CLOSED CHURCHES WITHIN THE PRESE

CLOSED CHURCHES WITHIN THE PRESENT BOUNDARIES OF THE

SUSQUEHANNA CONFERENCE OF THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
The information for each church is arranged in alphabetical order within counties. Select a county.

COLUMBIA COUNTY PA

1. Almedia UMC

Description: Description: Description: almedia

Location: 123 Church Street, village of Almedia
Municipality: Scott township
County: Columbia
State: PA

Directions:
In Bloomsburg, from the intersection of PA 487 and Old Berwick Road, go east 3 miles on Old Berwick Road to the village of Almedia. Turn north on Church Street and go 1 block. The church is on the left.

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical Church

Journal references:
     1971,97 – discontinued
     1972, 302 – permission to sell
     1975(1),116 – sold to Shiloh Bible Church

Brief History:

Final disposition:
The property was sold to the Shiloh Bible Church for $12,500.

2. Asbury UMC

asbury

Address: 413 Harrison Road, community of Asbury
Municipality: Fishing Creek township
County: Columbia
State: PA

Directions:
From Orangeville, go north 4 miles on PA 487 to Zaners Bridge Road. Go east 1 mile on Zaners Bridge Road to Asbury Road. Go south 1 mile on Asbury Road to Harrison Road.. The church is on the northwest corner of Asbury Road and Harrison Road.

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
2013,149 – merged into Orangeville

Brief History:

Final disposition:

3. Bear Gap ME

Bear Gap Cemetery

Location: Wynn School Road
Municipality: Cleveland township
County: Columbia
State: PA

Directions:
From the community of Bear Gap (in Northumberland County) on PA 54, go east 1 mile on Bear Gap Road to Middle Road. Go north 1 mile on Middle Road to Wynn School Road. Go west ¾ mile on Wynn School Road. The site is on the north side of the road.

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

Journal references:
1964,81 – permission to sell property and raze building; all proceeds to Cemetery Association
1964,93 – discontinued

Brief History:
This church was part of the Elysburg charge. It last appears in the conference statistical report in the 1964 journal with 35 members, with no mention of it made in the appointments for that year.

Final disposition:

4. Benton MP

[no picture]

Location: “on the public road leading from Hamline to the Dodson’s school house”
Municipality: Benton township
County: Columbia
State: PA

Directions:
The exact location has not been determined.

Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Protestant Church.

Journal references:

Brief History:
This property was sold to the Pennsylvania Annual Conference of the Methodist Protestant Church on August 20, 1870, by Dyer C. Moss and wife for $20. A building was erected in 1872 through the efforts of Rev. A.E. Kline of the Pine Creek Circuit. The congregation disbanded in 1886, and the building was sold.

Final disposition:

5. Berwick Bethany UMC

Address: 116 Summerhill Avenue
Municipality: borough of Berwick
County: Columbia
State: PA

Directions:

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical Church

Journal references:

Brief History:
On 11/30/2022 the congregation voted 92-15 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. Berwick Bower Memorial UMC

Address: 140 E. 2^nd Street
Municipality: borough of Berwick
County: Columbia
State: PA

Directions:
2^nd Street is US 11 south. The church is 1 block east of Market Street, on the southwest corner of 2^nd and Pine streets.

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical Church

Journal references:

Brief History:
This congregation began in 1870 as a class of 5 led by local preacher Isaiah Bower. A church building was dedicated January 18, 1874, on the north side of Second Street, between Pine and Chestnut Streets. A larger structure on the southwest corner of Second and Pine Streets was dedicated September 23, 1906. After that building was almost completely destroyed by fire September 16, 1916, the congregation worshipped in the Evangelical Tabernacle, a lumber shed at Third and Walnut Streets owned by W.J. Mansfield, until the rebuilt and redesigned present sanctuary was dedicated January 5, 1919. The large matching Christian Education building on the west was erected in 1926. Recent improvement to the church building include adding a lounge in the lower level (1977), rebuilding the organ (1981) and re-pointing the entire structure (1995).
The congregation voted to close in 2025.

Final disposition:

7. Berwick MP

[no picture]

Location: “Park Avenue near Front Street”
Municipality: borough of Berwick
County: Columbia
State: PA

Directions:
The site is in the west end of Berwick, but the exact location has not been determined. “Park Avenue” may not be the present Park Boulevard.

Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Protestant Church

Journal references:
    1910,16 – new Sunday School room added
    1921,39 – anniversary services held 5/7/21 to mark reopening of the church
    1923,44 – suggest to Board of Home Missions that sale proceeds go for work in Atlantic City NJ

Brief History:
The building was erected in 1903. The journal states that the 1910 SS room opened onto the sanctuary to give a total seating capacity of “over 500.” Apparently the congregation did not prosper and services were discontinued about 1911, but were restarted about 1920.

The Philadelphia Inquirer for 11/22/1909, page 3, reports the following: The most unusual parade Berwick has ever witnessed was held last evening, when upwards of a hundred and fifty converts at revival services now in progress at the West Berwick Methodist Protestant Church, together with hundreds of church workers, marched through the principal streets of the town, singing songs of prayer and praise. Following this demonstration of religious fervor, a mass meeting of church workers of Berwick and West Berwick was held in the Bower Memorial Evangelical Church.
The Pittston Gazette for 3/17/1919, page 10, reports the following: Rev. George W. Toms, pastor of the Methodist Protestant Church at Shickshinny, has aroused sufficient interest in Berwick to reopen during the early part of April the church of the same denomination at the latter place which has been closed for several years.

Final disposition:

8. Berwick Unity Mission ME

Description: Description: Description: berwick

Location: 910 Warren Street
Municipality: borough of Berwick
County: Columbia
State: PA

Directions:
Warren Street crosses Front Street (US 11) and Orange Street (PA 93) about 8 blocks west of Market Street. Proceed north on Warren Street from either intersection to Fourth Avenue. The site is on the southeast corner of Warren Street and Fourth Avenue.

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

Journal references:

Brief History:
This Slavic Mission began in 1905 when a Polish deaconess was assigned to West Berwick. A chapel was erected in 1909 and a substantial settlement house was added in 1923. Foreign language pastors were appointed to the work 1913-1935. A history of the mission is given the “Home Missionary Edith Orvis: The Soul of Berwick’s Unity Mission” article in the 2007 volume of The Chronicle, pages 86-96.

Final disposition:
The structure was sold and has been converted into an apartment complex of approximately 12 units.

9. Bethel UMC

$Description: X:\image\open_churches\columbia\beth.jpg$

Address: 168 Bethel Drive
Municipality: Franklin township
County: Columbia
State: PA

Directions:
From Catawissa, go 5 miles east on PA 487 to Bethel Church Road. GO south 1 mile on Bethel Church Road. The property is on the right.

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
2022,216 – approval to disaffiliate
2023,181 - disaffiliated

Brief History:
This congregation’s first building was erected in 1859 “on the road from Willowvale to Numidia” – assumed to be at the site of the adjacent cemetery. In 1910 the original building was removed and the present site was excavated. Bethel was on the Elysburg charge until the 1968 denomination union, after which it was placed on the Catawissa circuit with two former United Brethren congregations (St. Paul’s and Fisherdale). In 2022 the remaining members voted 10-1 to disaffiliate from the United Methodist Church, and that action was approved by the 2022 Annual Conference and effective 7/15/2022.

Final disposition:
The congregation disaffiliated from the United Methodist Church 7/14/22 to operate as an independent church.

10. Brandon UMC

Description: Description: Description: brandon

Location: Central Road
Municipality: Sugarloaf township
County: Columbia
State: PA

Directions:
From the intersection of PA 118 and PA 42, go 5 miles east of PA 118 to Central Road. Go ½ mile north on Central Road. The building is on the right.

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
1995,221 – merged into Central

Brief History:
The land for this building was given by Andrew Hess and his wife in 1852, but it appears that the structure was nor dedicated until 1861. The Christian Education addition was completed in 1962.

Final disposition:

11. Center EV

Description: Description: Description: center

Location: 58 Pine Center Road
Municipality: Pine township
County: Columbia
State: PA

Directions:

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical Church

Journal references:

Final disposition:

12. Central ME
[Simpson Chapel]

Description: Description: Description: central

Location: Jamison City Road, village of Central
Municipality: Sugarloaf township
County: Columbia
State: PA

Directions:
The structure stood on the right side of the road, just after making the right turn at the north end of Central onto the road to Jamison City. The 1876 county atlas shows the exact location.

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:

Brief History:
This structure was erected about 1865 and named Simpson Chapel. The Methodist Episcopal congregation later purchased and moved into the Methodist Protestant building in the south end of town. Simpson Chapel was dissembled in 1928 and rebuilt as a hunting cabin in Elk Grove, just across the bridge.

Final disposition:

13. Central MP

Description: Description: Description: central

Location: 940 Central Road, village of Central
Municipality: Sugarloaf township
County: Columbia
State: PA

Directions:
From the intersection of PA 118 and PA 42, go 5 miles east of PA 118 to Central Road. Go 1 mile north on Central Road. The building is on the right.

Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Protestant Church

Journal references:
1922,52 – declared extinct
1923,58 – sold for $750

Brief History:
This structure was erected in 1887 by the Methodist Protestants and sold to the Methodist Episcopal congregation in 1923. In the early 1900’s there was an enduring Central appointment with a parsonage and 5 church buildings: Central, Red Rock (Luzerne County), Coles Creek, Elk Grove and Oakland (Luzerne County).

Final disposition:
This building, improved and enlarged, became Christ United Methodist Church.

14. Chestnut Grove ME

[no picture]

Location:
Municipality: Greenwood township
County: Columbia
State: PA

Directions:
Historian Charles Berkheimer describes the church building as being “one mile north of Rohrsburg.” [Could Berkheimer be wrong? There is a community of Chestnut Grove in the approximate vicinity just north of PA 442 in Franklin township of Lycoming County where there was known to be a Methodist church – but the timeline does not seem to match. There seems to be no other referenec to a community of Chestnut Grove in Greenwood township, Columbia County.]

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
     1882,41 – church building under construction
     1883,40 – church building dedicated
     1907,35 – $145 proceeds from sale of church building
     1908,30/31 – $145 from sale of church continuing in the “Chestnut Grove Church Fund”

Brief History:
This appointment was originally part of the Orangeville circuit, but in 1882 it became part of the newly formed Rohrsburg charge.
Note: This appears to be erroneously referred to on occasion as Chestnut Ridge. This is not to be confused with Chestnut Grove in Lycoming County (a forerunner of Pine Summit) or Chestnut Grove in Luzerne County (now Loyalville UMC).

Final disposition:

15. Chestnut Ridge ME (same as Chestnut Grove?)

[no picture]

Location:
Municipality:
County: Columbia
State: PA

Directions:

Historic Conference:

Journal references:

Brief History:

Final disposition:

16. Coles Creek MP

[no picture]

Location:
Municipality: Sugarloaf township
County: Columbia
State: PA

Directions:

Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Protestant Church

Journal references:
1922,52 – declared extinct
1923,58 – building (not including land) sold for $175

Brief History:

Final disposition:

17. Divide Sylvan Chapel ME

Description: Description: Description: divide

Location: community of Divide
Municipality: Jackson township
County: Columbia
State: PA

Directions:
The church is on the old main road.

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
1894,56 – dedicated December 24, 1893, on Jamison City charge at cost of $795

Brief History:
This property was deeded to the Methodists in 1893, and a church building was erected. The Methodist Episcopal Church stopped supplying preachers here in the 1920’s, and in 1936 the building was sold to the Divide Union Church.

Final disposition:

18. Elk Grove ME

Description: Description: Description: elk grove

Location: community of Elk Grove
Municipality: Sugarloaf township
County: Columbia
State: PA

Directions:
Elk Grove no longer exists as a town. Traveling from Central, turn left on the first “street” (just after crossing the second bridge) in Elk Grove. At the end of this street, turn left (behind an existing cabin) onto the “street” that parallels the creek. The church stood on the second lot on the left.

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

Journal references:

Brief History:
Financial contributions are listed from this class are listed in the conference journals as late as 1909. The property is not listed in the 1915 journal listing of appointments/properties.

Final disposition:

19. Elk Grove MP

[no picture]

Location: community of Elk Grove
Municipality: Sugarloaf township
County: Columbia
State: PA

Directions:

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

Journal references:

Brief History:
The Varker book, page 14, states that the Methodist Protestants had a church building at Elk Grove that was part of the Central charge.

Final disposition:

20. Espy Zion UMC

Description: Description: Description: espy

Location:
Municipality:
County: Columbia
State: PA

Directions:

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical Church

Journal references:
1985,323 – merged into Espy St. Paul’s
1994,351 – reported sold in 1987

Brief History:

Final disposition:

21. Evansville UMC

evansville

Address: 8 Lights Road, community of Evansville
Municipality: Briar Creek township
County: Columbia
State: PA

Directions:

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical Church

Journal references:

Brief History:
The original Evangelical Association church building was erected about 1849 on Harts Lane. When the denominational division occurred, the congregation tried to save the building for the United Evangelical Church in 1892 by moving the structure from its original foundation to an adjoining lot – but they eventually had to purchase the property from the Association. A basement, bell tower and other improvements were made over the years. When the original structure was destroyed by fire in 1989, the congregation rebuilt at its present location.
On 11/27/2022 the congregation voted 24-0 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:

22. Fisherdale UMC

Address: 268 Fisherdale Road, community of Fisherdale
Municipality: Cleveland township
County: Columbia
State: PA

Directions:
From Catawissa, go south on PA 42 through Numidia. Proceed south on PA 42 from Numidia 1.5 miles to Bear Gap Road. Go west on Bear Gap Road 1.7 miles to Fisherdale Road. Go north 0.25 miles on Fisherdale Road. The church is on the left.

Historic Conference:
East Pennsylvania Conference of the United Brethren Church

Journal References:
2013,149 – merged into Catawissa Mt. Zion
2014,S-30 & S-38 – all members transferred to Mt. Zion

Brief History:
In 1879 a union Sunday School was organized with Isaac Fisher as superintendent and with meetings held in the school house. Soon need was felt for preaching services and the United Brethren pastors of the Catawissa circuit began serving the appointment in 1880. A “bush meeting” held in the woods near the present building resulted in several conversions, and a class was in 1883 organized. A trustee board was organized, and the present building was erected in 1886.

Final Disposition:
The building is now (2025) the office for Evergreen Builders construction company.

23. Foundryville UMC

Address: 128 Foundryville Road, community of Foundryville
Municipality: Briar Creek township
County: Columbia
State: PA

Directions:
From downtown Berwick, go north on Market Street until it ends at 16^th Street. Bear right onto Summerhill Avenue (which becomes Foundryville Road and then Summerhill Road) for 2 miles to the community of Foundryville. The building is on the right.

Historic Conference:
[Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical Association]
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
     1870, 24 – recently erected building purchased
     2014,S34 – closed in 2013
     1019,191 – sold 10/28/2013 for $5,001

Brief History:
This building was optimistically erected by the Evangelical Association following an 1867 revival on the Columbia circuit that produced 175 new converts. Classes were established at Foundryville and Beach Haven with 16 and 20 members respectively – but these classes could not compete with the Methodists. The Foundryville building was sold to the Methodists, and the Beach Haven class lost its momentum when the Methodists erected a building there in 1870.

This class was attached to the Beach Haven circuit and was never large. The church closed July 7, 2013.

Final disposition:
The property was sold 10/18/2013 to adjacent property owner Dean Youlls Jr. for $5001.

24. Fowlersville UMC

Address: 10 Golf Course Road, community of Fowlersville
Municipality: North Centre township
County: Columbia
State: PA

Directions:

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal References:
2023,180 – closed 7/7/2022
2023,276 – sold 11/17/2022 for $137,500 to Jennifer A Berlin and assigns

Brief History:
On 6/12/2022 the congregation voted to close as of 7/11/2022.

Final disposition:
The property was sold at auction on 10/8/22 for a total price of $137,500.

25. Freewill UMC

Description: Description: Description: free wil

Location: 853 Old Reading Road
Municipality: Roaring Creek township
County: Columbia
State: PA

Directions:
From Catawissa, go south on PA 42 2.5 miles to Kulp Road. Go east on Kulp Road (following the main flow around curves) 1.5 miles until the last curve leads onto Old Reading Road. Go south on Old Reading Road 1.5 miles. The building is on the left, next to the cemetery.

Historic Conference:
East Pennsylvania Conference of the United Brethren Church

Journal references:
1976(2),99 – discontinued; sold to Cemetery Association

Brief History:
In 1874, William Yaeger offered $100 and an acre of land to any denomination that would build a house of worship on his land. Two years later the United Brethren preacher on the Catawissa circuit held meetings in Mr. Yager’s grove that resulted in 40 conversions and the establishment of a congregation. A building was erected and dedicated September 1877. When that structure was completely destroyed by a gasoline explosion October 18, 1914, the present structure was erected on the same site and dedicated November 28, 1916.

Final disposition:

26. Frosty Valley ME

[no picture]

Location: Frosty Valley Road?
Municipality: Hemlock township
County: Columbia
State: PA

Directions:

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
1933,61 – permission to sell
1935,71 – permission to sell Buckhorn Church [sic], Frosty Valley on Buckhorn charge?

Brief History:
The Frosty Valley congregation always had the same pastors as the Buckhorn church. It worshiped in a school-house until 1869, when a substantial frame church-building was erected on the road from Bloomsburg to Mooresburg, three miles from Buckhorn. December 23, 1878, Elisha Brugler conveyed to Henry Hodge, William McMichael, John Gulliver, Samuel Runsley, Peter Brugler and Pooley, trustees, the ground on which the building had been completed nine years before. The membership was weakened considerably by the removal of persons formerly at work in the mines on the Montour ridge.

Final disposition:

27. Greenwood EV

Description: Description: Description: GreenwoodEV

Location:
Municipality:
County: Columbia
State: PA

Directions:

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical Church

Journal references:

Brief History:

Final disposition:

28. Guava EA

[no picture]

Location: Klinger Hill Road
Municipality: Sugar Loaf township
County: Columbia
State: PA

Directions:
From Benton go 4 miles north on PA 487 to Camp Lavigne Road. Go northwest on Camp Lavigne Road 2 miles to Klinger Hill Road. Turn west on Klinger Hill Road. This is the area called Guava (or Laubachs). The exact location of the church is not known.

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical Church

Journal references:
1928,105 – permission to sell Guava and “all other interests” in the former Waller [EA] charge
1929,57 – sold at sheriff’s sale

Brief History:
A post office was established in the community of Guava, also known as Laubach’s, in 1833. This congregation was part of the Waller charge that remained with the Evangelical Association during the 1894-1922 split and was served from the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference EA.
Note: The United Evangelical Church (1909 journal, page 79) granted permission to seek funds for building a place of worship at Guava. Apparently such a UE building was never erected.

Final disposition:

29. Hamline UMC

Description: Description: Description: hamline

Location: Hamline Church Road
Municipality: Benton township
County: Columbia
State: PA

Directions:
From the intersection of PA487 and PA239 in Benton, go east on PA239 3 miles to Hamline Church Road. The property in on the southeast corner of PA239 [Shickshinny Road] and Hamline Church Road.

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
     1880,36 – church building erected
     1986,306 – no longer listed
     1990,353 – abandoned
     1992,352/356 – sold to Cemetery Association

Brief History:
This land appears to have been deeded to the Methodist Church by the Gibbons families in two transactions: May 29, 1879, for the erection of a church; November 29, 1899, for extensions of the cemetery. The Hamline congregation merged into the Benton congregation on January 1, 1986, with the intent of using the building for occasional special services. On May 11, 1989, the merged congregation requested that building be considered closed.

Final disposition:
The property was sold to the Hamline Cemetery Association in 1991 for $250.00 plus legal fees. The building is used by the “Hamline Church Fellowship.”

30. Ikeler UMC

Description: Description: Description: ikler

Location: Ikeler Church Road
Municipality: Mount Pleasant township
County: Columbia
State: PA

Directions:
From the center of Millville, go south on PA42 for ½ mile to the Y for Hill Road in the southern end of town. Bear left onto Hill Road, which after 1 mile become Ikeler Church Road, and continue another ½ mile. The church site is on the right, and the cemetery is on the left.

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
1973,99 – discontinued
1974,210 – sold to Cemetery Association

Brief History:
This building was erected as the result of many area persons being converted in a September 1899 revival at the church in Eyers Grove.

Final disposition:

31. Iola UMC

Description: Description: Description: iola

Location: 2938 PA42, village of Iola
Municipality: Greenwood township
County: Columbia
State: PA

Directions:
From the intersection of PA42 and PA254 in Milleville, go 1 mile north on PA42 to the village of Iola. The chur is on the east side of the highway

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
     1883,40 – church building dedicated
     1988,310/339 – discontinued
     1990,353 – abandoned
     1992,259; 1993,349 – sold to Christian Gospel Fellowship

Brief History:
The first church building in Iola was erected in 1850 on land donated by Woodrow Robbins and replaced by the present structure in 1882 – which was patterned after the Methodist church in Stillwater. The addition to the rear was made in 1953.

Final disposition:
The property is home to the Christian Gospel Fellowship, which has added separate, new and larger facilities at the rear of the property.

32. Jamison City ME

Description: Description: Description: jamison city

Location: community of Jamison City
Municipality: Sugarloaf township
County: Columbia
State: PA

Directions:
Jamison City is now essentially a ghost town. The building stands at the southeast corner of Third and Broad Streets. The parsonage for the circuit stood on the north side of Water Street, the fourth lot east of Third Street.

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
1893,52 – two building lots, for church & parsonage, offered by E.L. Fritz of Bloomsburg
1894,56 – church building dedicated 11/13/1893, for a cost of $1540

Brief History:
The cornerstone reads “ME Church September 10, 1893”

Final disposition:
The building is now a hunting camp.

33. Kile EV

Location:
Municipality: Sugarloaf township
County: Columbia
State: PA

Directions:

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical Association

Journal references:
East Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical Association
1898, 19 – authorized to take out mortgage

Brief History:
This church was on the Waller charge. The congregation met in the Kile school house along Fishing Creek before erecting a church building in the early 1890’s. The land had been given by John W. Kile, and the building erected, before the 1894 denomination split – but before the formal transfer of the deed. When Kile and the majority of the congregation sided with the United Evangelicals, they attempted to maintain control of the structure – but they were taken to court by the Evangelical Association. The courts ruled that giving permission to build the church was implied transfer of the deed, and the Association kept the property during the 1894-1922 split. The congregation never was strong, and the building was finally sold at a sheriff’s sale in 1928 to satisfy a mortgage.

Final disposition:

34. Lime Ridge Bethany UMC

lime_ridge Scan-230214-0001

Location: 6480 Fourth Street [Old Berwick Road], village of Lime Ridge
Municipality: South Centre township
County: Columbia
State: PA

Directions:
Exit Bloomsburg on the Old Berwick Road on go 6 miles east to the village of Lime Ridge. [In Bloomsburg, from the east end of Main Street go south on East Street to Seventh Street, go east on Seventh Street 2.5 block to the Y where Old Berwick Road goes off to the right.]

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical Church

Journal references:
1983,322/272 – discontinued/permission to raze and sell to Cemetery Association
1984,289/290 - closed

Brief History:
This congregation had its beginning as a Bible class of 55 members. For several years the group met in the local school house. A lot was purchased from Lindsey and Julia Wooley and a frame church building was erected in 1885. Following the 1968 denominational merger, most of the congregation drifted toward the larger former Methodist church in town.

Final disposition:
The church building has been torn down and the land filled in to become part of the Lime Ridge EUB Cemetery.

35. Lime Ridge UMC

$Description: X:\image\open_churches\columbia\lime_ridge.jpg$

Address: 6405 Fourth Street [Old Berwick Road], village of Lime Ridge
Municipality: South Centre township
County: Columbia
State: PA

Directions:
Fourth Street is the old US 11. Exit Bloomsburg on the Old Berwick Road and go east 5 miles to the village of Lime Ridge. The church is on the left. [In Bloomsburg, from the east end of Main Street go south on East Street to Seventh Street, go east on Seventh Street 2.5 block to the Y where Old Berwick Road goes off to the right.]

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
2022,216 – permission to disaffiliate
2023,181 – disaffiliated

Brief History:
In 2022 the congregation voted 41-0 to disaffiliate from the United Methodist denomination. That action was approved by the 2022 Annual Conference and effective 7/15/2022.

Final disposition:

36. Mainville ME

Location: 768 Mainville Drive, village of Mainville
Municipality: Main township
County: Columbia
State: PA

Directions:
Mainville is on PA 339, 5 miles southwest of the I-80/PA-339 (Mifflinville) exit. The property is the last structure in the west side of the road as you head north out of Mainville toward Bloomsburg.

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
1882,41 – building dedicated

Brief History:
The ground for this church was donated by John W. Shuman in 1880, and the church building was erected in 1881 and dedicated February 12, 1882. Mainville was always on the Mifflinville charge (for many years a 4-point charge with Mifflinville, Mainville, Fowlersville and Lime Ridge). The last recorded member was 23 in 1947, page 156. The following year Mifflinville showed an increase in membership of 38, and so it appears that the Mainville members were transferred to that church. The 2011 150^th anniversary booklet of the Mifflinville UMC states: “In 1946, the Mainville church closed and the building was used as a Community Sunday School. The Community Sunday School still holds classes today.”

Final disposition:
The Mifflinville quarterly conference, with appropriate approval, sold the property to the Emanuel Lutheran and Reformed congregation in 1948 for $1. It appears that congregation, located well north of the village, wanted an in-town Sunday School presence. The Lutherans eventually erected their own building closer to town, and the Mainville building evolved into an independent ministry that disbanded about 2020.

37. McHenry ME

[no picture]

Location: community of McHenry
Municipality: Orange township
County: Columbia
State: PA

Directions:
This may be the site now occupied by the McHenry Cemetery, two miles west of Orangeville. A Lutheran-Reformed-Presbyterian log building was erected there in 1810 and used until it collapsed under a weight of snow in 1837 – but there appears to be no definitive record of a leter church building erected at that same site.

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
1880,36 – building projected
1882,40 – building dedicated

Brief History:
This building was dedicated September 25, 1881. This appointment was originally part of the Orangeville circuit, but in 1882 it became part of the newly formed Rohrsburg charge.
Note: This building is sometimes erroneously referred to as McKendree.

Final disposition:

38. McIntyre ME

Description: Description: Description: mcintgre

Location:
Municipality:
County: Columbia
State: PA

Directions:

Historic Conference:

Journal references:

Brief History:

Final disposition:

39. Numidia Trinity ME

Description: Description: Description: numidia trinity

Location: White Church Road, south of Numidia
Municipality: Locust township
County: Columbia
State: PA

Directions:
From Catawissa, go south 7 miles on PA 42, just past the community of Numidia to White Church Road. As PA 42 curves to the east, White Church Road and Todd Manor Road insect simultaneously with PA 42 from the west. The site/cemetery is at the southwest corner of White Church and Todd Manor Roads. The site is marked in the 1876 county atlas.

Historic Conference:
     Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
     1873,32 – church building erected
     1931,49 – additional part of the cemetery (missed before) transferred to Cemetery Association

Brief History:
In 1840 a number of Welsh immigrants settled in the area. Ten years later James Humphreys and Michael Phillips gave a plot of ground two miles south of Numidia and a church was erected. In 1864 Franklin Gearhart of the Catawissa circuit established a Methodist Episcopal appointment there. George Wheary was one of the first members. Some of the Quakers, and many English-speaking persons from German families, speedily connected themselves with the class, which was served in connection with Slabtown. In 1871 the services were held in a school-house. The discomfort of this arrangement led to the erection of Trinity Methodist Episcopal church about 1 mile north of the old Welsh Chapel. The building was completed at a cost of twenty-two hundred and fifty dollars, and dedicated in the autumn of 1872. Isaac Dyer, Daniel Levan, Thomas Seaborne and William Kline were the trustees at the time.

Final disposition:

40. Pine Wesley UMC
[Pine Center]

$Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: X:\image\open_churches\lycoming\pinecenter.jpg$

Address: 58 Pine Center Church Road
Municipality: Pine township
County: Columbia
State: PA

Directions:

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical Church
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Church

Journal references:
2014,143 – received members of Talmar Wesley Chapel; renamed Pine Wesley

Brief History:
This building was erected in 1879 as St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and used by that denomination until 1886, when the families involved moved away. It stood idle 1886-88. In 1888 it was reopened by the United Evangelicals and known as Center, served from Unityville until 1923. It stood idle 1923-46. In 1946 it was re-opened by the Methodists and known as Pine Center Methodist/United Methodist Church until 2014 when it received the members of Wesley Chapel (at Talmar) and was re-named Pine Wesley.
On 3/7/2023 the congregation voted 14-2 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:

41. Rohrsburg UMC

Address: 706 Zaner Bridge Rd
Municipality: Greenwood township
County: Columbia
State: PA

Directions:

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:

Brief History:
This appointment was organized as part of the Orangeville circuit in 1852, and a building was erected the following year – with a large front porch, which was removed in the early 1880’s and replaced by the present vestibule and belfry. The original poulpit was made out fof dry goog\ds boxes from a local store. From 1882 to 1911, Rohrsburg had a parsonage and was home to the Rohrsburg circuit – consisting of church buildings and schoolhouse appointments. It was then returned to the Orangeville charge.
On 2/25/2023 the congregation voted 7-0 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:

42. Rupert UMC

$Description: X:\image\open_churches\columbia\rupert.jpg$

Address: 245 Rupert Drive [PA 42]
Municipality: Montour township
County: Columbia
State: PA

Directions:

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
1885,44 – dedicated 11/19/1884
1957,99 – added basement room

Brief History:

Final disposition:

43. Salem EV

Description: Description: Description: salem

Location:
Municipality: Salem township
County: Columbia
State: PA

Directions:

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical Church

Journal references:
1962,119 – permission to transfer property to cemetery and place insurance money in a fund

Brief History:
The church building was destroyed by fire in December 1958 and declared closed.

Final disposition:
In 1962, the property was transferred was transferred to the Garrison Memorial Cemetery Association of Salem township. The money from the insurance settlement was placed in “The Salem Church Fund” to be available if a new sanctuary is erected in the general vicinity.

44. Slabtown ME
[a.k.a. Center ME]

Description: Description: Description: slabtown Roaring Creek Cemetery

Location: Cemetery Hill Road, village of Slabtown
Municipality: Locust township
County: Columbia
State: PA

Directions:
From Catawissa, go south on PA 42 for 5 miles to Slabtown. Turn east onto Cemetery Hill Road and go 50 yards. The site is on the right, by what is known as the Methodist Cemetery (pictured above at the right) – although the church building might not have been at the same site as the cemetery.

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
1895,53 – new church at Slabtown, center point on the Catawissa circuit, much needed and projected for the coming year
1896,66 – new church building erected at Center of the Catawissa circuit

Brief History:
This building was erected by the Reformed church in 1848. Three years later a Methodist camp-meeting in the vicinity resulted in many conversions, including some of the most prominent Reformed members, and the building became a Methodist house of worship. The cemetery

Final disposition:

45. St. Paul's UMC

Address: Esther Furnace Road
Municipality: Cleveland township
County: Columbia
State: PA

Directions:
From Catawissa, go south 3.5 miles on PA 487 to Ashton Hollow Road. Turn left onto Ashton Hollow Road and follow the signs to Lake Glory Campground (Ashton Hollow Road to Hemlock Road to Eisenhower Road). Immediately after passing the lake, turn left into Esther Furnace Road and proceed 0.5 miles. The church is on the left, across Roaring Creek.

Historic Conference:
East Pennsylvania Conference of the United Brethren Church

Journal References:
2013,149 – merged into Catawissa Mt. Zion
2014,S-30 & S-38 – all members transferred to Mt. Zion

Brief History:
The quarterly conference of the United Brethren’s Northumberland circuit, meeting February 6, 1861, in the Slabtown M.E. Church passed the following resolution: “Resolved that we build a new meeting house on a piece of land which may be secured from Samuel Diemer near his furnace.” The furnace was known as “Esther Furnace” and the appointment was sometimes called by that name. The present frame building was dedicated May 3, 1861, and enlarged and remodeled in 1907.

Final Disposition:
The building is now a private residence.

46. Stillwater ME

Location:
Municipality:
County: Columbia
State: PA

Directions:

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
     1880,36 – building projected
     1881,38 – church building erected
     1928,624 – permission to sell

Brief History:

Final disposition:

47. Summer Hill UMC

Address: Summer Hill Road & Dairy Road
Municipality: Briar Creek township
County: Columbia
State: PA

Directions:
From downtown Berwick, go north on Market Street until it ends at 16^th Street. Bear right onto Summerhill Avenue (which becomes Foundryville Road and then Summerhill Road) for 4 miles to the crossroad that defines Summer Hill. The church is on the northeast corner of Summerhill Road and Dairy Road.

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
2024,158 – closed 3/13/2023 to separate

Brief History:
This class was organized in 1868 and worshiped in a union church building adjacent to the cemetery before erecting their present building in 1882 on land donated by Solomon H. and Boann (Lockard) Bower. For many years the church was served with Foundryville as part of the Beach Haven chargeOn 12/31/2023 the remaining members voted 5-0 to close and reorganize as an independent congregation.

Final disposition:
The property was conveyed to Summer Hill Community Church on 3/13/2024 for $17,767.24.

47. Talmar Wesley Chapel UMC

Address: village of Talmar
Municipality: Pine township
County: Columbia
State: PA

Directions:
From the intersection of PA 118 and PA 42, go 1 miles south on PA 42 to Talmar Road. Go east 1 mile on Talmar road to the crossroad with Woods Road. The church is on the northwest corner of Woods Road and Talmar Road.

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal References:
2014,143 – merged into Pine Center, which was renamed Pine Wesley

Brief History:
This grove was selected and used for a campmeeting site in 1847. The following spring a chapel was erected on land donated by Thomas Faus. The building was rebuilt in 1893. In the early 1900’s the appointment was on the Jamison City charge. It was then on the large 7-point Muncy Valley charge until being placed on the former EUB Unityville charge in 1968. In 2014, the congregation merged into Pine Center – a sister congregation which had also been transferred from Muncy Valley to Unityville in 1969.

Final Disposition:

48. Waller EV

Description: Description: Description: waller

Location: Waller Road
Municipality: Jackson township
County: Columbia
State: PA

Directions:

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical Church

Journal references:

Brief History:
This congregation was part of the Waller charge that remained with the Evangelical Association during the 1894-1922 split and was served from the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference EA.

Final disposition:

49. Welsh Chapel UB

Numidia Drive Burial Grounds

Location: PA 42, south of Numidia
Municipality: Locust township
County: Columbia
State: PA

Directions:
From Catawissa, so south on PA 42 for 8 miles. The site is on private land on the east side of the road, between where Rhoadestown and Bear Gap roads go off to the west, at what is known as the Numidia Drive Burial Ground (pictured above). The site is marked in the 1876 county atlas.

Historic Conference:
East Pennsylvania Conference of the United Brethren Church

Journal references:

Brief History:
In 1840 a number of Welsh immigrants settled in the area. Ten years later James Humphreys and Michael Phillips gave a plot of ground two miles south of Numidia and a church was erected. The United Brethren established an appointment there as early as 1857. By about 1861 most of the original Welsh Baptists had migrated to Canada, and the United Brethren purchased the building. In 1908 the appointment was abandoned, and in 1908 the building was torn down

Final disposition:

50. White's ME

Description: Description: Description: white

Location: White Church Road
Municipality: Mount Pleasant township
County: Columbia
State: PA

Directions:
From the north end of the village of Lightstreet, go west 1 mile on Back Branch Road to White Church Road. Go north 1.5 miles on White Church Road to what used to be called “Peacock Corner.” The church building is on the east side of the road.

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
1957,54 – declared abandoned
1958,159 – entitled party declines to claim property by the reversion clause; no further action

Brief History:
This building was erected in 1875. The land was sold for $90 the previous year by Thomas and Rebecca Jones to Samuel Jacoby,

Final disposition:
Sold in 1959 for $1.00 to Charles D. Steiner, who later gave the conference a donation of $500, deposited in the Annuity Fund, for its consideration. See also conference trustee minutes for 11/8/1957and 6/18/1959. The conference trustee minutes for 6/22/1960 state that White’s Church is “being used by some sect which appears to be a nuisance to the community. Although this is not in accordance with the promised use of the premises, nothing can be done at this point.”