
Oak Hill ME
[aka Karthaus Hill ME]
Location: community of Oak Hill
Municipality: Karthaus township.
County: Clearfield
State: PA
Directions:
The town of Karthaus is 18
miles northeast of Clearfield on PA 879.
From the town of Karthaus go 1.5 miles west (back toward Clearfield) on
PA 879 to Quehanna Highway. Go north on
Quehanna Highway for 1.8 miles to Pottersadale Road. Go east on Pottersdale Road for 100 yards to
Oak Hill Road. The community of Oak Hill
is along the Oak Hill Road to the south.
The present Oak Hill Lutheran Church, also erected in 1870 is NOT the
Methodist building. The exact location
of the above picture, believed to be the site of the Methodist building has not
been preserved in the records.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1871,34 – new church erected
1876,156 – history of the appointment
given
1910,69 – reroof and repapered for $130
1915,65 – listed as a Methodist-owned
building on the Karthaus charge
Brief
History:
This was the first Methodist class/building
in the township – the class existing about 1836 led by a Mrs. Hirkstall. She was a Methodist who had moved to the area
and wrote to the Conference requesting that they send a preacher. The appointment continued into the 1900’s,
but eventually ceased as the population shifted toward the village/church at
Karthaus.
The Aldrich’s 1887 History of Clearfield County states the
following: “The Karthaus Hill
Methodist Episcopal Church was built during the year 1870. The corner-stone was
laid September 6, and the dedication ceremonies performed on Christmas day of
the same year. It is a plain plank frame building, thirty-six feet wide and
fifty feet deep, and cost, complete, $2,175.
The first trustees were Richard Colburn, Henry Yothers, and Daniel
Moore. The stewards were Henry Yothers, Andrew Rankin, and Daniel Moore. In
1875 there were but nine members, from which to the present time, the
membership has increased to eighteen. Since the organization of the society and
the building of the church edifice the following pastors have served the
society: Revs. Thomas Greenly, W. S. Hanhn, John Geers, Joseph Gray, George B.
Ague, J. F. Craig, Isaiah Edwards, H. S. Lunday, L. S. Crone, J. R. King, W. A.
Carver, W. F. D. Noble, and J. Brunner Graham. The church is erected in the
central part of the township, about two and one-half miles from Karthaus, and
to the northwest from that village. At the present time the society belongs to
the Snow circuit of the Central Pennsylvania Conference.”
The designation Karthaus Hill was often used to
distinguish it from the nearby Oak Hill Lutheran Church, also erected in 1870.
Final disposition:
35. Ohio UMC
Address: 2550 Ashland Road
Municipality: Decatur township
County: Clearfield
State: PA
Directions:
From Houtzdale, go 6 miles north on PA 153 to
Sanborn Road. Turn right and go 2 miles
to Ashland Road. Turn left on Ashland
Road and go 0.5 miles. The church is on
the right.
Historic Conference:
Allegheny Conference of the United
Brethren Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
This class was organized
in 1850 and met in springhouse on the Jesse Goss farm. In 1874 services were move to the Ohio
school House. Land for the present site
was deeded to the church by George W. and Eliza J. (Shimmel) Warren on
6/19/1893. The white, frame, one-room
building 30x42 was dedicated 12/3/1893.
IN 1928 two acres of land across the road were purchase. A building was
erected for a piano, choir and speakers – and sets for about 200 were placed in
front of the building. Evangelistic
services, camp-meeting style services and homecoming services were held
regularly in that grove until about 1953.
A Cemetery Association was formed in 1958. In 1958 the Morgan Run charge (Newcastle ,
Ohio, Sanborn) was split off from the West Decatur Charge and a brick parsonage
was erected below the church in 1960.
The 30x60 cement block Community Building was completed in 1970.
The congregation closed as of 7/31/2024.
Final disposition:
35. Old Bradford UB
Location:
Municipality:
County: Clearfield
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Journal references:
Brief History:
Final disposition:
36. Palestine UMC
Address: 4228 Schoonover Road
Municipality: Graham township
County: Clearfield
State: PA
Directions:
Deer Creek Road heads
north off PA 53 in Morrisdale. From
Morrisdale, go north 5 miles on Deer Creek Road to Schoonover Road. Go east 0.6 miles on Schoonover Road. The church is on the left.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania
Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
This congregation was created in 1873 when
the nearby Union church at Fairview opted to formally become United
Brethren. Those who disagreed with that
decision left to worship on their own.
In 1883, they built their present structure about 1 mile away from the
original community church – later Fairview UMC and, ironically, placed on the
same charge with Palestine.
On
3/9/2023 the congregation voted 17-5 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:
The
congregation continues to operate as the Palestine Bible Church of Morrisdale.
37. Pleasant Grove ME
Location: Schoolhouse Road
Municipality: Pike township
County: Clearfield
State: PA
Directions:
From Hyde, go 2 miles on Village Road (past Center
Grove UMC) to the T. Turn left and go
0.2 miles to the where the main road makes a sharp bend to the right. Go straight onto the secondary road. Go 0.1 miles.
The site is on the left. The
church stood south of the existing mobile home, on the level gravel area now
used for driveway/parking purposes.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
This class met in a schoolhouse, then
situated across the road, until determining to erect their own structure. The brick and cinderblock building was
completed in 1904, but never enjoyed modern conveniences. The Pleasant Grove and Centre congregations
merged in 1959 and began worshiping together in the Centre building, which was
also without modern conveniences. In
1962 the united congregation, now Centre Grove United Methodist Church, moved
into its new building on Village Road in the south end of Hyde.
Final disposition:
The church building was dismantled in 1965. A small house was later erected at the site,
perhaps even using the same foundation.
The house was removed about 2000, and the site is now a level, gravel access/parking
area for the mobile home.
38. Pleasant Hill UMC
Address: PA 53, near the community
of Grassflat
Municipality: Cooper township
County: Clearfield
State: PA
Directions:
From the interchange of PA 53 with
I-80, go 3 miles north on PA 53. The
church is on the right, on the northeast corner of PA 53 and Cooper Avenue.
Historic Conference:
Allegheny Conference of the United Brethren Church
Journal references:
1928,83&114 – declared abandoned
2010,43 - discontinued
Brief History:
The congregation was organized
November 28, 1862 as the Hickory Bottom Class and erected a church building in
1876, the name having been changed to Pleasant Hill the previous year. The first interment in the adjacent cemetery
was made in 1916. In 1917 the two front
doors were removed and a vestibule was constructed. In 1928 the conference decided to sell the
building, but the pastor of the Philipsburg church was asked to intercede and
Pleasant Hill was placed on the Philipsburg charge 1928-1954. In 1954 Pleasant Hill was returned to the
Bigler charge. After 1958 Pleant Hill was on the
three-point Summit Hill charge (Fairview, Pleasant Hill, Summit Hill). In 1961 the vestibule was
enlarged to give the building its present appearance,
Final disposition:
The property was conveyed
to the Pleasant Hill Cemetery Association for $1.00 in 2010.
39.
Pottersdale ME
[Three Runs ME]
Location: community of Pottersdale
Municipality: Karthaus township
County: Clearfield
State: PA
Directions:
The town of Karthaus is 18 miles northeast of
Clearfield on PA 879. From the town of
Karthaus go 1.5 miles west (back toward Clearfield) on PA 879 to Quehanna
Highway. Go north on Quehanna Highway
for 1.8 miles to Pottersadale Road. Go
east on Pottersdale Road for 3.5 miles to the community of Potttersdale. The site is on the right, about 100 yards
before the road crosses Three Runs Creek and makes a sharp left.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1896,64 – construction in progress
1897,60 – finances managed
1943,29 – building vacated; property to be
managed by Surveyor church
1951,54 – abandoned; sale authorized to
group using the building
Brief History:
Projections for a church building here were
begun in 1893. While it’s unclear when
the building was actually erected, the property was deeded to the Pottersdale
Methodist Episcopal Church in 1896. It
appears that Methodist services were discontinued about 1943, and in 1951 the
property was sold for $100 to the independent group holding services there.
Final disposition:
The
building is now home to an independent congregation.
40. Ramey UMC
Address: 411 Main Street
Municipality: borough of Ramey
County: Clearfield
State: PA
Directions:
Main Street is PA
253. The church is in the east end of
town, east of PA 453, on the north side of the street.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania
Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
2023,181 – closed 1/8/2023
Brief History:
On December 8, 2022, the congregation
voted to close, and the final service was held January 8, 2023.
Final
disposition:
The Ramey property was sold at
auction 3/25/2023 for a total purchase price of $119,900. Final settlement was 5/11/2023.
41. Sanborn UMC
Address: 4631 Sanborn Road
Municipality: Knox township
County: Clearfield
State: PA
Directions:
From Houtzdale, go 6 miles north on PA 153 to
Sanborn Road. Turn left and go 0.6
mile. The church is on the right.
Historic Conference:
Allegheny Conference of the United
Brethren Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
The citizens of Sanborn
held their first United Brethren meeting in the “Old Slab School House” located
in what is now the old cemetery. Land
for a church building was purchased in 1873, and the building was dedicated in
June 1875. The building was completely
remodeled in the 1920’s and re-dedicated by J.S. Fulton on August 22,
1927. The church was originally part of
the five-point West Decatur charge and later on the three-point Morgan Run
charge. Over the years, the population
shifted and attendance declined. On
5/4/2022 the congregation voted to close, and the final service was held June
12, 2022.
Final disposition:
There were some issues with the cemetery
and the septic system that prevented a typical sale. Settlement was held 7/30/2024. The neighboring Sanborn Church of God payed
all legal and transfer fees and received the entire property for the nominal
price of $1.00.
42. Smoke Run UMC
Location: 6044 Cross Roads Boulevard
Municipality: Gulich township
County: Clearfield
State: PA
Directions:
From Ramey go 1 mile west
on PA 453 [or from Madera go 2 miles south on PA 453] to the 90° bend in PA
453. At the bend, Cross Roads Boulevard
goes off from PA 453 to the south west.
Go 0.5 miles on Cross Roads Boulevard.
The church is on the left.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania
Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1913,77 – unused church building at Banian
torn down for materials to erect Smoke Run
2012,160 – merged into Allemansville
Brief History:
Final
disposition:
43. Stoneville ME
Location: Stoneville Road,
Municipality: Boggs township
County: Clearfield
State: PA
Directions:
The erstwhile village of Stoneville
was southeast of Clearfield – west of PA 153 and north of Old Erie Pike. Following are two directions that lead to the
same point.
Stoneville is
an old lumbering village that no longer exists.
From Houtzdale, go 11 miles north on PA 153. PA 153 turns west (“triangle” intersection)
onto Old Erie Pike for ½ mile and then turns north (“triangle” intersection)
again. When PA 153 turns north, continue
west on Old Erie Pike for 1 mile to Stoneville Road. Go north on Stoneville Road for ½ mile. The cemetery is on the right. The exact location of the church building is
not known, and it may not have been by the cemetery.
The Old Erie Pike runs
from US 322 north of Philipsburg to PA 849 east of Curwensville. About ½ way between these points it “crosses”
PA 153 and is concurrent with PA 153 for about ½ mile. At the western end of this concurrency, when
PA 153 bears right, continue straight of Old Erie Pike for about 1 mile. Turn right onto Stoneville Road and go to the
end – a little over 1 mile. The cemetery
is straight ahead
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1887,46 – received
“greatly needed repairs” at a cost of $280
1911,64 – listed among the
uninsured church buildings
1914,71 – repairs made
costing $150
Brief History:
Stoneville was part of the four-point
Woodland charge consisting of Dales, Palestine Stoneville and Woodland. The village was named for Alexander Stone,
proprietor of the Stoneville hotel, and husband of Mary Kephart – first cousin
to Henry Kephart, father of the 4 prominent United Brethren ministerial Kephart
brothers.
Final disposition:
The entire village is gone. Only the cemetery remains.
44. Summit Hill UMC
Address: 721 Summit Hill Road
Municipality: Graham township
County: Clearfield
State: PA
Directions:
From Bigler, go 3 miles east on the Bigler
Allport Cutoff to Centre Hill Road. Go
south on Centre Hill Road 1.2 miles to Summit Hill Road. The church is on the right, at the
intersection of Centre Hill and Summit Hill Roads.
Historic Conference:
Allegheny Conference of the United
Brethren Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
The ground for this church was donated by
Samuel Smeal in 1873. The vestibule and
stained glass windows were added in 1951.
In 1967, further improvements included a bell tower, a balcony with
three Sunday School rooms, and another Sunday School room and two rest rooms on
the first floor. In 1968 a memorable
baptismal service was held at the Roos farm, with sixteen immersions.
For many years Summit Hill was on the
Allegheny Conference’s five-point Bigler charge (Bigler, Fairview, Pleasant Hill,
Shiloh, Summit Hill), and after 1958 on the three-point Summit Hill charge
(Fairview, Pleasant Hill, Summit Hill).
On
3/5/2023 the congregation voted 21-6 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:
45. Surveyor ME
Location:
Municipality:
County: Clearfield
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Journal references:
Brief History:
Final disposition:
46. Sylvan Grove ME
Location: Church Hill Road
Municipality: Cooper township
County: Clearfield
State: PA
Directions:
From the interchange of PA 53 and I-80 at Kylertown,
go north on Pine Street [aka Rolling Stone Road] into Kylertown. From Kylertown continue 2 miles north on
Rolling Stone Road to Church Hill Road.
Turn west on Church Hill Road and go ¼ mile. The church is on the left.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1872, 31 – cost $2010, dedicated 6/25/1871
Brief History:
The first place of worship was a log
building erected across the road from the present site in 1850 and used as a
church and a school. The present
structure was dedicated in 1871 on land given by John and Wealthy Hoover. The appointment was on the following
circuits: Clearfield (until 1870), Grahamton (1870-1886), Wallaceton
(1886-1908), Munson (1908-1918). With
the area depopulated and only a few older members remaining, the church was
closed in 1918. An active board of
trustees contains to maintain the cemetery and hold an annual service on the
Sunday before Labor Day.
Final disposition:
47. Summit Hill UMC
Address: 721 Summit Hill Road
Municipality: Graham township
County: Clearfield
State: PA
Directions:
From Bigler, go 3 miles east on the Bigler
Allport Cutoff to Centre Hill Road. Go
south on Centre Hill Road 1.2 miles to Summit Hill Road. The church is on the right, at the intersection
of Centre Hill and Summit Hill Roads.
Historic Conference:
Allegheny Conference of the United
Brethren Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
The ground for this church was donated by
Samuel Smeal in 1873. The vestibule and
stained glass windows were added in 1951.
In 1967, further improvements included a bell tower, a balcony with
three Sunday School rooms, and another Sunday School room and two rest rooms on
the first floor. In 1968 a memorable
baptismal service was held at the Roos farm, with sixteen immersions.
For many years Summit Hill was on the Allegheny
Conference’s five-point Bigler charge (Bigler, Fairview, Pleasant Hill, Shiloh,
Summit Hill), and after 1958 on the three-point Summit Hill charge (Fairview,
Pleasant Hill, Summit Hill).
On
3/5/2023 the congregation voted 21-6 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:
48. Wallaceton UB
[no picture]
Location:
Municipality: borough of Wallaceton
County: Clearfield
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Allegheny Conference of
the United Brethren Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
Erected in 1871, this was the first church
building in the borough. The congregation did not prosper, and by 1887
the building had been sold and was being used as a school.
Final disposition:
49. Wallaceton UMC
Address: 416 Clearfield Street
Municipality: borough of Wallaceton
County: Clearfield
State: PA
Directions:
From Philipsburg, go 6 miles north on US
322 to the cut off to the right to Wallacton.
Turn right and go 0.5 miles to the Wallaceton-Bigler Highway. Turn right [becomes Reed Street] and go 0.5
miles to Clearfield Street. Turn left on
Clearfield Street and go 1 block. The
church is on the right, on the southeast corner of Clearfield and Graham
Streets.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania
Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
2013, 149 – merged into Oak Grove to form
Rock UMC
Brief History:
Final disposition:
50.
Winburne ME
Location:
Municipality:
County: Clearfield
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Journal references:
Brief History:
Final disposition:
51. Woodland Main Street UMC
Location:
Municipality:
County: Clearfield
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
Final disposition: