CLOSED CHURCHES WITHIN THE PRESENT BOUNDARIES OF THESUSQUEHANNA CONFERENCE OF THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
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LACKAWANNA COUNTY PA


1. Bloomington MP

Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: C:\Users\loyer\Pictures\2011-06-14 june14\BloomingtonMP.JPG  Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: C:\Users\loyer\Desktop\2011-06-20 bloomington\bloomington 001.jpg

Location: northeast corner of Bloomington Road and Major Road
Municipality:
Madison township
County:
Lackawanna
State:
PA

Directions: 
 

Historic Conference:
     Eastern Conference of the Methodist Protestant Church   

Journal references:
    

Brief History:
     The Sunday School at Bloomington was organized in the Swartz schoolhouse in 1909.  Regular preaching began January 1, 1911, and

Final disposition:
 


2. Cortez UMC

Description: Description: C:\Users\loyer\Pictures\2012-06-20\001.jpg

Address: 967 Cortez Road
Municipality:
Jefferson township
County:
Lackawanna
State:
PA

Directions: 
     From the interchange of I-84 and PA 247 at Mt.  Cobb, go east on PA 348 ½ mile to Cortez Road.  Go north on Cortez Road 6 miles.  The church is on the left.

Historic Conference:
    Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Protestant Church

Journal references:

Brief History:
    
The congregation was organized in 1890 and a wooden church building constructed in 1895.  It was called the Kizer church until 1908 when the town of Kizers was renamed Cortez.
     The church was closed in 2023.

Final disposition:


3. Daleville ME

Location: village of Daleville
Municipality:
Covington township
County:
Lackawanna
State:
PA

Directions: 
     One reference in the Daleville UM file states “A Methodist Episcopal church then stood on the opposite corner from where the Daleville Church stands.”  The building is believed to have stood across the road from the present Daleville UMC (formerly MP) and south of the cemetery.

Historic Conference:
   Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
   

Brief History:
  William Noble, a Methodist lay preacher from Sterling, in Wayne County, began holding meetings here in 1826, but no enduring congregation was established.  In 1847 the MP denomination erected a church building, and that seemed to meet the needs of the community.  In the 1870’s the MP denomination was weakened by internal strife and the ME denomination re-entered Daleville, at the same time gaining some former MP members.  A congregation was organized in 1877, and a church building erected in 1878.  This building is believed to have stood across the road from the MP church and south of the cemetery.  The work was not enduring, however, and the building was torn down and the materials used to erect the ME church building in Gouldsboro in 1890.  The church was served from Moscow.

Final disposition:
 


4. Elmdale UMC

Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: elmdale.ev

Location: 1532 Mt. Cobb Road – PA 348, village of Elmdale
Municipality:
Jefferson township
County:
Lackawanna
State:
PA

Directions: 
      From the interchange of I-380 and I-84 southeast of Scranton, go eat on I-84 to the first exit [exit #8, PA 147].  Go 0.5 miles north on PA 247 to PA 348.  Go 3 miles east on PA 348.  The church is on the south side of the road..

Historic Conference:
   East Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical Church

Journal references:
   
Wyoming Conference 1969,60 – transfer by change of boundaries to Wyoming Conference

Brief History:
      In 1969 the Wayne Circuit (Elmdale, Maplewood, Tresslarville) was transferred to the Wyoming Conference.  Services were discontinued by the United Methodist Church in 1979 and the property relinquished to the Elmdale Bible Church.  In some records this called the Saco church, Saco being the community in the area of the church – which is between Mt. Cobb and Elmdale.

Final disposition:
     The building currently houses the Elmdale Bible Church.


5. Fleetville UMC

Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: fleetville3

Location: PA 407, community of Fleetville
Municipality:
Benton township
County:
Lackawanna
State:
PA

Directions: 
    From Factoryville, go 4.3 miles north on PA 107 to PA 407.  That intersection marks the community of Fleetville.  Go south on PA 407 1½ blocks.  The church is on the west side of the highway.

Historic Conference:
   Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
   
1897,23 – basement church built
    1997,255&354 – discontinued

Brief History:
    This congregation began in 1893, when the pastor of the North Abington circuit was invited to hold meetings in Fleetville.  The Universalist Church of Fleetville was rented for the meetings, first on Wednesday evenings then on alternate Sunday mornings.  In 1895 a class was organized, a lot was purchases, and ground was broken for a building.  Services were held in the basement until the pews were delivered in December 1896, and the building was dedicated January 28, 1897.  The appointment has been attached at various times to Factoryville, Dalton and Wallsville.  The church was closed in 1997.

Final disposition:
     The building is now used as an art studio.


6. Franklin Valley UMC
[Jordan Hollow ME]

carbondale 013

Location: PA 438
Municipality: Benton township
County:
Lackawanna
State:
PA

Directions: 
     From the interchange of I-81 and PA 438.  Go ½ mile west on PA 438 to Jordan Hollow Road.  The church stood in the Y between PA 438 and Jordan Hollow Road

Historic Conference:
   Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
   

Brief History:
   This building was a former school house, moved to the site by the congregation in 1885.  Eventually the appointment became known as East Benton.  In 1995 the congregation relocated to a new building ½ mile north on Jordon Hollow Road [see East Benton, in the open churches of Lackawanna County], and the old building was torn down.

Final disposition:

 


7. Freytown MP

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Location: Freytown Road
Municipality:
Covington township
County:
Lackawanna
State:
PA

Directions: 
    From Daleville, go 1 mile south on PA 235 to Turnersville Road.  Go east on Turnersville Road 2 miles to Freytown Road.  Go 2 miles south on Freytown Road.

Historic Conference:
    Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Protestant Church

Journal references:
   

Brief History:
     Freytown was first settled by John and Susanna Frey, who arrived here from Monroe County in 1830.  As roads were constructed linking the area to the outside world, Freytown became a thriving community with a number of homes, a school, an MP church, a store, a cemetery and a grange hall.  About 1909 the Scranton Gas & Water Company began buying up area properties in order to construct a reservoir.  Many of the residents dismantled their own homes and rebuilt them in Moscow – where some of them are still standing on Spring Garden and Maple streets.  Soon all that was left was the church, the cemetery, and the house of Charles and Rosie Schreck.  It is said that the cemetery was the obstacle that prevented the reservoir from being built.  All that remains of Freytown today is the cemetery and the outlines and foundations of a few streets and buildings.

 

Final disposition:
 


8. Grassy Island ME

[no picture]

Location: town of Grassy Island
Municipality:
borough of Jessup
County:
Lackawanna
State:
PA

Directions: 
    

Historic Conference:
   Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
   

Brief History:
   This chapel was built in 1892 on a lot leased from the Delaware and Hudson Canal Company for 99 years at $1 per year.  In later years it appears that the building functioned mainly as a Sunday School under the supervision of the Peckville church.

Final disposition:

 


9. Greenwood ME-EV

Location:
Municipality:

County:
Lackawanna
State:
PA

Directions: 
     “one half mile from No. 21 of the old gravity road”

Historic Conference:
   Wyoming Conference of the United Methodist Church
    East Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical

Journal references:
   

Brief History:
    
This chapel was sold by the Methodists in 1901 to the Evangelical Association for $15.


10. Hickory Ridge ME

[no picture]

Location: 420 Hickory Ridge Road
Municipality:
Greenfield
County:
Lackawanna
State:
PA

Directions: 
     From Carbondale, go 6 miles northwest on PA 106 to Hickory Ridge Road.  Bear left on Hickory Ridge Road and go 3 miles.  The site is on the left, in the large empty space just past the first house after passing the ball field

Historic Conference:
   Wyoming Conference of the United Methodist Church

Journal references:
    1937,25&136 – sold for $80; funds loaned w/o interest to Clifford charge

Brief History:
   This congregation was active from about 1909 to about 1923.  The church building stood for a while after that, but was used only for special services.

Final disposition:
     The property reverted to the original tract of land from which it was taken and is now an empty lot.


11. High Way ME

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Location: Clifton Road
Municipality:
Clifton township
County:
Lackawanna
State:
PA

Directions: 
     From exit 13 [Gouldsboro exit, at the Wayne/Monroe county line] of I-380, go 2 miles north on PA 435.  The congregation met in a building at the intersection of PA-435 and Clifton Road.

Historic Conference:
   Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
   

Brief History:
   This new congregation was established by the 1951 annual conference, at the direction of district superintendent Milton McKinney, and met in an empty house on Clifton Road at the intersection with PA 435.  The house was owned by a member.  The congregation officially began May 1, 1951, and was terminated for lack of support on June 30, 1951.  The congregation was served by then East Stroudsburg University student C. Gerald Blake.

Final disposition:
    The house was never owned by the congregation and has since burned down.

 


12. Jermyn First UNC

Address: 520 Washington Avenue
Municipality:
borough of Jermyn
County:
Lackawanna
State:
PA

Directions: 
     The borough of Jermyn if off US 6, 4 miles south of Carbondale.  From the intersection of US 6 and PA 107, go ½ mile east on PA 107 to Washington Avenue.  Go 2 blocks south on Washington Avenue.  The church is on the left.

Historic Conference:
    Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:

Brief History:
    
A congregation was organized in 1867 of early settlers of Rushdale, later to be known as Gibsonburg.  A new church was dedicated in 1873.  The following year, Gibsonburg became known as Jermyn.  A decision was made in 1890 to demolish the original church and construct a new one – the present church – that was dedicated in 1891.  The front of the church sanctuary was completely renovated in 1918. 
    
On 12/28/2022 the congregation voted 10-3 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.


13. Korean UMC of Northeast Pennsylvania

[no picture]

Location: [various]
Municipality:

County:
Lackawanna [and Luzerne]
State:
PA

Directions: 
    

Historic Conference:
   Wyoming Conference of the United Methodist Church

Journal references:
1980,156 – organized
1993,206 & 223 - discontinued

Brief History:
   This congregation began with 7 families meeting in a private home in Connyingham in 1975.  They never owned a building and worshiped in various United Methodist church buildings (Forty Fort, Mountaintop Christ, Dickson City Bradley Memorial).  The group was officially organized as a United Methodist congregation in 1979 and continued meeting in other facilities (Dickson City Bradley Memorial and Covenant Presbyterian Church in Scranton).  While the congregation generally maintained a membership of about 60 and a weekly attendance of about 40, its history was one of continuing splits, the final one of which left it with only 10 members.  The efforts had been a missional priority of the Annual Conference and the General Board of Global Ministries.  The congregation was discontinued in 1993 and the remaining members transferred to Dunmore UMC or the church of their choice.

Final disposition:
 


14. Lehigh MP

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Location: Lehigh Road
Municipality:
Covington township
County:
Lackawanna
State:
PA

Directions: 
   

Historic Conference:
    Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Protestant Church

Journal references:
    1900,28 – new church building erected at Lehigh on Covington circuit
   
1951,647 – Lehigh abandoned; land reverts, building material & furnishings to Highway Church

Brief History:
   Approximately one acre of land was deeded to Methodist Protestant Church by the Scranton Gas and Water Company on May 19, 1899.  A building was erected and the congregation was an appointment on the Covington charge.  By 1951 services were no longer being held and the appointment was discontinued.  A reversionary clause in the deed returned the land to the Scranton – Spring Brook Water Company and the materials and/or proceeds from the sale of the building were to be used for the “Highway Church” of the Gouldsboro charge.

Final disposition:
 


15. Madisonville ME
  [Union ME]

Location:
Municipality:
Madisonok township
County:
Lackawanna
State:
PA

Directions: 
   

Historic Conference:
     Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
   

Brief History:
     This building was erected join 1872.  The Union Methodist Church at Madisonville was opened in 1875.

Final disposition:
 


16. Maple Lake MP

Location:
Municipality:
Springbrook township
County:
Lackawanna
State:
PA

Directions: 
   

Historic Conference:
   Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Protestant Church

Journal references:
   

Brief History:
     This church was built just west of the school house at Maple Lake soon after 1880.  The site is about ½ mile west of the present UM church, which had been Methodist Episcopal.  The existing small graveyard that was placed to the side and rear of the church allow one to visualize the approximate location of the building.

Final disposition:
 


17. Milwaukee UMC

Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: milwaukee

Location: village of Milwaukee
Municipality:
Ransom township
County:
Lackawanna
State:
PA

Directions: 
 

Historic Conference:
   Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
    
1904,55 – new chuch building under construction
   
 2009,102 – Milwaukee, Newton, Ransom and Schultzville merge

Brief History:
    This class was formed in 1840 and worshiped in a school house before purchasing land and erecting their first building in 1859 – in the old section of the cemetery on land since used for burials.  The cornerstone for the present building, across the street from the original, was laid in 1903.  In 2008 Milwaukee joined with Newton, Ransom and Schultzville to form Countryside United Methodist Church and erect a new building at 14011 Orchard Drive.

Final disposition:
 


18. Montdale UMC

Address: 961 Lakeland Drive [PA 247], village of Montdale
Municipality:
Scott township
County:
Lackawanna
State:
PA

Directions: 
     From the interchange of I-81 and US 6, north of Scranton, go 5 miles east on US 6 to PA 247.  Go 4 miles north on PA 247 to the village of Montdale.  The church is off the road on the left as you enter the village.

Historic Conference:
    Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:

Brief History:
    
A congregation was organized around 1870, and worshipped in the old Scott Valley Baptist Church that sat where the Scott Valley Cemetery is now.  A new church was built in 1874 and dedicated the following year.  It was incorporated in 1898 as the Scott Valley Methodist Episcopal Church.  The church celebrated its 125th anniversary in 1999.
     For many years East Benton and Montdale constituted the Scott Valley charge – and in 1977, page 141, they supposedly merged into a single congregation – but after 2014 they were on different charges.
    
On 1/15/2023 the congregation voted 34-3 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.


19. Mountain Valley EV

 [no picture]

Location: Bald Mountain Road
Municipality:
Ransom township
County: Lackawanna
State:
PA

Directions: 
 

Historic Conference:
    Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical Church

Journal references:
     1938,88 – permission to sell

Brief History:
     The Mountain Valley post office existed from 1868 to 1894.  The Evangelical work here was associated with Ransom.  In 1882, Alvy Krouse, E. S. Miller and J. B. Coolbaugh were appointed a building committee.  A lot was purchased in 1883 from David Z. Michael for $25.  A building was erected the following year, at a cost of $1,000, during the pastorate of J.M. Longsdorf.  It was dedicated Sept. 7, 1884 by Rev. N. Young.  The church was remodeled in 1906, at a cost of nearly $2,000, and was rededicated the same year by Rev. W. F. Swengel, during the pastorate of Rev. H. W. Thomas. This building was used until about 1935 – when the remaining members were transferred to Ransom.

Final disposition:
 


20. Mt. Cobb MP

Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: mtcobb.mp

Location: PA 348, village of Mt. Cobb
Municipality:
Jefferson township
County:
Lackawanna
State:
PA

Directions: 
   The church is one lot east of Lions Road, the road to the elementary school, on the north side of the road.

Historic Conference:
   Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Protestant Church

Journal references:
   

Brief History:
  

Final disposition:
 


21. Nay Aug ME
[aka Dunmore Lawrence Memorial ME]

1918  Volk and Kuehls atlas page showing subplan for Nay Aug StationLocation: village of Nay Aug
Municipality:
Roaring Brook township
County:
Lackawanna
State:
PA

Directions: 
   From Scranton, head south on Moosic Street [PA 307].  About ¼ mile after crossing I-81, take the first road to the left – Elmhurst Boulevard [the crossroad to the right is Lynwood Avenue].   Follow Elmhurst Boulevard for about 3.5 miles, into the mountain and through turns at intersections, to the community of Nay Aug.  Nay Aug is a loosely defined community within the borough of Dunmore, and the exact location of this building in terms of present day roads has not been determined.  The above 1918 map gives the exact location as per that time period.

Historic Conference:
   Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
     1892,23 – new church at Nay Aug, Dunmore charge, is under completion
     1928,87 – separated from Scranton West Park to be served by a supply pastor  
     1929,83 – new piano purchased, electric lights installed, front of church painted

Brief History:
    Nay Aug means “Roaring Brook” – the stream which enters the Lackawanna River at Scranton.  This congregation began in 1887 with a Sunday School class of 13 students.  Prayer meetings were held in private homes, and new converts were referred to the Dunmore congregation.  In 1890 the citizens of Nay Aug determined to erect their own church building.  The cornerstone was laid May 17, 1891, and on October 31 of that year “The Nay Aug Methodist Episcopal Church” was granted a charter.  The building was dedicated in 1892 by the pastor at Dunmore.  The congregation was attached to various charges and finally assigned by local preachers and supplies.  The last reported membership was 14 in 1907.  The appointment’s final appearance in the conference journal was a “to be supplied” listing in 1908. 
     But that does not end the story, and the church appears to have continued at least into the late 1930’s being served by supplies – including lay pastor Thomas Henwood from 1928 to 1939 – and in connection with other congregations (e.g. Scranton West Park and Maple Lake, and it also appears to have association with Dunmore).  The land for the church was donated by Mrs. Margaret P. Lawrence, who died 12/31/1910 at the age of 85, and the church is also known as “Lawrence Memorial ME Church” – either in memory of her or of her husband Daniel T. Lawrence.

Final disposition:
 


22. Newton UMC
  [Bald Mount ME]

Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: newton

Address: Newton-Ransom Boulevard & Church Hill Road
Municipality:
Newton township
County:
Lackawanna
State:
PA

Directions: 
    From the south end of Clarks Summit, go 2 miles west on PA 307 [Morgan Highway – Winola Road] to the split with Newton-Ransom Boulevard.  Bear left on to Newton-Ransom Boulevard and go 4 miles to Church Hill Road.  The church is on the northwest corner of Newton-Ransom Boulevard and Church Hill Road.

Historic Conference:
   Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
     2008,99 & 160 – Milwaukee, Newton, Ransom and Schultzville merge into Countryside Community

Brief History:
    This society was organized in 1846 and erected a church building the following year.  That first building at “the ridge” was abandoned in 1875 when the present site was purchased and a new building dedicated December 9, 1875.  In the early 1900’s the Bald Mount charge consisted of Newton Milwaukee and Schultzville.   In 2008 Newton joined with Milwaukee, Ransom and Schultzville to form Countryside United Methodist Church and erect a new building at 14011 Orchard Drive.

Final disposition:
 


23. No. 4 Chapel ME

[no picture]

Location: “just above White’s Station” on the Delaware and Hudson Railroad
Municipality:
Fell township
County:
Lackawanna
State: PA

Directions: 
     The building appears to have in the north end of the village of Simpson, near where PA 171 crosses the Lackawanna river and the railroads.

Historic Conference:
   Wyoming Conference of the United Methodist Church

Journal references:
   

Brief History:
     This chapel was erected in 1874 at a cost of $600.  Except for a few years in the mid 1880’s when it was attached to Forest City (in Susquehanna County) the work was a mission of Carbondale First.  It appears to have been served Sunday afternoon/evening by local preachers and exhorters from Carbondale who “for many years” walked up the hill to preach the word.  In 1897 Carbondale First purchased a house and lot at 114 Belmont Street (also on PA 171, but closer to Carbondale) for use as a chapel, and that may have signaled the end of the work at No. 4 Chapel.  See Chaffee’s History of the Wyoming Conference, page 619,

Final disposition:
 


24. Pine Grove MP
  [aka Thornhurst MP]

 PMC

Location: Old River Road
Municipality:
Lehigh township
County:
Lackawanna
State:
PA

Directions: 
   The Pine Grove cemetery is 1 mile east of Thornhurst, on the north side of the road, just west of where Pine Grove Road goes off to the north.  It is believed this was the site of the church.

Historic Conference:
   Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Protestant Church

Journal references:
    1910,17 – new vestibule and horse sheds
    1922,52 – declared extinct

Brief History:
    The picture at the right shows the church building that once stood in the Pine Grove Cemetery and is labeled as the Pine Grove Primitive Methodist Church.  It could be that the building was owned (either simultaneously or sequentially) by both denominations – or that the Thornhust MP church was and entirely different building.  In addition, a 1934 Methodist Episcopal document mentions received a collection at Pine Grove.

Final disposition:
     The building was closed for good in the 1930’s, and eventually sold at auction and dismantled.  Local historian Jim Howley reported as follows (date unknown): “The timber in the building came from the forests that surrounded the area and was used by Fred Quick for a home which still stands across the Lehigh River from Andy Grab.”


 

25. Ransom UMC

Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: ransom

Location: village of Ransom
Municipality:
Ransom township
County:
Lackawanna
State:
PA

Directions: 
 

Historic Conference:
   Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical Church

Journal references:
Wyoming Conference
     1970,67 – transfer by boundary change to Wyoming Conference UMC
     2008,99 & 160 – Milwaukee, Newton, Ransom and Schultzville merge into Countryside Community

Brief History:
    This class was organized in 1859.  They met briefly in the 1854 German Lutheran church building – until they were asked to leave because of their revivalistic religion.  They worshipped in the home of Miss Melinda Gardner until erecting their first building in 1871.  That structure burned in 1898 and was replaced by the existing structure in 1899. 
     In 1970, following the reorganization necessitated by the 1968 denominational merger, the West Nanticoke Calvary charge (consisting of Calvary, Faith, Ransom and Bethel) was transferred from the Susquehanna Conference (EUB-UMC) to the Wyoming Conference UMC, where it remained until the Pennsylvania churches of the Wyoming Conference were placed in the re-named Susquehanna Conference UMC in 2010.  See the 1970 Wyoming Conference Journal, page 67.
    
In 2008 Ransom joined with former ME congregations Milwaukee, Newton and Schultzville to form Countryside United Methodist Church and erect a new building at 14011 Orchard Drive.

Final disposition:
 


26. Schultzville UMC

Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: schultzville

Location: 1310 Winola Road [PA 307], village of Schultzville
Municipality:
Newton township
County:
Lackawanna
State:
PA

Directions: 
 

Historic Conference:
    Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
    
1928,98 – building enlarged to accommodate growing congregation
   
 2008,99 & 160 – Milwaukee, Newton, Ransom and Schultzville merge into Countryside Community

Brief History:
    In 2008 Schultzville joined with Milwaukee, Newton and  Ransom to form Countryside United Methodist Church and erect a new building at 14011 Orchard Drive.

Final disposition:
     The building is now [2023] the Schultzville Animal Hospital.
 


27. Scranton Adams Avenue ME [German]
  [First German ME Church of Scranton]

scranton 003 scranton 015

Location: Adams Avenue & Vine Street
Municipality:
city of Scranton
County:
Lackawanna
State:
PA

Directions:   
     In Scranton, from east end of the Linden Street bridge across the Lackawanna river, go 6 blocks east to Adams Avenue.  Turn left and go 2 blocks north on Adams Avenue to Vine Street.  The church stood on the right, on the southeast corner of Adams and Vine.

Historic Conference:
   East German Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:   

Brief History:
    
This class was founded by a German missionary sent by the New York Conference in 1855.  In 1856 they purchased a wooden chapel abandoned by an English Methodist congregation (see Scranton Adams Avenue ME [English]) and re-erected it at the corner of Adams Avenue and Vine Street.  The congregation remained a part of the New York Conference until the East German Conference was formed in 1866.  On 1872 they erected a brick sanctuary at the site.  The congregation remained a station appointment until 1930, and then became a two-point charge with its daughter congregation on Prospect Avenue.  In 1938 Adams Avenue merged into Prospect Avenue, both congregations still being within the East German Conference.  German Methodism included congregations and ministries throughout the northeast and northcentral United States, and this church supported a Children’s Home in Berea OH which was founded as the German Methodist Orphan Asylum.  

Final disposition:
 


28. Scranton Adams Avenue ME [English]

scranton 001 scranton 016

Location: 100 block of Adams Avenue
Municipality:
city of Scranton
County:
Lackawanna
State:
PA

Directions: 
     In Scranton, from east end of the Linden Street bridge across the Lackawanna river, go 5 blocks east to Washington Avenue.  Turn right and go 2 blocks south to Lackawanna Avenue.  Turn left and go 1 block east to Adams Avenue.  The church stood on the northeast corner of Adams and Lackawanna Avenues.

Historic Conference:
   Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references: 
     1892,45 – church and parsonage sold; erecting new stone church and parsonage on Elm Park  

Brief History:
     In 1842, this class erected a wooden chapel at the corner of what is now Adams and Lackawanna Avenues.  In 1856 they sold that structure to a German Methodist congregation (see Scranton Adams Avenue ME [German]) and erected a brick sanctuary in the 100 block of Adams Avenue.  While the wooden chapel was on the corner, the new brick church, pictured above at the right, was “next door” – i.e., on the next lot north.  In 1891 they sold that building and worshiped in a temporary tabernacle at the corner of Adams Avenue and Mulberry Street until their permanent structure at Jefferson Avenue and Linden Street was completed in 1893.  This congregation is now Elm Park UMC.  

Final disposition:
 


29. Scranton Allis Mission ME [English]

 
[no picture]

Location: Keyser Avenue and Luzerne Street
Municipality:
city of Scranton
County:
Lackawanna
State:
PA

Directions: 
     From Scranton, take the North Scranton Expressway (US 11 and PA 307) to the interchange with Keyser Avenue – this is the interchange where PA 307 leaves the expressway to head toward Lake Winola.  Exit the expressway with PA 307, but keep heading south on Keyser Avenue instead of following PA 307 onto the Morgan Highway.  Go about 2 miles south on Keyser Avenue to Luzerne Street (a main intersection).  The chapel stood at this intersection.

Historic Conference:
   Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:   

Brief History:
     During the fall of 1894 cottage meetings were commenced in this neighborhood.  One year later a Sunday School was organized.  Sunday evening preaching services were instituted by W.H., Crawford, an exhorter.  Lots 90x150 feet on the corner of Keyser Avenue and Luzerne Street were donated by M.H. Dale.  In August 1896 a chapel was built, with a seating capacity of 75.  The membership was reported with that of Simpson Church, and the property was held by the trustees of Simpson Church.

Final disposition:
 


30. Scranton Ash Street ME
  [Scranton Little England ME]

scranton 006 

Location: 2200 Ash Street, corner of Ash and James Streets
Municipality:
city of Scranton
County:
Lackawanna
State:
PA

Directions: 
    From the east end of the Mulberry Street [US11 and PA 307] bridge over the Lackawanna River, go about 9 blocks east on Mulberry Street to Quincy Avenue.  Turn left onto Quincy Avenue and go 6 blocks north to Ash Street.  Turn right and go about 12 block east on Ash Street to James Street – at 2 of the cross streets along the way, Ash Street makes smalls jogs to the north.  The building is on the southeast corner of Ash and James.

Historic Conference:
   Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
    1904,67 – new Myrtle Street building to take place of Ash Street [Little England]

Brief History:
     In 1890 a small band of Christians in the Petersburg section of Scranton began meeting in homes.  In 1891 they purchased this property and erected a small chapel.  In 1892 they purchased additional land and enlarged the chapel.  The work was called the Peoples’ Union Mission, and its constituents were mostly associated with the Methodist Episcopal Church or the Evangelical Association.  In 1894 Elm Park invited this congregation to become a Methodist mission under its direction, and the invitation was unanimously accepted.   In 1903 the congregation purchased two lots on Myrtle Street and erected a new building.  That congregation became Myrtle Street UMC.

Final disposition:
    The building has been owned by other congregations/denominations over the years and now houses a counseling clinic.


 

31. Scranton Bell Mountain ME

[no picture]

Location:
Municipality:

County:
Lackawanna
State:
PA

Directions: 
   The Bell Mountain section of Scranton is along US 6, to the east.

Historic Conference:
   Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal

Journal references:
   

Brief History:
       This mission existed at least from 1923 to 1928.

Final disposition:
      This site is now occupied by the Bell Mountain Plaza, including K-Mart and other retails stores.


32. Scranton Cedar Avenue ME

Location: northwest corner of Cedar Avenue and Cherry Street
Municipality:
city of Scranton
County:
Lackawanna
State:
PA

Directions: 
       Leave downtown Scranton heading south on US 11 (Pittston Avenue).  Stay on Pittston Avenue.  Go about 9 blocks to Cherry Street.  Turn right and go 2 blocks to Cedar Avenue. 

Historic Conference:
   Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
    1894,31 – addition of Sunday School room and choir gallery; new parsonage
    1902,57 – property sold; relocation to Pittston Avenue as St. Paul’s

Brief History:
    
This congregation was the outgrowth of a prayer meeting started in the area by the pastor from Adams Avenue.  The lot was purchased in 1886 and “The John Rogers Mission Chapel” erected in 1887.  The congregation first appears as a separate appointment in 1891, taking the name Cedar Avenue in 1892.  A parsonage was erected on Cherry Street in 1893, and in 1894 a large extension was added to the rear of the church building.  In 1902 the congregation relocated to Pittston Avenue and Pearl Street – and became St. Paul’s.  The property at Cedar Avenue and Cherry Street was sold to the Scranton Button Company

Final disposition:
     The button company erected a factory on the site. 


33. Scranton Court Street Mission ME

 

Location: 1216 Short Avenue
Municipality:
city of Scranton
County:
Lackawanna
State:
PA

 

Directions: 
    From the interchange of North Main Venue with the US 11 expressway, go 4 blocks north on North Main Avenue to Tripp Street, one block east on Tripp Street to Providence Road, one block north on Providence Road to Court Street, one block east on Court Street to Short Avenue, one block north on Short Avenue to the site – on the left.

 

Historic Conference:
   Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

 

Journal references:
     1921,79 – purchased one year ago, now open and in ministry
     1921,196 – picture; remodel plans for Short Avenue property
    
Brief History:
     This ministry started as a mission in to serve foreign speaking persons in North Scranton living in the vicinity of the Court Street Church.  In early 1920 the above property at 1216 Short Avenue was purchased.  This was the remodeled original Park Place ME [now Court Street UMC] church building – moved from the corner of Court Street and Short Avenue when the present Court Street church building was erected in 1891.  It appears that the plans to remodel the structure were never enacted and the work was merged into the Italian Mission on North Main Avenue
after just a few years.

 

Final disposition:
      The property is now a private residence.
 

34. Scranton First German ME, see Scranton Adams Avenue ME [German]


35. Scranton First MP
  [Scranton Park Hill MP]

scranton 009

Location: 601 S. Ninth Avenue, corner of Hampton Street and Ninth Avenue
Municipality:
city of Scranton
County:
Lackawanna
State:
PA

Directions: 
    In West Scranton, from the interchange of North Main Avenue with the North Scranton Expressway (US 11 and PA 307), go about 1.5 miles south on North Main Avenue to Hampton Street – 2 blocks after it changes to South Main Avenue at Luzerne Street.  Turn left onto Hampton Street and go 1 block west to Ninth Avenue.  The building is on the southwest corner of Hampton Street and Ninth Avenue.

Historic Conference:
   Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Protestant Church

Journal references:
     1882,4-6 – legal counsel hired, church building lost

Brief History:
     This congregation was organized on Park Hill in 1868 and met in the Baptist church on Sunday afternoons until the completion of a small two-story building, the lower floor of which was used for worship while the upper floor served as the parsonage.  They dedicated their first real church building on a portion of the same lot in 1872, and the original building continued as the pasronage.  In 1878, at the close of Rev. George Shaffer’s ministry, a significant number of members withdrew to form a Primitive Methodist congregation.  Financial difficulties forced a sheriff’s sale of the property in 1882, and the property was acquired by the Methodist Episcopal denomination.

Final disposition:
      See Scranton Hampton Street ME

 


36. Scranton Hampton Street ME

scranton 009  Hampton Street Church

Location: 601 S. Ninth Avenue, corner of Hampton Street and Ninth Avenue
Municipality:
city of Scranton
County:
Lackawanna
State:
PA

Directions: 
    In West Scranton, from the interchange of North Main Avenue with the North Scranton Expressway (US 11 and PA 307), go about 1.5 miles south on North Main Avenue to Hampton Street – 2 blocks after it changes to South Main Avenue at Luzerne Street.  Turn left onto Hampton Street and go 1 block west to Ninth Avenue.  The building is on the southwest corner of Hampton Street and Ninth Avenue.

Historic Conference:
   Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
    1892,45 – new structure built; old structure becomes an annex
    1900,71 – lot purchased on Hyde Park Avenue for purposes of relocating
    1902,56 – Hampton Street superseded by Embury on Main Avenue

Brief History:
     This building was erected by the Methodist Protestant denomination in 1871.  Financial difficulties forced a sheriff’s sale in 1882, and the property became Methodist Episcopal – with the new congregation being formed of former MP members and ME members from Simpson ME that lived in the area.  The building originally faced Hampton Street.  In 1892 the building was moved to the rear of the lot, turned to face Ninth Avenue, and made into a Sunday School building.  A new sanctuary, also facing Ninth Avenue, was erected and connected to the old structure.  In 1901 the congregation relocated to South Main Avenue and is now Embury UMC.

Final disposition:
 


37. Scranton Italian Mission ME

      [St. John’s Italian ME]

ScrantonItalian American Legion building Jay's Commons

Location: 325 North Main Avenue
Municipality:
city of Scranton
County:
Lackawanna
State:
PA

Directions: 
    The building stood on the west side of the street, at the end of West Lackawanna Avenue.

Historic Conference:
    Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
   
1922,209 – picture; purchase of North Main Avenue property
    1929,86 – full paragraph report on growth, activities

Brief History:
     This ministry started in 1910 as an Italian mission in charge of Elm Park to serve foreign speaking persons in North Scranton.  Its original meeting place was a storefront at 1019 West Lackawanna Avenue, an address that no longer exists.  The North Main Avenue facility pictured on the left was purchased in early summer 1921 for $12,000 and “reconstructed and improved” at a cost of $13,000.  The property was sold in April 1945, upon the death of longtime (1928-45) pastor Vincent Zaffiro – and the congregation was merged into Elm Park.  The long-time parsonage for the mission was at 1403 W. Gibson Street.
  

Final disposition:
      The newly chartered West Scranton Veterans Association purchased the building in 1945 and converted it into a modernized post, as shown in the middle in the bottom row.   The structure was torn down in 1998 and eventually replaced by Jay’s Commons, the shopping plaza on the right in the bottom row in 2008.
 

38. Scranton Myrtle Street ME

Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: C:\Users\loyer\Pictures\2011-06-14 june14\ScrantonMyrtleStreet.JPG 2017-05-29-0001

Address: 840 Harrison Avenue
Municipality:
city of Scranton
County:
Lackawanna
State:
PA

Directions: 
     Enter Scranton from the north on the US 11 – PA 307 expressway, which becomes Mulberry Street in downtown Scranton.  When US 11 and PA 307 turn, continue straight on Mulberry Street and ¾ miles to Harrison Avenue, a main intersection.  Turn left on Harrison Avenue and go ½ mile to Myrtle Street.  The church is on the right, at the corner of Harrison Avenue and Myrtle Street.

Historic Conference:
    Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
     2006,168 – permission to sell parsonage

Brief History:
    
A congregation was originally organized around 1890.  By 1894 its members met at the corner of Ash and James Streets in a Peoples Union Mission chapel.  It was known as the Ash Street Methodist Episcopal Church.  A decision was made to move the church to Myrtle Street, and a temporary first structure (above, right) was erected and dedicated in 1903 on the corner of Myrtle Street and Wheeler.  The permanent second building (above, left) was erected and dedicated in 1907 on the corner of Myrtle Street and Harrison Avenue.  The education wing was added in 1954.  The congregation eventually dwindled away and the church was closed March 15, 2014.

Final disposition:
     The building was sold to another congregation.


39. Scranton Petersburg Chapel ME

scranton 017

Location: Taylor Avenue, Petersburg section of Scranton
Municipality:
city of Scranton
County:
Lackawanna
State:
PA

Directions: 
    The Petersburg section of Scranton is at east end of Ash Street.  Taylor Avenue runs north/south and is 3 blocks east of Quincy Avenue.  The exact location of this building has not yet been determined with certainty.

Historic Conference:
    East German Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
   

Brief History:
    This is a daughter congregation of the Adams Avenue ME [German] church.  A Sunday School was established in Petersburg on May 4, 1856, shortly after the one in Scranton, but it did not flourish.  A new Sunday School was established on April 30, 1876, that began with 35 students and soon number 105.  The group met in the Petersburg schoolhouse, and then moved to the Dunmore schoolhouse when the one in Petersburg burned down.  Wanting to return to Petersburg and establish a dedicated home for the Sunday School, they purchased property on Taylor Avenue and begun construction in 1885.  The building was dedicated June 7, 1885.

Final disposition:
 


40. Scranton Prospect Avenue ME
  [South Scranton German ME]

scranton 007 scranton 018

Location: Prospect Avenue and Birch Street
Municipality:
city of Scranton
County:
Lackawanna
State:
PA

Directions: 
   Leave downtown Scranton heading south on US 11 (Pittston Avenue).  Go about 7 blocks to Birch Street, a main intersection.  Turn left on Birch Street and go 2 blocks east to Prospect Avenue.  The church is on the left, on the northeast corner of Birch Street and Prospect Avenue.

Historic Conference:
   East German Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
   

Brief History:
    
This was a daughter congregation of Adams Avenue ME [German], began by the preacher of that congregation in 1884.  In 1941 the congregation, which had dropped the German language entirely in 1939, transferred from the East German Conference to the Wyoming Conference and united with St. Paul’s of the Wyoming Conference.  Occupying the Prospect Avenue building and adopting the St. Paul’s name, that congregation became St. Paul’s UMC at Prospect Avenue and Birch Street.  

Final disposition:
     The building was extensively renovated after the 1941 merger and eventually sold in 2018 when St. Paul’s UMC was closed.


41. Scranton Providence UMC

Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: C:\Users\loyer\Pictures\2011-06-14 june14\ScrantonProvidence.JPG

Address: 1926 N. Main Avenue
Municipality:
city of Scranton
County:
Lackawanna
State:
PA

Directions: 
    
In North Scranton, from the interchange of North Main Avenue with the North Scranton Expressway (US 11 and PA 307), go about 12 blocks north on North Main Avenue to the stoplight with Market Street.  The church is ½ block past Market Street, on the right side of North Main Avenue.

Historic Conference:
    Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal References:

Brief History:
    
Circuit rider preaching appointments in the Providence area began with William Colbert in 1793.  A church was erected in 1833, but it was destroyed by a tornado on July 3, 1834, and the site was abandoned.  The society then worshiped in school buildings and the Presbyterian church until dedicating their own building at the present location April 21, 1853.  On May 22, 2011, the congregation voted to discontinue.

Final Disposition:
    
The property was sold to City Lights Church July 2, 2012.


42. Scranton Simpson UMC
  [Hyde Park ME]

scranton 011

Location: 223 N. Main Avenue
Municipality:
city of Scranton
County:
Lackawanna
State:
PA

Directions: 
       In West Scranton, from the interchange of North Main Avenue with the North Scranton Expressway (US 11 and PA 307), go about 1 mile south on North Main Avenue.  The church is on the right.

Historic Conference:
     Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
     1869,8 – fire destroys church building and parsonage; conference pledges support
     1983,96 – merge with West Park to become Simpson-West Park, at the Simpson location

Brief History:
    
This congregation is the outgrowth of a class formed in Hyde Park in 1849.  In 1857, a Sunday School was established and a school house purchased.  The congregation was chartered as the First Methodist Church of Hyde Park in 1859 and erected a brick sanctuary the following year.  In 1867 Bishop Matthew Simpson presided over the annual sessions of the Wyoming Conference held here and made a lasting impression. That church and parsonage were destroyed by fire in 1869 and a new building was erected in 1872.  In 1888, a new tower and enlarged auditorium and other significant improvements were made to the structure.  On February 17, 1890, it was rededicated and renamed Simpson Methodist Episcopal Church.
     In 1976, the congregation became a two-point charge with West Park to form the Simpson-West Park UM charge.  On December 12, 1982, the congregations voted to merge effective July 1, 1983, to become Simpson-West Park UMC, worshiping in the Simpson building.  In 1995, the congregation became a two point charge with Court Street.  January 27, 2003, the sanctuary ceiling collapsed and the congregation vacated the structure to move their worship services to Court Street UMC.  On June 15, 2003, the congregation voted to merge with Court Street – the new congregation using the Court Street name and the Court Street building.

Final disposition:
   The building was sold in 2003 to Salvation Apostolic Temple, an independent Pentecostal congregation.


43. Scranton St.  Paul’s UMC

Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: C:\Users\loyer\Pictures\2011-06-14 june14\ScrantonStPauls.JPG

Address: Birch Street
Municipality:
city of Scranton
County:
Lackawanna
State:
PA

Directions: 
     Leave downtown Scranton heading south on US 11 (Pittston Avenue).  Go about 7 blocks to Birch Street, a main intersection.  Turn left on Birch Street and go 2 blocks east to Prospect Avenue.  The church is on the left, on the northeast corner of Birch Street and Prospect Avenue.

Historic Conference:
    Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal References:
    1902,57 – Cedar Avenue property sold; relocation to Pittston Avenue as St. Paul’s

Brief History:
    
The present church has its roots in two local congregations. A Cedar Avenue Mission emerged in what was then called Slocum Flats in 1884, and became the Cedar Avenue M.E. Church in 1892.  A decision was made to construct a new church at the corner of Pearl and Pittston streets and was renamed St. Paul’s in 1902.  Meanwhile, missionary work among the Germans had also begun, and by 1885 meetings were held in Scranton Public School #10 at the corner of Prospect Avenue and Beech Street. Nearby land was purchased at the intersection of Prospect and Birch streets on which to build a church which was dedicated in 1885.  In 1940, congregations from both the Prospect Avenue Church and St. Paul’s decided to merge under the name of St. Paul’s, but at the Birch Street location.  The new congregation extensively renovated the building, but eventually followed the path of other inner city churches and began to dwindle.  It received new life, however, in 2016 when an influx of refugees from the Congo and other Central African countries began to attend and organized a praise choir.  When the Congolese worshipers could not carry the financial load, the congregation was forced to close – with the hope that the African ministry could continue as part of Elm Park UMC.  The final service was June 24, 2018.

Final disposition:
    
The property was sold September 2018 for $90,000 to those hoping to start a Seventh Day Adventist Church.


44. Scranton St. Paul’s ME

scranton 008

Location: 1702 Pittston Avenue, corner of Pittston Avenue and Pear Street
Municipality:
city of Scranton
County:
Lackawanna
State:
PA

Directions: 
       Leave downtown Scranton heading south on US 11 (Pittston Avenue).  Stay on Pittston Avenue.  Go about 12 blocks to Pear Street.  The building is on the right, on the southwest corner of Pittston Avenue and Pear Street.

Historic Conference:
   Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
     1946, 352 – building sold; proceeds toward indebtedness on the new property

Brief History:
    
In 1941 this congregation merged with Prospect Avenue, formerly of the East German Conference.  Occupying the Prospect Avenue building and adopting the St. Paul’s name, that congregation became St. Paul’s UMC at Prospect Avenue and Birch Street. 

Final disposition:
     The parsonage and church were sold in March 1946 for $6,000.  The building now houses a karate school.


45. Scranton Trinity EV

Location:
Municipality:
city of Scranton
County:
Lackawanna
State:
PA

Directions: 
   

Historic Conference:
   Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical

Journal references:
   

Brief History:
     This was organized in 1893 as the Evangelical Association’s second congregation in Scranton.  They immediately acquired property for a church and a parsonage.  The congregation was United Evangelical during the denominational split, but the work did not survive. The appointment was paired with Sibley in 1897 and appears to have been discontinued about 1900.

Final disposition:
 


46. Scranton Tripp Park ME

scranton 013

Location: 1608 Elizabeth Street
Municipality:
city of Scranton
County:
Lackawanna
State:
PA

Directions: 
     In West Scranton, from the interchange of North Main Avenue with the North Scranton Expressway (US 11 and PA 307), go 2 blocks south on North Main Avenue to Farr Street.  Turn right onto Farr Street and go 1 block west to North Sumner Avenue.  Turn right onto North Sumner Avenue and go 2 blocks north to Elizabeth Street.  Turn left onto Elizabeth Street and go 1.5 blocks.  The church is on the right.

Historic Conference:
    Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
     1914,72 – building sold, more desirable site purchased, tabernacle suitable for present needs being erected
     1915,67 – West Park tabernacle completed and in use

Brief History:
     This congregation began in 1903 as a mission outreach of Court Street, with support from Elm Park and Simpsonn.  Two lots were secured on Elizabeth Street and a chapel was erected.  Tripp Park remained a mission outreach of Court Street until 1906, when it became an official congregation as part of two-point charge with Court Street.  In 1913 the chapel was sold to the Polish National Catholic and the congregation relocated to Bromley Avenue and Oram Street – and became known as West Park Methodist Episcopal Church.

Final disposition:
       St. Stanislaus congregation of the Polish National Church purchased the chapel from the Tripp Park ME congregation in December 1913 and has occupied the building continuously for 100 years.


47. Scranton Watson Avenue ME
  [Lincoln Heights ME]

[no picture]

Location: Lincoln Heights section
Municipality:
city of Scranton
County:
Lackawanna
State:
PA

Directions: 
     Watson Avenue (now Watson Street) crosses South Main Avenue in West Scranton.  The exact location of the lot for the proposed church building, or of the actual meeting place during the planning stages, is unknown.

Historic Conference:
    Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
    
1900,71 – lot secured

Brief History:
     This congregation is not mentioned in Chaffee’s definitive 1904 History of the Wyoming Conference or secular histories of Scranton because in some sense it never existed – although there are references to it in secular newspapers of the day.  In 1899 the Hampton Street Church started a Sunday School ministry in Lincoln Heights.  This ministry, 10 blocks south of Hampton Street, developed to the point that in 1900 the group began having worship services, started the incorporation process as the “Watson Street ME Church,” secured a lot (presumably on Watson Street) and approved building plans.  Almost simultaneously the Hampton Street Church decided to relocate and erect what became Embury Church, halfway between Hampton Street and Watson Street.  The Lincoln Heights group was invited to put aside their own plans and join, which they apparently did – without ever having been legally incorporated or having a building of their own.  The group seems to have then lost its momentum, reverted to being a community Sunday School, and died out before the Embury project was completed in 1902 – and  so they are not mentioned in Chaffee’s book or the history of the Embury Church.  The Watson Avenue ME Church was a noble vision that was sidetracked by the equally noble vision of what is now Embury UMC.

Final disposition:
      


48. Scranton West Park UMC

scranton 012 scranton 019

Location: 1222 Oram Street
Municipality:
city of Scranton
County:
Lackawanna
State:
PA

Directions: 
      In West Scranton, from the interchange of North Main Avenue with the North Scranton Expressway (US 11 and PA 307), go 4 blocks south on North Main Avenue to Oram Street.  Turn right onto Oram Street and go 2 blocks west to North Bromley Avenue.  The church building was on the right, facing Oram Street, on the northeast corner of Oram Street and N. Bromley Avenue

Historic Conference:
   Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
     1924,210 – picture and article about the new building
     1925,93 – new building dedicated 5/4/1924
     1983,96 – merged into Scranton Simpson to become Scranton Simpson-West Park

Brief History:
       This congregation is a relocation of the Tripp Park congregation.  The original structure was a Billy Sunday-type tabernacle, gradually replaced by the existing building that was dedicated Sunday, May 4, 1924.
      In 1976, the congregation became a two-point charge with Simpson to form the Simpson-West Park UM charge.  On December 12, 1982, the congregations voted to merge to become Simpson-West Park UMC, worshiping in the Simpson building.

Final disposition:
      The building was sold in 1996 to Salvation Apostolic Temple, an independent Pentecostal congregation.  By 2003 that congregation had outgrown the building and purchased Simpson UMC on North Main Avenue.  The property was sold, the church building razed, and a modern house facing on N. Bromley Avenue was erected.


49. Scranton Zion EV

church

Location: 1420 Capouse Avenue
Municipality:
city of Scranton
County:
Lackawanna
State:
PA

Directions: 
     Capouse Avenue runs north-south, 2 blocks east of Wyoming Avenue.  From downtown Scranton at the intersection of Lackawanna and Wyoming Avenues, go north on Wyoming Avenue 14 blocks to New York Street.  Go west on New York Street 2 blocks to Capouse Avenue.  Go north ½ block on Capose Avenue.  The site is on the east side of the street.

Historic Conference:
   Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical Church

Journal references: 
    
1924,90 – permission to relocate, but apparently that never happened
     1929,44 – permission to sell property at northwest corner of Capouse Avenue and New York Street
     1941,76 – permission to sell property at corner of Capouse Avenue and New York Street
     1943,93 – sale recommended
    
1944,67&90 – congregation authorized to sell property
     1946,96 – congregation ceased to exist; conference trustees authorized to sell church  

Brief History:
    
An unsuccessful attempt was made to organize a congregation here in 1867.  The East Pennsylvania Conference reportedly erected a chapel here in 1871, but was forced to sell the building to liquidate the debt in 1882.  In 1891 the Central Pennsylvania Conference recognized the loss to other denominations of Evangelical members moving to Scranton and began a mission there.  They first worshipped in the RR YMCA at 55 Lackawanna Avenue, then in a rented hall at the corner of Capouse Avenue and Marion Street.  In 1893 they purchased property on Capouse Avenue and broke ground for a building that was dedicated January 14, 1894.  The congregation was UE during the split.  By 1915 the work had grown to the point where a new building was needed, and in 1924 the congregation was given permission to relocate – but apparently that never happened.  By 1944 the work had ceased and the conference was seeking a buyer for the real estate and furnishings

Final disposition:
      The property is now a residential duplex.  Note: the property pictured is not on “the northwest corner” as described – and “northwest corner” property may refer to another lot owned by the congregation.


50. Sibley EV

Location:
Municipality:

County:
Lackawanna
State:
PA

Directions: 
    Sibley is a neighborhood within the borough of Old Forge – in the northwest section, along Keyser Avenue between Oak Street and Sibley Avenue.  The exact location of the church building has not been determined.

Historic Conference:
   Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical Church

Journal references:
   

Brief History:
     This appointment was served with Scranton.  The congregation had a building, as the 8/16/1900 Scranton Republic, page 6, reports that the Sibley Evangelical church is being renovated and repainted.

Final disposition:
 


51. Springbrook MP

Location:
Municipality:
Springbrook township
County:
Lackawanna
State:
PA

Directions: 
   

Historic Conference:
   Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Protestant Church

Journal references:
   

Brief History:
     This church was erected in 1866.

Final disposition:
 


52. Throop UMC

Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: C:\Users\loyer\Pictures\2011-06-14 june14\Throop.JPG

Address: 136 Charles Street
Municipality:
borough of Throop
County:
Lackawanna
State:
PA

Directions:
     From the interchange of I-81 with PA 347, go 2/3 miles east on PA 347 to Sanderson Street, a main intersection.  Turn left on Sanderson Street and go ¼ miles to Charles Street, a main intersection.  Turn left on Charles Street and go 1.5 blocks.  The church is on the left. 

Historic Conference:
    Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
     1925,93-94 – new church dedicated

Brief History:

The church was built in 1882 for the Primitive Methodists by the Pancoast Coal Company. A few years later, it was sold to the Baptists, and then in 1892 the Methodist Episcopal Church took it over. The congregation grew and felt the need for a new church, and ground was broken in 1923. The cornerstone was laid 10/5/1924, and the new church was erected at a cost of $27,000 and dedicated 3/1/1925.
    
On 2/7/2023 the congregation voted 31-13-1 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.


53. Turnersville ME

Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: C:\Users\loyer\Pictures\2011-06-14 june14\Turnersville.JPG

Location: Turnersville Road
Municipality:
Covington township
County:
Lackawanna
State:
PA

Directions: 
   From Daleville, go 1 mile south on PA 235 to Turnersville Road.  Go 2 miles east on Turnersville Road.  The site is on the south side of the road, past Freytown Road and almost opposite Kosinski Road.

Historic Conference:
   Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
   

Brief History:
  This community was first settled in 1826, with Methodism being present from the very beginning.  Previous to the building of the log schoolhouse in 1829, services were held in the homes of the settlers – with circuit-riders passing through approximately once a month.  It was made a regular Methodist preaching place with an organized congregation in 1830 by Rev. George Evans of the Canaan Circuit of the Oneida Conference.  A site for the church was donated by John Simpson and the structure, open to all denominations, was dedicated by a Presbyterian preacher known as “Father Hunt.”  The building was substantially upgraded in 1889 at a cost of $600.

     Methodist preacher Henry Stanley left the circuit-riding ministry and settled here in 1868.  For thirty years, until his death on April 23, 1898, he held services in the church every two weeks and assisted the regularly assigned circuit-rider.  He is buried in the Old Daleville Cemetery.

Final disposition:
 


54. Vandling ME

carbondale 002 vand 001

Location: 652 Main Street
Municipality:
borough of Vandling
County:
Lackawanna
State:
PA

Directions: 
    Main Street is PA 171.  The Church was in the north end of town, on the east side of Main Street, in the Y formed by Main Street and Clinton Street.

Historic Conference:
   Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
    1900,61 – appointment established and a class organized
    1901,47 – church building purchased that had been started/vacated by Welsh Congregationalists
    1950,350 – discontinued, sale authorized. Proceeds to Forest City

Brief History:
   This church was served from Forest City, two miles to the north, in Susquehanna County.  The congregation began in 1899 when Methodists in the town invited the pastor from Forest City to help them organize a class.  The society purchased a Congregational church building that had been erected a few years earlier and then returned to the contractor for lack of payment.  The appointment was discontinued as of April 1, 1950, and merged into Forest City.

Final disposition:
   The church building was razed and replaced by a modern home.


55. Wallsville ME
  [North Abington ME]

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Location: PA 524
Municipality:
North Abington township
County:
Lackawanna
State:
PA

Directions: 
   From Clarks Summit, go 5 miles north on PA 407 to PA 524 (and Lackawanna State Park).  Go east ½ mile on PA 524.  The church site is on the left, in the clearing at the end of a paved “driveway.”

Historic Conference:
    Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
     1927,49 – permission to sell the church building and parsonage
     1929,44 – proceeds from sale directed to Montdale charge

Brief History:
     This class was formed in the Aylesworth school house about 1836 and worshipped in that structure until land was given by Leonard Hopfer in 1862 for a church, parsonage and cemetery.  The church building was erected in 1867 and the parsonage in 1885.  The charge was called North Abington until 1901, when it was re-named Wallsville.  The church was closed and sold due to declining enrollment in 1928.  The two remaining churches on the east end of the Wallsville charge (East Benton and Montdale) were for many years Scott Valley charge – in fact, in 1977, page 147, they supposedly merged into a single congregation – but they are now [since 2014] on two different charges.

Final disposition:
      The land is now part of Lackawanna State Park. The church was torn down before the park was formed.  The parsonage was torn down after the park was formed.  The cemetery remains and includes the graves of Leonard Hopfer, Rev. Jacob M. Koehler (1860-1832) of the Episcopal Church – founder of the Scranton School for the deaf, and husband of Leonard Hopfer’s granddaughter – and Rev. Samuel J. Austin (1847-1914) of the Wyoming Conference.


56. West Abington ME
  [Walls Corners]

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Location: Dalton – Lake Winola Road
Municipality:
West Abington township
County:
Lackawanna
State:
PA

Directions: 
    From Tunkhannock, go south 4.5 miles on PA 92 to PA 307.  Go east 2 miles on PA 307 to Dalton Road (where PA 307 turns south).  Go straight on Dalton Road (becomes Lake Winola Road when you cross into Lackawanna County) 4.5 miles to the intersection with Stanton Town Road known as Wall Corners.

Historic Conference:
   Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
 
   1966,64 – abandoned; permission to sell

Brief History:
   This church building was dedicated on January 15, 1853.  The appointment was on the large Newton Circuit until being placed with Factoryville in 1872.  The property was formally deeded to the Methodists, with a reversionary clause in 1893.  Regular services were discontinued in 1933, but annual and special services continued at least until 1951, when the appointment marked its 100th anniversary with a program and a covered dish supper.  The property was officially abandoned in 1966.

Final disposition:
 


57. Wimmers EV

 

Location: 211 Wimmers Road
Municipality:
Jefferson township
County:
Lackawanna
State:
PA

Directions: 
   From the interchange of I-380 and I-84 southeast of Scranton, go eat on I-84 to the first exit [exit #8, PA 147].  Go 0.5 miles north on PA 247 to PA 348.  Go 1 mile east on PA 348 to Wimmers Road in the village of Mt. Cobb.  Go 1.5 miles south on Wimmers Road.  The church is on the west side of the road.

Historic Conference:
   East Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical Church

Journal references:   
    1960,199 – all members transferred or withdrawn
    1961,148 – sale authorized

Brief History:
    
The appointment was discontinued in 1960.  

Final disposition:
     The building currently houses the Wimmers Bible Fellowship Church.