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
NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY PA
X. Special note on Rockefeller
and Shamokin townships: In the
Methodist Church, these townships were within the Central Pennsylvania
Conference; in the EUB Church they were within the Eastern Conference. Following the 1968 Methodist-EUB merger to
form the United Methodist Church, the conference reorganization split the
townships between the Central Pennsylvania [now Susquehanna] and Eastern
Pennsylvania conferences. Later
adjustments have placed the entirety of both townships within the Eastern
Pennsylvania Conference. Its present and
former Methodist churches are included in this special X list because of their close and longstanding
ties to appointments now within the Susquehanna Conference. Long-closed former Evangelical and United
Brethren churches of the area are included to help preserve their histories. The histories of United Brethren churches of
the area that were active in 1952 are preserved in Gibble’s 1952 History of the East Pennsylvania Conference
of the United Brethren Church.
X01. Ebenezer ME
Location: Hollowing Run Road, Augustaville
Municipality: Rockefeller township
County: Northumberland
State: PA
Directions:
From PA 890 in the
village of Augustaville, go west on Hallowing Run
Road for 1/3 mile/ The
site is ion the northwest corner of Hallowing Run Road
and Houser Road.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the
Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
Bell’s 1891 History of Northumberland County, page 795: “Ebenezer Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1860, and numbered among its membership the families of Gonsar, Tucker, Shipman, Long, and Malick. A small frame church edifice was erected on the Hollowing Run road in the same year; in 1875 it was enlarged, but has been much damaged by a storm and never repaired.”
Final disposition:
Only
the Ebenezer Methodist Episcopal Cemetery remains at the site. It appears to be inactive, the last burial
being in 1937.
X02. Irish Valley ME
Location: 2026 Irish Valley Road
Municipality: Rockefeller township
County: Northumberland
State: PA
Directions:
From Augustaville, no 1 mile south on PS 890 to Irish Valley
Road. Go east on Irish Valley Road 2
miles. The church is on the south side
of the highway.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of
the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1887,50 – building and
congregation of Freewill Baptists in “Lower Irish Valley” accepted
Brief History:
There was an
Irish Valley charge in the Central Pennsylvania Conference for many years. At the time of the 1968 denominational union,
there were only two churches remaining, Boyles Run and Irish Valley. In 1970, the conferences were re-aligned as a
result of that union and the charge was split – Boyles Run remained in the
Central Pennsylvania [now Susquehanna] Conference and Irish Valley was placed
in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference on a 3-point charge with former EUB
churches Ash Grove and Clark’s Grove.
Bell’s 1891 History of Northumberland County states (page 733): There are two
Methodist churches in Irish Valley… one of them was formerly occupied by
another denomination and the other was begun in the earl spring of 1869… and
dedicated February 20, 1870.”
Final disposition:
As of 2024, an active congregation in the
Eastern Pennsylvania Conference
X03. Miller’s Cross Roads ME
Location: 1929 Plum Creek Road
Municipality: Shamokin township
County: Northumberland
State: PA
Directions:
From Sunbury go 11
miles east on PA 61 to Captain Bloom Road (at the western edge of
Stonington). Turn right onto Captain
Bloom Road and go 1 mile to the point where the roads swings to the left to by-pass a crossroad intersection. Go straight (30 yards) to the crossroad. The church is on the northeast corner of the crossroad.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1974,189 – transfer to Eastern
Pennsylvania Conference
Brief History:
This
congregation grew out of a group that met in 1862 in Cambel’s school house,
about ¼ south of the present building.
January 19, 1889, it was decided to build a church house. Land for a church and burial ground was
donated by William A. Miller. A frame
church building was dedicated October 17, 1891.
In 1904, none feet were added
to the to the front and a tower containing a vestibule and belfry was
added at the southeast corner of the structure.
Final disposition:
As of 2025, an active UM congregation in
Eastern Pennsylvania Conference.
X04. Pleasant
Hill UB
[aka Reeser’s UB]
Location: Shamrock Road
Municipality: Shamokin township
County: Northumberland
State: PA
Directions:
The existing
cemetery is reportedly “is at the top of a small hill just before the
stop sign and the intersection of Shamrock, Short, and Friedline Roads.” Shamrock Road runs parallel to and south of Snydertown Road. Go
east of Snydertown on Snydertown Road to Short Road. Go south on Short Road to the intersection
described and turn east onto Shamrock Road.
Historic Conference:
East Pennsylvania Conference of the United
Brethren Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
Beer’s 1891 History of Northumberland County, page 733-734. “Pleasant Hill United Brethren Church was organized about 1850 in an old school house on the Centre turnpike one mile west of Reed's station. The present one-story brick church edifice, situated near the site of the school house, was erected during 1872-73, and dedicated on the 4th of May, 1874. The Reeser families were among the first members and have been quite prominent in the church ever since its organization. The graveyard was opened as a place of burial in 1872.” Gibble’s 1951 History of the East Pennsylvania Conference, page 364, states that United Brethren services began to be held in area homes about 1850. Trustees were appointed in 1865. In 1866 they were instructed to secure title for a church lot, and in 1867 they were instructed to secure money and materials for a church building. The Reeser’s school house and the Upper Augusta ME church were used for services during these times. The first building was destroyed by a tornado in 1883, and a new church was erected soon thereafter. These buildings reportedly stood “just north of the Shamokin Branch of the Northern Central Railroad near Snydertown.”
Final disposition:
X05. Seven
Points EV
Location: 1110 Captain Bloom Road
Municipality: Rockefeller township
County: Northumberland
State: PA
Directions:
From the intersection of PA 61 and PA 890 at the eastern
edge of Sunbury, go 7 miles south on PA 890 to Augustaville. At Augustaville, go
east on Captain Bloom Road 3 miles. The church is on the right, as Captain Bloom
Roads meets Center Road and makes a right turn to enter the village of Seven
Points.
Historic Conference:
East Pennsylvania Conference
Journal references:
Brief History:
Bell’s 1891 History of Northumberland County, page 795: “Seven Points Church of the Evangelical Association was organized in 1866, although public worship had been conducted by ministers of this denomination in that vicinity as early as 1855. The church edifice, a one-story frame structure, was dedicated on the 23rd of December, 1866. Rev. David Lantz was largely instrumental in effecting the organization and having the church building erected.” This congregation sided with the United Evangelicals in 1894, and stayed out of the 1922 denominational re-union to become part of the Evangelical Congregational Church.
Final disposition:
This building now houses the Seven Points
Christian Assembly congregation..
X06. Snydertown ME
Location: 3416 Snydertown
Road
Municipality: Snydertown borough
County: Northumberland
State: PA
Directions:
In Sunbury, go west
on Market Street [PA 61] to 11th Avenue. Go north on 11th Avenue (which
bend east and becomes Snydertown Road) 5 miles. The site is on the north side of the road, 2
lots before the “square.”
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of
the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1891,64 – several hundred
dollars secured toward a new church
1894,59 – new building dedicated 4/30/1893
1974,89 – transferred to Eastern
Pennsylvania Conference
Brief History:
Bell’s 1891 History of Northumberland County, page
733:
“Snydertown Methodist Episcopal Church was organized prior to 1859
with J. M. Wolverton as first class leader and Christian Diehl, J. M.
Wolverton, Joseph Hoover, John Jones, and Solomon Klase as first trustees. The
church edifice, a frame building forty feet long and twenty feet wide, was
dedicated on the 4th of December, 1859, by Rev. M.
Warren. The following is a list of pastors since the formation of
Snydertown circuit: John F. Craig, 1868; D. M.
McCloskey, l869-70; Henry S. Mendenhall, 1871-72; N. W. Colburn, 1873-74; G. H.
Day, 1876-78; John Guss, 1879-80; Henry B. Fortner, 1881-83; John A. De Moyer,
1884; John Horning, l885-87; Elial M. Chilcoat, 1888,
present incumbent.”
Final disposition:
Only the cemetery remains.
X07. St.
John's EV
[Reitz’s EV]
Location: off PA225 [Peifer’s
Drive?]
Municipality: Little Mahanoy township
County: Northumberland
State: PA
Directions:
From Dornsife go 1.5
miles north on PA.
One block before the Lutheran Church and the
major intersection to the right, turn left onto Peifers
Drive and go 200 yards. The site is
believed to be on the right. The 1875
county atlas gives the exact location, but the roads are not exactly as they
were in 1875.
Historic Conference:
East Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical
Association
Journal references:
Brief History:
Bell’s 1891 History of Northumberland County, page 736: “St. John's Church of the Evangelical Association was organized
in 1870, through the efforts of Daniel Reitz, Samuel Dunkelberger, Adam Lenker,
John Hensel, and Joseph Reitz. They furnished the means, a lot
was purchased, and a frame church edifice twenty by thirty feet was erected at
a cost of eleven hundred dollars. The Reverends Benjamin Bohner, B. F. Snyder,
and L. N. Worman have served the congregation as pastors.”
Final disposition:
The building was demolished in 1967
1. Augusta ME
[aka Upper Augusta ME]
Location: Sawmill Road, west of
Arters Station
Municipality: Upper Augusta township
County: Northumberland
State: PA
Directions:
Exit Sunbury on north
11th Street (which becomes Snydertown
Road) and go 3 miles east to Mill Road.
Go south on Mill Road 1 mile, across the creek on the Keefer Station
covered bridge, to the T with Sawmill Road.
Go west on Sawmill Road 0.7 miles.
The cemetery is on the north side of the road, where the road makes a
slight curve around it to the south. The
1875 county atlas shows the exact location.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania
Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1884,44 – “money is in hand and the
contract signed” for new church building
“to replace the one rendered
untenable by the construction of the SS & LRR”
1885,44 – dedicated 10/26/1884
Brief History:Bell’s 1891 History of Northumberland County, page 701: “Upper Augusta Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1850, through the efforts of Rev. Joseph Ross. The original members were John Farnsworth, Samuel Savidge, Silas Wolverton, L. G. Savidge, Robert
Farnsworth, Jonathan Hoover, and George Zimmerman. For a time services
were held in an old log school house; land was donated
by Joseph Savidge and a church edifice, thirty-five by forty feet, was erected
thereon at a cost of seven hundred dollars. Subsequently the church was removed
to its present location, and in 1884 the congregation was reorganized with the
following membership: Charles Wolverton and wife, E. Straub and wife, E. Rebuck
and wife, Elizabeth Hollenback, George Zimmerman, and H. G. Kline.”
This
congregation was organized in 1810 and erected a log building about ¾ mile west
of Arters Station, on the south side of Shamokin Creek. In 1881 the railroad purchased a right of way
through the property and the church had to be
moved. In 1884 the materials from the
original building were reconstructed on the north side of the creek behind the
IOOF orphanage. The appointment was
served from Snydertown until 1906, when the building
was purchased by the IOOF to be used as a chapel. In 1913 the building was converted into a dwelling, but burned to the ground that same year when a
fire spread from the orphanage barn. A
small cemetery remains at the original site.
The 1884 cornerstone was used in the 1961 Mt. Pleasant church.
Final disposition:
2. Boyle's Run ME
Location: Boyles Run Road
Municipality: Lower Augusta township
County: Northumberland
State: PA
Directions:
From Herndon, go
north 4,5 miles on PA47 to Boyles Run Road.
Go east on Boyles Run Road 1.8 miles.
The cemetery is on the north side of the road.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1911,73 – new church
building dedicated August 29, 1910
1967,86&98 – discontinued; permission
to sell
Brief History:
Bell’s 1891 History of Northumberland County, page 706-7: “Boyle's Run Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1840 at an old school house on the Boyle's Run road with fifteen members. The present one-story frame church building, two and one half miles east of Fisher's Ferry was erected in 1846. This society originally formed part of the Sunbury circuit, but was transferred to the Trevorton circuit in 1865 and in 1880 was attached to the Herndon circuit. The names of the pastors are given in connection with the historical sketches of those
churches in this work.”
Letter from church historian Mary J.
Minnier Engle dated 1952: “Methodists in Boyles Run Valley met in homes to
worship as early as 1830. Deed given
Harman Shipman Jr. and wife Susannah April 12, 1843. This church was remodeled and rededicated
February 22, 1885. The cornerstone for
the present church was laid October 1, 1909.”
Final disposition:
When the membership dwindled and the
congregation ceased to exist, they voted to dismantle the building rather than
sell it and have no control over its future use. Only the cemetery remains.
3. Dalmatia ME
[aka Georgetown ME]
[no picture]
Location: Sunbury Street, village of
Dalmatia [formerly known as Georgetown]
Municipality: Lower Mahony township
County: Northumberland
State: PA
Directions:
Sunbury Street runs
east-west, perpendicular to Pa 147. The
building is no longer standing, and its exact location has not been determined.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the
Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1880,36 – church building erected
1908,37 – check for $194.12 presented as
proceeds from sale of the property
1909,31 – $194.12 received from sale of
the property; Georgetown church fund at $194.12
Brief History:
Bell’s 1891 History of Northumberland County, page 714: “The Georgetown Methodist Episcopal Church is a frame building situated on the north side of Sunbury street in the eastern part of the village. The congregation is small numerically, and has no resident pastor.
Final disposition:
4. Dividing Ridge ME
Location: Reynolds Hill Road
Municipality: Lewis township
County: Northumberland
State: PA
Directions:
From the interchange
of PA 54 and I-180, go east on PA 54 0.1 miles to the old Susquehanna
Trail. Go North on the Old Susquehanna
Trails 2.6 miles to Reynolds Hill Road.
Go east on Reynolds Mill Road 1 mile to the
curve where Murray Road and Dimm Road go off to the
north. The building stood on the south
side of the road.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
This congregation was organized in 1873 and always
served from Muncy, Lycoming County. They
worshiped in the Dividing Ridge school house until 1930, when they merged into
the Muncy congregation
Final disposition:
The property was never owned by the
congregation. The structure is believed
to be still standing as an abandoned school house.
5. Ebenezer ME
[no picture]
Location: village of Fisher’s Ferry
Municipality: Rockefeller township [present Eastern
Pennsylvania Conference territory]
County: Northumberland
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the
Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
Bell’s 1891 History of Northumberland County, page 795,
states this church “was organized in 1860 and numbered among its membership the
families of Gonsar, Tucker, Shipman, Long and Malick. A small frame church edifice was erected on
the Hollowing Run in the same year; in 1875 it was enlarged,
but has been much damaged by a storm and never repaired.”
Final disposition:
6. Fisher's Ferry ME
[no picture]
Location: village of Fisher’s Ferry
Municipality: Lower Augusta township
County: Northumberland
State: PA
Directions:
Fisher’s Ferry is on
PA 147, six miles north of Herndon
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the
Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
While this building in not mentioned in Bell’s 1891 History of Northumberland County, Floyd’s 1911 Genealogical and Biographical Annals of Northumberland County, page 982, reports the following: “One of the earliest houses of worship in the territory now embraced in Lower Augusta township was located at Fisher's Ferry. At the upper railroad crossing* immediately south of the public road stood a one story log building 16x24 feet. The roof extended fully two feet over the walls. The building had an odd appearance and strongly
resembled Swiss architecture. Information at
this late day states the church was non-sectarian, and that the pioneer
settlers gathered in this building dedicated to the "Glory of God"
about once, every month, or oftener if a minister chanced to come along who
would preach the word to
them. In
1902 the last services were held in the building by one Rev. Mr. Alexander, a
Baptist Minister. During the winter of 1909-10 the church was torn down but the foundation of it is still intact. This church stood
distant about three city squares from the River
cemetery, where most of the settlers who worshipped there are buried. Probably there are several hundred buried
there
who have no tomb-stones
to record their names or the dates of their birth and departure from this life.
Yet they did their share in the settlement of the district, and much for the
good of their posterity, and they should not be forgotten.” While the appointment is mentioned with some
regularity, it is unclear whether the Methodists had any owner
ship in the property.
*At
Fisher’s Ferry, the public road (now PA 147) crossed the RR south (lower
crossing) and north (upper crossing) of the village so that the Village of
Fisher’s Ferry was entirely between the RR and the river. Today, PA 147 stays totally east of the RR
and only the lower crossing (which is now a dead end
road) exists.
Final disposition:
7. Gearhart ME
Location: Avenue G
Municipality: Riverside borough
County: Northumberland
State: PA
Directions:
From Danville, cross
the Susquehanna River by heading south on PA 54. After crossing the bridge, when PA 54 turns
east, continue straight on Sunbury Road (following the right turn keep moving
at the stop sign). Go 4 blocks west on Sunbury Road to Avenue G.
Go south on Avenue G for 7 blocks.
After Avenue G bends west, the site is on the south side of the street.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church.
Journal references:
Brief History:
Bell’s 1891 History of Northumberland County, page801-2: “The Methodist Episcopal Church of South Danville has existed as an organization from an early period in the history of the Methodist denomination in central Pennsylvania. Rev. Francis Asbury, the first Methodist bishop in America, makes mention in his journal of having been the guest of General William Montgomery at Danville, whence he crossed the river and preached at Judge Jacob Gearhart's; the Judge's barn was the place of public worship, while class and prayer meetings were regularly held at his house, which occupied the site of the present residence of Rev. Irvin H. Torrence. The preachers of the Philadelphia, Genesee, and Baltimore Conferences successively included this point in the field of their labors; and here the first Methodist church edifice in that part of Northumberland County south of the North Branch was erected in 1829. It was a frame building one story high, and was situated within the enclosure of Mt. Vernon cemetery; John Gearhart, a
son of the Judge, supervised the work of
construction, and William Gearhart performed the mason-work. This
structure was occupied for religious purposes until 1872, when a brick edifice
was erected at Riverside; this is the present Episcopal chapel, which, on
account of financial embarrassment, the Methodists were unable to retain. Their present place of worship is a
substantial brick building.”
Note: there once was a Gearhart
township where Riverside borough is now.
Final disposition:
The congregation relocated to Riverside in
1872. Only the Mount Vernon cemetery
remains.
8. Herndon ME
Location: 155 Main Street
Municipality: Herndon borough
County: Northumberland
State: PA
Directions:
Herndon is 23 miles
north of Halifax on PA 147. Main Street
is PA 147. The church is in the south
end of town, on the east side of the highway.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1887,51 – voluntarily abandoned over owner
claims involving other denominations
Brief History:
Following a tent revival in the fall of 1878,
the cornerstone for a church building was laid April 27, 1879, and the building
was dedicated September 28, 1879. Bell’s 1891 History of Northumberland County, page 747,
states the following. “Zion Church, Lutheran and
Reformed, Herndon, was originally erected as a union place of worship, but
ultimately came into the exclusive possession of the Methodist society. In the spring of 1887 it was purchased by the Lutheran and Reformed
congregations, of which it has since been the joint property.”
Final disposition:
The property is now Zion Lutheran church.
9. Herndon Mount Zion EA
Location: 210 N. Main Street
Municipality: borough of Herndon
County: Northumberland
State: PA
Directions:
Main Street is PA
147.
Historic Conference:
East Pennsylvanian Conference of the Evangelical
Association.
Journal references:
1905,31 – the church at Pillow receives ½
the proceeds from the sale of this building
Brief History:
Bell’s 1891 History of Northumberland County, page 748: “Mt. Zion Church of the Evangelical Association, Herndon,
was organized in 1867 with the following officers: class leader, H. B.
Longsdorf (who still serves in that capacity); exhorter, Jacob Heim; trustees:
H. B. Longsdorf, Hiram Brown, Washington Wilt, and Daniel Reed. Reverends
Cornelius Loose, David Lentz, J. F. Wohlfarth, David Stauffer, W. H. Weidner,
David Martz, B. H. Miller, E. P. Lehr, J. K. Fehr, D. Z. Kembel, W. H. Stauffer,
J. Werner, S. L. Wiest, H. D. Schultz, E. R. Seip, and L. N. Worman have served
as pastors. The first church edifice, a brick structure twenty-five by thirty
feet, was originally erected in 1867 for school and church purposes and
afterward secured by this society. The present frame church building,
thirty-five by fifty feet in dimensions, was erected in 1887 under the
supervision of a building committee composed of Edward Baum, Samuel Troutman,
and Adam Kembel.”
This church remained with the Evangelical
Association in 1894 and did not prosper when most of the people left to erect
the United Evangelical building in Herndon.
Final disposition:
The property is now a private dwelling
10. Herndon Seibert UE
Location: 192 N. Main Street
Municipality: borough of Herndon
County: Northumberland
State: PA
Directions:
Main Street is PA 147.
Historic Conference:
East Pennsylvania Conference of the United Evangelical
Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
The building was erected in 1895 by the Evangelical
Association dissenters who sided with the United Evangelical Church. The congregation chose not to participate in the
1922 denominational re-union and became part of the Evangelical Congregational
Church.
Final disposition:
The building now housed the Seibert
congregation of the Evangelical Congregational Church until 2018, when that
congregation merged into Peifer’s to form New Life ECC. The building is now a private residence,
11. James EV
[aka Hurley EV]
[no picture]
Location:
Municipality:
County: Northumberland
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania
Conference of the Evangelical Association/United Evangelical Church
Journal references:
1881,12 – Cox’s Church
sold, proceeds to Hurley’s Church – both on White Deer circuit
1914,50 – “Hurly” Church;
lot sold in 1895 & owner wants building removed
1914,75 – authorization to sell, proceeds
to parsonage of Milton circuit
Brief History:
The location of this
property is not known, and it may not even be in Northumberland County. The 1939 History
of the Central Pennsylvania Conference, page 301, indicated Hurley’s was on
the White Deer circuit 1879-1880.
Final disposition:
12. Malick UB
[Mile Run UB]
[Mt. Zion UB]
Location: Mile Run Road
Municipality: Lower Augusta township
County: Northumberland
State: PA
Directions: Mile Run Road runs
from Boyer Hill Road south to Hallowing Run Road.
From Sunbury: go 3 miles south on
PA 147 to Boyer Hill Road, turn left, go 1 mile to Mile Run Road (immediately
after a sharp right turn), turn left, go 1 mile to Cemetery
Road.
From Herndon: go 6 miles north on
PA 147 to Hallowing Run Road, turn right, go 4 miles to Mile Run Road, turn
left, go ½ mile to Cemetery Road.
The church stood in front of the
remaining cemetery in the triangle formed by Miles Run Road, Cemetery Road (a
dead end) and the remaining cemetery.
Historic Conference:
East Pennsylvania Conference of the United
Brethren Church
Journal references:
1949,46 – cemetery
transferred from Sunbury Otterbein to Malick Cemetery Association
1949,37 – building sold and removed
Brief History:
Bell’s 1891 History of Northumberland County, page 705: “Miles Run United Brethren Church was organized at the school house of that name in the winter of 1835-36 through the efforts of Peter and Henry Malick. Two years later the present one-story frame church building was erected.” The property was transferred form Mr. and Mrs. Henry Malick on 2/2/1847 to the United Brethren Church – trustees John Heninger, Daniel Heninger and David Malick. This was the mother congregation for United Brethren work in the area. By 1896 many of the members were moving into Sunbury, and the pastor began the work in that city. The church was placed on the Sunbury charge in 1904, where it remained until being abandoned in the early 1920’s – and a Holiness congregation used the building for a short time after that.
Final disposition:
The building was sold at auction for $220 to
Mr. John Delp, who removed it. Only the
cemetery remains.
13. Mandata EV
[Peifer’s EV]
Location: 337 Mandata
Road
Municipality: Jackson township
County: Northumberland
State: PA
Directions:
From the intersection
of PA 225 and PA 147 in Mandata, go north on Grove
Road (Mandata Road) ½ mil to the Y with Church
Road. The church is in the Y.
Historic Conference:
East Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical
Association
Journal references:
Brief History:
This congregation is also sometimes referred to as Emanuel or Emmanuel. Bell’s 1891 History of Northumberland County, page 748: “Emanuel Church of the Evangelical Association was organized, January 4, 1878, with Jacob Still, Bastian Stepp, Benjamin Peiffer, Daniel Peiffer, and John C. Reiger as trustees. The church edifice, a frame structure thirty-six by forty-two feet, was purchased from the "new" Lutheran congregation. Reverends B. H. Miller, Mr. Fehr, John Brown, Charles Warmcastle, Howard Bomberger, and Mr. Fisher have served as pastors.”
This congregation became United Evangelical in 1894 and stayed out of the 1922 denominational reunion to become Evangelical Congregational.
Final disposition:
The building now houses the New Life
Evangelical Congregational Church, a 2018 merger of the Peifer’s and Seibert
(in Herndon) ECC congregations.
14. McEwensville ME
Location: 2578 Susquehanna Trail [Main Street]
Municipality: borough of McEwensville
County: Northumberland
State: PA
Directions:
Pennsylvania Avenue in Watson is parallel to and 2 blocks
East of the Susquehanna River. Exit
Milton on Pennsylvania Avenue, which become McEwensville Road [PA 44].
Go 2 miles to the borough of McEwensville. In the center of town, at the intersection of
PA 44 and Main Street, go ¼ block north on Main Street. The building is on the east side of the
street.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
Bell’s 1891 History of Northumberland County, page 763,
lists this as an “extinct church organization” which met in a “frame building,
dedicated December 29, 1867.”
Final disposition:
The building is now the McEwensville
Community Hall.
15. Mettler ME
Location:
Municipality: Rush township
County: Northumberland
State: PA
Directions:
From the borough of Snydertown, go
2.7 miles north on Main Street to the T at the road
connecting Klinesgrove with Rushtown. The church is believed to have stood near the
southwest corner of that intersection.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church.
Journal references:
Brief History:
A log church was
erected here in 1829 on land conveyed by Joseph Morgan on September 11 of that
year to William Mettler Sr. et al. An
old stone parsonage for the charge is reported to have stood in the immediate
vicinity. Following the erection of the brick church at Klinesgrove
in 1867, the property was sold in 1870.
Final disposition:
16. Milton St. Peter's UB
Address: 243 Hepburn Street
Municipality: Milton borough
County: Northumberland
State: PA
Directions:
From the intersection of PA 405 (Front
Street) and PA 254 (Market Street) at the Susquehanna River, go east on Market Street 6 blocks to Turbot Avenue. Go South on Turbot Avenue 3 blocks to Hepburn
Street. Go west on Hepburn Street ¾ block.
The building is on the north side of the street.
Historic Conference:
Eastern (formerly East German) Conference of
the United Brethren Church
Allegheny Conference of the United
Brethren Church
Journal references:
1913,109 – placed with
South Williamsport
1914,64 – returned to mission station status
1915,62 – pastor at Milton asked to
“look after” Brauns Mills (never a church building there)
1942,76 – new basement dedicated
11/30/1941
2016,147 – discontinued
Brief History:
A class of 15 members was organized August
10, 1892, by presiding elder W. Uhler of the Shamokin District of the Eastern
(formerly East German) Conference. This were dissidents from the Milton Evangelic Association
Church when that congregation opted to side with the United Evangelicals in the
1891 denominational split. The following
year a church costing $1500 was erected on a centrally located lot. In 1901, the Eastern and East Pennsylvania
Conferences were combined to make the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference, and
Milton (and several other churches) became a part of the Allegheny Conference –
and remained so until that conference was dissolved in 1952, when it entered
the Central Pennsylvania Conference of the EUB Church.
Final disposition:
17. Mount Zion EV
Address: Shakespeare Road,
community of Kill Deer Hill
Municipality: West Chillisquaque township
County: Northumberland
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the
Evangelical Church
Journal references:
2012,160 – merged into West Milton
Brief History:
This congregation began as a preaching
appointment in the Fetzer school house.
In the fall of 1870, they purchased the Mt. Zion Methodist church
building near the Sodom school house and moved it to Kill Deer Hill – with many
former Methodists who had opposed abandoning the appointment helping to form
the nucleus of the congregation. The
land for the church was donated by Thomas Satteson.
When the transported building was blown
down by a tornado in 1896, the congregation once again met in the Fetzer school
house until the present building was completed in 1900. In November 1955, work was begun to enlarge
and renovate the church building, and to move it back from the road. This was completed in 1956, and the finished
product was dedicated in 1957. The
cornerstone reads “Mount Zion UEV Church, Rebuilt in
1899, Moved in 1955.”
In the face of declining membership and
attendance, the congregation held a final service on October 9, 2011, and
merged into West Milton
Final disposition:
The property was sold to Cheryl L. Orndorf
for $65,000 on 12/20/2011.
18. Mount Zion ME
[aka Mount Pleasant ME]
Location: PA 45, community of Sodom
Municipality: West Chillisquaque township
County: Northumberland
State: PA
Directions:
Sodom is on PA 45, 1 mile east of
Montandon. The church was reportedly
just west of the octagonal schoolhouse which stands at 4875 Route 45.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
Mt. Zion church was erected by the Methodists
in 1858 on a lot west of the 8-sided Sodom school
house. It was one of 11 appointments on
the Milton circuit, and the parsonage was in McEwensville. In 1870, the congregation disagreed about
moving the appointment into Montandon.
The appointment ultimately was moved into town, meeting in halls and
schools until a building was erected in Montandon in 1874. The building was sold to the Evangelicals in
the fall of 1870.
Final disposition:
Part of the furniture and the library were
moved to Montandon. The Evangelicals
moved the building to Kill Deer Hill.
The cemetery at the original location has been farmed over, and no
traces of it remain.
19. Rushtown ME
Location: Hill Road, community of Rushtown
Municipality: Rush township
County: Northumberland
State: PA
Directions:
From the intersection of Sunbury Road and Avenue G, in borough
of Riverside, go 3.2 miles south on Avenue G (which becomes Snydertown
Road) to the cross roads at Rushtown. Go east on Hill Road
about 0.2 miles. The church is on the
north side of the road at the edge of the community.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1891,64 – church building dedicated
1979,261 – discontinued
1982,256 – abandoned
1996,315 – sold
Brief History:
Bell’s 1891 History of Northumberland County, page 742: “Rushtown Methodist Episcopal Church, of which the corner-stone
was laid in the early spring of 1890, and the dedication occurred in the
following autumn, was erected under the supervision of a building committee
composed of William H. Mettler, J. C. Campbell, Isaac Hoffman, L. C. Bassett,
and Frank Ryan. It is a one-story brick building. The society forms part of Snydertown circuit.”
Rushtown
was original called Liberty Pole Town, and that is the name that appears in the
early church records. The congregation
developed from a union Sunday School that had been meeting for about 40 years
in a nearby school house. The cornerstone for the church building was
laid October 6, 1889, and the structure was dedicated in the fall of 1890. In January 1979 the congregation’s
administrative board voted to cease worship services and close the church. The adjacent fellowship hall was dissembled.
The church building was placed in the hands of the conference trustees with the
understanding that oversight and periodic homecoming services would be the
responsibility of the Susquehanna Valley charge and St. Peter’s in
Riverside. This arrangement continued into
the 1990’s.
Final disposition:
The property was sold 7/11/1995 to Karen F.
May for $34,500.
20. Salem EV
[Zartman EV]
Location: Otto Station Road
Municipality: Jackson township
County: Northumberland
State: PA
Directions:
“In the vicinity of Otto Station,
approximately 5 miles northeast of Herndon.”
From Herndon go 1 mile north on PA 147 to Herndon Bypass Road. Go east on Herndon
Bypass Road 2 miles to Otto Station Road. Go south on Otto Station Road 1 mile. The site [Zartman’s Cemetery] is on the west
side of the road.
Historic Conference:
East Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical
Association
Journal references:
Brief History:
Bell’s 1891 History of Northumberland County, page 748: “Salem Church of the Evangelical Association.-
Services were first held in this region by the Reverends John Seibert, Stever,
Reisner, Hull, Barber, and W. W. Orwig, who preached from place to place in
private houses. The first camp-meeting was held in 1844, in the woods of Daniel
Zartman, and four years later a log building was erected on land then owned by
George Deppen, which was used for school purposes and also
as a place of worship by the Evangelical, Lutheran, and Reformed congregations
of that section. Later this society worshipped in a frame school
house situated on land of Daniel Zartman and on the 15th of September, 1861, a brick church edifice was erected on his
farm. The first pastor was Rev. William Heim, and the first trustees were Adam
Kembel, Michael Bower, and Joseph H. Reitz.”
Final disposition:
This congregation became Evangelical
Congregational and was closed in 1930.
Only the cemetery remains.
21. St. Luke's EV
Location: PA 61, between Sunbury and
Stonington
Municipality: Upper Augusta township
County: Northumberland
State: PA
Directions:
The site is on the
north side of the highway
Historic Conference:
East Pennsylvania Conference of the
Evangelical Association
Journal references:
1924,127 – quit claim deed to descendants
of original donor
Brief History:
Bell’s 1891 History of Northumberland County, page 705: “St. Luke’s Church of the Evangelical Association was organized in 1889 by the Rev. C. J. Warmcastle, with the following members: Samuel Savidge, S. K. Hile, John Myers, John Bonner, and Samuel G. Savidge. A frame church edifice thirty-five by forty feet was erected soon after the organization was effected. The following pastors have served the society: Reverends C. J. Warmcastle, George Sipe, George Knorr, and W. S. Harris.
Final disposition:
22. Sunbury Albright EV
[Sunbury First EV]
Location: Fifth and Chestnut Streets
Municipality: city of Sunbury
County: Northumberland
State: PA
Directions:
In Sunbury, from the intersection of
Front Street (PA47) and Market Street (PA 61) go two
blocks south on Front Street to Chestnut Street (truck PA 61). Go 5 blocks east on
Chestnut Street to Fifth Street. The
church is on the northwest corner of Chestnut and Fifth.
Historic Conference:
East Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical
Church
Journal references:
2011,230 – merged into St. John’s to form
Faith UMC
Brief History:
The Central
Pennsylvania Conference organized a class in Sunbury in 1873, which met in school houses until it was discontinued in 1879. In 1887 the East Pennsylvania Conference
began to minister to those with an Evangelical background or interest. In 1890, a building was erected at Fourth and
Vine Streets. In 1900, the congregation
erected a new building at Chestnut and Awl Streets. Their final structure at Chestnut and Fifth
Streets was dedicated in 1929. The
church sided with the United Evangelicals during the 1894-1922 denominational
split and was one of the few congregations in the conference to participate in
the reunion that formed the Evangelical Church.
The congregation changed its name from First to Albright following the
1946 union to form the Evangelical United Brethren Church – and the Sunbury
United Brethren congregation changed its name from First to Otterbein at the
same time.
Final disposition:
The property was sold to the city of Sunbury
and their Sunbury Renovation Inc. group to be called the Albright Center and be
used for non-profit offices, a community center, and a center for the
performing arts.
23. Sunbury Second EV
Location: 1001 Susquehanna Avenue
Municipality: city of Sunbury
County: Northumberland
State: PA
Directions:
In Sunbury, from the intersection of Front Street (PA47) and
Market Street (PA 61) go 1 mile north on PA 147 to Alice Street. Go east 2 blocks on
Alice Street to Susquehanna Avenue. The
church is in the northwest corner of Susquehanna
Avenue and Alice Street.
Historic Conference:
East Pennsylvania Conference of the United Evangelical
Church
Journal references:
1904,44 – lot secured
Brief History:
This
congregation began in 1904 as a mission outreach of the United Evangelical
Church to the north part of Sunbury. In
1922, First [Albright] participated in the denominational reunion that formed
the Evangelical Church (which through further unions became Evangelical United
Brethren and then United Methodist) while Second sided
with the majority of the Eastern Conference of the United Evangelical Church to
create the Evangelical Congregational denomination.
Final disposition:
This congregation is now Bethany Evangelical
Congregational Church.
24. Troutman EV
Location: Pillow-to-Hebe Road
Municipality: Jordan township
County: Northumberland
State: PA
Directions:
The site is between Pillow and Hebe on the northwest corner
of what is referred to the Pillow-to-Hebe Road and Greenhouse Road
Historic Conference:
East Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical
Association
Journal references:
1898,19 – ratify sale of
building; proceeds to repairs at Pillow
Brief History:
Bell’s 1891 History of Northumberland County, page 774-777: “Trautman's Church of the Evangelical Association was organized in 1826 by Rev. John Seibert. The first class leader was Daniel Rigel and the families of George Rigel, Jacob Trautman, Samuel Lesher, Frederick
Bohner, Jacob Trautman Jr., and Abraham Trautman formed the
early membership. Services were held at
private houses until 1877, when the present frame church building was erected
by a building committee composed of George W. and John Trautman. It was dedicated on the 5th of February, 1877. This
society was originally connected with Pine Grove circuit, and then with Mahantango circuit from its foundation in 1845 until 1872
when Uniontown circuit, to which it has since been attached, was formed.”
note: Other information suggests that the class bought a school
house in 1875 and fitted it up for a church building.
The congregation was badly divided
over the 1894 denominational split, and never
recovered. It sided with the United
Evangelicals in 1894, and stayed out of the 1922
denominational re-union to become part of the Evangelical Congregational
Church.
Final disposition:
The church closed about 1925, and the
building was torn down.
25. Vincent Memorial Chapel [ME]
Location: 113 Sand Hill Road,
village of Chillisquaque
Municipality: West Chillisquaque township
County: Northumberland
State: PA
Directions:
From the intersection of PA 45 and PA 405 across the
Susquehanna River from Lewisburg, go south 3 miles on PA 405 to the village of
Chillisquaque and Housels Run Road. Goe east one country block on Housels Run Road and then proceed straight onto Sand Hill
Road (the “No Outlet” road) when the main road bears left. Go another country
block (to the end of the road) and the church is on the north side of the road.
Historic Conference:
[none]
Journal references:
Brief History:
This church was
a memorial to Mary Vincent, mother of noted Methodist Episcopal Bishop John H.
Vincent, erected on the site of the school where the future bishop taught in
the community in which he was raised. It
was dedicated by the Bishop 10/26/1902 as a union
chapel open to all evangelical denominations.
Although Methodist-oriented (at least at the beginning), it was never
owned or supplied by the Methodists.
Final disposition:
The church is now (2025) operating as the
Truth and Restoration Church.
26. Watsontown UMC
Address: 1319 8th
Street Drive
Municipality: Delaware township
County: Northumberland
State: PA
Directions:
From the “center of Watsontown, Main
Street (PA 405) and Brimmer Avenue (the bridge across the Susquehanna), go
north 10 blocks to 8th Street.
Go west on 8th Street
1.5 miles. The church is on the left.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the
Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
2023,276 – sold 6/28/2022 for $1,050,500
to William A. Spenser Jr and Assigns
Brief History:
Methodism reportedly started in Watsontown
in 1858 when a class was formed at the “Swamp Schoolhouse” located at what is
now Fifth and Liberty Streets. Later,
preachers from Milton took Watsontown as a regular preaching appointment and it
officially became part of the East Baltimore Conference in 1862.
In February 1867, two lots were purchased
on Third Street for $725 and the cornerstone for that downtown building was
laid July 9, 1871. Watsontown became a
station appointment in 1874. The
educational building was added in 1964.
In 2009 the congregation purchase 40 acres
of land broke ground for a modern complex outside
town. The old building at 11 East Third
Street was sold to Kingdom Kidz Ministry for
$12,000. Departures from the
congregation left it unable to financially maintain the new building, and the
church closed 12/31/2021.
Final disposition:
The property (church building, parsonage,
acreage) was sold at public auction 4/28/2022 to the Seventh Day Adventist
Church for $955,000 – plus a 10% buyer’s premium for a total purchase price of
$1,050,500.