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
HUNTINGDON COUNTY PA
1. Asbury ME
Location: PA 944, village of Eagle Foundry
Municipality: Todd township
County: Huntingdon
State: PA
Directions:
From Huntingdon, go 17 miles south
on PA 26 to PA 944. Go 10 miles east on
PA 944. The church is on the right.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of
the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1883,47 – building erected
1970,260 – no longer listed in journal
statistics
1980,A80 – enters “closed” list
1986,213 – permission to sell
1988,339 – sold
Brief History:
A 40x44 brick building was erected by the
Methodists at this site in 1852, replacing a log building erected at nearby
Mount Pleasant in the early 1800’s. The
1852 building was replaced in 1883 by this more “modern” 30x40 brick structure.
Final disposition:
2. Barree UMC
Location: village of Barree
Municipality: Porter township
County: Huntingdon
State: PA
Directions:
The village of
Alexandria is off US 22, 7 miles west of Huntingdon. From the village of Alexandria, go west on
Main Street to the end of town. Turn
north on Barree Road and go 3 miles to the village of Barree. Proceed to the end of the village, where Barree
Raod makes a left turn to cross the river.
Turn right just before the left turn to cross the river, and go 1
block. The church is on the right.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of
the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
Regular Methodist
meetings appear to have been held in the village dating from the Civil War
period. The church building was erected
in 1889 and officially named the Elizabeth Watson Memorial Methodist Episcopal
Church. The congregation was alays in a
charge with Alexandria and/or Petersburg.
On July 1, 2006, the congregation united with Alexandria to form Hope
UMC, meeting in the Alexandria building.
Final disposition:
3. Bethlehem UB
[Grazier
UB]
Location: Ridge Road
Municipality: Warrior’s Mark township
County: Huntingdon
State: PA
Directions:
From the
intersection of PA550 and PA350 in Warriors Mark, go 1 mile west on PA 350 to
the village of Spring Mount. Go south on
Ridge Road 3 miles. The church stood on
the east side of the road, directly across from the lane headed west to the old
Grazier homestead.
The school house stood on the northwest corner of the lane and Ridge
Road. None of the original buildings
remain.
Historic Conference:
Allegheny Conference of the United Brethren Church
Journal references:
1928,104 – declared vacant property and authorization
given to sell
Brief History:
Africa’s 1883 History of Huntingdon County (page 399,
Warrior’s Mark Township) states: “At the Grazier or
Bethlehem school-house a class of members of the United Brethren in Christ
Church was organized in 1833.” The
building is listed for many years as a fifth appointment (along with Black Oak,
Center Line, Julian and Mt. Pleasant) on the Port Matilda charge and last
appears in the 1927 journal with a
membership of 14 (page 30) and a property value of $1000 (page 53). Nothing more is known about this
appointment. The church does not appear
in the 1873 county atlas, and so it appears to have been erected after that
date.
Note: An 1897 article in the Tyrone
newspaper refers to an event at the Bethlehem United Brethren Church in
Warrior’s Mark. Also, the obituary for a
Mr. Henry Miles Stover (1852-1939) states: “Mr. Stover lived the full Christian
life, having been a member of the old Bethlehem United Brethren Church in
Warrior’s Mark Valley, transferring his membership to the First United Brethren
Church of Tyrone at the time the old Bethlehem church was burned down.”
Final disposition:
Unknown.
4. Birmingham ME
Location: Furnace Street
Municipality: borough of Birmingham
County: Huntingdon
State: PA
Directions:
From Tyrone, go 3
miles east on PA 453. The village of
Birmingham is up on a hill to the left.
Go up the hill on Tyrone Street to the first cross street, which is
Market Street. Turn left on Market
Street and go 2 blocks to Furnace Street.
Turn right on Furnace Street and go 2 blocks. The church is on the left.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of
the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
Birmingham was
once the major community in the region.
There was a Birmingham District of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a
Birmingham circuit that included the entire Altoona-Tyrone area. Methodist meetings were held in Birmingham
soon after the building of the stone school house in 1818. A class was organized about 1830, and the
first building was erected in 1833 on the southwest corner of the present lot. The present structure was dedicated in 1873.
The appointment was officially
closed by the Bald Eagle parish about 1946, but continued to have Sunday School and occasional preaching uintil
October 1950. Mr. Earnest Lehman, a
layman from the Bald Eagle parish, preached twice a month. It was placed under the care of Warrior’s
Mark from April 1951 until March 1952.
Final disposition:
The church building was supposedly sold to
the Grier School about 1970 and is used for storage. The ownership of the surrounding cemetery was
unclear for many years, but since 2004 has been the property and responsibility
of the Birmingham Cemetery Association.
5. Birmingham UB
Location: Furnace Street
Municipality: borough of Birmingham.
County: Huntingdon
State: PA
Directions:
From Tyrone, go 3
miles east on PA 453. The village of
Birmingham is up on a hill to the left.
Go up the hill on Tyrone Street to the first cross street, which is
Market Street. Turn left on Market
Street and go 2 blocks to Furnace Street.
Turn right on Furnace Street and go 1 blocks. The site is on the left.
Historic Conference:
Allegheny Conference of the United Brethren in
Christ
Journal references:
1912,66 – placed in the
hands of the conference board of trustees
1912,98 – permission to sell
1913,113 – sold for $216
Brief History:
This congregation
was organized in 1870 by Elias A. Zeek, who later became an ordained traveling
minister. The church building was
erected in 1871.
Final disposition:
A modern house now occupies the site.
6. Black Log Valley UB
[no picture]
Location: Blacklog Valley Road
Municipality: Shirley township or Cromwell township
County: Huntingdon
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Allegheny Conference of the United Brethren Church
Journal references:
1895,13 - class formed
Brief History:
Blacklog Valley is an isolated valley 20 miles long,
part in Huntingdon County and part in Juniata County, with one entrance at each
end. According to the 1895 conference journal, there was a United
Brethren class in Blacklog Valley: "One grove meeting was held in Black
Log Valley. A new society was formed, and there is a prospect of a new
charge." The United Brethren work spread into Blacklog Valley from
the west, and is assumed to have occurred in Huntingdon County, in either
Shirley township or Cromwell township. There is no evidence that the
United Brethren owned any property in connection with this apparently
short-lived appointment.
Note: The Methodist Episcopal Church
at an appointment in Upper Black Log Valley (see, for example, missionary
giving on the Shirleysburg circuit in the 1872 journal, page 92), but no church
building.
Final disposition:
Unknown.
7. Bush Chapel ME
[Hawn’s Bridge ME]
Location: [Raystown Lake]
Municipality: Juniata township
County: Huntingdon
State: PA
Directions:
From PA 26 in the
southern end of McConnellstown, go east on Station Road 0.4 miles to Turkey
Farm Road. Go south on Turkey Farm Road
0.1 miles to Orchard Road. Go east on
Orchard Road 1.0 miles to Piney Ridge Road, at which point the road becomes
Parks Road. Continue east, straight
across Piney Ridge Road on Parks Road. 1.0 miles until the road ends at
Raystown Lake. The church stood on the
right side of this road, about 0.5 miles into the lake, just across the now
submerged Hawn’s bridge over the original river. The picture above was taken approaching
Hawn’s bridge from the east, and shows the church on the left side of the road.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of
the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1898,66 – new
church erected
1909,80 – building destroyed a year ago by
fire rebuilt for $1575 and dedicated 5/10/1908
1933,61 – permission to sell
1936,76 – permission to sell
Brief History:
The original
building was destroyed by fire July 4, 1907, and replaced by a structure that
was dedicated May 10, 1908. The last
reported membership was 7 in 1934. The
building was already unused when it was severely damaged by the flood of
1936. In 1938 the property was sold to a
community group for $1.00 on condition that they restore the building and that
it revert to the Methodists should it be abandoned again. The congregation eventually became part of a
two-point Christian and Missionary Alliance (CMA) charge with Hesston. When the Raystown Lake project was scheduled
to place the property under water about 1970, the Hawn’s Bridge and Hesston
congregations united to build the Valley View CMA church on the ridge.
Final disposition:
The property is now covered by Raystown
Lake.
8. Calvin UMC
Address: Sportsman’s Club Road, village of Calvin
Municipality: Union township
County: Huntingdon
State: PA
Directions:
From Cassville, go 2.5 miles north on PA
829 to Sportsman Club Road, at the crossroads in the village of Calvin. Go east on Sportsman Club Road ¼ mile. The church is on the left.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania
Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
2020,179 – merged into Cassville to for
Hope in the Valley UMC
Brief History:
The original building, known as Bland
Chapel, was erected near the present site in 1851 – although the class had been
meeting in the schoolhouse and in private homes “for a long time.” That building was replaced by the present
structure in 1884. In 1961, the basement
was made into three classrooms and a furnace room.
Final disposition:
9. Calvin Otterbein UB
Location: PA 829, south of Calvin
Municipality: Cass township
County: Huntingdon
State: PA
Directions:
Calvin is an
unincorporated community on PA 829 3.0 miles north of Cassville. This building was located ¾ miles south of
Calvin, on the east side of PA 829.
Historic Conference:
Allegheny Conference of the United
Brethren Church
Journal references:
1926,82&88 – referred to conference
trustees as a vacant property
Brief History:
In 1858-59 a United Brethren society was formed in the
northern part of Cass township, and for some years they worshiped in the
Harmony Grove school house near Calvin.
In 1868 they erected this house of worship, which advertised a seating
capacity of 300. Fulton’s 1931 History of the Allegheny Conference
states: “The Otterbein church is a frame building situated in the Trough Creek
Valley, near Calvin, and has a value of $1,000.
The membership of the class is eight.”
Final disposition:
The building was apparently still usable
in 1952 as there are several newspaper references to the Assemblies of God
denomination holding VBS and special services in the “Calvin Otterbein Church”
and/or the “Otterbein United Brethren Church in Calvin.” Only the basement remains, and it is used for
storage.
10. Cassville MP
Location: 42 Water Street
Municipality: borough of Cassville
County: Huntingdon
State: PA
Directions:
Cassville is on PA
829, 7 miles north of Saltillo. Water
Street is PA 829. The church is on the
west side of the highway, a few hundred yards north of where Seminary Street
(the only other main road in town) goes off to the west.
Historic Conference:
Maryland Conference of the
Methodist Protestant Church (1833-1865)
Pittsburgh Conference of the
Methodist Protestant Church (1865-1901)
Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist
Protestant Church (1901-1911)
Eastern Conference of the Methodist
Protestant Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
This
congregation was organized in 1833 and became the home church of the Cassville
MP charge (at times also called the Juniata charge and the Trough Creek
charge).
At the 1939 union, the charge
consisted of five appointments as follows.
1. Cassville – joined the Bible Protestant denomination
2. Coles Valley (organized in 1844 but never had a church building; met in the
schoolhouse near
the Coles Valley cemetery) –
congregation disbanded
3. Cooks – participated in the union that formed the Methodist denomination
4. Harmony Chapel – became a Church of God congregation
5. Meadow Green – congregation disbanded, building sold to the Mennonites
Other long-standing appointments on
the charge were
Dudley – met in non-sectarian church building erected in 1867, ceased to exist
by 1908
Hare’s Valley [aka Stony Point] – organized in 1842 , erected a building in
1855
Saltillo –organized in 1873, met in Union Hall
Final disposition:
11. Centre Line UMC
[Bethesda Chapel]
Location: PA 550
Municipality: Warrior’s Mark township
County: Huntingdon
State: PA
Directions:
From Warrior’s Mark, go 4 miles
north on PA 550. The church is on the
east side of the road, just before the Centre County line.
Historic Conference:
Allegheny Conference of the United
Brethren Church
Western Pennsylvania Conference of
the EUB Church
Journal references:
1991,222 - discontinued
Brief History:
United Brethren preaching
here began in the 1830’s. The
appointment was dropped for a while because of low membership, but then
re-instated. According to Africa’s 1883
History of Huntingdon County: “In 1860 the Rev. W.S.H. Keys dedicated the
present Bethesda Chapel, a plain frame building twenty-eight by thirty-eight
feet, erected at a cost of eight hundred dollars. The building committee was composed of Samuel
Stine, Samuel Stine Jr., and David Buck.
In the summer of 1877 the home was remodeled.” According to Fulton’s 1931 History of the
Allegheny Conference: “The church was built in 1870, on ground donated by Mr.
Stine.” As William S.H. Keys transferred
to the East Pennsylvania Conference in 1862, the 1860 date appears to be
correct.
Three Centre County (Black Oak, Julian, Mount
Pleasant) and one Huntingdon County (Center Line) appointments were united in
1879 to form the long-standing (until 1983) Port Matilda charge, with parsonage
at Port Matilda. In 1985, Centre Line it was placed on
the Half Moon charge with the former Methodist churches in the valley. The appointment was discontinued in 1991.
Jordan’s 1913 History of the Juniata Valley, page 371, states “The church at
Warriors Mark was organized in 1850 by Rev. R.G. Rankin. Services were held in the school house for
several years, but in 1860 Bethesda Chapel was dedicated.”
Final disposition:
The building was sold in 1995 and has been
used for storage and as a meat shop.
12. Cooks UMC
Address: 5331 Bollinger Road
Municipality: Todd township
County: Huntingdon
State: PA
Directions:
From Three Springs, go 7 miles west on PA
994 to the crossroads with Cooks Road. Go south 0.4 miles on Cooks Road to Bollinger
Road. The church is on the northwest
corner of Cooks Road and Bollinger Road.
Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist
Protestant Church
Journal references:
1921,40 – building dedicated
Brief History:
This building was dedicated September 11,
1921. In the 1939 denominational union
with the Methodist Episcopal Church, this was the only Methodist Protestant
congregation on the Cassville charge that opted to become part of the newly
created Methodist Church. The
congregation was never large and for its last few years had been part of a
rural charge that rotated its Sunday services between the various buildings: Wood,
Broad Top City and Robertsdale (which closed in 2004). A deconsecration service was held December
18, 2016.
Final disposition:
13. Cromwell UB
Location: Cromwell Church Road
Municipality: Springfield township
County: Huntingdon
State: PA
Directions:
From Hustontown in
Fulton County, go 5.5 miles north on PA 475 to the county line and Cromwell
Church Road. Go east on Cromwell Church
Road 0.5 miles. The church is on the
right, in a large clearing, where Wertheim Road and the main traffic flow goes
off to the north.
Historic Conference:
Allegheny Conference of the United Brethren Church
Journal references:
1926,88 – referred to conference trustees
as a vacant property
1945,36 – disbanded, permission to sell
1946,126 – sold
Brief History:
Fulton’s 1931 History of the Allegheny Conference
states: “The present church called Cromwell was built in 1904, and dedicated
December 11, by Dr. J.I.L. Ressler, presiding elder. It is strictly a rural church and is valued
at $1,000. The membership of this class
is eight.”
note: This is not to be confused
with the independent Cromwell United Brethren Church (re-named the Cromwell
United Bible Church in 1977) located in Cromwell township 3 miles of Three
Springs on PA 747. That congregation was
started circa 1970 by former UB/EUB persons and a pastor who left the United
Methodist denomination.
Final disposition:
14. Dungarvin UMC
[Dry Hollow ME]
Location: Dry Hollow Road, Village of Dungarvin
Municipality: Warrior Mark township
County: Huntingdon
State: PA
Directions:
From Warriors Mark,
go north on PA 550 1.4 miles north to Dungarvin Road (where PA 550 turns to the
west). Continue straight on Dungarvin
Road 3.7 miles to its terminus at Dry Hollow Road. The church is on the right, at the intersection
of Dungarvin and Dry Hollow roads.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of
the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1990,351 – discontinued
1991,380 – sale pending
1992,352 - sold
Brief History:
This property
was sold in 1900 by “Annie E. Mattern and her husband David” to David Mattern,
David M. Lykens, David Ellenberger, W. Davis Cornelius and Elisha Houck,
trustees of the Twentieth Century Methodist Episcopal Church of Dry
Hollow.” This appointment was always on
the Warriors Mark charge and was never very large. In 1985 the average weekly attendance was 8,
and it was recommended that the appointment be discontinued. The church continued in limited service,
however, until finally being discontinued in 1990.
Final disposition:
The building is now a private home.
15. Entriken UMC
Location: Entriken Road, village of Entriken
Municipality: Lincoln township
County: Huntingdon
State: PA
Directions:
Marklesburg is 11
miles south of Huntingdon on PA 26. From
Marklesburg, go 3.5 miles south on PA 26 to Entriken Road. Go east 0.5 miles on Entriken Road to the T
in the village of Entriken. Go south
(which is still called Entriken Road) 0.25 miles. The building is on the right.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of
the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1919,45 – “Watson
Chapel at Entriken has been sold” [?????]
1973,99 –
discontinued
1980,A80 – closed
1981,A76 – sold
1982,255 – sold
Brief History:
When the James
Creek charge was dissolved in 1972, Marklesburg and Russellville were
discontinued and Entriken was placed on the Trough Creek Valley for one year
before being discontinued in 1973.
Final disposition:
The building is now a private home.
16. Fairview UMC
Location: 20091 Fairview Church Road
Municipality: Clay township
County: Huntingdon
State: PA
Directions:
From Saltillo, go
north 1 mile on PA 655 to Pine Grove Road.
Go west 1 mile on Pine Grove Road to Fairview Church Road. Go south 1 mile on Fairview Church Road. The church and cemetery are on the east side
of the road.
Historic Conference:
Allegheny Conference of the United Brethren
Church
Western Pennsylvania Conference of
the EUB Church
Journal references:
1971,87 – permission to sell
1971,97 – discontinued
1972,303 – sold to Fairview ECNA
Brief History:
Fulton’s 1931 History of the Allegheny Conference
states: “The Fairview church dates back to the sixties. The class numbers fifty-one, and is an
aggressive rural church. Rev. D.N.
Ciampa entered the ministry from this class.
The church has a value of $1,500.”
Donald N. Ciampa became the father of five prominent United Methodist
pastors, all graduates of United Theological Seminary in Dayton OH: J. Paul
Ciampa, John E. Ciampa, B. Frank Ciampa, and Ralph C. Ciampa of the Western
Pennsylvania Conference; Donald J. Ciampa of the Central Pennsylvania
Conference.
Final disposition:
During the consolidation and reorganization following the EUB-Methodist union in 1968, the conference appears to have underestimated the vitality of this congregation, which purchased the building and joined the Evangelical Church of North America (now known simply as the Evangelical Church) – the denomination formed by the former EUB churches in the Pacific Northwest and Northcentral states that remained out of the 1968 union. The building now houses the Fairview Evangelical Church.
17. Franklinville ME
Location: PA 45, village of Franklinville
Municipality: Franklin township
County: Huntingdon
State: PA
Directions:
From Huntingdon, go
8.5 miles west on US 22 to Water Street and PA 453. Go northwest on PA 453 1 mile to PA 45. Go north on PA 45 6.5 miles to the village of
Franklinville. The site is on the right.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of
the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1963,227 – sold for $4,000 [trustee minutes
10/29/1962, page 2, give the amount as $1,400]
Brief History:
Methodist
preaching was held in Franklinville at the George Matter Jr. house as early as
1803, and later in the old stone mill at Huntingdon Furnace. About 1830 a frame meeting house was built
“on the old road above Franklinville.”
After the present road was built, the building was taken down and
removed to Franklinville. The 1846
record book for Warrior’s Mark circuit lists both Franklinville and Huntingdon
Furnace among its 19 appointments.
Final disposition:
The church building has beez razed and
replaced by a garden. The home in the
picture above, to the right of the church, is still standing and may be used as
a reference to locate the site.
18. Germany Valley Bethel UB
Location: Germany Valley Road
Municipality: Shirley township
County: Huntingdon
State: PA
Directions:
From the north end of
Shirleysburg, go two miles north on Germany Valley Road. The site is on the west side of the road.
Historic Conference:
Allegheny Conference of the United Brethren
Church
Journal references:
1884,9 – repairs made to “Bethel Chapel in
Germany Valley”
1896,25 – permission to vacate and sell
Brief History:
Final disposition:
19. Greenwood Furnace ME
Location: PA 305, village of Greenwood Furnace
Municipality: Jackson township
County: Huntingdon
State: PA
Directions:
From the intersection
of PA 26 and PA 305 at McAlevy’s Fort, go 6 miles east on PA 305 to Greenwood
Furnace State Park. The church is on the
right.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of
the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1908,30/31 – $30
from sale of church continuing in the “Greenwood Church Fund”
Brief History:
This building was
erected in 1867 and stopped being used for worship when the furnace closed in
1905. It appears that the Methodists
built and owned the church building, but the land was always the property of
the furnace company. In 1907 the church
building was sold to the furnace company for $30. The structure was used for storage until it
was restored in 1928 after the State of Pennsylvania purchased property for a
state park. There was an organized
Methodist class in existence here as early as 1864, but where they met prior to
the erection of the church building is not known.
Final disposition:
The structure is part of the Greenwood
Furnace State Park.
20. Hare's Valley MP
[aka Stony Point MP]
Location: Hare’s Valley Road [PA 655]
Municipality: Union township
County: Huntingdon
State: PA
Directions:
From Mapleton, go south on PA 655
[Hare’s Valley Road] 4 miles. The building was located about ½ mile south of
the 1879 Beech Run Church of the Brethren pictured above, but its exact
location has not been identified. The
site is assumed to be the one on the east side of the road (erroneously) marked
“M.E. Church” in the 1873 county atlas.
NOTE: Pictured above is Beech Run Church of the Brethren erected in 1879, not
the 1855 Methodist Protestant building (which was one of the places where the
Brethren congregation met before erecting their own building).
Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist
Protestant Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
This society was organized in 1842 and
first met in a school house in Smith Valley.
The leading members included William Smith, Eliel Smith, J. Smith and
Maley Smith. In 1855 they moved into
their wooden chapel, constructed by A.W. Swope, which supposedly was able to
seat 200 people. The 1966 Mapleton
Centennial book reports that it was “located about four miles south of Mapleton
in Hare’s Valley at Stony Point” and “still in existence in 1883, but as of
today all traces of its location have disappeared.”
Final disposition:
21. Harmony MP
Location: Harmony Church Road
Municipality: Union township
County: Huntingdon
State: PA
Directions:
Calvin is on PA 829.
3 miles north of Cassville. From the
main intersection in Calvin, go north 0.1 miles to Lorry Road. Go west on Lorry Road 0.1 miles to the T at
Harmony Church Road. Go north on Harmony
Church Road 50 feet. The church is on
the west side of the road.
Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the
Methodist Protestant Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
This society
was organized in 1833. The leading
members included Jesse Wright MD, G.W. Hazzard and Z. Pheasant. Rev. Hugh Doyle served part of the year 1833,
and the above mentioned Dr. Wright completed the term. This Methodist Protestant congregation did
not participate in the 1939 union with the Methodist Episcopal denomination to
form the Methodist Church, and affiliated with the Church of God.
Final disposition:
This is now a Church of God church building.
22. Hesston ME
[no picture]
Location: village of Hesston
Municipality: Penn township
County: Huntingdon
State: PA
Directions:
From Huntingdon, go
south on PA 26 for 6 miles to Seven Points Road. Go east on Seven Points Road for 1 mile to
the cross roads with Turkey Farm Road.
This is the village of Hesston.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
There is a tradition that there were Methodist services
in Hesston, and that it was on a charge with Entriken and Russellville, and
that the Methodists sold the building to the CMA denomination “about
1950.” But the conference journals and
secular histories provide no evidence that the Methodists ever own property
here or even had an organized congregation or appointment here.
Final disposition:
23. Hill Valley UB
Location: PA 747, 4 miles north of Three Springs
Municipality: Cromwell township
County: Huntingdon
State: PA
Directions:
From the center of
Three Springs, go about 4 miles north on PA 747. The site is on the west side of the highway,
in a clump of trees immediately after a large open space enclosed by a wooden
fence.
Historic Conference:
Allegheny Conference of
the United Brethren Church
Western Pennsylvania Conference of
the EUB Church
Journal references:
1926,82&88 – referred to conference
trustees as a vacant property
1963,108 – permission to abandon and raze
the building
1963,132 – remaining 18 members
transferred out, mostly to Three Springs
Brief History:
Fulton’s 1931 History of the Allegheny Conference
states: “The Hill Valley church is a frame structure. It was dedicated by Rev. T.P. Orner, November
8, 1892. The membership is nineteen, and
the church as a value of $1,000. It is
strictly a rural church.” The area was
always rural, and the membership always hovered around 20. At several low points, services were
discontinued and the building considered vacant property. Services were finally discontinued for good
in 1961.
Note: The Methodist Episcopal Church
at an appointment in Hill Valley (see, for example, missionary giving on the
Shirleysburg circuit in the 1872 journal, page 92), but no church building.
Final disposition:
The site is completely overgrown, and the
steps pictured above are no longer discernible.
24. Huntingdon Furnace ME
[no picture]
Location: village of Huntingdon Furnace
Municipality: Franklin township
County: Huntingdon
State: PA
Directions:
From
Huntingdon, go 8.5 miles west on US 22 to Water Street and PA 453. Go northwest on PA 453 1 mile to PA 45. Go north on PA 45 6 miles to Huntingdon Furnace Road. Go west on Huntingdon Furnace Road for 2
miles.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of
the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1915,68 – listed as a union building,
owned in part, on Pine Grove Mills charge
Brief History:
The first Sunday School in the area was opened in the
old stone mill at Huntingdon Furnace about 1821 and had a large
attendance. The exact years the building
was in service are not known, but the 1846 record book for Warrior’s Mark
circuit lists both Franklinville and Huntingdon Furnace among its 19
appointments – and the June 20, 1900, Altoona
Tribune, page 7, mentions a program “by the Methodists in their church at
Huntingdon Furnace.”
Final disposition:
There is no evidence left
of a church building.
25. Latta Grove UMC
Location: Hare’s Valley Road [PA 655], community of Latta
Grove
Municipality: Cass township
County: Huntingdon
State: PA
Directions:
From Saltillo, go
north 6 miles on PA 655 to the community of Latta Grove. The church is on the left.
Historic Conference:
Allegheny Conference of the United Brethren Church
Journal references:
2009,233/342
– discontinued/abamdoned
Brief History:
Fulton’s 1931 History
of the Allegheny Conference states: “The present church at Latta Grove was
dedicated by Rev. J.A. Clemm, October 17, 1886.
It is a frame building and has a value of $1,5oo. The membership is eighty-eight. This is a rural church and the membership is
wide awake and aggressive.” When the Allegheny Conference (UB) was dissolved in
1952, the church was placed in the Western Pennsylvania (EUB) Conference until
joining the Central Pennsylvania (UM) Conference following the 1968
denominational union
Final disposition:
26. Maddensville Wesley Chapel ME
Location: Elliots Run Road, just north of Maddensville
Municipality: Springfield township
County: Huntingdon
State: PA
Directions:
From Hustontown, go 8
miles north on PA 475 to Elliots Run Road just north of the village of
Maddensville, where PA 475 makes a right turn.
Go straight onto Elliots Run Road for 100 yards. The site is on the left.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of
the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1954,55 – declared
abandoned; authorization to sell
Brief History:
This was a frame
building erected in 1855 – services prior to that being held in the school
house. Africa’s 1883 History of Huntingdon County reports a membership of 15,
with preaching from Three Springs on alternate Sabbaths. Wesley Chapel was part of the Hustontown
charge when it was closed. The 9/23/54 Fulton County News reported: “The
Maddensville Methodist Church trustees will sell the church at public auction
on October 1.”
Final disposition:
27. Marklesburg UMC
Location: 15347 Raystown Road [PA 26]
Municipality: borough of Marklesburg
County: Huntingdon
State: PA
Directions:
From the interchange
of US 22 with PA 26 at the southwest end of Huntingdon, go 11 miles south on PA
26 to Marklesburg. The church is on the
east side of PA 26.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of
the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1971,97 – discontinued
1975(1),116 – sold
Brief History:
Rev.
Robert Beers of the Cassville circuit began preaching in Marklesburg in 1847
and organized a class of 6 members. A
church building was erected and dedicated in the summer of 1852 by future
bishop Thomas Bowman, then principal of the Williamsport Dickinson Seminary.
When the James Creek charge was dissolved in 1972, Marklesburg and Russellville
were discontinued and Entriken was placed on the Trough Creek Valley for one
year before being discontinued in 1973.
Final disposition:
This
building is now the home of the James Creek Church of the Brethren,
28. McKendree UMC
Location: McKendree Church Road
Municipality: Cromwell township
County: Huntingdon
State: PA
Directions:
From Orbisonia, go 3
miles eats on PA 994 to village of Pogue and McKendree Church Road, the first
road after crossing Aughwick Creek. So
south 1 mile om McKendree Church Road.
The church is on the left
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of
the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
2013,149 – closed 5/31/12
Brief History:
This class was
formed in 1832, with Benedict Stevens Sr. as the class leader and the original
members being from the Stevens, Boher and Chilcoate families. The chapel was erected 1843/4 at a cost of
$900.
Final disposition:
29. Meadow Green MP
Location: 20836 Shore Valley Road
Municipality: Clay township
County: Huntingdon
State: PA
Directions:
From Three Springs,
go 4 miles west on PA 944 to Shore Valley Road.
Go south on Shore Valley Road 0.5 miles.
The church is on the west side of the road.
Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the
Methodist Protestant Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
This
congregation was organized in the Harmony Grove school house 1853 with the
following members: D. Price, James Stevens, James Shore, John B. Moreland. The date of the church building is unknown,
but it apparently was after 1883 [when Africa’s History of Huntingdon County reports they were still meeting in the
Meadow Green school house] and before 1888 [when the 8/4/1888 Tyrone Herald reported “A miscreant deposited in the cellar of the
Methodist, Protestant church, at Meadow Green, Huntingdon county, the carcass
of a skunk and a portion of a dead cow, with a view of driving out the Sunday
school and breaking up the church service.”]
Note: This appears to be the
building pictured in an old postcard labeled “Methodist Protestant Church,
Saltillo PA” – Saltillo, about 5 miles distant, being the closest named
village. That postcard states the
building was erected in 1884, which agrees with the above comments on the
dating.
Final disposition:
This is now a Mennonite church building.
30. Monroe UMC
Address: Monroe Valley Road
Municipality: Cromwell township
County: Huntingdon
State: PA
Directions:
From the borough of Three Springs, go 2.5
miles north on PA 747 to Laurel Hollow Road.
Go east on Laurel Hollow Road 0.5 miles to Monroe Valley Road. Go north on Monroe Valley Road 1 mile. The church site and cemetery are on the left,
100 yards up a service road.
Historic Conference:
Central
Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
2010,43 – discontinued
2012,241 – sold to Monroe Valley Cemetery
Association
Brief History:
This class met in private homes, most
notably the home of pioneer class leader William Chilcoate, and the schoolhouse
until the chapel was erected in 1838.
The congregation was faithful, but never large, and gradually decreased
in numbers over the years. In 2009 the
remaining members voted to close as of September 1, with any members who had
not withdrawn or transferred by that date to be automatically transferred to
Orbisonia.
Final disposition:
The property was deeded to the
Monroe Valley Cemetery Association in December 2011. For several years,
the church building continued to be used by the Association for their annual
meeting. Because of serious structural damage and no funding to make
repairs, the decision was made April 2015 to remove the building.
31. Mooresville UMC
Location: village of Mooresville
Municipality: West township
County: Huntingdon
State: PA
Directions:
From Huntingdon, go
14 miles north on PA 26 to Ennisville and PA 305. Go 7.5 miles west on PA 305 to Mooresville. At the T in Mooresville, turn north and go 50
yards. The site is on the left.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of
the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
2009,169 – merged into Manor Hill
Brief History:
W. Lee
Spottswood of the Huntingdon circuit began preaching in the Mooresville area in
1852, often preaching in the woods behind the old school house. By 1854 the appointment included 36 full
members and 23 probationers, and a church building was erected. In 1873 a campground was purchased, tents
were erected, and a dining hall was built.
The camp meeting prospered for 25 years before running its course. In 1899 Rev. W.C. Karns was instrumental in
having the oak trees cut for lumber and the camp grounds sold. The proceeds were used to build a new
parsonage in Mooresville , and the old charge parsonage in Manor Hill was sold.
Final disposition:
The church building stood to the right of the
fire company. The building was sold to
the fire company and razed, and the site is now the grassy lot between the
firehouse and the parking lot.
32. Mt. Nebo UMC
Location: Nebo Road
Municipality: Shirley township
County: Huntingdon
State: PA
Directions:
From the intersection
of US 22 and US 522 at Mt. Union, go 4 miles south on US 522 to Nebo Road. Go west ¼ mile on Nebo Road. The church is on the right.
Historic Conference:
Allegheny Conference of the United Brethren
Church
Western Pennsylvania Conference of
the EUB Church
Journal references:
1972,97 – discontinued
1977,A74 – sale denied
1980,A79 – sold to Shirleysburg UMC
1981,A76/298 – sold to Mount Union Area
Historical Society
1982,260 – back on “closed” list
1983,272 – sold to Mount Union Area
Historical Society
1990,353 – back on “abandoned” list
1991,379 – sold to Mount Union Area
Historical Society
Brief History:
Rev. Isaiah Potter of the Juniata circuit organized the
Mt. Nebo class January 20,1848, with 12 charter members. They met in a school house on the site of the
present building. Construction of the
church building was begun in 1851 and completed in 1853. James King, one of the original 12 members
and the first Sunday School superintendent, died in
1852 and was buried in the cemetery before the church was completed. When the Allegheny Conference (UB) was
dissolved in 1952, the church was placed in the Western Pennsylvania (EUB)
Conference until joining the Central Pennsylvania (UM) Conference following the
1968 denominational union.
Final disposition:
As may be surmised from
the confusing journal references above, there may still be some loose
ends. It appears that the Mount Union
Area Historical Society owns and maintains the church building and the portion
of the cemetery on the same side of the road as the church, and that the
Shirleysburg UMC owns and is responsible for the portion of the cemetery on the
south side of the road.
33. Mt. Peasant ME
Location: PA 944
Municipality: Todd township
County: Huntingdon
State: PA
Directions:
The site is on the north side of PA 944, about halfway
between Cooks Corners and Eagle Foundry.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
A Methodist Episcopal
class existed in the
area in the very early 1800’s. A log
church was erected by the Methodists and used until 1852, when a brick church
was erected at Eagle Foundry and named Asbury Chapel. The log church appears to have continued in
limited use for a while – especially for funerals, as the cemetery remained
active.
Final disposition:
A small, active cemetery remains at the
site.
34. Mt. Union Otterbein UB
Location: East Shirley Street
Municipality: borough of Mt. Union
County: Huntingdon
State: PA
Directions:
Shirley Street is the
old US 522. When approaching Mt. Union
from the south on US 522, bear left onto Shirley Street instead of taking the
new bypass along the river. The site is
on the right, ½ block before Division Street,
and is now occupied by a bank.
Historic Conference:
Allegheny Conference of
the United Brethren Church
Journal references:
1873,30 – financial difficulties
1896,25 – permission to vacate and sell
1898,20 – attached to South Williamsport
1921,98 – placed under
care of the Orbisonia quarterly conference
1922,90 – placed under care of the
Orbisonia quarterly conference
Brief History:
This class
was organized and held its first meetings in 1869 in the basement of the
Presbyterian meeting house. The United
Brethren church building was erected in 1871, the cornerstone laid in August,
and was formally dedicated January 7, 1872, by bishop J.W. Weaver. The cost for the lot and building, whose
exact location is given in the 1873 county atlas, was $8000.
The building put the congregation in financial difficulty from which it
never fully recovered. December 28,
1896, the structure was sold to the Odd Fellows, who took off the steeple and
roof and added a second story. In 1897
the Mt. Union charge was re-named the Juniata charge. It appears that the congregation kept meeting
(in the Odd Fellows Hall?) for another 25 years before disbanding.
Final disposition:
35. Mt. Zion UMC
Location: Zion Road, near Blairs Mills
Municipality: Tell township
County: Huntingdon
State: PA
Directions:
Exit the community of
Blairs Nills heading north on Allison Road.
Go 1 mile and bear left onto Zion Road.
Go ½ mile on Zion Road. The site
is on the right.
Historic Conference:
Allegheny Conference of the United Brethren Church
Journal references:
1894,14
– church building destroyed by fire
1895,13 – [new] church
building in use and soon ready for dedication
1979,261 – merged into Salem
1992,259 – razed
Brief History:
The first Mt.
Zion church building, a one-room frame building, was erected in 1852 and burned
in 1894. A second building was purchased
at Bells, near Reed’s Gap, in Juniata County in 1895. It was dismantled, hauled to the present
site, and rebuilt in the same year. In
1928 (page 104) the Shade Gap charge was dissolved, with Zion declared vacant
and and Salem and Pleasant Hill placed with Orbisonia, but that action was rescinded in 1929 (page
107). In 1937 the building was
remodeled: the middle entrance was built, new pews and windows were installed,
and the wood-burning stoves were replaced.
When the Allegheny Conference (UB) was dissolved in 1952, the church was
placed in the Western Pennsylvania (EUB) Conference until joining the Central
Pennsylvania (UM) Conference following the 1968 denominational union
Final disposition:
The church building was razed, but the
cemetery remains.
36. Neelyton UMC
Location: PA 641, village of Neelyton
Municipality: Dublin township
County: Huntingdon
State: PA
Directions:
From the intersection of US 522 and PA 641 in Shade Gap, go
3.5 miles east on PA 641 to the village of Neelyton. The church is on the left, near the center of
the village.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of
the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1896,73 –
preliminary steps taken for erection of a church
1972,99 – merged into Shade Gap St. Luke’s
Brief History:
Neelyton
Methodism began in the spring of 1894 with the establishment of a Sunday School
at the Oak Grove school house. The
cornerstone for a church building was laid in 1896, and the structure was
dedicated later that same year. A 1949
remodeling included a new furnace, new walls and floors and cabinets in the
basement, new carpet and stained glass windows in the sanctuary. Further remodeling in 1952 repositioned the
pulpit and altar area, added three classrooms, and installed a sound system. In 1956 Neelyton, Nossville, Richvale and
Shade Gap were removed from the Burnt Cabins charge to form the Shade Valley
charge, with the parsonage in Neelyton.
That configuration lasted until 1972.
Final disposition:
The property was sold 12/21/1978 to William
and Mary Parsons and appears to be used for storage.
37. Newburg UMC
Location: 5810 Old Plank Road [PA 994]
Municipality: Todd township
County: Huntingdon
State: PA
Directions:
From Three Springs,
go west about 13 miles on PA 994. The
church is on the left.\, about 3 miles before PA 994 crosses the southern end
of Raystown Lake.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of
the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1874,41 – Newburg church dedicated after
debt provided for
1892,53 – Newburg church “renewed,
repaired and refurnished… within and without”
1972,99 – discontinued
1980,A80 – enters “closed” list
1988,65 – repaired for possible use
1990,353 – enters “abandoned” list
1991,222/380 – reorganized
2008,219 - discontinued
Brief History:
As early as 1830
Methodists services were held in the Newburg vicinity – sometimes in
schoolhouses, but more often in private homes. It appears that the congregation
then met in the school house for many years until a church building was finally
dedicated in 1874. After struggling with
an uncertain future for over 30 years, the congregation voted to close as of
12/31/2007 while a part of the Trough Creek Valley charge.
Final disposition:
The property was sold 4/13/2012 for $10,500
to William and Bonita Hall.
38. Oak Grove UMC
Location: PA 655, 6 miles south of Saltillo
Municipality: Clay township
County: Huntingdon
State: PA
Directions:
From Saltillo, go
about 6 miles south on PA 655. The
building stood in the depression on the east side of the road at the
intersection with Stone Valley Road, directly across from the cemetery.
Historic Conference:
Allegheny Conference of the United Brethren Church
Journal references:
1929,107 – received members of Wells
Valley
1971,91 -
discontinued
Brief History:
Fulton’s 1931 History of the Allegheny Conference
states: “The Oak Grove church was built under the pastorate of Rev. H.F. Reber
and dedicated February 14, 1908, by Dr. J.S. Fulton. It is a frame structure and has a value of
$2,000. Thus is a rural church with a
membership of twenty.” When the
Allegheny Conference (UB) was dissolved in 1952, the church was placed in the
Western Pennsylvania (EUB) Conference until joining the Central Pennsylvania
(UM) Conference following the 1968 denominational union. The area was always rural, and the membership
always hovered around 20. The church
reported 9 members at the 1968 EUB-Methodist union and was discontinued in
1971.
Final disposition:
The church has been razed and no traces of
the structure remain.
39. Orbisonia UMC
Location: Cromwell Street
Municipality: borough of Orbisonia
County: Huntingdon
State: PA
Directions:
Cromwell Street is parallel to and one full block east of US
522. The site is at the north end of
town, on the east side of the street.
Historic Conference:
Allegheny Conference of the United Brethren Church
Journal references:
1981,161 – merged into Orbisonia First
1981,298 – being sold to Masonic Lodge
Brief History:
The church
building was erected in 1858, and the Sunday School portion added 1941-43. When the Allegheny Conference (UB) was
dissolved in 1952, the church was placed in the Western Pennsylvania (EUB)
Conference until joining the Central Pennsylvania (UM) Conference following the
1968 denominational union. The
congregation merged into the town’s former Methodist congregation in 1981, and
the building was sold to the Masonic Lodge.
Final disposition:
40. Pennsylvania Furnace ME
Location: off Whitehall Road, village of Pennsylvania
Furnace
Municipality: Franklin township
County: Huntingdon
State: PA
Directions:
From Huntingdon, go
8.5 miles west on US 22 to Water Street and PA 453. Go northwest on PA 453 1 mile to PA 45. Go north on PA 45 13 miles to Marengo Road
and the historical marker for Pennsylvania Furnace. Continue north on PA 45 another ¼ mile to
Whitehall Road. Go west on Whitehall
Road less than 100 yards. When Whitehall
Road makes a sharp turn to the right, continue straight ahead on the dirt
road. Continue on the dirst road about
100 yards. The site is on the left in a
clump of trees.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of
the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1895,53 – church at Pennsylvania Furnace
repaired and reopened
Brief History:
The Methodists
built a church beside (within?) the cemetery about 1820. In 1867 they acquired land beside the
cemetery and erected a new building. The
1873 county atlas shows the Methodist church building about 100 feet north of
the cemetery. In it unclear when the
church ceased to operate. The last time
the church is mentioned in the missionary reports in 1893. The church does not appear in the individual
statistics given for 1898,1899,1900 (the only 3 years individual statistics
were given until they resumed permanently in 1916), nor in the 1900 state
convention map that purports to list all the churches, nor in the 1915 journal
that lists all the conference appointments.
Final disposition:
The church building was sold to John
Reynolds and his brothers in 1920, and it burned at a later date. Traditions state that the Methodists asked
the Presbyterians to take care of the cemetery, which they did for many years,
but the property was never transferred.
The cemetery remains but is generally in poor repair, taken care of by
various service groups every few years.
41. Robertsdale UMC
Location: 105 Church Street, village of Robertsdale
Municipality: Wood township
County: Huntingdon
State: PA
Directions:
Church Street crosses
Main Street [PA 913] in the north end of town.
Go west on Church Street. The
building is at the end of the street.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of
the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1925,72
– two story addition dedicated 11/23/1924, making 11 rooms plus the sanctuary
2006,233 – discontinued
2008,323 – disposal of property
Brief History:
This structure
was erected in 1890, apparently the first building in the community not built
and owned by the Rockhill Iron and Coal Company. After declining membership and attendance,
the final service was held October 17, 2004.
Final disposition:
On December 31, 2004, the church property
reverted back to the East Broad Top Railroad and Coal Company. For several years it was home to the Broad
Top Area Coal Miners Historical Society Museum, which returned to the Reality
Theater in Robertsdale in 2021. The
building has come full circle and is now [2023] home to the Reality Church of
God. The parsonage, located at 15
Lincoln Street, was sold separately in 2005.
42. Russellville UMC
Location: PA 26
Municipality: Hopewell township
County: Huntingdon
State: PA
Directions:
Marklesburg is 11
miles south of Huntingdon on PA 26. From
Marklesburg, go south 7 miles on PA 26 to Dogtown Road at Russellville [a.k.a.
Shy Beaver]. This is the first main rod
to the left after passing a cemetery on the right. The site is on the northeast corner of PA 26
and Dogtown Road. The is a boat
sales/storage on the south east corner.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of
the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1972,99 – discontinued
1980,A80 – closed
1982,256 – considered for sale
1983,272 – sold
1984,290 – not sold, re-entered closed
list
1990,350 – sold to Francis and Delores
Kurtz for $4,500
Brief History:
When the James Creek charge was dissolved in 1972,
Marklesburg and Russellville were discontinued and Entriken was placed on the
Trough Creek Valley for one year before being discontinued in 1973.
Final disposition:
The June 15, 1983, report of the conference
trustees states [apparently regarding a sale that was not completed] that
church “is sold with the appropriate restrictions to William H. Yost of Hesston
PA. The proceeds of $5600 are to be
divided equally between the McConnelstown church and the Russellville Cemetery
Association.”
The church building has been razed
and the lot is empty.
43. Saltillo UMC
Location: Oak Street
Municipality: borough of Saltillo
County: Huntingdon
State: PA
Directions:
From Three Springs,
go 1 mile west on PA 829. PA 829 becomes
Oak Street in Saltillo. The property is
on the south side of the street, just before the intersection with Main Street
[PA 655].
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of
the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1928,643 – account of addition, fire,
rebuilding
2004,173 – abandoned
2005,365 – sold to Rodney Thomas
2006,228 – sold to Rodney Thomas
Brief History:
Rev. Elisha
Shoemaker of the Three Springs circuit took up an appointment here about
1875. At first, services were every
other Saturday night in the old town hall (now a dwelling place on Oak Street). The services were later moved to Sunday
evening, and then to every other Sunday morning. In 1890, the congregation decided to erect a
building, and the cornerstone was laid May 13, 1890. The building was dedicated December 14, 1890,
and the Sunday School wing was added in 1927.
The building suffered a fire in May 1928 and was repaired and
rededicated in September of that same year.
Due to declining membership and attendance, the congregation decided to
discontinue as of 12/31/2003.
Note: There are references to an
earlier Methodist building that burned down.
It is not clear whether that happened before or after Elisha Shoemaker
took up the appointment about 1875 – but there are no mentions at all of a
Methodist Episcopal presence in Saltillo in Africa’s definitive 1883 History of
Huntingdon County.”
Final disposition:
The property was sold to Rodney Thomas for
$30,000 in 2005, his intent being to convert the building into apartments.
44. Saltillo MP
[no picture]
Location: [exact location unknown]
Municipality: borough of Saltillo [?]
County: Huntingdon
State: PA
Directions:
[exact location
unknown]
Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the
Methodist Protestant Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
Africa’s 1883 History of Huntingdon County,
page 252, states this class “was organized by Rev. J.M. Mason
in 1873, with the following charter members: Walter Cornelius, John Carl, Peter
Cornelius. The society worships in Union
Hall” While it is believed they never
had a building of their own, there is an old picture postcard with the label
“Methodist Protestant Church, Saltillo PA” – but the building pictured is
believed to be that of the relatively nearby (5 miles) Meadow Green MP Church.
Final disposition:
45. Seven Stars ME
Location: PA 350
Municipality: Franklin township
County: Huntingdon
State: PA
Directions:
From Warrior’s Mark, go east 5 miles on PA 350. The church and cemetery are on the left, just
before the intersection with PA 45.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the
Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
The Methodists are believed to have had an appointment
here, although there is no evidence they ever had any ownership in the
property. This history of this church
and cemetery id vsgue.
Final disposition:
46. Shade Valley Chapel ME
Location: PA 45
Municipality: Tell township
County: Huntingdon
State: PA
Directions:
The church stood on
the west side of PA 45, immediately after crossing from Juniata County into
Huntingdon County. The building appears
in the 1873 county atlas.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of
the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1866,86 – listed in the missionary giving for
Concord circuit [East Baltimore Conference]
1872,92 – listed in the missionary giving
for Concord circuit
Brief History:
This appointment was part of the Concord circuit. It appears that the building was erected
about 1868-69 and that the appointment was abandoned about 1871-72. Africa’s 1883 History of Huntingdon County states that a Methodist building once
stood there. There was once a small
cemetery on the east side of the road, but the grave markers (which were just
field stones) were removed about 1900 in order to farm the area.
Final disposition:
47. Singers Gap UMC
Address: 16290 Hill Valley Road [PA 747]
Municipality: Shirley township
County: Huntingdon
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania
Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
2021,182 – disaffiliated 12/3/2020
Brief History:
On 6/7/2020 the congregation voted 37-10
to disaffiliate from the United Methodist Church.
Final disposition:
48. Slate Hill ME
Location: 12977 Slate Hill Road
Municipality: Jackson township
County: Huntingdon
State: PA
Directions:
From the intersection
of PA 26 and PA 203 in McAlevy’s Fort, go 100 yards north on PA 26 to Alan
Seeger Road. Turn right onto Alan Seeger
Road and go ½ mile to Powells Road (where Alan Seeger Road bears to the
right). Go straight on Powells Road ½
mile to the crossroad at Reese’s Corner.
Turn right onto Slate Hill Road and go ½ mile. The structure is on the left.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of
the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1954,129 – sold for $865; funds given to
district superintendent
Brief History:
Slate Hill [aka Piper’s
Chapel] was part of the 3-point Ennisville charge (Ennisville, Slate Hill,
Wesley Chapel) until 1931, when Ennisville was merged with the 4-point Manor
Hill charge (Charter Oak, Donation [aka Gwynn Chapel] Manor Hill,
Mooresville). At that time Slate Hill
was closed, as was Charter Oak (a schoolhouse appointment), and Donation was
attached to Fifteenth Street in Huntingdon – leaving the Manor Hill charge of
Ennisville, Manor Hill, Mooresville (later merged into Manor Hill to form Faith
UMC) and Wesley Chapel.
Final disposition:
The church finally sold the property in
1953/54 to Walter H. Leidy of Johnstown PA, who remodeled it into a hunting
camp – see the picture above at the right.
The Leidy’s sold the property in 1975 to the present owners, who
extensively remodeled the structure into a permanent home – see the picture
above at the left.
49. Sugar Grove UMC
Location: Sugar Grove Road
Municipality: Cromwell township
County: Huntingdon
State: PA
Directions:
From the intersection of PA 747 and PA 994 in Three Springs,
go north 2 miles on PA 747 to Sugar Grover Road. Go east 1 mile on Sugar Grove Road to Hamman
Road. The church sits in the Y formed by
Sugar Grove and Hamman Roads.
Historic Conference:
Allegheny Conference of the United Brethren Church
Journal references:
1915,47 –
cornerstone laid 4/25/1915
1915,48 – church built
2009,233/341 – discontinued/abandoned
2009,340 – sale pending
Brief History:
Fulton’s 1931 History of the Allegheny Conference
states: “The Sugar Grove church stands on ground donated by Rev. R.S.
Woodward. It is a very nice county
church and cost $2,000. The class has a
membership of thirty-nine, and they are awake to Kingdom interests.” But that seems to be misleading. Rev. Woodward served the Three Springs
circuit 1892-93; he died in 1903 while serving Orbisonia and is buried in Three
Springs. The 1915 deed for the property
says it was conveyed to the trustees by a Mr. Harvey Elmer Wilson. The 1915 journal gives the clarification: “A
new church was built at Sugar Grove, Three Springs charge, costing about
$2400. It was built on the farm formerly
owned by Rev. R.S. Woodward, deceased.
It was opened for worship July 11, 1915.” The building is in a remote area and never
had a large membership. Due to dwindling
membership and attendance, it closed 12/31/2008.
Final disposition:
In February 2009, the property was sold to
Rodney Painter for $3000.
50. Union ME
Location: Tuscarora Creek Road
Municipality: Tell township
County: Huntingdon
State: PA
Directions:
From Nossville, go 1 mile north on Tuscarora Creek Road –
almost to Resort Road. The church
building stood on the east side of Tuscarora Creek Road, just before the bridge
over the small creek and the intersection with Resort Road. The 1873 atlas gives the exact location. The garage at the present site is believed
not to be related to the old church.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of
the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
Africa’s 1883 History
of Huntingdon County, page 366, states, “The old Union Church, north of
Nossville, built in 1830, has not been occupied for a long time, and is fast
going to decay.”
Final disposition:
51. Wakefield Chapel ME
Location: Roles Road
Municipality: Shirley township
County: Huntingdon
State: PA
Directions:
From the north
end of Shirleysburg, go 3 miles north on Germany Valley Road to Loop Road. Go east on Loop Road 0.2 miles to Roles
Road. Continue east 0.2 miles on Roles
Road (as Loop Road curves to the south).
The site is on the left side of the road. The 1873 county atlas gives the exact
location
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of
the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1874,41 –
Wakefield Chapel finished and dedicated free of debt
1911,77 – completely rebuilt and rededicated
1/1/1911
1936,76 – permission to sell
Brief History:
Final disposition:
Only the cemetery remains.
52. Warriors Mark UMC
Address: 1840 Centre Line Road, town of Warrior Mark
Municipality: Warriors Mark township
County: Huntingdon
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference
of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
The first building burned to the ground in
January 1929 and was replaced by the present stone structure.
On 3/29/2023 the congregation
voted 36-10 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:
53. Warrior Ridge ME
Location: community of Warrior Ridge
Municipality: Logan township
County: Huntingdon
State: PA
Directions:
From Petersburg, go south 0.2 miles on Petersburg Pike to
Warrior Ridge Road. Bear right onto
Warrior Ridge Road, a dead end road that follows the railroad tracks and the
Juniata River. The community of Warrior
Ridge is at the end of the road, about 2 miles.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of
the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1925,72 - chapel
erected
Brief History:
When Jacob Gruber was assigned Huntingdon
circuit in 1802, Warrior Ridge was one of the regular preaching appointments. It is unknown how long the appointment
lasted.
In 1905, the Juniata Hydro-Electric
Company of Philadelphia erected a dam and hydro- electric power plant. A company-built and company-owned community of
several houses and a chapel soon followed.
On November 2, 1924, a Community
Chapel was dedicated at Warrior Ridge through the efforts of C.F. Himes, pastor
at Petersburg, who enlisted the support of the Penn Central Light and power
Company and Pennsylvania Railroad Company in the project. The journal
reports that "Pastor Himes shepherds this flock at Warrior
Ridge." It is unclear what, if any, ownership the Methodists had in
the building.
The power company used the basement
of their 1906 chapel to house electrical equipment. When that building fell into disrepair and
was torn down about 2000, the basement was preserved and covered with a tin
roof and continued to house electrical equipment. That is the building pictured above. The exact location and fate of the 1924
Methodist building is unknown.
Final disposition:
54. Waterfall Zion UMC
Address: 155 Zion Church Road, community of Waterfall
Municipality: Clay township
County: Huntingdon
State: PA
Directions:
From the intersection of
PA 655 and PA 913 in Waterfall, go 0.5 miles west on PA 913 to Zion Church
Road. Go 25 yards north on Zion Church
Road. The building is on the west side
of the road.
Historic Conference: Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
2020,208 – permission to disaffiliate
2021,182 – disaffiliated 12/2/20
Brief History:
The first class here was organized in 1843
and met in the Barndollar schoolhouse. The present building is believed to have been
erected in 1844, in which year the first burial occurred in the small cemetery
behind the church, but the land was not surveyed off from Bergstresser farm and
deeded to the trustees until 1853.
Final disposition:
The remaining members
voted 5-0 on 12/4/2019 to disaffiliate from the United Methodist Church. That became official 11/24/2020.