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.

FRANKLIN COUNTY PA

1. Blairs Valley MP

Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: blairs

Location: Blairs Valley Road
Municipality: Montgomery township
County: Franklin
State: PA

Directions:
From PA 16 at the east end of Mercersburg, go 2 miles south on Fort Loudon Road [PA 75] to Shimpstown. Go west 2 miles on Shimpstown Road to Blairs Valley Road. Go south 5 miles on Blairs Valley Road. The church is on the left.

Historic Conference:
Maryland Conference of the Methodist Protestant Church.

Journal references:

Brief History:
This land was purchased and the church erected in 1844. This territory was split off from the Concord circuit in 1840 to form the Licking Creek circuit. The Licking Creek circuit was discontinued in 1845 and the fate of the appointments is not documented. This church appears to have been dropped from the list of regular appointments soon after 1845.

Final disposition:
A project to restore the church was begun in 1972. The building is still standing, but not in regular use.

2. Blue Rock ME

$Description: Description: Description: Description: X:\image\closed_churchs\franklin\bluerock.jpg$

Location: Mentzer Gap Road
Municipality: Guilford township
County: Franklin
State: PA

Directions:
From the village of Quincy on PA 997, go south 2 miles on Mentzer Gap Road to Blue Rock Road. The church is on the right, on the northwest corner of Mentzer Gap Road and Blue Rock Roads.

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
1955, 54 – sold for $1,000; proceeds distributed to remaining churches on the charge

Brief History:
This 35x45 brick church building was erected in 1870 and has always been on the Mont Alto charge. After the appointment had been abandoned, the structure was sold to the Winebrenner Church of God congregation that had been using the building.

Final disposition:
The building is still standing.

3. Chambersburg Chapel ME

$Description: Description: Description: Description: X:\image\closed_churchs\franklin\cambersburgme.jpg$

Location: Second and McKinley Streets
Municipality: borough of Chambersburg
County: Franklin
State: PA

Directions:
Second Street is northbound US 11. McKinley Street is 6 blocks south of US 30, and one block north of where US 11 becomes one-way. The chapel stood on the northeast corner of Second and McKinley Streets.

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
1885,47 – 30x40 frame chapel dedicated 2/1/1885

Brief History:
This was a mission extension of St. Paul’s, which sponsored a Sunday School at this location and possibly some worship services. The frame chapel that stood on this site was erected by the Methodists about 1884 and sold to the Church of God (Winebrenner) in June 1894. The Church of God erected the present brick building in 1909 and remodeled it significantly in 1952.

Final disposition:
A Baptist congregation now occupies the building.

4. Chambersburg Second ME

$Description: Description: Description: Description: X:\image\closed_churchs\franklin\chambersburgsecond.jpg$

Location: 209 E. King Street
Municipality: borough of Chambersburg
County: Franklin
State: PA

Directions:
This building is on the northeast corner of King and Second Streets.

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Pennsylvania Conference of the United Brethren Church

Journal references:

Brief History:
This building was the home of the short-lived Second Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1878 the property was purchased by conservative members of the First United Brethren Church who intended for it to be the town’s second UB congregation – and a congregation that upheld the denomination’s ban on secret societies. Hearings and appeals about the status of the congregation within the Conference extended all the way to the General Conference of 1881, at which point it was determined that the congregation was not within the Pennsylvania Conference. Following the denominational split of 1889, the congregation sided with the United Brethren Old Constitution Church. In 1939 they erected a new building diagonally across the intersection and continue today as the King Street United Brethren Church.

Final disposition:
Since 1939 this building is now the home of the Congregation Sons of Israel, a blended Jewish fellowship that includes all branches of Judaism.

5. Clay Hill UB

$Description: Description: Description: Description: X:\image\closed_churchs\franklin\clayhill.jpg$

Location: village of Clay Hill
Municipality: Antrim township
County: Franklin
State: PA

Directions:
From Greencastle, go 4 miles north on US 11 to Kauffman Road. Torn easy on Kauffman Road and go 1 mile to the village of Kauffman. At the east end of Kauffman, bear left (i.e., do not go to Browns Mills) onto Clay Hill Road [aka East Kauffman Road] and proceed 3 miles to the village of Clay Hill. The church is on the right.

Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the United Brethren Church

Journal references:
1895,24 – building repaired “at considerable cost”
1905,45 – that Clay Hill appointment be discontinued, the members be requested to transfer to Greencastle, and the trustees be authorized to dispose of the church property and that the proceeds go to Greencastle to help pay for the parsonage.

Brief History:
This building was erected in 1872. Prior to that the congregation worshipped for many years in the old Union School House near the Antrim/Quincy township line and the newer school building erected later in Clay Hill.

Final disposition:
The building now houses an independent congregation.

6. Concord MP

$Description: Description: Description: Description: X:\image\closed_churchs\franklin\concord.jpg$

Location: Back Road
Municipality: Fannett township
County: Franklin
State: PA

Directions:
From the south end of Concord on PA 75, turn west onto Back Road and go 0.25 miles. The church stood in the triangular lot on the right, where the road bends to the left. The 1868 county atlas gives the exact location.

Historic Conference:
Maryland Conference of the Methodist Protestant Church

Journal references:

Brief History:
The name of the Shippensburg circuit, organized in 1830, was change to Concord circuit in 1839. In 1929 the name was changed to Doylesburg circuit. It is assumed, therefore, that this building was in use in 1839 and no longer in use in 1929.

Final disposition:

7. Criders UB

$Description: Description: Description: Description: X:\image\closed_churchs\franklin\cider.jpg$

Location: Loudon Road
Municipality: St. Thomas township
County: Franklin
State: PA

Directions:
From the square in Chambersburg, go 4 blocks west on Lincoln Way to Franklin Street. Go north on Franklin Street 1 mile to the Y with Edenville Road. Bear left onto Edenville Road. Go west on Edeville Road 6 miles to the Y with Loudon Road. The church stood within the Y formed by Edenville and Loudon Roads.

Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the United Brethren Church.

Journal references:
1893,23 – vacany and recommended for disposal

Brief History:
The first church building of the congregation was erected at this site in 1844 and replaced by a new structure in 1868. In the 1889 denominational split, the congregation sided with the Old Constitution faction and was able to retain possession of the property. A new church building was erected across the street in 1975, and the old building was torn down in 1986.

Final disposition:
The site is now the property of Criders United Brethren (Old Constitution) Church.

8. Dry Run ME

$Description: Description: Description: Description: X:\image\closed_churchs\franklin\dryrun.jpg$

Location: Back Road [Main Street], village of Dry Run
Municipality: Fannett township
County: Franklin
State: PA

Directions:
From the intersection of PA 75 and PA 461 in Spring Run, go 2 miles north on PA 75 to the village of Dry Run. Bear left onto Bark Road [Main Street] and go two blocks. The site is on the right. The 1868 county atlas gives the exact location.

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

Journal references:

Brief History:
This church is in the 1868 county atlas, but not on the 1858 county map. It first appears in the Concord circuit book as an appointment with membership in 1863. It appears to have been abandoned before 1900. The church/appointment does not appear in the 1898 supplemental statistics or the 1915 list of ME properties.

Final disposition:
The site is now the parking lot for the adjacent funeral home.

9. Ebenezer UB

$Description: Description: Description: Description: X:\image\closed_churchs\franklin\ebenezer.jpg$

Location: Williamson Roads
Municipality: Antrim township
County: Franklin
State: PA

Directions:
From US 30 in the west end of Chambersburg, go 10 miles south on PA 995 to the village of Williamson. In the south end of Williamson, turn east onto Williamson Road. Go 3 miles to Guitner Road. The church is on the left, on the northeast corner of Guitner and Williamson Roads,

Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the United Brethren Church

Journal references:
1878,4 – new church in course of erection at Suitner [sic] appointment
1893,23 – vacant and recommended for disposal

Brief History:
This congregation worshiped in the Highland School (aka locally as the Guitner School) until the first church building was dedicated January 17, 1880. In the 1889 split, the congregation sided with the Old Constitution faction. When the courts decided the structure was a union church and not owned by the United Brethren denomination, the building was awarded to the local congregation and became UBOC.

Final disposition:
The building is home to the Ebenezer United Brethren (Old Constitution) Church.

10. Edenville UMC

Description: Description: Description: Description: Edenville

Address: 2504 Apple Way
Municipality: St. Thomas township
County: Franklin
State: PA

Directions:

Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the United Brethren Church

Journal references:
2023,180 – merged into St. Thomas

Brief History:
Edenville merged into St. Thomas on 11/1/2022.

11. Emmanuel [aka Immanuel] UB

$Description: Description: Description: Description: X:\image\closed_churchs\franklin\immanual.jpg$

Location: Boundary Road
Municipality: Hamilton township
County: Franklin
State: PA

Directions:
From the square in Chambersburg, go 4 blocks west on Lincoln Way to Franklin Street. Go north on Franklin Street 1 mile to the Y with Edenville Road. Bear left onto Edenville Road and go 1 mile to the cross road where Edenville Road turns left, Short Cut Road goes right, and Keefer Road goes straight. Go straight on Keefer Road 1 mile to Boundary Road. Turn left on boundary road and go 100 yards. The site is on the left.

Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the United Brethren Church.

Journal references:

Brief History:
This church was part of the Rocky Springs circuit and was closed in 1905. Some records refer to this as Immanuel Church or Emanuel Church..

Final disposition:
The building was purchased for the Church of Brethren for $248 by M. B. Mentzer and Wm. R. Moore and transferred to the Back Creek congregation on May 10, 1911. That congregation cared for the structure until March 6, 1931, when it was sold to Samuel Bricker for $208. A few readable headstones remain from the cemetery. The site is privately owned.

12. Fannettsburg UMC

$Description: Description: Description: Description: X:\image\closed_churchs\franklin\fannettsburg.jpg$

Location: Fannettsburg Road, village of Fannettsburg
Municipality: Metal township
County: Franklin
State: PA

Directions:

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
     1973,99 – discontinued
     1977,136&A74 – permission to sell
     1978,A47 – sold

Brief History:

Final disposition:

13. Fayetteville Otterbein UMC

$Description: Description: Description: X:\image\open_churches\franklin\fayetteville_otterbein.jpg$

Address: 61 W. Main Street, village of Fayetteville
Municipality: Greene township
County: Franklin
State: PA

Directions:

Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the United Brethren Church

Journal references:

Brief History:
On 2/7/2023 the congregation voted 33-0 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.

14. Fetterhoff Chapel UMC

$Description: Description: Description: X:\image\open_churches\franklin\fetterhoff_chapel.jpg$

Address: 4025 Fetterhoff Chapel Road
Municipality: Guilford township
County: Franklin
State: PA

Directions:
Just east of Fayetteville, at the intersection of US 30 and PA 997, go south on PA 997 0.5 miles to Bickle Road. Go west on Bickle Road for 1.5 miles when it merges into Mont Alto Road. Continue southwest on Mont Alto Road to 2 miles to Fetterhoff Chapel Road. Turn right onto Fetterhoff Chapel Road and go 1.0 miles. The church is on the right.

Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the United Brethren Church

Journal references:
1898,18 – “Zion church, Mont Alto charge” repaired at cost of $79
2021,266 – sold 2/3/2021 for $385,000 to Fetterhoff Chapel Mennonite Church

Brief History:
Christian Newcomer preached at the home of George Fetterhoff in 1802, and it became a regular preaching place for Newcomer and other circuit riders. The congregation was organized as the Zion UB Church in 1819 and built a log church in 1834 – which hosted the 1837 and 1843 annual sessions of the Pennsylvania Conference. The log church was dismantled and a brick structure erected on the same site in 1856. The present church building was constructed on the opposite side of the road, on a slightly more elevated site, in 1899. It was dedicated December 3, 1899, as the “Zion United Brethren Church, near West Fayetteville, Pa.” One reference says that “it takes the place of the well known Fetterhof chapel.” Apparently the named alternated between Zion Church and Fetterhoff Chapel, but the latter name eventually prevailed.

Final disposition:
This property was sold in 2021 and is now the Fetterhoff Chapel Mennonite Church.

15. Greencastle First UMC

$Description: Description: Description: X:\image\open_churches\franklin\greencastle_first.jpg$

Address: 45 N. Washington Street
Municipality: borough of Greencastle
County: Franklin
State: PA

Directions:

Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the United Brethren Church

Journal references:

Brief History:
On 1/17/2023 the congregation voted 51-1 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.

16. Greencastle ME

$Description: Description: Description: Description: X:\image\closed_churchs\franklin\greencastle.jpg$

Location: 36 South Carlisle Street
Municipality: borough of Greencastle
County: Franklin
State: PA

Directions:
Carlisle Street is the old US 11. It runs parallel to and 3 blocks east of the current US 11. From the intersection of PA 216 and US 11, go 3 blocks east on PA 216 (Baltimore Street) to Carlisle Street. Go one full block south on Carlisle Street to Franklin Street. The building is on the northeast corner of Carlisle and Franklin streets.

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
     1938,24 – permission to sell
     1939,27 – possible abandonment
     1940,21 – money from sale proposed to help start Lewistown Lake Park church project
     1940,116 – last time listed in journal, apparently 19 active members
     1941,33&35 – $5,587.92 proceeds from sale received and applied as directed
     1941,134 – church closed, membership transferred to other churches

Brief History:
The cornerstone reads “Methodist Episcopal Church 1883.” Membership and attendance dwindled in the 1930’s, and the congregation ceased to exist.

Final disposition:
The building was sold to the Church of the Brethren (who had been renting the facility for Sunday evening worship services and Sunday School since 1931) on 3/4/1940 for $6000 and now houses a congregation of that denomination.

17. Greenvillage ME

$Description: Description: Description: Description: X:\image\closed_churchs\franklin\greenvillage.jpg$

Location: Greenvillage Road
Municipality: Greene township
County: Franklin
State: PA

Directions:

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
     1962, 77 – permission to repair roof in anticipation of area growth
     1963, 83 – conference trustees instructed to raze building
     1965, 86 – conference trustees instructed to have the reversion clause in deed set aside

Brief History:
The first church in the village was a log building erected at this site in 1827. Used by all denominations, it had high back pews and a high pulpit reached by a flight of steps. Prior to 1827 the Methodists worshiped in Matthew Duncan’s barn. In 1873 a brick structure was erected at the site, and it appears that it was at this time that the property was formally deed to the Methodists. A parsonage was erected in 1875 and the Greenvillage charge consisted of Fayetteville, Greenvillage, Roxbury and Upper Strasburg. In 1917 a parsonage was built at Fayetteville. The church was closed due to declining membership in 1944. In 1952 it was reopened with great fanfare with assistance from St. Paul’s in Chambersburg. While 350 attended the re-opening services, the membership never rose above 9 and the church was permanently closed and the building razed in 1963.

Final disposition:

18. Hawley Memorial MP

$Description: Description: Description: Description: X:\image\closed_churchs\franklin\hawley.jpg$

Location:
Municipality:
County: Franklin
State: PA

Directions:

Historic Conference:
Maryland Conference of the Methodist Protestant Church

Journal references:

Brief History:

Final disposition:

19. Horse Valley Keefer's UB

$Description: Description: Description: Description: X:\image\closed_churchs\franklin\horsevalley_keefers.jpg$ $Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: X:\image\closed_churchs\franklin\keefersme.jpg$

Location:
Municipality:
County: Franklin
State: PA

Directions:

Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the United Brethren Church

Journal references:
     1896,21&57 – church dedicated 10/20/1895; built by Stephen Keefer and deeded to UB
     1928,29 – brief history and status report as an unused site
     1954,78 – declared abandoned, authorized to sell

Brief History:
This building near the center of Horse Valley was dedicated October 25, 1895. It is reported to be the successor to a building known as Honne’s Church that was erected about 1805. Keefers, St. Paul and Zion for many years constituted the Horse Valley charge. When that charge was no longer viable, they were attached to the Spring Run charge. By 1928 only the Keefer building remained, and the pastor from the Scotland charge was holding a few services a year. Efforts to re-establish a viable congregation as a mission project under care of the Scotland charge were successful for a while.

Final disposition:

20. Horse Valley St. Paul UB

$Description: Description: Description: Description: X:\image\closed_churchs\franklin\horsevalley_paul.jpg$

Location:
Municipality:
County: Franklin
State: PA

Directions:

Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the United Brethren Church

Journal references:
1928,29 – brief history and status report as an unused site

Brief History:
This building was erected in 1900 and stood in the east end of the valley. It was also known locally as the Laurel Run church. Keefers, St. Paul and Zion for many years constituted the Horse Valley charge. When that charge was no longer viable, they were attached to the Spring Run charge. The St. Paul building was erected on land for which the church never had a deed. The building was sold and torn down at some date before 1928.

Final disposition:

21. Horse Valley Zion UB

$Description: Description: Description: Description: X:\image\closed_churchs\franklin\horsevalley_zion.jpg$

Location:
Municipality:
County: Franklin
State: PA

Directions:

Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the United Brethren Church

Journal references:
1898,18 – new building dedicated 8/29/1897; replaces old building of same name
1928,29 – brief history and status report as an unused site

Brief History:
This was the first United Brethren church building in Horse Valley. It was erected about 1847 in the west end of the valley. Keefers, St. Paul and Zion for many years constituted the Horse Valley charge. When that charge was no longer viable, they were attached to the Spring Run charge. The Zion building was erected on land for which the church never had a deed. The building was sold and torn down at some date before 1928.

Final disposition:

22. Lurgan UB

Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: lurgar.jpg

Location:
Municipality:
County: Franklin
State: PA

Directions:

Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the United Brethren Church.

Journal references:
1874,10 – Orrstown circuit constituted with Orrstown, Centre [Lurgan] and Fairview [unknown]

Brief History:
The first building at this site was constructed in 1856 as a union building, but the congregation became United Brethren within a few years. In the 1889 denominational split, this congregation sided with the Old Constitution faction and was able to retain possession of the church property – possibly because of the original union origins of the property. A new building was erected in 1903, and the present structure in 1965

Final disposition:
This building is now the Lurgan United Brethren (Old Constitution) Church.

23. Macedonia UB

$Description: Description: Description: Description: X:\image\closed_churchs\franklin\macedonia.jpg$

Location:
Municipality:
County: Franklin
State: PA

Directions:

Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the United Brethren Church.

Journal references:

Brief History:
This congregation had its beginning in revival services conducted in the Paradise and California school houses. The congregation was organized in 1881 and dedicated the church building in 1882. In the 1889 denominational split, the congregation sided with the Old Constitution faction and was able to maintain possession of the property. The multipurpose building across the street was erected in 1987.

Final disposition:
This building is now home to the Macedonia United Brethren (Old Constitution) Church.

24. Mainsville UB

Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: mainsville.jpg

Location:
Municipality:
County: Franklin
State: PA

Directions:

Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the United Brethren Church.

Journal references:
1889,23 – building repaired

Brief History:
The first deed for this as church property dates from 1871. In the 1889 denominational split, this congregation sided with the Old Constitution faction and was able to retain possession of the church property by purchase in 1893. The original frame building was replaced by the present structure in 1967.

Final disposition:
This building is now the Mainsville United Brethren (Old Constitution) Church.

25. Markes UMC

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Location: PA 416, village of Markes
Municipality: Peters township
County: Franklin
State: PA

Directions:
The church stood in the south end of town, on the west side of the highway.

Historic Conference:
      Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
     1909,77 – new preaching place at Bridgeport, frame church being erected for $1500
     1910,79 – building dedicated 10/24/1909
     1968,88 – discontinued; permission to sell
     1979,A61 – sold to Bruce A. and Pearl T. Hauman for $12,000; proceeds to Fort Loudon

Brief History:
The cornerstone reads “ME Church 1909.” The community is/was also known as Bridgeport.

Final disposition:

26. Mercersburg UB

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Location:
Municipality:
County: Franklin
State: PA

Directions:

Historic Conference:

Journal references:

Brief History:

Final disposition:

27. Metal UMC

$Description: Description: Description: Description: X:\image\closed_churchs\franklin\metal.jpg$

Location: 7183 Path Valley Road
Municipality: Metal township
County: Franklin
State: PA

Directions:

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
1884,51 – “neat frame church” erected, “with suitable grounds for burial”
1971,97&185 – discontinued/sold to Cemetery Association

Brief History:
This is also known as the Carrick church.

Final disposition:

28. Mont Alto ME

Scan-220228-0001

Location: Mont Alto Iron Works
Municipality: Quincy township
County: Franklin
State: PA

Directions:
The iron works were east of the present o\town of Mont Alto.

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:

Brief History:
In 1865 a small colony of Wesleyan believers who had settled in Mont Alto began holding prayer meetings in homes and in the brick school house. In 1869 they were given a plot of ground by the Mont Alto Iron Company to be used for religious purposes – and to revert to the original owners when no longer so used. That same year a frame structure was erected and dedicated. In 1874 a larger brick building was erected in Alto Dale [the present Mont Alto UMC]. Services were conducted (by the same pastor) in both churches for “many” years. Early records list the two congregations as Mont Alto (1869 frame building) and Alto Dale (1874 brink building). The congregations finally merged and the frame structure was dismantled and sold – with the land reverting to the original owners.

Final disposition:

29. Mont Alto Otterbein UMC

$Description: Description: Description: Description: X:\image\closed_churchs\franklin\mtalto.jpg$

Location:
Municipality:
County: Franklin
State: PA

Directions:

Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the United Brethren Church

Journal references:
     1903,23 – cornerstone for new building laid 12/7/1902
     1905,19 – building dedicated 9/17/1905
     2009,233 – merged into Mont Alto Wesley
     2010,43 – building declared abandoned
     2012,241 – sold to John F. Kohler

Brief History:

Final disposition:

30. Mount Zion UMC

$Description: Description: Description: Description: X:\image\closed_churchs\franklin\mt_zion.jpg$

Location:
Municipality:
County: Franklin
State: PA

Directions:

Historic Conference:

Journal references:

Brief History:

Final disposition:

31. Mountain Green Bethel UB

$Description: Description: Description: Description: X:\image\open_churches\franklin\mountain_green_bethel.jpg$

Address: Mountain Green Road
Municipality: Metal township
County: Franklin
State: PA

Directions:
From the Willow Hill exit of the Pennsylvania Turnpike at PA 75, go 2 miles north on PA 75 to Mountain Green Road. Go west on Mountain Green Road 2.0 miles to a division in the road. Follow the portion of Mountain Road that heads north. Go ¼ mile. The church is on the left.

Historic Conference:
Allegheny Conference of the United Brethren Church

Journal references:
     1889,26 – attached (along with Sharps and Scotland) to Rocky Spring station
     1896,21 – new church building started
     1897,27 – building dedicated 11/22/1896
     2012,160 – discontinued

Brief History:
This class was organized in 1869. After worshipping in the schoolhouse for many years, they felt the necessity of better facilities. In 1896 they purchased land 1/8 mile from the schoolhouse and dedicated this church building on November 22 of that year. Immediately following the dedication, a revival was held that resulted in sixty conversions. The congregation later purchased the old school house for use as a fellowship hall. After declining membership and attendance, the congregation voted on October 13, 2011 to discontinue. Mountain Green was most recently served from Spring Run.

Final disposition:
The church property (i.e., the land on which the church sits and two small parking lots – one of which is across the road) was purchased by adjacent landowners Simon and Delores Neil in 2012 for $10,000.
The old schoolhouse (with approximately ½ acre of land) which had been used as a fellowship hall (which had no onsite septic or water) was sold to Mary Jo Daihl in 2012 for $4000.

32. New Franklin UB

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Location:
Municipality:
County: Franklin
State: PA

Directions:

Historic Conference:

Journal references:

Brief History:

Final disposition:

33. Oak Grove UB

[no piture]

Location: [community of Oak Grove]
Municipality: Letterkenny township
County: Franklin
State: PA

Directions:
This site is currently within the Letterkenny Army Depot

Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the United Brethren Church

Journal references:
1893,23 – vacant and recommended for disposal
1928,29 – building now used by Old Constitution; recommend removal from our statistics

Brief History:
This building was erected in 1881, while Daniel R. Brubaker was serving the Rocky Springs circuit. At some point the property appears to have gone to United Brethren Old Constitution – as it is not mentioned in Holdcraft’s 1939 conference history, and the UBOC held the farewell service the in 1942 when the site was taken for the Letterkenny Army Depot. In 1946 the building was purchased by the UBOC’s Rhodes Grove Association.

Final disposition:

34. Orrstown UB

$Description: Description: Description: Description: X:\image\closed_churchs\franklin\orrstown.jpg$

Location: Orrstown Road [PA 533]
Municipality: Orrstown borough
County: Franklin
State: PA

Directions:
The site is on the south side of the road, almost across from the current Orrstown United Brethren [UBOC] Church.

Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the United Brethren Church

Journal references:
1874,10 – Orrstown circuit constituted with Orrstown, Centre [Lurgan] and Fairview [unknown]
1900,21 – unsupplied Orrstown split between Cumberland Valley and Horse Valley charges

Brief History:
The building at this site was erected in 1852 and was part of the large Rocky Spring circuit. The church and circuit were severely weakened by the 1889 denominational split, and the larger part of this congregation left to erect the present Orrstown United Brethren (Old Constitution) Church across the street. The last service was held here in 1905 and the building was razed in 1912.

Final disposition:
The cemetery remains. No longer an open cemetery, it is reportedly maintained via an endowment on deposit at a Chambersburg bank.

35. Rouzerville UMC

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Address: 11977 Old Route 16, village of Rouzerville
Municipality: Washington township
County: Franklin
State: PA

Directions:

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:

Brief History:
On 1/14/2023 the congregation voted 46-3 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:
This congregation is continuing as the Rouzerville Christian Church.

36. Roxbury ME

$Description: Description: Description: Description: X:\image\closed_churchs\franklin\roxbury.jpg$ Scan-230227-0001

Location: village of Roxbury
Municipality: Lurgan township
County: Franklin
State: PA

Directions: From the intersection in Roxbury where PA 997 goes off to the north from PA 641, go south on the gravel road for 1 block. The church building stood on the left, in the existing cemetery.

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
1903,67 – union church purchased

Brief History:
This congregation was one the original participants in the 1815 union church which stood in the existing cemetery. In time the other denominations either dwindled away or erected their own buildings, and the structure became strictly Methodist Episcopal. In 1941 the congregation merged into the Methodist Protestant congregation to form the Roxbury Methodist Church.

Final disposition: The building was razed, and only the cemetery remains.

37. Salem UMC

$Description: Description: Description: Description: X:\image\closed_churchs\franklin\salem.jpg$

Location: 4349 Letterkenny Rd
Municipality: Greene township
County: Franklin
State: PA

Directions:

Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the United Brethren Church.

Journal references:
     1903,24 – building remodeled and shed build to shelter horses
     1955,79 – approve addition for Sunday School for $29,000
     2009,233 – discontinued
     2010,43 – abandoned
     2011,339; 2012,242 – sold to adjacent Salem UBOC Church

Brief History:

Final disposition:

38. Scotland UMC

$Description: Description: Description: X:\image\open_churches\franklin\scotland.jpg$

Address: 4040 Main Street, village of Scotland
Municipality: Greene township
County: Franklin
State: PA

Directions:

Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the United Brethren Church

Journal references:

Brief History:
     Scotland was the main appointment on the large and historic Rocky Spring circuit, and the name of the circuit changed back and forth between those designations.
     One nearby appointment was at Sharp’s school house, which class which sided with the Old Constitution in 1889 and erected the present Mount Pleasant Church – formerly also known as White Church and Sharp Church.
   On 2/7/2023 the congregation voted 22-3 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.

39. Spring Run MP

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Location:
Municipality:
County: Franklin
State: PA

Directions:

Historic Conference:

Journal references:

Brief History:

Final disposition:

40. St. Thomas ME

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Location:
Municipality:
County: Franklin
State: PA

Directions:
The building is one block west of the square on the southwest corner of the Lincoln Highway and Pioneer Drive.

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
1968,105 – merged into the former United Brethren Church to form St. Thomas UMC

Brief History:
This congregation erected its first building in 1826 on a plot of ground about 300 feet south of the square. In 1896 they erected the present much larger building on a lot west of the square. In 1969 the congregation merged into the former United Brethren Church, the united body continuing to meet in the former UB building until moving in 1974 to their present location of the St. Thomas – Edenville Road.

Final disposition:
The property was sold in 1971 and for many years was an antique shop. It is currently be remodeled for other purposes.

41. St. Thomas UB

$Description: Description: Description: Description: X:\image\closed_churchs\franklin\stthomasub.jpg$

Location: 86 Schoolhouse Road
Municipality:
County: Franklin
State: PA

Directions:

Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the United Brethren Church

Journal references:
     1937,32 – new Sunday School unit being erected
     1969,196 – united with St. Thomas ME
     1977,A4 – sold

Brief History:
This congregation was organized in 1850, with services held wherever convenient until the above building was erected in 1862. The cornerstone reads “United Brethren in Christ 1862.” In 1908 a rostrum extension was added to the church and new entrance and vestibule replace the two front doors of earlier years. This building housed the united former Methodist and EUB congregations until they moved to their new building on the St. Thomas – Edenville Road in 1974.

Final disposition:
The property was sold in 1977 and housed the newly organized St. Thomas Library until that organization moved to the second floor of the fire company in 2004. The building is now back in religious service as the St. Thomas Christian Fellowship.

42. Upper Strasburg UMC

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Location:
Municipality:
County: Franklin
State: PA

Directions:

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
1972,99 – discontinued
1974,210 – sold to Cemetery Association

Brief History:

Final disposition:

43. Waynesboro Peace UMC

$Description: Description: Description: Description: X:\image\closed_churchs\franklin\waynesboro.jpg$

Location: 11875 N. Woodlea Drive
Municipality: Washington township
County: Franklin
State: PA

Directions:

Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church

Journal references:
     1989,352 – permission to purchase land
     1991,222 – organized
     1996,199 – discontinued
     1998,213/347 – all sales completed
     1999,330 – all sales completed

Brief History:

Final disposition: