rCLOSED CHURCHES WITHIN THE PRESENT
BOUNDARIES OF THESUSQUEHANNA 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
LACKAWANNA COUNTY PA
1. Bloomington MP
Location: northeast corner of Bloomington Road and Major
Road
Municipality: Madison township
County: Lackawanna
State: PA
Directions:
From Daleville, go south 1 mile
on PA 435 to Jubilee Road. Go east on
Jubilee Road 3 miles to Bloomington Road.
Go north on Bloomington Road 1 mile to Major Road. The church stood on the northeast corner of
Bloomington and Major Roads, facing Major Road.
The Swartz school house stood on the southeast corner of Bloomington and
Major Roads.
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. The church building was erected across from
the school house about 1912 and dismantled about 1946.building was
Final disposition:
2. Chinchilla UMC
Address: Church Street & Layton Road, village of Chinchilla
Municipality: South Abington township
County: Lackawanna
State: PA
Directions:
From the interchange of US11 and I-476, go
1 mile south on US 11 to Layton Road. Go
1 mile east on Layton Road to Church Street.
The church is on the northwest corner.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1930,309 – new building dedicated 9/23/1928, seriously damaged by fired
11/24/1929, but able to be repaired
1960,112 – church building demolished
4/1960 for new Interstate; will relocate to Layton Rd
2025,163 – closed 1/1/2025
Brief History:
The congregation was
organized in 1818. The first church was
built and dedicated in 1868. In 1905, a
building used by the Baptists on Holgate Avenue was transformed into a Methodist
Church. In 1924 a new church was built
about where I-81 crosses Layton Road.
See the 1925 journal page 94 for details. When Interstate 81 was proposed in the 1950s,
the church was in its path, and the building condemned. The present church on Church Street was
completed by Christmas Eve, 1961, when its first services were held. Due to declining membership and finances, the
congregation closed 12/31/2024.
Final disposition:
3. Cortez UMC
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:
2025,162 –
closed 12/30/2024
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 by the Conference in
2023, but for two years the congregation continued to meet as the Cortez
Community Church until the courts awarded the property to the Susquehanna
Conference on 12/20/2024
Final disposition:
4. 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:
5. Elmdale UMC
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.
6. Fleetville UMC
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.
7. Franklin Valley UMC
[Jordan Hollow ME]
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:
8. Freytown MP
Location: Freytown Road
Municipality: Covington township
County: Lackawanna
State: PA
Directions:
From Daleville, go 1 mile south
on PA 435 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:
9. 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:
10. 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.
11. 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
1938,361 – funds loaned to Clifford w/o
interest
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.
12. Highway ME
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:
1952,1127 - $110 allotted to Highway
Church
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.
13. 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.
14. 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 & 329 – 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:
15. Lehigh MP
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:
16. 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:
17. 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:
18. Milwaukee UMC
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:
19. 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.
20. 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:
21. Mt. Cobb 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:
Mt. Cobb was always on
the same charge as Cortez. At the final
1939 session of the Methodist Protestant Church, that charge consisted of East
Sterling, Hollisterville, Mt. Cobb and Cortez.
Only Cortez joined the denominational union with the Methodist Episcopal
Church that formed the Methodist Church.
The other three churches stayed out of the union. Hollisterville became part of the
newly-formed Bible Protestant denominations.
East Sterling and Mt. Cobb appear to have stopped functioning in 1939 or
very soon thereafter.
Final disposition:
22. Nay Aug ME
[aka Dunmore Lawrence Memorial ME]
Location: 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:
23. Newton UMC
[Bald Mount ME]
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:
24. 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:
25. Pine Grove MP
[aka Thornhurst MP]
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.”
26. Ransom
UMC
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:
27. Schultzville UMC
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.
28. Scranton Adams Avenue ME [German]
[First German ME Church of Scranton]
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:
29. Scranton Adams Avenue ME [English]
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:
30. 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:
31. Scranton Asbury UMC
[Scranton Green Ridge]
Address: 720 Delaware Street
Municipality: city of Scranton
County: Lackawanna
State: PA
Directions:
From downtown Scranton, go north on the US
11 – PA 307 freeway, across the Lackawanna River to the Main Avenue
interchange. Go about 1 mile to the
Providence section and turn right onto Green Ridge Street, a main
intersection. Go ½ mile and turn left
onto Monsey Street. Go one block to
Delaware Street. The church is on the
corner of Monsey and Delaware Streets.
Historic
Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal
references:
1915,67 – new Sunday School building
erected
2025,163 – closed 1/1/2025
Brief
History:
Methodist preaching in the
area dates from 1793, when Bishop Francis Asbury came through and helped
organize a class at Brother Howe’s in Capouse (now Providence). An actual congregation originates from 1873
when union services were held in the Green Ridge depot of the Delaware and
Hudson Canal Company. In 1876, a Green
Ridge class of Methodists began meeting in the Good Templars Hall on Dickson
Avenue. A lot was purchased at the
corner of Monsey Avenue and Delaware Street in 1880, a chapel was built in 1882
which was known as the Green Ridge Methodist Episcopal Church, and in 1886 a
tabernacle was added which was soon found to be inadequate. The present church was built in 1891, when
the name of the congregation was changed to Asbury.
Due to declining membership and finances,
Scranton Asbury closed in 2024 with the final service held 12/29/2024.
Final
disposition:
32. Scranton Ash Street ME
[Scranton Little England ME]
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.
33. 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.
34. 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.
35. 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.
36. Scranton First German ME, see Scranton Adams Avenue ME
[German]
37. Scranton First MP
[Scranton Park Hill MP]
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
38. Scranton Hampton Street ME
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:
39. Scranton Italian Mission ME
[St. John’s Italian ME]
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.
40. Scranton Myrtle Street ME
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.
41. Scranton Petersburg Chapel ME
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:
42. Scranton Prospect Avenue ME
[South Scranton German ME]
Location: 729 Prospect Avenue
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.
43. Scranton Providence UMC
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.
44. Scranton Simpson UMC
[Hyde Park ME]
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.
45. Scranton St. Paul’s UMC
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.
46. Scranton St. Paul’s ME
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.
47. Scranton Trinity EV
Location:
Municipality: city of Scranton
County: Lackawanna
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical
Church
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:
48. Scranton Tripp Park ME
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.
49. 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:
50. Scranton West Park UMC
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.
51. Scranton Zion EV
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.
52. 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:
53. 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:
54. Throop UMC
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.
55. Turnersville ME
Location: Turnersville Road
Municipality: Covington township
County: Lackawanna
State: PA
Directions:
From Daleville, go 1 mile south
on PA 435 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:
56. Vandling ME
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.
57. Wallsville ME
[North Abington ME]
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.
58. West Abington ME
[Walls Corners]
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:
59. 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.