CLOSED CHURCHES WITHIN THE
PRESENT BOUNDARIES OF THE
SUSQUEHANNA CONFERENCE OF
THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
The information for each
church is arranged in alphabetical order within counties. Select a county.
Adams | Bedford | Blair | Bradford | Centre | Clearfield | Clinton | Columbia | Cumberland | Dauphin | Franklin | Fulton | Huntingdon| Juniata | Lackawanna | Luzerne | Lycoming | Mifflin | Montour | Northumberland
| Perry | Pike | Potter | Schuylkill | Snyder | Sullivan | Susquehanna | Tioga | Union | Wayne | Wyoming | York
LUZERNE COUNTY PA
Albert ME
[see Rippletown]
1. Alden UMC
[Newport ME]
Address: 29 E. Kirmar
Avenue, town of Alden
Municipality: Newport township
County: Luzerne County
State: PA
Directions:
From the intersection of
US 11 and PA 29, cross the Susquehanna River on PA and take the second exit
after crossing the river. Go west 4
miles to the town of Alden. This road is
Main Street in Askam and Middle Road in Nanticoke before becoming Kirmar Avenue in Alden.
The church is on the left, at the corner of Kirmar
Avenue and Church Street.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal References:
1978,146 – received the members of Wanamie UMC; renamed Newport UMC
2016,147 – discontinued
2018,199 – sold 5/2/2018 for $1 to
Earth Conservancy
Brief History:
This congregation was
incorporated 9/27/1889 as the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Alden. The class met in a schoolhouse for a number of years before dedicating the existing structure
in 1890 on land donated by the Delaware, Lackawana
and Western Railroad Company. An 1899
revival added 25 to the membership. Wanamie and Alden were always served together, and in 1978
(with an average weekly attendance of 90 for Alden and 16 for Wanamie), the two congregations merged to form the Newport
United Methodist Church and meeting in the Alden building.
Final Disposition:
2. Ashley Centenary UMC
Address: 26 N. Main Street
Municipality: borough of Ashley
County: Luzerne County
State: PA
Directions:
The church is on the south
side of Main Street between Hazleton Street (which goes south to PA 309) and
Ashley Street (which goes north and becomes St. Mary’s Road).
Note: This Main Street is the first exit
on PA 29 north of its southern terminus at I-81, and it becomes Hazel Street in
Wilkes-Barre. It should not be confused with the Main Street at the second exit on PA 29
north which is Main Street in Askam (going south) and Wilkes-Barre (going
north)
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
2019,167 – closed 12/31/2018
2021,267 – sold 12/2/2020 for
$70,000 Mision Cristiana Juan 3:16
Brief History:
Revival
work was begun here in 1868 and in the following year the Lehigh and Susquehanna
Coal Company donated land for a brick church which was built and dedicated on
Nov. 11, 1869. Significant improvements were made in 1884, and then a new front
was put on the church in 1892. The
building was destroyed by fire on February 29, 1972, and rebuilt and
rededicated with new memorial widows on September 29, 1974. In the face of declining membership and
necessary improvements to the building, the church closed 12/31/2018.
Final disposition:
The building was sold 12/7/2020 for
$77,000 to Mision Cristiana Juan 3:16.
3. Beach Grove ME
Address: Beach Grove Road
Municipality: Salem township
County: Luzerne County
State: PA
Directions:
From Berwick, go 3 miles
north on US 11, just past the power plant, to Beach Grove Road. Go west on Beach Grove Road ½ mile. The cemetery is on the laft.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of
the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal References:
Brief History:
This was a schoolhouse
appointment when the Beach Haven circuit was formed in 1875 and remained an
active appointment until 1882 – although loose membership records and
occasional meetings were held into the early 1930’s. The school
house stood near the present Beach Grove
Cemetery, final resting place of the area’s namesake Nathan Beach.
Final Disposition:
Only the cemetery remains.
4. Beach Haven UMC
Address: 145 Main Street, village of Beach
Haven
Municipality: Salem township
County: Luzerne County
State: PA
Directions:
The village of Beach Haven
is 3 miles east of Berwick, between US 11 and the Susquehanna River. Main Street runs parallel to US 11, one block
south.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of
the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal References:
2021,182 – closed 10/22/2020
2022,273 – sold 6/11/2021 for
$79,000 to RCB Beach Haven LLC
Brief History:
The earliest settlers in Salem Township were worshipping in private homes and had constructed the old Log Church at Briar Creek in 1824. The first church building in Beach Haven was a frame structure, on the west side of Mill Creek by the railroad tracks and open to all denominations, erected on land donated by Nathan’s son Josiah Beach. The Methodist Episcopal class was organized in 1848 and worshiped in the wooden union church until their present brick structure was dedicated in February 1870 – on land which had been deeded to the Methodists March 24, 1868. The old frame church stood empty from 1870 until it burned in 1877 from a spark off a passing locomotive.
Beach Haven was originally part of the Berwick circuit. A separate circuit was formed in 1875, and Beach Haven continued to be an appointment for another 145 years, through two denominational unions, until holding a final worship and decommissioning service on October 25, 2020. The educational wing was added in 1962.
Final Disposition:
The property (church and parsonage) were sold 4/10/2021 for $79,000. The property is now named “Red Brick Chapel” and
advertised as a venue for weddings, receptions and special events. In addition, an independent congregation is
using the facility for weekly services..
5. Bethel Hill UMC
Address: 300 Bethel Hill Road, village of
Bethel Hill
Municipality: Fairmount township
County: Luzerne County
State: PA
Directions:
From the intersection of
PA 118 and northbound PA 487 in the village of Red Rock, go 3 miles east on PA
118 to Bethel Hill Road. Turn right and
go 2 miles south on Bethel Hill Road to the intersection with Goss Road. The church is on the left.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of
the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1891,64 – building dedicated
Brief History:
A Methodist class was
reported formed at the log schoolhouse on Bethel Hill in 1847 as part of the
Bloomingdale circuit of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They met at the schoolhouse from 1847 until
1890. On 2/22/1890 a group met to plan
for a church building. According to a
deed dated 11/11/1890, a ½ lot was bought from Joseph Blaine for $1. A debt-free church building was dedicated 2/1/1891.
An extremely effective week-long revival in 1956 resulting in many conversions and rededications had a far-reaching effect over
a large area. When the Bethel Hill
schoolhouse was closed, the bell was given to the church and installed in 1970
in a belfry built by Merritt Saxe,
On
12/19/2022 the congregation voted 8-0 to disaffiliate from the United Methodist
Church, and that disaffiliation along with 140 others was approved at a
5/17/2023 special session of the Susquehanna Conference.
6. Bloomingdale UMC
Address: 85 Silo Road, village of Bloomingdale
Municipality: Ross township
County: Luzerne County
State: PA
Directions:
From US 11 in the village
of Hunlock Creek, go 6 miles west on Main Road, through the village of Muhlenburg, to the Y intersection with Silo Road. Bear right on Silo Road and go 1 mile. The church is on the right.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of
the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
2018,143 – closed 6/24/2018
Brief History:
Local preacher Thomas Bowman from Briar
Creek was likely the first Methodist to preach in the area. About 1796 an itinerant from the Berwick
circuit preached in the old log school house. In 1800 a class of 7 persons,
with E. Wadsworth as the leader, was formed by Rev. William Brandon and taken
into the Wyoming circuit. The church
building was erected in 1846.
Bloomingdale circuit was created from Berwick circuit in 1843 and
existed until 1882, when it was divided into the Harveyville
and Town Hill circuits. In 2018 the
church was having an average attendance of 3, and at special church conference
on June 12 those present voted unanimously to close. The final service of deconsecration
was held Sunday, June 24, 2018.
Final disposition:
The property was sold to a Mr. Joe Perry.
7. Bloomingdale MP
Location: 238 Silo Road
Municipality: Ross township
County: Luzerne
State: PA
Directions:
From US 11 in the village of Hunlock Creek,
go 6 miles west on Main Road, through the village of Muhlenburg,
to the Y intersection with Silo Road.
Bear right on Silo Road and go 1.5 miles. The church is on the left.
Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania
Conference of the Methodist Protestant Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
In 1883, Benjamin and
Susan Rood sold this land to the Methodist Protestant Church for $25. In 1939, the charge (consisting of
Bloomingdale, Koonsville and Rayburn) stayed out of
the Methodist union and became part of the newly established Bible Protestant
denomination.
Final disposition:
The
congregation is now the Bloomingdale Bible Church.
8. Broadway UMC
Location: Broadway Road, community of Broadway
Municipality: Ross township
County: Luzerne
State: PA
Directions:
From the intersection of PA 29
and PA 118, go 0.1 miles east on PA 118 to Main Road. Bear left onto Main Road and go 3.7 miles to
Broadway Road. Go straight onto Broadway
Road and go 4.2 miles to the community of Broadway. The church is on the left just before the
crossroads that marks the community of Broadway.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the
Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1999, 217/331 – abandoned
Brief History:
The class was organized
May 1870, with services held in the Marsh (later called Broadway) school house every other Saturday night. The appointment was part of the newly formed Muhlenburg charge (created by splitting the large Bloomingade charge the year before) consisting of Broadway,
Cragle Hill, Muhlenburg, Van Horns and Rock
(Oakdale). The land on which the church
building was ereted was deed to the Methodist
Episcopal Church by Henry W. Long in November 1885. In 1887 the appointment was placed on the Harveyville charge, where is remained
until it was closed because of dwindling attendance. Membership appears to have peaked at 64 in
1972. A final Homecoming Service was
held April 25, 1999.
Final disposition:
The property was sold June
9, 2000, to Leonard J. Zarnoch for $15,000.
9. Cambra UMC
Location: village of Cambra
Municipality: Huntington township
County: Luzerne
State: PA
Directions:
The church is on the road from
Cambra to Register.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1869,25 – building erected
1888,58 – new building projected for next year
1889,62 – new building, 30x42 with recess,
dedicated 2/25/1889
1944,94 – building destroyed by fire a year
ago; new building dedicated 2/27/1944
1971,97 – merged into Town Hill
Brief History:
This building was
erected east of Cambra in 1833 and originally known as the Pine Creek Meeting
House. The congregation erected a new building in 1869 and another one in 1889. When the 1889 building was destroyed by fire
in the 1940’s, the congregation relocated to a donated plot of ground several
hundred yards nearer to the village of Cambra and erected a block building that
was later remodeled and covered with siding.
In 1967 Cambra joined the six other appointments of the Town Hill charge
to unite into a single congregation and erect a new building near Town Hill
that was dedicated in 1971. The recorded
membership in 1971 was 61.
Final disposition:
10. Carverton UMC
Location: Mount Olivet Road
Municipality: Kingston township
County: Luzerne
State: PA
Directions:
From US 11 in Wyoming, go north 4
miles on Eighth Street, through West Wyoming, to Mount
Olivet Road. Turn west on Mount Olivet
Road and go 1 mile. The church is on the
right, across from Mount Olivet cemetery, behind the Catholic church.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
2009,186 – discontinued
Brief History:
Methodism started in Carverton
in 1799 when a class was formed at Harris Hill by Elijah Harris, one of the 40
men who came from Connecticut in 1769.
Religious meetings were held in a school house
on the land of Jabez Carver about ¼ mile from the present site. Rufus Carter and his wife Nancy deeded the
land for the present site in 1853, and a church building was erected the
following year. In 1860, Rufus Carver
donated the ground for the parsonage, which was erected that same year. During William Lathrop’s 1912-14 tenure, a
new parsonage was built on a corner lot acquired from the Ralph Lewis farm, and
the old parsonage was sold to I.H. Coursen for $350. In 1958, additional land for parking space
was purchased from the adjoining Frank Hilstosky farm.
Final disposition:
The structure is now a Unitarian Universalist
church.
11. Cragle Hill ME
Location:
Municipality: Union township
County: Luzerne
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the
Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
This appointment was
one of the four original ones [Bloomindale, Van Horn, Cragle Hill and Rock
(Oakdale)] on the Bloomindale circuit of 1869.
By 1880 there were 8 appointments and seven classes – with preaching at
two church buildings and several schoolhouses.
On March 5, 1890, this property was deeded to the church for $1 by
Joseph B. Benscoter and his wife Nancy.
Before the erection of the church building, the congregation was one that worshiped in a school house. Cragle Hill is not one of the six church
buildings listed on the 1915 Bloomingdale circuit.
Final disposition:
12. Demunds ME
Location: Ryman Road, village of Demunds
Municipality: Dallas township
County: Luzerne
State: PA
Directions:
Heading north out of Dallas on
PA 309, turn right at the stoplight by the shopping center at the north end of
Dallas on to Upper Demund Road. Go 3.5 miles on Upper Demund
Road to the stop sign with Lower Demund Road. Turn left on to Lower Demund
Road and go one block to Ryman Road.
Turn right on to Ryman Road and go 200 yards. The building is the second house on the
right.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the
Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1928,98 – purchased their
school building and transformed it into “a cozy church”
1952,1083 – in statistics for Centermoreland charge with 45 members
1953,1405 – not in statistics for Centermoreland charge, but Centermoreland
church membership is
increased by 45 over 1952.
Brief History:
This was originally a
schoolhouse appointment on the Carverton charge,
which was dropped in 1882. Both The
Methodist Protestants and Free Methodists continued to hold meetings, but
neither denomination organized a class.
The Centermorland pastor organized a class in
1896, and eventually a church building was erected – although local lore says
that the structure was always “a work in progress” and never fully completed
with all the characteristics of a church building. This church was on the Centermoreland
charge from 1896 until about 1952, when it was closed
Final disposition:
The building is now a
private home.
13. Dodson Chapel UMC
Location: village of Southdale
Municipality: Huntington township
County: Luzerne
State: PA
Directions:
From Town Hill, go south 3 miles
on Dodson Cemetery Road (the west branch of the road
south from the middle of Town Hill) to its terminus with Southdale Road. The church is on the left.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1888,58 – building repaired
1971,97 – merged into Town Hill
Brief History:
This structure was
erected in 1875 and dedicated by Rev. A.M. Kester when the church building shared by this class and the one at Town Hill was removed to the village of Town Hill. It took the place of the South Hold
appointment, where there was preaching and a class formed as early as 1812 – if
not 1809. In 1967 Dodson Chapel joined
the six other appointments of the Town Hill charge to unite into a single
congregation and erect a new building near Town Hill that was dedicated in 1971. The recorded membership in 1971 was 38.
Final disposition:
14. Dymond Hollow ME
[Lockville
ME]
Address: Church Road
Municipality: Exeter township
County: Luzerne
State: PA
Directions:
From Centermoreland,
go 3 miles east on PA 292 to the crossroad with Village Road. Turn south on Village Road and go ¾ mile to
the crossroad with Lockville Road. Turn east and go ¾ mile to Church Road. Turn north on Church Road and go 200
yards. The church is on the right.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the
Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal References:
2016,147 – discontinued n
Brief History:
This congregation began in the early
1800’s and met in a school house until trouble with
the Methodist Protestants prompted the congregation to erect their own building
in 1835. This building stood on private
land below the present church and was later turned into a barn, which has since
been razed. The present church was
erected in 1869. In 1917 the structure
was raised to allow for the addition of a basement.
Final disposition:
The property was trasnferred
to the Dymond Hollow Church Cemetery and Preservation Association for $1 on
June 7, 2018.
15. East Dallas UMC
Location: 2812 Lower Demunds Road
Municipality: Dallas township
County: Luzerne
State: PA
Directions:
From Dallas, go north on PA
309 to the stop light with Center Hill Road at the north end of town. Turn east at the stop light and bear right
onto Hildebrandt Road. Go east on Hildebrandt Road 1 miles to
Lower Demunds Road.
Turn south onto Lower Demunds Road and go 300
yards. The church is on the left, past
Wyoming Road.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming
Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1927,99 – canvass to complete the roofed
basement in which the congregation meets
1946,335 – served as part of Dallas charge
1947,611 – served as part of Centermoreland charge
2005,181 – sale approved
2006,93 & 162 – discontinued;
membership and resources to Centermoreland
Brief History:
This congregation began in a school house on
Hildebrandt Road. The cornerstone for
the first and present church building was laid in 1920. The basement was roofed over and used as a
church meeting place for about 8 years until the sanctuary was completed. The church was originally on the Courtdale charge, moved to the Dallas charge in 1922, and
to the Centermoreland charge in 1947 – where it was
when the appointment was closed in 1996.
Final disposition:
The building was sold in
September 2005 to an owner of adjoining property who wanted to maintain the
integrity of the church. He fixed up the
building and is renting it to a small Baptist congregation.
16. Fairmount UMC
Address: 17 Old Country Road, village of
Fairmount Springs
Municipality: Fairmount township
County: Luzerne County
State: PA
Directions:
From the intersection in
the village of Red Rock of PA 118 with PA 487 (to the north) and the Old Tioga
Turnpike (to the south), turn south and go 4 miles on the Old Tioga Turnpike to
the village of Fairmount Springs and Old Country Road. Turn left on Old Country Road and go 100
yards to the church.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of
the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1981,255 – received members of
Pleasant Valley; renamed Faith
1999,217 – reverted to name of
Fairmount Springs
Brief History:
Early Methodist circuit riders reportedly
held services in the area beginning in the early 1800’s. In 1824 a double log
house was built for both school and church purposes. The congregation purchased the present lot
6/26/1867 from Bernard P. Smith and a church building was completed on the site
in November of that year. In June 1957
the congregation purchased the Harrison schoolhouse, moved it to the church
lot, set it on a newly dug basement, and connected the two buildings.
On
12/19/2022 the congregation voted 14-0-1 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.
Final disposition:
17. Fairview MP
Location: [uncertain – see note]
Municipality: Fairmont township
County: Luzerne
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Protestant
Church
Journal references:
1893,9 – church building
dedicated
1922,52 – declared extinct
Brief History:
The Central charge of
the Methodist Protestant Church reportedly covered parts of two counties: in
Columbia County in church buildings at Central, Coles Creek and Elk Grove; in
Luzerne County in church buildings at Fairview and Red Rock, and the
schoolhouse at Oakland (although the Varker book, page 14, states there was a
MP church building at Oakland).
The first building at Fairview was
erected in 1893 and “blown down” around 1900.
When Rev. Varker served the charge (1897-1901) he reportedly used some
of the lumber to repair the parsonage.
A second building was later erected near the Fairview school house on
land given by Matt Hirlinger, and it closed around 1920. The building was converted into a machine
shop.
Final disposition:
Note: Matt Hirlinger is buried in the family plot along PA 489 north of Red Rock. No reference to “Fairview” or the “Fairview school house” can be found in this part of Luzerne County or neighboring Columbia County. I neglected to note the location of the site to which I was directed and where I took the above photograph about 1990. It may even be in Columbia County.
18. Forty Fort Meeting House ME
Location: 20 River Street
Municipality: borough of Forty Fort
County: Luzerne
State: PA
Directions:
Wyoming Avenue (US route 11) is
the main north-south street in Forty Fort.
From the interchange of the PA 309 expressway with Wyoming Avenue, go
north on Wyoming Avenue six blocks to the traffic signal at River Street (by
the borough office). Turn right on River
Street and go 50 yards. The church is on
the left.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
The Forty Fort Meeting House was built
1807-08. It was the first finished church in which religious services were held
in northeast Pennsylvania, and was used for services
by the Presbyterians and Methodists. Bishop Francis Asbury preached and
ordained Christian and Thomas Bowman on the grounds of the meeting house in the
summer of 1807 before its completion. The facility has been kept in good state of
preservation.
In the nearby cemetery is the grave of
George Peck, a guiding force in the founding of Wyoming Seminary. His ministry
lasted from 1816 until 1873. He was a General Conference delegate from 1824 to
1876. During the Agnes flood of 1972,
one third of the Forty Fort Cemetery was washed away by the raging waters of
the Susquehanna River. Among those lost from the flood of June 23 were four
former presidents of Wyoming Seminary (Revs. Reuben Nelson, Young C. Smith,
Levi L. Sprague, and Wilbur H. Fleck).
Final disposition:
19. Glen Lyon UMC
Location: South Market Street, village of Glen Lyon
Municipality: Newport township
County: Luzerne
State: PA
Directions:
From the interchange of
I-81 and PA-29, go north on PA-29 2 miles to the second interchange. Go west on Main Street – Middle Road – Kirmar Avenue for 7 miles (through Askam and Alden and Wanamie) to Glen Lyon.
Turn left on Market Street and go 2 blocks to
the T with Main Street. The structure is
on the left.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1996,224&302 – regular services
discontinued, placed on limited service
1998,221&229&230&314 –
discontinued
1999,282 – property turned over to conference
trustees; unspecified legal issues
2001,183 – sold
Brief History:
Prior to 1888 a group of Methodists
worshiped in a one-room schoolhouse on what is now called Newport Street,
across from the Pulaski Junior High School. In 1888 the Susquehanna Coal
Company gave the society a 50x165 lot on South Market Street, and a church
building was dedicated July 22 of that same year. Originally served in
connection with Wanamie, Glen Lyon became a station
appointment in 1894 and was served as such for over 75 years. In 1901
more land was acquired from the Susquehanna Coal
Company, and a parsonage was erected.
Final disposition:
The building was sold to the plumber
who lives next door and uses the building for storage.
20. Glen Lyon MP
[no picture]
Location:
Municipality: Newport township
County: Luzerne
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of
the Methodist Protestant Church
Journal references:
1888,6 – deed for church
lot secured and placed in hands of the treasurer
Brief History:
The cornerstone
for this building was laid September 18, 1887.
The church was served by Rev. John M. Taggert 1888-89, but little else
is known of the MP work here.
Final disposition:
21. Harmony UMC
Location:
Municipality: Union township
County: Luzerne
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania
Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1893,52 – building
dedicated 7/17/1892
1928,624 – permission to sell
1971,97 – discontinued
1972,203 – treasurer directed to turn over
all congregation funds to Muhlenburg charge
1973,205 – permission to sell
1979, A61 – sold
Brief History:
The first church
building was erected in 1886 in front of the present structure, which was
erected about 1950.
Final disposition:
This building was sold to
Ms. Maxine Bolt for $6000 and is now a private dwelling.
22. Harvey’s Lake MP
Location: Maple Street and Lake Shore Drive, village of Laketon [aka West Corner]
Municipality: borough of Harvey’s Lake
County: Luzerne
State: PA
Directions:
Lake Shore Drive is PA 415. The building is at the west end of the lake.
Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of
the Methodist Protestant Church
Journal references:
1888,6 – deed for church lot secured and
placed in hands of treasurer
1910,16 – concrete
block church under construction
1922,52 – probable sale;
declared extinct
1923,58 – sold to Lutherans for $400
Brief History:
In 1889 Abel Perrego donated a lot at the West Corner for a Methodist
Episcopal Church although the terms of his gift permitted all denominations to
offer religious services when the ME was not using it. A tablet on this frame church reportedly read
“Harvey’s Lake MP Church.” The building was destroyed on July 4, 1905, after a
stray firework set it ablaze. The church was not rebuilt until 1912 as the Laketon MP Church.
Final disposition:
The building was sold to the
Lutherans in 1923 and charted in 1926 as the Lutheran Church of the Reformation
of Laketon.
The building has since been vacated as a house of worship and renovated
into a private residence.
23. Harveyville ME
Location: village of Harveyville
Municipality: Huntington township
County: Luzerne
State: PA
Directions:
The site is one block east of the
main intersection that defines Harveyville. The exact site is given in the 1873 county
atlas.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1891,64 – church building and parsonage destroyed by
a cyclone
Brief History:
This class appears to
be an outgrowth/continuation of the class at Pine Grove. On 10/2/1857 Benjamin Harvey deeded a
property to the Methodist Episcopal trustees for a church in Harveyville. In
August 1890 a cyclone destroyed the church building and nearby parsonage, but
the church was rebuilt in record time and dedicated 3/8/1891. A Union Committee began working in 1961 on a
plan to unite Bethel Hill, Pleasant Valley and Harveyville. When it was determined that the Harveyville building was no longer safe, plans
changed. The last service at the
building was held 5/20/1962 and the building was sold
to and torn down by Arthur Hilley who used the lumber to build a home in the
Fairmount Springs area. Most of the
members transferred to Pleasant Valley.
Final disposition:
24. Headley Grove ME
Location: Huntington Creek Road
Municipality: Fairmount township
County: Luzerne
State: PA
Directions:
From the main intersection at Harveyville, go north 4 miles on Bethel
Hill Road, past the Patterson Grove Camp Meeting. At the Y at Rittenhouse where Bethel Hill
Road goes left and Huntington Creek Road goes right, go right on Huntington
Creek Road about 1.5 miles, past Phillips Creek. The church stood on the left side of the
road. Only the cemetery remains.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1897,63 – church dedicated last May
Brief History:
Samuel Headley reported gave the ground for this church, but
he died in 1869 and it appears that the class was not
organized until 1882 and the building was not actually built until May
1896. The church closed between 1906 and
1911 and then reopened sporadically. It
does not appear in the conference’s 1915 list of church buildings. It appears to have functioned off-and-on as a
church, but not necessarily United Methodist, into the mid-1960’s.
Final disposition:
25. Hughs EV
[no picture]
Location: community of Hughs
Municipality: Plymouth township
County: Luzerne
State: PA
Directions:
The community of Hughs is due
west of the Moon Lake Recreation ASrea. From west Nanticoke go
3.5 miles north on Pa 29 to Pavlick Road.
Go 3.5 miles west on Pavlick Road (becomes
White Oak Drive) to Hartman Road. The
community of Hughs is where White Oak Drive, Harman Road and Atherton Road
meet. The site of the church building is
not known. The 1873 county atlas shows a White Oak school pm White Oak Drive about 1/3 mile east of
Hughs, but no church building.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical Church
Journal references:
1928,63 – permission to dispose of vacant church “at the Hughes [sic]
appointment, near West Nanticoke”
Brief History:
Nothing is known about
this site.
Final disposition:
26. Huntington Mills Nelson Chapel UMC
Location: village of Huntington Mills
Municipality: Huntington township
County: Luzerne
State: PA
Directions:
From the borough of New
Columbus, go north 1 mile to PA 239. Go
east 5 miles on PA 239 to the village of Huntington Mills. Go east ¼ mile on
Shickshinny Lake Road (immediately after PA 239 crosses the creek). The church is on the left.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church.
Journal references:
1888,58 – building repaired
1910,75 – building moved to new lot and
placed over a basement
1971,97 – merged into Town Hill
Brief History:
This class erected the
Pine Grove Meeting House, the first Methodist church building on the circuit,
in 1822 within the walls of the present Pine Grove Cemetery between Huntington
Mills and Harveyville. That building was abandoned in 1871, and the
present structure was erected in Huntington Mills. It was dedicated April 30, 1871, by Reuben
Nelson, president of Wyoming Seminary at Kingston, and named in his honor. In 1967 Huntington Mills joined the six other
appointments of the Town Hill charge to unite into a single congregation and
erect a new building near Town Hill that was dedicated in 1971. The recorded membership in 1971 was 178.
Final disposition:
27. Idetown UMC
Location: Idetown Road
Municipality: Lehman township
County: Luzerne
State: PA
Directions:
From the eastern terminus of PA
118 at PA 415, go 1 mile west on PA 118 to Idetown
Road. Go north 1 mile on Idetown Road. The church is on the right.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1894,31 – church building dedicated last
December
1929,96 – looking forward to a new building
2004,99 – merged into Lehman
2006,168 – permission to sell building to a
local physician
Brief History:
This class was
organized about 1865 and met in school houses until
purchasing land and erecting the present building in 1893. In 1910, the building was raised and the
basement and during the renovations. The
church house at the rear of the property was built in 1932.
Final disposition:
The property has been sold
and converted into office space.
28. Jackson UMC
Location: Smith Pond Road
Municipality: Jackson township
County: Luzerne
State: PA
Directions:
From West Nanticoke, take PA 29
4 miles north to Smith Pond Road. Bear
right off of PA 29 (just after the crossroads at Zbick’s Corners) onto Smith Pond Road and go 1 mile. The church is on the left.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
2000,233 – merged into Idetown effective 8/30/1999
Brief History:
Local tradition states
that Methodism was introduced to Jackson township by 1820, with schoolhouse
appointments at Lamoreaux in the lower part, Forrest in the upper part, and
Union near the center. These classes
united when the present church, originally known as the Union Methodist
Episcopal Church, was erected in the center of the township in 1883. In July 1999 the remaining members decided to
disband and the property was sold in January 2000 for
$20,000 to the God’s Missionary Church denomination, which had been holding
services there on Sunday afternoons for the past three years.
Note: Bradsby’s
1893 History of Luzerne County
describes this as the Van Loon church and gives a construction date of 1877.
Final disposition:
The building now houses a
congregation of God’s Missionary Church.
29. Koonsville MP
Location: 27 Trailing Pine Road
Municipality: Union township
County: Luzerne
State: PA
Directions:
From Shickshinny, go 1.5 miles
north on PA 239 to Koonsville. Bear right onto McKendree Road. Go 200 yards to Trailing Pine Road. Go east on Trailing Pine Road ¼ mile. The building is on the right.
Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania
Conference of the Methodist Protestant Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
This building was erected in 1895. In 1939 this congregation, along with
Bloomingdale MP and Reyburn MP, chose not to join the denominational union that
created the Methodist Church and they became part of the newly formed Bible
Protestant denomination. Services
continued until about 2000.
Final disposition:
The building is now a private
home.
30. Kunkle UMC
Address: 177 Old Highway Road
Municipality: Dallas township
County: Luzerne
State: PA
Directions:
From Dallas, go 4 miles
north on PA 309 to Kunkle Road. Turn
left onto Kunkle Road and go east 0.1 miles to Old Highway Road. Turn left onto Old Highway Rod and go 0.1
miles. The church is on the left.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
In 1853, Conrad Kunkle opened his home to
bi-weekly services by the Methodist pastor of Lehman. As the congregation grew, meetings were moved
to the schoolhouse. A charter was drawn
4/29/1874 for “The Methodist Episcopal Church of Kunkle” and incorporation
followed 10/29/1887. A lot was deeded to
the church 4/1/188 by the Ryman family, and a church was erected for $1300 and
dedicated 3/14/1888. In the face of
declining membership and finances, the church was closed
Final disposition:
The building was given to the
adjoining fire company.
31. Laflin ME
[no picture]
Location:
Municipality: borough of Laflin
County: Luzerne
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1923,100 – funds from sale of Miner’s Mills property set aside for future
building in Laflin
1924,60 – $1500 from Miner’s Mills loaned
to Laflin for 5 yrs w/o interest to erect a building
Brief History:
This congregation
was started about 1916 and last appears in the journal in 1940 (page
773) with a membership of 64. Local
pastor Harold G. Moore was assigned to Laflin Mission in April 1940, with
church at 10 AM and SS at 11 AM, but apparently the mission ceased during the
1940-41 church year. It had been served
during its existence almost entirely by retired persons
and other supply preachers. It appears
that the congregation may never have owned a building.
Final disposition:
32. McKendree UMC
Address: 447 McKendree Road
Municipality: Union township
County: Luzerne County
State: PA
Directions:
From the intersection of
US 11 and PA 239 in Shickshinny, go 1.5 miles north on PA 239 to Koonsville. Bear
right onto McKendree Road. Go 2 miles on McKendree Road.
The church is on the right.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of
the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
On
9/24/2022 the congregation voted 5-0 to disaffiliate from the United Methodist
Church, and that disaffiliation along with 140 others was approved at a
5/17/2023 special session of the Susquehanna Conference.
Final disposition:
33. Meeker ME
Location: 41 Meeker Outlet Road, community of Meeker
Municipality: Lehman township
County: Luzerne
State: PA
Directions:
From the intersection of PA 118
and PA 29, go east on PA 118 1.5 miles to Loyalville
Road. Go north on Loyalville
Road ¼ mile to Meeker Outlet Road. Go
east on Meeker outlet Road 1/3 mile. The
site is on the right, occupied by a modern ranch house, between Slocum Road and
Meeker Road. The picture on the left is
the church site. The picture on the
right is the remaining outhouse – the only church-related structure left on the
site.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal
Church
Journal references:
1913,81 – church building in the
process of erection
1914,74 – church building finished and
ready for dedication
1915,70 – new “basement building” church
dedicated 4/29/1914
1963,69 – declared closed and abandoned;
permission to sell
Brief History:
The Meeker appointment
met for many years in a schoolhouse. It
was always on the five-point Maple Grove charge: Loyalville,
Maple Grove, Meeker, Mooretown Ruggles.
In October 1962, the congregation voted to discontinue services and
permanently close the church building.
Final disposition:
The site was sold, the
church building razed, and the property divided into two lots – front and back
– with a house built on each lot. The
church building stood on the front lot, the cement
block outhouse facilities still stand on the back lot.
34. Miner’s Mills ME
[no picture]
Location:
Municipality: city of Wilkes-Barre
County: Luzerne
State: PA
Directions:
Miners Mills is now the
northeast corner of Wilkes-Barre and may also be reached by taking the bridge
from Plains across Mill Creek.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1897,25 – Sunday School organized, $1,000 subscribed toward a church building
1898,58 – Plains church purchases house and
lot in Miner’s Mills for Sunday School use
1914,75 – concrete steps and sidewalk added
in front of church building
1921,80 – taken from Bennett Memorial
charge and added to Laflin
1923,100 – property sold for $3500; money
to be used to build church in Laflin
1924,60 – $2765.01 realized from sale;
$1500 to be loaned to Laflin w/o interest
1926,106 – $1500 from sale of Miner’s Mills
invested in Yatesville
1928,57 – funds from sale NOT sufficient to
adequately repair Yatesville
Brief History:
The borough of Miners Mills, named for the Miner family, was
created in 1883 and annexed into Wilkes-Barre along with Parsons in 1927. A Sunday School was organized with support
from the Plains church and held in the public school beginning in 1897. A dwelling on Mock Street [present Mayock
Street?] was purchased in 1898 and remodeled to contain an assembly room and a
classroom. This was the home church of
deaconess Mary Flaherty.
Final disposition:
35. Mooretown ME
Location: Mooretown Road
Municipality: Ross township
County: Luzerne
State: PA
Directions:
From the intersection of PA 118
and PA 29, go 2.5 miles north on PA 29 to Mooretown Road. Turn west on Mooretown Road and go 3
miles. The building is on the right.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1955,1873 – declared
abandoned
1959,979 – sold for $500 to the Assemblies
of God
Brief History:
Mooretown was also
known as Retreat. The church was
dedicated October 20, 1875, on land given by Archibald Moore. For many years this was part of the
five-point Maple Grove charge: Loyalville, Maple
Grove, Meeker, Mooretown and Ruggles.
Final disposition:
Originally sold to the another denomination, the structure is now a private
home.
36. Mossville ME
Location: 396 Municipal Road, village of Mossville
Municipality: Fairmount township
County: Luzerne
State: PA
Directions:
From the intersection of PA 118 and
northbound PA 487 in the village of Red Rock, go one block east on PA 118 to
Mossville Road. Turn right and go 1 miles south on Mossville Road to the crossroad with
Municipal Road. Turn west on Municipal
Road and go one lot. The site is on the
right.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
This class was
reportedly organized in 1843 by Bloomingdale circuit appointees J.W. Haugawout and Irving H. Torrence. The congregation purchased the present site
4/20/1867 from James Moss – but it is unclear whether there was already a
church building standing to the property or whther
this was a new property for a new church.
Final disposition:
37. Mount Zion EV
Location: W. County Road
Municipality: Hollenback township
County: Luzerne
State: PA
Directions:
From Wapwallopen, go 1.5 miles east on W. County Road (the
eastern extension of Main Street). The
site is on the left. The 1873 county
atlas gives the exact location of the church and the parsonage.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the
Evangelical Church
Journal references:
1923,63 – Resolved, That the Wapwallopen Mission be discontinued and that the Slocum and
Mt. Zion appointments be added to West Nanticoke, and the Hetlerville
appointment be added to Nescopeck, and Briar Creek to Berwick St. Paul's.
1924,90 – permission to sell parsonage, with proceeds
divided between West Nanticoke and Nescopek
1928,63 – permission to sell
parsonage
1961,95 – permission to transfer
property to Cemetery Association
Brief History:
In 1847, preachers traveling the
Columbia circuit came here by invitation and established an appointment in the
Peters school house. The first church building was erected in 1849,
followed in 1869 by a new church and a parsonage. The presence of a
parsonage made this the seat of what was called for many years the Wapwallopen charge. The charge was United Evangelical
during the 1894-1922 denominational split.
The four-point Wapwallopen charge
was divided in 1923, and the parsonage was sold in 1924. The Mt. Zion
congregation apparently ceased to exist at that time or soon afterward, as the
number of church buildings reported on the West Nanticoke charge dropped from 3
to 2 in 1927.
Final disposition:
The building no longer stands.
Only the Mt. Zion Evangelical Cemetery remains.
38. Mountaintop ME
[no picture]
Location: Woodlawn Avenue
Municipality:
County: Luzerne
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
Formally chartered
in 1880 as the “Mountain Top Episcopal Society,” the group purchased a property
on Woodlawn Avenue in 1881 and dedicated a new building there on Thanksgiving
Day of that year.
In 1929 the Wapwallopen charge of the Central Pennsylvania Conference
was discontinued and Rippletown, Slocum and Stairville were returned to the Wyoming Conference. Rippletown was
re-named Albert and placed with Mountaintop.
In 1955 Mountaintop and Albert united to form a single congregation,
eventually selling both buildings and erecting the present Christ UM Church –
just west of Mountaintop, on the road to Albert.
Final disposition:
After the church merger,
the building was sold to a Mrs. Farrell and later used
as a warehouse. It burned down on
October 30, 1996.
39. Nanticoke First UMC
Address: 267 East Main Street
Municipality: city of Nanticoke
County: Luzerne County
State: PA
Directions:
From the intersection of
US 11 and PA 29, cross the Susquehanna River on PA and take the first exit
after crossing the river. Go east 2
miles. This becomes East Main Street. The church is on the left.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
It is believed that a class was formed
here about 1812, worshipping in the log houses of early settlers until a log school house was built.
The class worshiped there until a Union Church was built in 1830 on the
site of the school house – the basement used for
school and the upper part for church, with the Methodists and Presbyterians
being the primary denominations represented.
When the Presbyterians erected a building in 1861, the Methodists worshiped
there until 1875, when they moved to Snyder Hall.
The Methodist Episcopal Church of
Nanticoke was incorporated 12/13/1875. A
site for a church building was donated by the Susquehanna Coal Company and the cornerstone was laid in 1876. The building was finally completed and
dedicated 3/5/1880. In 1915 the old
church was razed and the present structure was
dedicated 2/11/1917.
On
9/24/2022 the congregation voted 36-1 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.
Final disposition:
The congregation continued as
the First Independent Church of Nanticoke.
40. Nanticoke Hanover Chapel ME
Location:
Municipality:
County: Luzerne
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1930,318 – “extensive improvements” made on the property
Brief History:
This was apparently an
outreach to immigrants and was “located in a detached section of Nanticoke
city.” Nothing else is known about this
ministry
Final disposition:
41. Nescopeck Albright UMC
Address: 507 E. Third Street
Municipality: borough of Nescopeck
County: Luzerne County
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of
the Evangelical Church
Journal references:
1942,57 – sold parsonage and are completing
new brick parsonage on lot adjacent to church
2011,230 - discontinued
Brief History:
This church dates from
1878 when Isaiah Bower came from Berwick to hold services in a little brick
schoolhouse. In 1881 the first church
was erected at a cost of $1500. That
original building has been remodeled and expanded several times: enlarged in
1889, remodeled in 1921, added a social hall in1926, renovated in 1937. In 2001 Albright was placed on a two point charge with Nescopeck Wesley (former Methodist).
Final disposition:
The building now houses the New Heart
Christian Fellowship congregation.
42. New Columbus Stevens Memorial UMC
Location: Old Tioga Turnpike
Municipality: borough of New Columbus
County: Luzerne
State: PA
Directions:
From Benton, go east 6 miles on
PA 239 to Old Tioga Pike. Go south 1
mile on Old Tioga Turnpike. The church
is on the left, ¼ mile past Academy Road.
Historic Conference:
Central
Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1913,84 – new church building dedicated July
21, 1912
1971,97 – merged into Town Hill
Brief History:
The first building here was
dedicated in 1857 by Thomas Bowman, president of Williamsport Dickinson
Seminary and later a bishop. A new
building was erected in 1912 through the generosity of Mrs. E.D. Stevens as a
memorial to her late husband. In 1967
New Columbus joined the six other appointments of the Town Hill charge to unite
into a single congregation and erect a new building near Town Hill that was
dedicated in 1971. The recorded
membership in 1971 was 101.
Final disposition:
43. Oakdale UMC
Address: 485 Oakdale Drive
Municipality: Hunlock township
County: Luzerne County
State: PA
Directions:
From US 11 at Hunlock
Creek, turn north onto Main Road and go 2 miles to Oakdale Drive (shortly after
Indian Cave Road goes off to the left).
Turn right onto Oakdale Drive and go 3 miles. The church is on the left, just before the
road comes to a T at Pritchards
Road.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of
the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
This appointment was called Rock
until the church building was erected in 1874.
On 9/24/2022 the
congregation voted 24-5 to disaffiliate from the United Methodist Church, and
that disaffiliation along with 140 others was approved at a 5/17/2023 special
session of the Susquehanna Conference.
Final disposition:
44. Parsons Abbott UMC
Location: 28 Oliver Street, community of Parsons
Municipality:
city of Wilkes-Barre
County: Luzerne
State: PA
Directions: Scott Street is the main street through Parsons. It is the extension of North Street (after it crosses Pennsylvania Avenue) in Wilkes-Barre and turned north. Proceed north on Scott Street. One-half miles after going under PA 309, at the point where Scott Street crosses Laurel Rune, turn left onto Oliver Street. Go 1.5 blocks. The church is on the right.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
2008,99&158 – Parsons Abbott &
Wilkes-Barre First cease & join to support new church start
2009,185 – discontinued; assets to Wilkes-Barre Field of Grace UMC.
Brief History:
The borough of Parsons, famed for the
Parsons family, was created in 1876 and annexed into Wilkes-Barre along with
Miners Mills in 1927. This class was
organized in the school house in 1872. The basement level of the church building was
used for worship beginning in 1873, and the complete sanctuary was finally
dedicated in 1883. The named “Abbott”
was adopted in 1880 in recognition of the fact that Rev. W.P. Abbott was born
near here.
Final disposition:
The building was sold
January 15, 2010, to the Osterhout Free Library and is now a public
library.
45. Pine Grove ME
Location: Cemetery Hill Road
Municipality:
County: Luzerne
State: PA
Directions:
From Huntington Mills go one mile
north on PA 239 to the Y with the road to Harveyville. Bear
right on the road to Harveyville and go one mile to Harveyville. Turn
east on the Hunlock to Harveyville Road and go one
block. Turn south on Cemetery Hill Road
and go ½ mile. The cemetery is on the
west side of the road and the church is believed to
have stood across from the cemetery on the east side of the road.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
The meeting house here
was erected about 1822. Some sources say
it was abandoned in 1871 when the church building was erected in Huntington
Mills. Other sources say it was
abandoned on 1857 when the church building was erected
in Harveyville – and that Rev. J.H. Croft preached
the last sermon there 9/27/1857.
Final disposition:
Only the cemetery remains.
46. Pittston UMC
[Pittston St. Paul’s]
Location: 66 Broad Street
Municipality: Pittston
County: Luzerne
State: PA
Directions: The building was two blocks south from the present Pittston UM (former ME) Church, on the same side of the street.
Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Protestant
Church.
Journal references:
1977,147 – merged into Pittston First (former ME) to form Pittston United
Methodist Church, meeting in the Pittston First building
Brief History:
It appears that this
congregation was organized in 1852 as a Wesleyan Methodist Church and became
Methodist Protestant (in the New York Conference) in 1878.
Final disposition:
The building now houses the
independent Perspective Church. While
the front is new, and incorporates some of the old stained
glass windows, the sides and back of the church are unchanged.
47. Plains UMC
Address: 133 N. Main Street
Municipality: Plains township
County: Luzerne County
State: PA
Directions:
After crossing the PA 309
bridge from Kingston to Wilkes-Barre, take the first exit and go north on River
Road 100 yards to Maffett Street, a major intersection. Bear right onto Maffett Street and go 2
miles. Maffett Street becomes Main
Street in Plains. The church is on the
right, two blocks after the main intersection in Plains, at the corner of Main
and Henry Streets.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
2024,158 – closed 11/30/2023 to
separate
Brief History:
This congregation traces its roots back to
a 1798 visit by noted circuit rider William Colbert. They met in a schoolhouse until dedicating
their first building on December 14, 1843.
The present building was dedicated July 10,
1884. In 1924 an addition was made to
provide a well-equipped kitchen and a larger social hall, and the front of the
church was rebuilt at the same time.
On 10/22/2023, Plains UMC voted to close
as of 11/30/2023. There was some talk of
hoping to reorganize/relocate as a non-UMC congregation.
Final disposition:
The property (church and parsonage) was
sold at auction on 4/13/2014 for $277,200.
Settlement was 7/25/2024 with net proceeds of $242,780.42.
48. Plainsville ME
[no picture]
Location: community of Plainsville
Municipality: Plains township
County: Luzerne
State: PA
Directions:
The community of Plainsville is due north of Plains, between N. River Street
(go east on Courtright Street) and the Susquehanna River. The exact location of the church has not been
determined.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1935,511 – permission to sell, proceeds to Plains
Brief History:
This class was
organized about 1831 (some sources say 1838) and dedicated a brick building
2/13/1845. A wooden addition was
completed in 1887. The appointment was
attached first to Pittston and then to Plains before being served
independently, mostly by students from Wyoming Seminary, beginning in
1880. For a brief period
the appointment was known as North Plains.
The appointment was placed on the Yatesville
charge in 1902. Services were
discontinued about 1920, and most of the members transferred to Plains.
Final disposition:
49. Pleasant Valley ME
Location: Bethel Hill Road, community of Pleasant Valley
Municipality: Fairmount township
County: Luzerne
State: PA
Directions:
From the main intersection at Harveyville, go north 3 miles on
Bethel Hill Road, past the Patterson Grove Camp Meeting. The church stood on
the west side of the road, about 1 mile before the Y at Rittenhouse where
Bethel Hill Road goes left and Huntington Creek Road goes right. Only the steps remain.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1897,63 – new church ready for occupancy
soon
1981,255 – merged into Fairmount Springs
Brief History:
Although the Pleasant
Valley class is not mentioned in the Conference Journal until 1882, when the Harveyville charge was formed, Sunday School records exist
from 1848 on. The class reportedly was
formed by Bloomingdale circuit appointees J.W. Haugawout
and Irving H. Torrence in 1843 and met in the Laycock
School. In a deed dated 10/19/1894,
Benjamin Harvey donated ground near the schoolhouse for the erection of a
church building. On 5/31/1895 the
trustees paid F.F. Henry $5.50 for digging the foundation. The building was completed on
1897. Because of the dwindling number of
active members, in the summer of 1980 those remaining voted to merge into
Fairmount Springs – and many of the furnishings, including the extensive Sunday
School library, were moved to that building.
The merged congregation was re-named Faith, but after a few years reverted to the name Fairmount Springs.
Final disposition:
50. Plymouth UMC
Location: 238 West Main Street
Municipality: borough of Plymouth
County: Luzerne
State: PA
Directions: Main Street is US 11. The church is on the south side of the street, west of the center of the town.
Historic Conference: Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
2005,174 – motion to discontinue
2005,94 - discontinued
Brief History:
This .
Final Disposition:
The structure became the home of the
International Christian Church, and now (2025) houses Riot Circus Arts Inc.
51. Plymouth Elm Hill ME
[Boston Hill Mission]
[East Plymouth]
Location: 426 East Main Street
Municipality: borough of Plymouth
County: Luzerne
State: PA
Directions: Main Street is US 11. The church is on the south side of the street, east of the center of the town.
Historic Conference: Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
This appointment was established about
1882 as a mission of the Plymouth congregation to East Plymouth, and a small
chapel was erected. After continuing for
more than 10 years, the work was discontinued and the
chapel was sold. For many years, an
Assembly of God congregation occupied this site.
Note: The structure pictured above is NOT
the original building, but the third church building to occupy the site. Previous church buildings here burned
completely to the ground in 1896 and 1939, and replacement were erected by the
no-longer-Methodist congregations.
Final Disposition:
The structure is now the home of the
Tree of Life Christian Fellowship.
52. Powder Glen ME
Location: east of Wapwallopen, in
the village of Powder Glen
Municipality: Hollenback township
County: Luzerne
State: PA
Directions:
From Wapwallopen, go 1 mile east
on W. County Road (the eastern extension of Main Street) to Powder Glen
Road. Turn right on Powder Glen Road and go ½ mile to the village of
Powder Glen. The house on the southeast corner of Powder Glen Road and
Bear Hill Road was the parsonage. The
church was on Powder Glen Road, on the left side, ¼ miles past the
parsonage. Only the cemetery remains.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1882,131 – first appearance as an
appointment in the Missionary Offerings
1888,58 – building dedicated 11/27/1887 and
destroyed by powder explosion 2/10/1888
Brief History:
Speaking of the village of Powder Glen,
the 1976 secular History of the Powder Hole states: "There
was also a Methodist Church, which was torn down when there were no longer
enough people to support it. A cemetery is in the woods near the site of
the church. The cemetery is still church property and is near the home of
the Hildebrand family. Mr. Bryce Readler lives
in the home which was the parsonage for the church. The church was torn
down and carefully reassembled at Blytheburn, [from
its former location] only a few miles from Hobbie."
This congregation was part of the Wapwallopen
ME charge, and additional information is given in connection with that church.
Final disposition:
A 1974 statement in the
Mountaintop Christ file gives the following statement concerning the need for a
new building at Rippletown: “Since the church at
Powder Glen was to be torn down, a group went to look at it,
and finally secured the building.
On Labor Day 1926 a group went to Powder Glen, enjoyed a chicken dinner
and later in the evening a corn roast, while volunteers dismantled the
building, loaded the limber on the wagons of George Yeager Sr. and Chris
Yeager, and on the truck of Albert Frye, who hauled it to the new plot of
ground located on the Albert-Nuangola road (opposite
the old chapel).”
53. Red Hill ME
Location: Red Hill Road
Municipality: Fairmount township
County: Luzerne
State: PA
Directions:
From the main intersection at Harveyville, go north 2 miles on Bethel Hill Road to Red
Hill Road. Turn west onto Red Hill Road
and go about 1,5 miles. The church stood
on the east side of the road.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the
Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1891,64 – church building at Central (aka Red
Hill) built and dedicated
Brief History:
Because it is near the
center of Fairmount township, Red Hill is also known as Central – and it should
not be confused with the town of Central in Sugarloaf township, Columbia
County. The church building here was
erected in 1890. By 1911 there were few
members left at Red Hill and most the remaining ones
transferred to Mossville. The Red Hill
and Mossville Ladies’ Aid Societies met jointly for several years, but in 1924
Red Hill gave their entire treasury of $24 over to Mossville and dissolved. By 1923 all the remaining members had
transferred to Mossville. In 1925
Clarence Dohl bought the Red Hill church building and used the lumber to build
his house on the road between Red Rock and Fairmount Springs.
Final disposition:
54. Red Rock MP
Location: PA118 and PA487
Municipality: Fairmount township
County: Luzerne
State: PA
Directions:
The site pictured is the present
campground at the northwest corner of PA118 and PA487. The church reportedly stood “behind” the Red
Rock schoolhouse and “closer to the mountain.
The 1873 county atlas appears to show the schoolhouse near the northeast
corner of PA118 and PA487.
Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of
the Methodist Protestant Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
The Central charge of
the Methodist Protestant Church reportedly covered parts of two counties: in
Columbia County in church buildings at Central, Coles Creek and Elk Grove; in
Luzerne County in church buildings at Fairview and Red Rock, and the
schoolhouse at Oakland (although the Varker book, pages 14 and 146, states
there was a MP church building at Oakland).
Final disposition:
55. Register UMC
Location: Holmes Road, village of Register
Municipality: Huntington township
County: Luzerne
State: PA
Directions:
From the borough of New
Columbus, go north 1 miles to PA 239. Go east 2 miles on PA 239 to Register
Road. Go north ¼ mile on Register Road
to Holmes Road. Go east ¼ mile on Holmes
Road. The church is on the left, just
past a side road off to the right.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Journal references:
1971,97 – merged into Town Hill
Brief History:
The class worshiped in
the Methodist Protestant building until 1888, when a dispute arose over the use
of Sunday School materials and the congregation erected their own building. In 1967 Register joined the six other
appointments of the Town Hill charge to unite into a single congregation and
erect a new building near Town Hill that was dedicated in 1971. The recorded membership
in 1971 was 55.
Final disposition:
56. Register MP
Location: Holmes Road, village of Register
Municipality: Huntington township
County: Luzerne
State: PA
Directions:
From the borough of New
Columbus, go north 1 miles to PA 239. Go east 2 miles on PA 239 to Register
Road. Go north ¼ mile on Register Road
to Holmes Road. Go east a few hundred
feet on Holmes Road.
Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Protestant Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
The community of Register was originally called Pine Creek,
and the 1869 church building was sometimes called Webster’s Chapel after the
founding pastor. This was the oldest building and key appointment on the MP
Pine Creek circuit, later renamed the Reyburn circuit. The property, deeded to the MP church in
1870, was no longer being used in 1939 when the MP/ME denominational merger
took place. The Shickshinny MP church
stayed completely out of the 1939 union, becoming neither Methodist nor Bible
Protestant, and temporarily used the building as a second location, but the
efforts did not prosper.
Final disposition:
57. Reyburn MP
Location: 77 Reyburn Road
Municipality: Union township
County: Luzerne
State: PA
Directions:
From Shickshinny. go 1.5 miles
north on PA 239 to Koonsville. Bear right onto McKendree Road and go 200
yards to Trailing Pine Road. Go east on Trailing Pine Road to the T with
Reyburn-Cragle Road. Go ¾ mile north on
Reyburn Road, The
church is on the east side of the highway
Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Protestant
Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
Methodist Protestant
preaching is reported to have begun here in 1835. A class was organized in 1850, with preaching
in the old school house. In 1868 the school board purchased a plot of
land, across from the present church, from Jacob Baer on which to build a new school house for both school and church purposes. That building was sold and torn down in
1959. An 1882 revival under George
Shaffer resulted in 66 conversions, which led to the building of the present
church in 1883. The land was donated by
the Masters family and members donated lumber that was saw free of charge at
Sylvester Sorber’s saw mill – bringing the total cost
for the structure at $1650. The formal
dedication occurred 10/5/1884. A social
hall was built in 1921.
In 1939 the congregation remained
out of the Methodist merger to become part of the newly created Bible
Protestant Church. The old social hall
collapsed from snow in 1994, and a new one was erected in 1996.
Final disposition:
The congregation is now
known as the Reyburn Bibke Church.
58. Rippletown ME
[Albert ME]
Location: 865 Church Road
Municipality: Wright township
County: Luzerne
State: PA
Directions:
From Mountaintop, travel south
on Main Road 2 miles to the crossroad at the village of Albert. Turn right on Church Road and go 300 yards. The building is on the right.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania
Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
Central
Pennsylvania Conference
1928,650 – new building dedicated
10/2/1927; renamed First ME Church of Wright Township
Wyoming
Conference
1929,108 – transferred with Slocum and Stairville to Wyoming Conference
Brief History:
In the latter 1800’s
residents of Rippletown began meeting for religious
services in an abandoned one-room school house,
located in the front part of what is now the Albert cemetery, and in time the
appointment was supplied by the Wyoming Conference. In 1880 Rippletown,
Slocum and Stairville were transferred to the Beach Haven charge of the Central Pennsylvania Conference. In 1894 Rippletown,
Slocum and Stairville (along with Powder Glen and Schloyerville) wre split off to
form the Schoyerville (re-named Wapwollopen
the following year when the parsonage was constructed there). In 1926 the Powder Glen church building was
dismantled and re-erected in Rippletown, across the
street from the cemetery.
In 1929 the Wapwallopen
charge was discontinued and Rippletown, Slocum and Stairville were returned to the Wyoming Conference. Rippletown was
re-named Albert and placed with Mountaintop.
In 1955 Albert and Mountaintop united to form a single congregation,
eventually selling both buildings and erecting the present Christ UM Church –
just west of Mountaintop, on the road to Albert.
Final disposition:
The building now houses the
Mountain Top Baptist Church.
59. Ruggles UMC
Address: PA 29
Municipality: Lake township
County: Luzerne
State: PA
Directions:
The church is 2 miles south intersection of PA 29 and PA 415, at the intersection
of PA 29 and Spruce Tree Road.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal
Journal References:
Brief History:
For many years this
was part of the five-point Maple Grove charge: Loyalville,
Maple Grove, Meeker, Mooretown, Ruggles.
Ruggles was closed in 2014 with 26 members reported on the rolls and
placed on the Noxen charge by Alderson.
Final Disposition:
The building was purchased by the pastor,
Linda Bryan, with the hope of using it for as a clothing/resource distribution
center.
60. Salem EV
Location: Moore’s Hill Road
Municipality: Salem township
County: Luzerne
State: PA
Directions:
From Berwick, go 1 mile east on
US 11 to Stone Church Road (first road outside the town). Go 1 mile north on Stone Church Road to Varners Hollow Road (first road). Turn left and go 1 mile on
Varners Hollow Road to the T with Moore’s Hill
Road. Turn right on Moore’s Hills Road
and go about 100 yards. The site is on
the left.
OR.
From Summerhill, go west and follow the main flow of traffic (dairy Road
– Moore’s Hill Road) for about 3 miles.
The site is on the right, just before Varners
Hollow Road goes off to the left.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical Church.
Journal references:
1961,77 – closed, members transferred to
congregations of their own choosing
1962,119 – land to Garrison Memorial Cemetery Association; funds to Stone
Church or future replacement building
Brief History:
This building was one of the five (along with Ebenezer,
Evansville, Stone and Summerhill) appointments on the historic and very
long-standing Columbia Circuit of the Evangelical Church. The building was destroyed by fire in
December 1958.
Final disposition:
The cemetery remains.
The cornerstone pictured above under the big tree reads “Salem EV Church
1881.”
61. Schloyerville EV
[Briggsville EV]
Location:
Municipality: Nescopeck township
County: Luzerne
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
This building is shown in
the 1873 county atlas as an Evangelical Church.
The history of the surviving adjacent Mt. Zion UCC Church states “at a later
date an Evangelical, and then a Methodist organization, was established and
churches built.” The Evangelical and the
Methodist organizations failed “due to the lack of interest and the buildings
went to the winds and storms. There is
no semblance of the last built churches any more. The
cemetery is well kept and peaceful.”
Final disposition:
62. Schloyerville ME
Location:
Municipality: Nescopeck township
County: Luzerne
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal
Church
Journal references:
1883,40 – building to be completed soon
1884,43 – nearly complete building
wrecked by cyclone, re-erected and dedicated 9/9/1883
1894,58 – 68 conversions, new church
building projected for next year
1938,27 – permission to sell
1939,27 – sale authorized, proceeds to
the Nescopeck charge
1953,55 – authorization
to convey title to Lutheran & Reformed Church at Briggsville
1955,56 – previous authorization rescinded, new
authorization to convey title to Schloyersville [sic]
Cemetery Association
Brief History:
The cornerstone for this building was
laid September 16, 1882. The building was near completion when it
was almost totally wrecked by a cyclone. The structure was re-erected and
dedicated September 9, 1883. This congregation
was part of the Wapwallopen ME charge, and additional
information is given in connection with that church.
Final disposition:
63. [Shickshinny EV]
It
appears there was never an Evangelical church building in Shickshinny, but
Munsell’s 1880 History of Luzerne,
Lackawanna and Wyoming Counties, page 375, reports the following:
“The Evangelical or German Methodists have
quite a numerous society and Sunday School, with a stationed minister and
regular services, held in a room rented for the purpose, but have not yet built
a church.
“In 1876 Rev, W.M. Croman, then serving
Berwick mission, made an appointment in Shickshinny, and at the close of the
year 1877 the communicants numbered 80.
In 1878 Rev. Mr. Z. Hornberger succeeded him, and at the conference
session of 1879, Shickshinny, with 75 members, as added to Luzerne circuit,
Rev. J.M. Price pastor.”
In 1877 and 1878, the appointment was actually listed in the journal as Shickshinny.
64. Shickshinny MP
Location: 43 Furnace Street
Municipality: borough of Shickshinny
County: Luzerne
State: PA
Directions:
When entering Shickshinny on US
11 from the west, Furnace Street is the 3rd street to the left – a soft left,
the first street after the crossroads with Butler Street. Proceed up the hill; the church is on the
left.
Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Protestant
Church
Journal references:
1919,47 – church building greatly enlarged and
beautified for $3000+
Brief History:
This congregation was founded in 1852 and together with the
Presbyterians erected the first church building in Shickshinny in 1860 at a
cost of $800 – shared equally by the two denominations. The building was used by all denominations, but gradually became strictly Methodist
Protestant. The congregation and
remained an active force in that denomination until choosing not to participate
in the 1939 Methodist union. At that
point the congregation and its long-time pastor Rev. Archie Birdsall also
declined to join other Methodist Protestant dissenters that formed the Bible
Protestant denomination and became an independent congregation.
Final disposition:
The congregation is now the
Shickshinny Bible Baptist Church.
65. Stoddartsville ME
Location: Stoddartsville
Municipality: Buck township
County: Luzerne
State: PA
Directions:
The town of Stoddartsville
stood where the Easton – Wilkes-Barre turnpike, present PA 115, crosses the
Lehigh River. Immediately north of the
Lehigh River, turn west on Maples Lane and go one block (past the cemetery) to
the old Easton – Wilkes-Barre turnpike.
Turn north and go 40 yards. The
church is 100 yards down the first driveway to the east. The 1873 county atlas gshows
the exact location.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the
Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
This church was built
about 1820 and was once the seat of the five-point Stoddartsville
charge (along with Thornhurst in Lackawanna County
and Locust Ridge and Blakeslee and Pocono Lake in Monroe County). In 1888 a parsonage was erected in Thornhurst, and that community became the seat of the
charge. As the town of Stoddartsville dwindled away, so did the congregation. The church at Stoddartsville
was closed in the 1920’s, Thornhurst was attached to
Gouldsboro in 1928, and the three Monroe County churches were transferred to
the Philadelphia [now Eastern Pennsylvania] Conference in 1933.
Final disposition:
The church building is now a
private residence.
66. Sugar Notch UMC
Location: 570 East Main Street
Municipality: borough of Sugar Notch
County: Luzerne
State: PA
Directions:
From the interchange of I-81 and
PA-29, go north on PA-29 ½ mile to the first interchange. Go west on Main street
¼ mile. The building is on the
left.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1982,91 – merged into Ashley
Brief History:
From the opening of the Sugar Notch
mines in 1860, there was occasional Methodist preaching in the
schoolhouse. In 1878, the pastor from nearby Ashley organized a
class. In 1886 the appointment became part of the Askam charge.
Property was given to the society, and the church
building was dedicated June 7, 1889. The
congregation merged into Ashley Centenary UMC in 1981.
Final disposition:
The building in now the Coalville Masonic Lodge.
67. Sunshine UMC
Location: community of Sunshine
Municipality:
Huntingtin township
County: Luzerne
State: PA
Directions:
From Shickshinny, go 1 mile north
on PA 239 to Sunshine Road, he southern end of Koonsville. Turn west onto
Sunshine Road and go 1 mile to the community of Sunshine.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
In 1967 the 7 churches on the long-standing Town Hill united
into a single congregation and moved into their present building in 1971. For 30 years, from 1897 to 1927, Dodson
Chapel was taken off the Town Hill charge (to be served with Asbury and
Jonestown in Columbia County as a 3-point charge) – but Town Hill still had 7
preaching places, as Sunshine was added to the circuit for those years. It appears that, while it was supplied
regularly during those years, the Sunshine building was not actually owned by
the Methodists and was discontinued in 1927 when Dodson Chapel was restored to
the circuit.
Final disposition:
This building, with a
vestibule added to the front, is now the Sunshine Full Gospel Church,
associated with the Assemblies of God.
68. Town Hill ME
Location: village of Town Hill
Municipality: Huntington township
County: Luzerne
State: PA
Directions:
From the borough of New Columbus,
go 2 miles east on Academy Street to the village of Town Hill.
Historic Conference:
Central
Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
Local preacher Thomas
Bowman from Briar Creek did the first Methodist preaching in the area in
1793. The following year Methodist
layman Epaphras Wadsworth moved to Town Hill from Connecticut, helped to
organize a class, and opened his home to preaching and the lodging of circuit
riders. In 1809 an annex for worship was
added to the school house, nearly a mile from
town. In 1836 (or 1843?) a church was
erected at the crossroad southeast of town.
In 1875 that building was moved into the village and dedicated by Dr.
E.J. Gray of Williamsport Dickinson Seminary.
In 1967 Town Hill joined the six other appointments of the Town Hill
charge to unite into a single congregation and erect a new building near Town
Hill that was dedicated in 1971. The
recorded membership in 1971 was 85.
Final disposition:
69. Wanamie UMC
Location: Main Street, village of Wanamie
Municipality: Newport township
County: Luzerne
State: PA
Directions:
From the interchange of I-81
and PA-29, go north on PA-29 2 miles to the second interchange. Go west on Main Street – Middle Road – Kirmar Avenue for 5 miles (through Askam and Alden) to Wanamie. Turn left on Center Street (at the sign for the Newport township
building) and go 2 blocks to the T with Main Street. The structure is straight ahead.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1900,71 – lot secured for a church and
parsonage
1902,56 – church erected
1978,146 – merged into Alden UM to form the Newport
United Methodist Church, meeting in the former Alden building
Brief History:
This congregation was incorporated 8/21/1865 as the First
Methodist Episcopal Church of Newport.
They society worshiped in the old Lutheran
church before erecting their own building in 1853 on a site donated by Squire
Vandermark. That structure was thoroughly renovated in 1881,
and enlarged by the addition of two wings in 1899. The site for
the second building was purchased half from the Lehigh and Wilkes-Barre Coal
Company and half from Richard Morris. That structure was dedicated in March
1902.
Final disposition:
The building is now a private home.
70. Wapwallopen ME
Location: village of Wapwallopen
Municipality: Conyngham township
County: Luzerne
State: PA
Directions:
Wapwallopen
is on PA-239, across the river and 6 miles south from
Shickshinny. The building pictured above
was the charge parsonage, located at the central intersection of the village of
Powder Glen.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of
the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1905,66 – Wapwallopen adds
$443 "to the betterment of church property"
1935,61 – $106.40 from
sale of Wapwallopen parsonage given to the Annuity
Fund
Brief History:
For 50 years there was a Wapwallopen charge with 6 appointments: Powder Glen, Rippletown, Schloyerville,
Slocum, Stairville, and (possibly) Wapwallopen. The charge was envisioned in 1880 when Rippletown, Slocum and Stairville
were transferred from the Wyoming Conference to the Central Pennsylvania
Conference and formally split off from Beach Haven in 1888 and named Schloyerville. It
was re-named Wapwallopen in 1895 when the first
parsonage was erected there. The 1905 journal reporting the charge’s
betterment of church property declared that the charge had 4 church buildings
(Powder Glen, Schloyerville, Slocum and Stairville). The conference's 1915 first official
property listing does not include Wapwallopen at all,
describes Rippletown as a schoolhouse appointment,
and states that the other 4 properties are Methodist-owned. It is
apparent that the denomination never owned a church building in Wapwallopen, even though the charge was so-named. In 1926 the Powder Glen building was dismantled
and moved to Rippletown.
The charge was disbanded in 1929. At the end of 1928
Powder Glen and Wapwallopen reported no members; Schloyerville reported 27 members, but no financial
contribution to the charge. Those three appointments were abandoned in
1929 and Rippletown (31 members), Slocum (60 members)
and Stairville (55 members) were returned to the
Wyoming Conference. See the 1929 Wyoming Conference Journal, pages
107-108. In the Wyoming Conference, Rippletown was renamed Albert and placed with Mountaintop,
Slocum (re-located near Slocum Corners) was placed with West Nanticoke, and Stairville was placed with Wanamie
and Alden.
Final disposition:
The parsonage has been added
to and is now a private home.
NOTE: The Evangelical denomination also had a Wapwallopen parsonage, but no known church building in the town. Their 1924 journal, page 90, authorizes sale of the parsonage with the district superintendent and the pastors at West Nanticoke and Nescopeck to decide on an equitable distribution of the proceeds.
71. Waterton Wesley Chapel UMC
Location: village of Waterton
Municipality: Huntington township
County: Luzerne
State: PA
Directions:
From the borough of New Columbus,
go north 1 mile to PA 239. Go eat 5
miles on PA 239 to Huntington Mills. Go
South on Waterton Road
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1888,58 – building, 30x42, dedicated 9/25/1887
1957,99 – added bell tower and new classrooms
1971,97 – merged into Town Hill
Brief History:
This class was
organized in 1842 by Thomas Tanneyhill and Joseph A. Ross with John Zimmerman
as the lass leader. They met in Good’s
school house and were known as the Good’s appointment
until 1887 when, under the leadership of Wesley Benscoter, the present building
was erected and named Wesley Chapel in honor of the class leader. In 1967 Waterton joined the six other
appointments of the Town Hill charge to unite into a single congregation and
erect a new building near Town Hill that was dedicated in
1971. The recorded membership in 1971
was 72.
Final disposition:
72. West Nanticoke Calvary UMC
Address: 39 E. Poplar Street, town of West
Nanticoke
Municipality: Plymouth township
County: Luzerne County
State: PA
Directions:
From Shickshinny, go 9
miles west on US 11 to PA 29 in the town of West
Nanticoke. Turn north on PA 29 and go
one block to Poplar Street. Turn east on
Poplar Street and go 1 block. The church
is on the left.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of
the Evangelical Church
Journal references:
1936,49 – erected social hall
2021,182 – closed 4/4/2021
2022,273 – sold 11/12/2021 for $84
to Dana Sutliff
Brief History:
Evangelical preaching services and Sunday
School began in the community in 1983. A
class was organized in the spring of 1895 and the deed for the present site was
conveyed to the congregation from the Susquehanna in 1896. The original wooden structure suffered two
fires – one in 1940 that destroyed the interior, and a fatal fire in 1948 that
destroyed the building and asphyxiated the sexton Andrew Cragle as he tried to
save the pulpit Bible. The congregation
worship in the nearby Methodist building while the present structure was being
built. The completed present structure
was formally dedicated September 16, 1951.
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.
The building was completely flooded in 1972, but restored to be used for almost another 50
years. Following dwindling attendance,
the church closed with a final service on Easter Sunday, 4/4/2021.
73. West Nanticoke First UMC
Address: 29 E. Poplar Street, town of West
Nanticoke
Municipality: Plymouth township
County: Luzerne County
State: PA
Directions:
From Shickshinny, go 9
miles west on US 11 to PA 29 in the town of West
Nanticoke. Turn north on PA 29 and go
one block to Poplar Street. Turn east on
Poplar Street and go ½
block. The church is on
the left.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1887,17 – new church building erected
1933,82 – educational and social unit
“larger than the church” added
Brief History:
The congregation began with a community
Sunday School that met during the summer months. In 1872 a year-round Methodist Sunday School
was organized. Beginning in 1874
pastoral support was received from Nanticoke, and a separate appointment was
organized in 1886. A church building was
erected in 1886 on a lot secured from the Susquehanna
Coal Company. Over the years the church
and the community suffered through many floods – most notably in 1936, 1972 and
1975. In the face of declining
membership, the flood of September 2011 proved to be the final straw. The congregation voted to discontinue,
effective as of November 30, 2011, and the property was returned via a
reversion clause to the Susquehanna Coal Company. The remaining members were transferred to
Nanticoke UMC or a church of their choice.
Final disposition:
74. West Wyoming Shoemaker Chapel UMC
Location: 571 Eighth Street
Municipality: borough of West Wyoming
County: Luzerne
State: PA
Directions: From US 11 in Wyoming, go 1.5 miles north on Eighth Street. The street takes a jog to the left in West Wyoming. The church is on the right, across from a cemetery.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
2009,188 – discontinued; assets to the Conference
Brief History:
This congregation began in 1885
as a Sunday School started by the Wyoming ME Church. They met in the old West Street school house. Jacob
I. Shoemaker sold a plot of land across from the school to the Wyoming
Conference and the Isaac Shoemaker Memorial Chapel, named for Jacob’s deceased
father, was erected. The Sunday School
continued until 1943 when a congregation was formally organized
and a regular Sunday morning worship was added to the schedule. The original bell tower was dismantled in
1967 and replaced by the present narthex the following year.
Final disposition:
The building is now a hub
for Mission Center and a center for local outreach.
75. Wilkes-Barre Albright UMC
Address: 116 Dana Street
Municipality: borough of Wilkes-Barre
County: Luzerne County
State: PA
Directions:
From the square in
Wilkes-Barre, go 5 blocks south on Main Street to Dana Street. Turn left onto Dana Street and go 3 blocks to
Grove Street. The church is on the
northwest corner of Dana Street and Grove Street.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of
the United Evangelical Church
Journal references:
2024,158 – closed 7/1/2024 for
financial reasons
Brief History:
This congregation began 10/4/1894 when
legal possession of the Grove Street property was granted to the Evangelical
Association. A majority of that
congregation left and began to worship in Hirsch’s Hall on Hazel Street,
eventually erecting their own building at the present site on Dana Street.
On March 29, 1914, Bishop Heil dedicated
“a brand new church made out of an old one.” The interior of the church was completely
reconstructed, with a front extension of the building built of brick and
trimmed with stone.
First (former United Evangelical, on Dana
Street) and Salem (former Evangelical Association, on Grove Street) EUB
churches united in 1961 to form Albright EUB and worship in the former First
building (pictured above at the right).
The current building was erected in 1973. In 2004 the congregations received the assets
and members of Parrish Street (former Methodist) UMC.
On 4/7/2024, the congregation voted to
close, with the effective date of closure being 6/30/2024.
Final disposition:
Sold to the established Hispanic
congregation Iglesia Paso De Fe on 12/10/2024 for $50,000 plus all legal and
settlement fees.
76. Wilkes-Barre Bennett-Derr UMC
[Wilkes-Barre Bennett Memorial
ME]
Address: Chapel and New Grant Streets
Municipality: city of Wilkes-Barre
County: Luzerne County
State: PA
Directions:
From the square in
Wilkes-Barre, go 3 blocks east on Market Street to Wilkes-Barre Boulevard. Turn left onto Wilkes-Barre Boulevard and go
north 1 long block to the stop light at Scott Street. Turn right onto Scott Street and go 1 block
to Chapel Street. Turn right onto Chapel
Street and go 3 blocks to New Grant Street.
The church is on the southwest corner of Chapel Street and New Grant
Street.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the United
Methodist Church
Journal references:
2023,275 – sold 4/4/2022 for $50,000
to Iglesia Cristiana Camino Al Cielo, Inc.
Brief History:
This congregation has its roots in the
Scott Street Mission School, a branch of the Sunday School of the Wilkes-Barre
First Methodist Episcopal Church. That
work began in January 1893 in the Baltimore Public School building and quickly
developed into a possible congregation.
Land was purchased and the present building was dedicated January 20,
1895, as Bennett Chapel – named in honor of Mrs. Priscilla Lee Bennett, a
long-time faithful member of First Church whose financial contribution made
possible the timely erection of the structure.
The parsonage adjacent to the church was purchased in 1903. The church was a station appointment from
1906 unto 1927, when it was paired with St. Andrews to form a two-point
charge. The basement was dug out and
completed in 1928. In 1947 St. Andrews
(which closed in 1953) was placed on the Abbott charge and Bennett Memorial was
paired with Derr Memorial. In 1983 the
congregation accepted the members of the former Derr Memorial UMC to become the
Bennett-Derr UMC.
Final disposition:
77. Wilkes-Barre Derr Memorial UMC
Location: 489 N. Main Street
Municipality: city of Wilkes-Barre
County: Luzerne
State: PA
Directions:
Main Street runs north and
south through the city square. From the
city square, go 5 blocks north on Main Street. The church is on the east side of the street.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1984,90 – merges into Bennett for form
Bennett-Derr UMC
Brief History:
This congregation
began as a mission of the Franklin Street [First] Church to the north part of
the city. A chapel was erected on a lot
on north Franklin Street, near Maple Street, in 1870, and in 1888 a charter was
granted to the “Fourth Methodist Episcopal Church of Wilkes-Barre” [the first
three being Franklin Street, Central and Parrish Street]. The congregation became a separate charge in
1891 and relocated to North Main Street in 1892 in a move largely financed by
Mrs. Mary D. Derr of First Church as a memorial to her late husband Henry F.
Derr. In 1893 the old chapel on North
Franklin Street was sold to the German Lutherans, and in 1894 the congregation
erected its parsonage. In 1947 Derr
Memorial became a two-point charge with Bennett Memorial, and in 1983 Derr
merged into Bennett to become Bennett-Derr UMC.
Final disposition:
The building is now home to
the New Hope Four Square Church
78. Wilkes-Barre Field of Grace UMC
[no picture]
Location: [various rentals]
Municipality: city of Wilkes-Barre
County: Luzerne
State: PA
Directions:
[various
rental locations]
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
2008,158 – projected new church start
2009,106 & 188 – new church start
2013,149 – closed 1/24/2013
Brief History:
This church start was
projected as a re-investment of urban ministry funds from the closing
Wilkes-Barre First and Parsons Abbott.
The project was not successful.
Final disposition:
79. Wilkes-Barre First UMC
[Wilkes-Barre Franklin Street ME]
Location: 47 N. Franklin Street
Municipality: city of Wilkes-Barre
County: Luzerne
State: PA
Directions: The center of Wilkes-Barre is the intersection of Main Street and Market Street. Franklin Street is one block west of Main Street and is one-way heading north. The church is ½ block north of Market Street on the right side.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1886,23 – building dedicated 10/5/1885
2008,99&158 – Parsons Abbott &
Wilkes-Barre First cease & join to support new church start
2009, 187 – discontinued; assets to Wilkes-Barre
Field of Grace UMC
Brief History:
A new church building to
replace the old 1812 Zion Church on the square was dedicated at this site on
10/1/1849. In 1873 the building no
longer had enough room to meet the increasing numbers in the Sunday School and
social meetings, and a committee was formed to investigate erecting a chapel in
the rear of the church. Mrs. Priscilla
L. Bennett offered to pay for the addition if the congregation
would supply an equal amount to renovate the sanctuary. In the end a new building, the present
edifice, was erected in 1885
Final disposition:
The building was sold July 15, 2009, to Arts
Universe and is now the Downtown Arts Center.
80. Wilkes-Barre Italian Mission ME
Location: 220 East Northampton Street
Municipality: city of Wilke-Barre
County: Luzerne
State: PA
Directions:
From the square in Wilkes-Barre, go 6 blocks
east on Market Street to Welles street. Turn south on Welles
Street and go two blocks to Northampton Street.
The building stood on the northeast corner of Welles and Northampton
Streets, next to the abandoned Hebrew Institute. Note: Welles Street is one-way heading north,
and so one must continue on Market Street one more
block to Hancock Street and “go around the block.”
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the
Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1915, 70 – purchased
former AMEZ building for $6,700
Brief History:
This property, a
former AMEZ brick structure on a large lot, was purchased for the Italian
Mission in 1914 by the Conference’s incorporated home missionary society, the
Wyoming Valley City Evangelization Union.
The church site is now the empty corner lot next to the abandoned Hebrew
Institute
Final disposition:
As reported in Communities in Common: Pennsylvania’s
African American Historic Resources Target Community: Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne
County, page 18 of 37.
“An AME Zion congregation was
established in Wilkes-Barre as early as 1850; from 1850 to the late 1880s, the
congregation was itinerant and met inconsistently in private homes. In 1888, a
church facility was built at 220 E. Northampton Street at the southeast [sic]
corner of the intersection of S. Welles and E. Northampton streets. With
seating for 300, this moderately-sized brick church
building included Late Victorian-era Gothic inspired detailing executed in
wood. By 1900, the congregation was experiencing financial troubles and by 1907
the congregation was dissolved. In March 1915, the parent AME Zion church in
New York sold the property to a local evangelical group, who in turn
transferred the property to the Wilkes-Barre Hebrew Institute around 1920. By
1922, the Hebrew Institute constructed their school on an adjacent parcel of
land and presumably demolished the AME Zion church at or near the same time.”
81. Wilkes-Barre Parrish Street UMC
Location: Parrish and Collins Streets
Municipality: city of Wilkes-Barre
County: Luzerne
State: PA
Directions:
From the square in Wilkes-Barre, go 1.5 south
on Main Street to Parrish Street (one block before the stop light at Blackman
Avenue). Turn left onto
Parrish and go several blocks to Collins Street, which only goes to the
right. The church is on the corner of
Parrish Street and Collins Street.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the
Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
2005,174 – motion to
discontinue; remaining financial resources to Albright UMC
2005, 94 – discontinued
Brief History:
This congregation
began when members of the Ashley and Ross Street [i.e.,
Central] churches started a Sunday School in the area in 1870 and
dedicated the building on March 17, 1872.
As a result of the 1913 Billy Sunday campaign, the church received
hundreds of new members and the need for a larger edifice was felt. The present building (incorporating parts of
the old structure) was dedicated at the same site March 15, 1925.
Final disposition:
The building currently (2016)
is home to the House of Judah ministries.
82. Wilkes-Barre Salem EA
Location: 48 Grove Street, near McCarragher
Municipality: city of Wilkes-Barre
County: Luzerne
State: PA
Directions:
From the square in Wilkes-Barre, go 5 blocks south
on Main Street to Dana Street. Turn left
onto Dana Street and go 3 blocks to Grove Street. The site is on the sotheast
corner of Dana Street and Grove Street.
Historic Conference:
East Pennsylvania Conference of the
Evangelical Association
Journal references:
1916,23 – permission to
sell/relocate parsonage; request funds toward new church building
1919,186 – permission to sell if
opportunity present itself
1954,519 – question over liens on the
property
1955,69 – question over liens on the
property
Brief History:
In 1853, it was resolved that a German
Mission be established in Wilkes-Barre, but the work did not take root.
This congregation began
in 1871, when Evangelical Association circuit rider Rev. A Ziegenfus from Mauch
Chunk visited the area and preached in private homes. A chapel was erected in 1873, destroyed by
fire and rebuilt in 1875. The 1891-94
split in the Evangelical Association divided the congregation, and First United
Evangelical Church was formed by the dissenters. In the denominational re-union of 1922, both
congregations became part of the Evangelical Church. In 1961 Salem merged into its daughter
congregation First to form Albright EUB church and worship in the newer United
Evangelical building on Dana Street.
Final disposition:
The site/neighborhood
(diagonally across from Albright UMC) has been completely redeveloped and is
now home to Heritage Point Apartments.
83. Wilkes-Barre St. Andrew’s ME
[Wilkes-Barre Sherman Street ME]
Location: 130 South Sherman Street
Municipality: city of Wilkes-Barre
County: Luzerne
State: PA
Directions:
From the square in Wilkes-Barre, go
1 block south on Main Street to Northampton
Street. Turn left onto Northampton
Street and go east about 10 blocks to Sherman Street. Turn right onto Sherman Street and go ½
block.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1988,37 - organized
1953,1406 – discontinued
1954,1545 – sold to George L. Ruckno Inc.
for $5000
Brief History:
This church was
dedicated June 4, 1889, to do work among the Welsh-speaking people. When a majority of its members returned to
Wales or moved to other mining towns, a Sunday evening English-speaking service
was introduced. The congregation
eventually became all English and was re-named St. Andrews when it became
self-supporting in 1906. The church was
moved to the Bennett charge in 1927, and then moved to
the Abbott charge when Derr was placed with Bennett in 1947. The church reported 67 members in 1952 and
was discontinued in 1953.
NOTE1: The following 1888
superintendent’s report, page 37, article describes the organization.
On the 19th of March, by request, I organized
the first Quarterly Conference of the first Welsh Methodist Episcopal Mission
in Wilkes-Barre…The mission now has fifty members, a Sunday School of over one
hundred… Lots have been secured on
Sherman Street for a church, which must be built soon to accommodate these
people.
NOTE2: The following series of
articles summarize an early controversy.
(1) from the Washington DC 7/17/1899 Evening Times, page 5:
Wilkes-Barre, Pa – The question of whether the pastor or the trustees are the
dictating power in the Methodist Episcopal Church is one which the courts were
asked to solve yesterday. Judge Woodward
heard the application for a preliminary injunction to compel the trustees to
deliver the keys of the First Welsh Methodist Episcopal Church of this city to
the pastor, the Rev. Hugh P. Morgan, and to restrain them from interfering with
the services. The church has been closed
for several weeks by the trustees, who refused to allow the Rev. Mr. Morgan to
hold services there because he would not hold one service each Sunday in
Welsh. Judge Woodward asked the
attorneys if it would not be advisable to settle the matter out of court and he
was informed that efforts in that direction had failed. The case was set down for argument at the
next term of court.
(2) An October 1899 article in the Wilkes-Barre
Record Almanac states that the Court decides the Welsh M. E. Church case of
Wilkes-Barre in favor of the pastor, Rev. H. P. Morgan, giving him possession
of the church.
(3) But the controversy was not yet settled, as noted in the 11/8/1899 Wilkes-Barre Record Almanac:
WILKES-BARRE. Emanuel Davis, who was arrested in the Welsh M.
E. church, on Sherman street, on Sunday evening, charged with disturbing religious
worship, was given a hearing before the mayor last evening, the hearing taking
place in the mayor's court room in the City Hall, and the room was crowded with
people, representing both factions of the church. The ‘defense' was represented
by Attorneys O'Boyle and Baxter, while on the other side, representing the
minister. Rev. Hugh P. Morgan, was ex-Judge Rhone. The
minister. Rev. Mr. Morgan, Policeman Owen Hughes, who made the arrest, and
George Roberts, one of the members of the church, who witnessed the affair,
were the witnesses for the plaintiff and were the first to testify. Emanuel
Davis, the defendant, together with. Mrs. Richard T. Jones and Mrs. Mary Perry
were the witnesses for the defense. Attorney Rhone
closed for the prosecution and offered to withdraw the charge if the defendant
would pay the costs in the case. Mayor Nichols then stated that the defendant
was virtually guilty of a violation of the city ordinance regarding good
[unclear] – and after giving the audience, the minister and the defendant his
views, he deferred judgment for two weeks. The audience then dispersed.
Final disposition:
The property was sold and
the proceeds given to First Church. The remaining members were invited to join
First Church. The building now houses
the independent Salvation Christian Center.
84. Wilkes-Barre Midvale Settlement House
Location: 315 S. River Street
Municipality: Plains township
County: Luzerne
State: PA
Directions:
Exit PA 309
at River Street, the first exit east of the bridge over the Susquehanna
River. Go one block north. The site is just south of the present Mikelski Funeral Home.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1928,48 – report to conference on work being
done
Brief History:
The property was a
ten-room house given in 1910 by Kate Pettebone Dickson and managed by the
Women’s Home Missionary Society. This
was a ministry to Slavic-Americans.
There were two buildings – one housed a residence and rooms for meetings, the other housed the Sunday School. Programs
included a playground, medical clinics, sewing classes, English classes,
etc. It was active into
the 1940’s. See the article on “Blanche
Kingery Carroll in the 2017 issue of The Chronicle, pages 10-17.
Final disposition:
85. Wilkes-Barre Zion ME
Location: on the square
Municipality: city of Wilkes-Barre
County: Luzerne
State: PA
Directions:
The church stood on the square in
Wilkes-Barre, which site has been completely designed.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
Itinerant preacher William Colbert
noted in his journal he had preached in Wilkes-Barre in the courthouse as
early as 1797. A need
for a union church was obvious as the Luzerne County seat grew in population.
The 'Old Ship Zion' was erected on the public square between West Market Street
and North Main. The church was a wooden structure, 45x65, with a steeple and
its front was about three rods from the street. The building was started in 1800, enclosed in
1803, and finished in 1812. The work on the building proceeded slowly because
the people were poor and funds were not readily secured. The building was
erected with the understanding that it should not be under the exclusive
control of any denomination. Inevitably, the Congregationalists claimed that
they gave more than the Methodists.
In 1827, Rev. George Peck petitioned the
Luzerne County Commissioners to give the Methodists a lease of a hall in the
upper part of the courthouse for a chapel. The action signaled that it was being more and more difficult to
get the use of the church when desired. The Congregationalists
became Presbyterians, who held the keys to the church.
A 'war' ensued with Methodists claiming
Old Ship Zion was a union church "toward the construction of which
they had liberally contributed." The animosity was drawn to a close when
the Methodists purchased the interests of the Presbyterians for $1,000 in
1831. A Methodist class formed a part of
the Wyoming circuit from its birth until 1826, and a Methodist society was
finally organized in 1830. In 1849, the
old church was sold to O. Collins, G.M. Hollenbeck, and Charles Dennison for
$600. It was torn down and removed.
Final disposition:
86. Yatesville ME
Location: 48 Hale Street
Municipality: borough of Yatesville
County: Luzerne
State: PA
Directions:
From the intersection of PA309 and
PA315 go 5 miles east on PA315 to Yatesville Road
[Pittston Avenue]. Go one mile north on
Pittston Avenue to the 3-way stop. Bear
left at the 3-way stop onto Stout Street.
Go one block north on Stout Street to Hale
Street. Turn east onto Hale Street and go 50 yards. The site is on the south side of the street.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1901,58 – Mr. Francis Yates (not a member)
donates a block of residences worth $3,000
1925,28 – $1500 loan to repair the
building for work among the Italian residents
1925,119 – Preachers’ Aid Society receives
$1300.66 from Miner’s Mills church property
1926,106 – $1500 from sale of Miner’s
Mills invested in Yatesville
1928,57 – funds from sale NOT sufficient
to adequately repair Yatesville
1928,57 – transfer of two residential
properties and perpetual lease of church building to City
Evangelization of the Wyoming Valley
1930,318 – description of ministries
1967,69 – permission to dispose of
building; land reverts to Pennsylvania Railroad
Brief History:
This congregation
developed from the “Thompson neighborhood” class, of which Francis Yates was
the leader in 1825. Services were held
in private homes until the Thompson school house was built. The meeting place was changed to the Yatesville school house in 1852. The congregation began to erect its building
in 1864 and met in the completed basement from 1865 until the structure was
completed in 1874. The class belonged to
the Pittston charge until the Yatesville
charge was formed in 1874. A parsonage
was erected in 1880.
The building was deeded to the
Evangelization Union in 1928 and used for English and/or Italian services until
1965, when the remaining members were transferred to Pittston.
Final disposition:
The building was razed, and the property
is now an empty lot owned by the adjacent residents. All that remains from the church is a portion
of the stone retaining wall seen in the extreme lower right of the old building
picture given above and the bell from the church, which is mounted in a yard
across the street and inscribed “Presented Mrs. James Jones in memory of her
parents Francis and Mary Yates 1906.”
