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
PERRY COUNTY PA
1. Baileys Run EV
Location: Upper Bailey Road
Municipality: Miller township
County: Perry
State: PA
Directions:
Exit Newport on
South Fourth Street, which becomes Upper Bailey Road and proceed
3 miles. The structure stands where
Upper Bailey Road ends at Lower Bailey Road (which follows the river from
Newport).
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of
the Evangelical Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
Joseph Bailey
established an iron furnace here is 1845. The community that grew up around the furnace
was called Baileysburg, and later Bailey Station (of
the PRR). Today the site is just called
Bailey. This was a schoolhouse
appointment supplied by the Methodists and the Evangelicals. The Evangelical appointment lasted the
longest – into the 1900’s.
Final disposition:
2. Bethel EV
Address: 3535 Grier Point Road
Municipality: Rye township
County: Perry
State: PA
Directions:
From the intersection of PA 850 and US
11/15 in Marysville. Go 11 miles west on PA 850. The church is on the left, with the back of
the building facing PA850. Access to the
building is from Grier Point Road, a loop off from PA 850.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the
Evangelical Church
Journal references:
1962,117 – permission to relocate church
over a basement and add at least 16 feet to the building
Brief History:
In 2021, the congregation chose to
disaffiliate from the United Methodist denomination.
Final disposition:
The congregation purchased
the property from the Susquehanna Conference and is continuing as an
independent entity. The final amount of
the transaction, which included the all obligations as specified in the disaffiliation agreement,
was $207,181.49.
3. Blain ME
Address: Church Street
Municipality: borough of Blain
County: Perry
State: PA
Directions:
The borough of Blain is on PA 274 in
western Perry County. When entering
Blain from the north, PA 274 makes a right turn onto Main Street. At that point make a left turn onto Church
Street. The bchurch
is the 4th building on the left.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the
Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1897,69 – building almost completed
2014,191 – discontinued; sold CE Boyer for
$10,000
Brief History:
The Methodist
class at Blain was organized about 1830 and met in homes and schoolhouses until
a brick building was erected in 1855 on Manassa Road on land purchased from a
David Black. When the present frame
building was erected in town on Church Street in 1898, the old structure was
sold to a L.M. Wentzel – who used it as a planning mill until it burned.
Final disposition:
The church property was
sold 3/7/2014 to Mr. Christopher E. Boyer of New Bloomfield for $10,000. The cemetery remains in control of the
conference trustees until other arrangements can be made.
4. Center Union EV–UB
Location: 699 Bucks Valley Road
Municipality: Buffalo township
County: Perry
State: PA
Directions:
From New Buffalo, go north on US 11-15 for 5.5 miles to Buck
Valley Toad. Go west on Bucks Valley Road
for 3.5 miles. The church is on the
right, across from where Center Union Road meets Bucks Valley Road.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the
Evangelical Church
Allegheny Conference of the United
Brethren Church
Journal references:
Allegheny
Conference
1914,48 – new building dedicated
1915,62 – Hill, Reward, Bucks and Center
Union taken from Liverpool charge to form a new circuit
Brief History:
This was a union
church building, the existing structure dedicated February 22, 1914, to take
the place of one that had burned some years prior.
Final disposition:
The building is now home
to a God’s Missionary Church congregation.
5. Cove St. John's EV
Location: Schoolhouse Road
Municipality: Penn township
County: Perry
State: PA
Directions:
From the intersection of PA 850 and US 11-15 in Marysville,
go 1.5 miles north on US 11-15 to the Y with Schoolhouse Road. Bear left onto schoolhouse
Road and go 0.5 miles.
The site is on the left.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania
Conference of the Evangelical Association/United Evangelical Church
Journal references:
1904,42 – permission to borrow funds to
eliminate debt
1905,52 – permission to collect on the
Carlisle District to eliminate debt
1910,79 – permission to sell
1914,75 – investigation of title;
authorization to sell
Brief History:
Final disposition:
6. Donnally Mills EV
Location: Creek Road, village of Donnally Mills
Municipality: Tuscarora township
County: Perry
State: PA
Directions:
From Millerstown, go west on PA 17 for 4.9 miles to the
village of Donnally Mills. Turn left
onto Creek Road and so 0.15 miles. The church is on the left.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the
Evangelical Church
Journal references:
1932,88 – permission to discontinue and
sell; funds to Conference Mission Society
Brief History:
Final disposition:
7. Donnally Mills Otterbein UB
Location: Buckwheat Road
Municipality: Tuscarora township
County: Perry
State: PA
Directions:
From Millerstown go west on PA 17 4.5 miles to Donnally
Mills. Turn south onto Creek Road. Go 0.7 miles to the T at the top of the hill. Turn west onto Buckwheat Road. Go 0.2 miles to Stone Arch Road. The church stood across from where Stone
Arch Road intersects Buckwheat Road.
Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the United Brethren
Church
Journal references:
1896,27 – Eschol, Mannsville
and Otterbein Chapel repaired
1913,49 – recommendation to sell
1915,28 – renewal of the recommendation to
sell
Brief History:
This was part of the 4-point Eschol charge (Eschol,
Gingerich’s, Mannsville, Otterbein Chapel). The charge was weakened by the 1889
denominational split, and none of the congregations survived. Hain’s 1922 History of Perry County, page
1069, reports that the building was sold April 3, 1900, for $500 – which seems
to contradict the above journal references.
Final disposition:
There is now a mobile home
on the site.
8. Duncannon Asbury ME
Address: 27 N. High Street
Municipality: borough of Duncannon
County: Perry
State: PA
Directions:
Exit US 11/15 at the PA 274 exit for
Duncannon. Enter Duncannon on Market Street
(i.e., go under the PA 11/15 bridge) and go 4 blocks to Maple Street. Turn left on Maple Street and go 2 blocks
west to High Street. The church is on
the northwest corner of Maple and High Streets.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the
Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal References:
1014,143 – discontinued
Brief History:
The first known Methodist services in the
community were held 1809-1826 in Abraham Young’s farm house,
¼ west of Duncannon. A church built on
the Young farm, later sold to the school board for use
as a school house, served the congregation
1826-1840. The congregation moved into
the growing town of Petersburg (now Duncannon) in 1840. The present church building was erected in
1896 and extensively remodeled and enlarged in 1957. Due to dwindling enrollment and attendance,
the congregation was discontinued in 2014.
Final Disposition:
The property was sold to the
adjacent (across the alley) Presbyterian church. The building has since been razed.
9. Elliotsburg Mount Zion EV
Location: PA 274, village of Elliottsburg
Municipality: Spring township
County: Perry
State: PA
Directions:
From the square in New Bloomfield, go west on PA 274 for 6
miles. The site is in
the west end of the village of Elliottsburg, on the
north side of the highway.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the
Evangelical Church
Journal references:
1948,111 – permission to
sell parsonage
1949,109 – distribution of funds from sale
of parsonage to Elliottsburg, Milford, Newport
1961,94 – sale authorized
Brief History:
Final disposition:
10. Emory Chapel ME
Location: PA 850
Municipality: Northeast Madison township
County: Perry
State: PA
Directions:
From Loysville, go
northwest on PA 850 for 4.0 miles. The
site is on the right.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of
the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1939, 27 – permission to sell, proceeds
for upkeep of cemetery
Brief History:
Final disposition:
11. Eschol UB
Location: village of Eschol
Municipality: Saville township
County: Perry
State: PA
Directions:
From Millerstown, go west on PA 17 12.0 miles to Ickesburg. Turn
south onto PA 74. Go south on PA 74 1.5
miles to PA 849. Turn east on PA
849. Go 1.8 miles east on PA 849 to the
village of Eschol. The site is on the
southwest corner of the intersection that marks that village.
Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the United Brethren Church
Pennsylvania Conference of the United
Brethren Church, Old Constitution
Journal references:
Pennsylvania
Conference
1890,24 – suffers from the Old
Constitution secession
1893,25 – parsonage purchased in Donnally
Mills
1896,27 – Eschol, Mannsville
and Otterbein Chapel repaired
1913,62 – sold to UBOC for
$290.00
$290.00 - $14.81 expenses
= $275.19 to treasury from Eschol church account
Pennsylvania
Conference, Old Constitution
1912,13 – UBOC conference trustees
authorized to sell Mt. Arrarat church [Littlestown
mission] to purchase Eschol church
1913,18 – UBOC purchases the building at
Eschol
1913,24 – UBOC purchases Eschol building
[from J.E. Kleffman, new constitution] 2/25/1913 for $290
– pays $10 for repairs
2/27/1913
1915,27 – Recommended: the
missionary appropriation to the charge of $150 be paid only if the assigned
pastor resides on the field, otherwise the appropriation shall be $50.
1917,28 – conference treasurer authorized
to renew the fire insurance policy on the building
– presiding elder authorized
to “see after” repair work on the building and solicit funds for the same
1918,25 – presiding elder authorized to
sell the furnishings, the building, and the property
1918,27 – conference paid fire insurance
on Eschol Church on 12/3/1917 and again on 9/16/1918
1918,28 – charge name changed from “Eschol
mission” to “Mount Vernon mission”
1919,27 – Eschol church building sold for
$150.00; furnishings sold for about $12.00; proceeds to help defray remodeling
and refurnishing at Mount Vernon church building
Brief History:
The church at Eschol was erected in 1870, and there was
once a 4-point Eschol charge (Eschol, Gingerich’s, Mannsville,
Otterbein Chapel [east of Donnally Mills]).
The charge was weakened by the 1889 denominational split, and the
building was sold to the United Brethren Old Constitution in 1913. The last UBOC preaching at Eschol was in
1915, and the building was sold in 1919.
Final disposition:
The building was sold to Harry C. Boden,
who removed it.
12. Fairview ME
Location: PA 274
Municipality: Toboyne township
County: Perry
State: PA
Directions:
From New Germantown,
go west on PA 274 for 3.5 miles. The
church is on the north side of the highway.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1974,83 – permission to sell
1975(2),104 – sold to Historical
Society of Perry County
1976(1),140 – sold to Historical
Society of Perry County
Brief History:
This historic church property
was part of the old Concord Circuit and deeded to the
Methodists by the McLaughlin family in 1857.
Regular services appear to have ended there about 1939, but members were
recorded in the conference journal up to 1948.
A 1962 letter from the pastor at New Germantown states: “There are those
living in the New Germantown area who still consider themselves members of the
Fairview church, although the church membership has been transferred to other
churches many years ago. Because of the
interest of several persons, two services are held in the church each
year.” The property was formally sold to
the Historical Society of Perry County in 1975.
Note: The appointment was
originally on the old and extensive Concord ME circuit. More information is given in “Methodism and
the Concord Circuit” in the 1997 issue of The
Chronicle, pages 42-111 – pages 78-82 refer specifically to Fairview.
Final disposition:
The Historical Society of Perry County
owns and maintains the church property as an historic site,
and maintains the adjoining cemetery.
13. Falling Springs EV
Location: PA 850 and Pike Road
Municipality: Spring township
County: Perry
State: PA
Directions:
From the
intersection of PA 850 and PA 34 at Dromgold, go west
on PA 850 for 2.0 miles. The site is on
the right, at the far corner of PA 850 and Pike Road.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the
Evangelical Church
Journal references:
1904,41 – loss of church by fire;
permission to solicit rebuilding funds within the Carlisle District
1909,78 – matter referred by Wand Means
to Church Extension Society
,151 – matter referred by Church
Extension Society to Trustees
1910,116 – Falling Springs granted loan
of $175, secured by trustee note & insurance
1920,46 – no
congregation, building idle for several years, referred to Ways and Means
1922,65 – property sold at public
sale on 6/21/1921
Brief History:
This appointment
was on the Keystone charge with Bethel and Salem, but little documentation has
survived. From the circumstances
associated with the sale of the property, it may have originally been a union
church that became Evangelical by default.
A 6/14/1911 item, page 3, in the Perry
County Democrat states that “a festival will be held in the Falling Springs
Evangelical church on Saturday evening, June 17. Strangely, there is no mention of the
congregation in Hain’s 1922 authoritative History
of Perry County.
Final disposition:
The property was sold “after a thorough
survey of all the facts, upon competent legal advice, and the consent of the
Lutheran congregation of Loysville and the Reformed congregation of Landisburg.” After
all obligations and expenses, the sale netted $247.36, distributed as follows:
1/8 to the Lutheran congregation of Loysville, 1/8 to the Reformed congregation
of Landisburg, 3/4 to the trustees of the parsonage
of the Keystone charge. The property has
become part of the surrounding farmland.
14. Fio Forge MP
Location: Dellville Road
Municipality: Wheatland township
County: Perry
State: PA
Directions:
From Dellville, go east on
Dellville Road about 1.5 miles. The site
is on the south side of the road
Historic Conference:
Maryland Conference of the Methodist Protestant
Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
This appointment was served as part of the
Carlisle circuit.
Hains’ 1922 History of Perry County, page 1082,
states: “A Methodist [Protestant] church once stood on the top of the
hill. It was built in 1840 and in use
until 1875. It was served by Reverends
Jordan, Holmes, Wright, Swengler, Hamilton, Thompson
and White. The UB congregation used it a
few years after 1875.” That description
seems to describe “Pleasant Grove” – the site of the original Dellville United
Brethren church and of an old Presbyterian church, and the cemetery is known as
the Sherman’s Creek Presbyterian Cemetery.
It is believed, however, that the site and directions given by this
website correctly mark the Fio Forge MP site.
The cemetery is known by default today as the Dellville Cemetery – even
though it is about 1.5 miles east of Dellville, and one noted (now deceased)
researcher/genealogist gave it the designation “MP” in her records.
Perhaps the most reliable account is
the Everts, Peck and Richards 1886 History
of the Susquehanna and Juniata Valleys, page 1096, which states: “The
Methodist [Protestant] Church, which is in ruins back from the site of Fio
Forge, was built over forty years ago , and abandoned about the close of the
Civil War.” It then gives the same
pastors as given above and is obviously the source for Hains’ 1922
information. But Fio Forge was built “on
the loop in Sherman’s Creek near the Penn/Wheatfield township line in 1828,
which seems to rule out both the Pleasant Grove site and the site pictured
above.
Final disposition:
15. Gingerich’s UB
Marsh Run ME
Location: PA 17
Municipality: Tuscarora township
County: Perry
State: PA
Directions:
From Millerstown, go
west on PA 17 for 8.0 miles. The site is
on the north side of the highway, halfway between Donnally Mills and Ickesburg.
Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the United
Brethren Church (1861-1910)
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church (1910-1940)
Journal references:
Pennsylvania
Conference
1893,26 – new church in Raccoon Valley
costing $1250 dedicated 11/26/1892
1911,60 – building sold for $215.00, minus
$22.75 balance and $8.75 expenses
– conference treasury
receives $183.50 from Gingerich church account
Central
Pennsylvania Conference
1911,77 – Gingrich [sic] purchased from
United Brethren for $220
1962,77 – permission to sell
Brief History:
This was originally the site of a stone school building
in which the United Brethren worshiped for over a decade before purchasing the
property and remodeling it for worship about 1861. In 1892 the stone building was replaced by a
new structure. This was part of the
4-point Eschol charge (Eschol, Gingerich’s, Mannsville,
Otterbein Chapel). The charge was
weakened by the 1889 denominational split, and none of the congregations
survived. When the UB work began to
dwindle, the building was purchased by the ME’s in
1910 and added to the Millerstown charge (Millerstown and Donnally Mills). Services ended in 1928, when the Liverpool
charge (Liverpool and New Buffalo) was added to the Millerstown charge.
Final disposition:
The building was moved back from the
highway about 100 yards and is now a private residence.
16. Hunter's Valley Messiah EV
Location: Hunters Church Road
Municipality: Buffalo township
County: Perry
State: PA
Directions:
From Liverpool, go 1.8 miles south on US 11-15 to PA 34.
Turn west onto PA 34 and go 1 mile to Hunters Church Road. Turn south onto Hunters Church Road and go ¼
mile. The church is on the right,
opposite the western terminus of Orchard Road.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the
Evangelical Church
Journal references:
1942,67 – moved (along with Liverpool)
from Port Trevorton charge to Newport charge
1961,94 – quit-claim deed for EV portion
of building to Messiah Lutheran Church
1962, 152 – remaining 16 members
transferred out
Brief History:
This building was
erected in 1865 as a union church. When
the structure was remodeled in 1883, articles of incorporation were filed
naming the Lutheran, Evangelical, and Methodist denominations. The Methodists discontinued services in the
early 1900’s, but
the Lutherans and Evangelicals continued worshiping together and holding a
Union Sunday School into the 1960’s. In
1960 the Lutheran congregation merged with St. Michal and the Trinity to become
The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Liverpool. The Evangelical (since 1946, EUB) voted to
dissolve and deeded their interests to The Lutheran Church of the Good
Shepherd. Each congregation received
half of the remaining balance of the Union Sunday School, with the Evangelical
share designated for “missions in the Central Pennsylvania Conference of the
Evangelical United Brethren Church.” The
Evangelical congregation was always part of circuit – the last one being the
Newport circuit, from which it was served from 1933 until its closing in
1961.
Final disposition:
The building is maintained by a Cemetery
Association and used for occasional special services.
17. Ickesburg ME
Location:
Municipality:
County: Perry
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of
the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1892,54 – new organ
1921,60 – sale authorized
Brief History:
Final disposition:
18. Ickesburg UB
Location: PA 17, village of Ickesburg
Municipality: Saville township
County: Perry
State: PA
Directions:
From Millerstown,
go west on PA 17 for 12.0 miles. The site is on the east side of the road,
just past the intersection with PA 74 in the center of the village.
Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the
United Brethren Church.
Journal references:
Brief History:
The Ickesburg circuit was
renamed Eschol in 1880. The 5-point
Eschol charge (Eschol, Ickesburg, Gingerich’s, Mannsville, Otterbein Chapel) was reduced to 4 churches
when the Ickesburg building was sold in 1883. The remaining charge was weakened by the 1889
denominational split, and none of the congregations survived.
Final disposition:
The property was sold 6/23/1883 to a
cornet band then in existence. The
building is now a residence.
19. Landisburg ME
Location:
Municipality:
County: Perry
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the
Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1891,70 – church repairs
totaling $350
1921,60 – sale authorized, proceeds for
proposed New Bloomfield parsonage;
congregational endowment fund
transferred to Methodist Home for Children
Brief History:
Final disposition:
20. Liberty Valley ME
Location:
Municipality:
County: Perry
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Journal references:
Brief History:
Final disposition:
21. Liverpool ME
Location:
Municipality:
County: Perry
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1969,105/140 – merged into the town’s
former EUB congregation to form the Liverpool UMC
Brief History:
Final disposition:
22. Liverpool St. Mary's EV
Location: Chestnut Street
Municipality: borough of Liverpool
County: Perry
State: PA
Directions:
From US 11-15, enter
the center of Liverpool on Race Street.
Go 2 blocks west on Race Street to Market
Street. Go 4 blocks south on Market
Street to Chestnut Street. The church is
on the souths\west corner of Market and Chestnut Streets.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of
the Evangelical Church
Journal references:
1930,48 – storm damage forces meeting in
schoolhouse from June to September
1942,67 – moved (along with Hunter’s Valley) from Port Trevorton charge to Newport charge
1947,110 – permission to sell
Brief History:
The work here reportedly began about 1860, with the
church building erected in 1867 during the pastorate of D.W. Miller. There is a tradition that the church was
named “St. Mary’s” in order to attract Irish Catholic
workers building the Pennsylvania Canal – but the canal was completed in
1829.
Note: On 4/5/1943 persons “acting as
agents of the United Evangelical Church at Liverpool” sold a lot in Liverpool
to David and Anna Blattenberger for $1.
The relationship of this lot to this property is not known.
Final disposition:
The property is now used for housing.
23. Loysville ME
[no picture]
Location:
Municipality:
County: Perry
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Journal references:
Brief History:
Final disposition:
24. Mahanoy Union EV
Location:
Municipality:
County: Perry
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Journal references:
Brief History:
Final disposition:
25. Manassa Union ME
Location:
Municipality:
County: Perry
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of
the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
This building was erected during
the winter of 1870-71 by 5 denominations: Lutheran (William A. Boyd), German
Reformed (John Wilt), Presbyterian (James A. Woods), Methodist (David Rowe),
German Baptist Brethren (Barnet Roth).
David Rowe (1830-1909) is buried in the Blaine Union CemeteryThe
Presbyterians withdrew in 1901, and the Brethren
stopped their once every 4 weeks services in February 1939. The
Final disposition:
26. Mannsville UB
Location: village of Mannsville
Municipality: Centre township
County: Perry
State: PA
Directions:
From New Bloomfield, go west on PA2 274 for 2.3 miles to Mannsville Road. Go
north on Mannsville Road
(follow the main road as it turns) for 3.0 miles to the village of Mannsville. The site
is on the southeast corner of the village’s main intersection.
Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the
United Brethren Church
Journal references:
1896,27 – Eschol, Mannsville
and Otterbein Chapel repaired
1911,60 – building sold for $200.00, with
$63.64 in expenses
conference treasury
receives $136.36 from Mannsville church account
Brief History:
Final disposition:
27. Marsh Run ME [see Gingerich’s UB]
28. Marshall Chapel ME
Location: Pfoutz Valley Road
Municipality: Greenwood township
County: Perry
State: PA
Directions:
From the interchange of US 22-322 with Pfoutz Valley Road
(between Millerstown and Thompsontown), go east 3
miles on Pfoutz Valley Road. The
remaining cemetery is on the north side of the road – and is the second
cemetery along Pfoutz Valley Road. The
two isolated AMRHEIM graves at the west end of the cemetery mark the spot where
the chapel stood.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1891,70 – church improvements include
paint, paper, furniture
1922, 61 – request to be discontinued
1937,31 – permission to sell; proceeds to
repairs on Thompsontown charge parsonage
Brief History:
This building was
dedicated November 12, 1876, and named Marshall Chapel in honor of the founding
pastor, Marshall C. Piper. The work had
begun when Rev. Piper of the Thompsontown charge
began holding meetings in a nearby schoolhouse in May 1875. A successful revival meeting that fall resulted in the formation of a class and the desire for
a church building. The congregation never was large and most of the people preferred to attend
in Millerstown. Services were
discontinued in 1922. The chapel was
dismantled in 1937 and rebuilt by another denomination in Watts township at the
intersection of Notch Road and Spinning Wheel Road. After being used for a time as a church
building, the relocated structure is now a private home.
Final disposition:
The chapel site appears to have been
deeded to the Amrheim family.
29. Marysville UB
Location:
Municipality:
County: Perry
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Journal references:
Brief History:
Final disposition:
30. Mount Gilead UMC
Address: 935 Windy Hill Road
Municipality: Carroll township
County: Perry
State: PA
Directions:
From Dromgolds
Corner (i.e., the intersection of PA 850 and PA 34, north of Shermansdale), go 2 miles north on PAFrom
Dromgolds Corner (i.e., the intersection of PA 850
and PA 34, north of Shermansdale), go 2 miles north
on PA4 to Windy Hill Road. Turn right
onto Windy Hill Road and go 1 mile. The church is on the left.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the
Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
On 1/29/2023 the congregation voted 64-10 to disaffiliate from
the United Methodist Church, and that disaffiliation along with 140 others was
approved at a 5/17/2023 special session of the Susquehanna Conference.
Final disposition:
31. Mount Vernon UB
Location: Rock Hollow Road
Municipality: Saville township
County: Perry
State: PA
Directions:
From New Bloomfield, go west on PA 274 for 6.6 miles to PA
74. Go north on PA 74 for 2.5 miles to
intersection with Rock Hollow Road to the west and Erly Road to the east. Go west on Rock Hollow Road 0.4 miles. The church is on the south side of the road.
Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the United Brethren
Church, Old Constitution
Journal references:
1911,15 – Eschol charge w/o a pastor 2nd
half of year; presiding elder preached a few times at Mount Vernon at Sulphur
Springs
Brief History:
The burials in the cemetery seem
to be after 1890, and so it is possible that the congregation at this site did
not exist until after the 1889 denominational split. There is at least one marker (for Jemima
Bull) with a death date of 1866, but that marker may have been moved from the
Mt. Zion Cemetery at Elliottsburg. The UBOC denomination appears to have served
the building, at least part time, until 1981.
Final disposition:
The building is now a private residence, but
it was home to the Church of the Living Christ of Loysville 1981-85.
32. New Bloomfield Trinity UB
Location: Barnett Street
Municipality: Borough of New Bloomfield
County: Perry
State: PA
Directions:
From the square in
New Bloomfield, go west on Main Street [PA 274] 1 block to Church Street. Go South on Church Street 2 blocks to Barnett
Street. The church is on the northeast
corner of Barnett and Church Streets.
Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the United
Brethren Church
Journal references:
1896,21 – steps taken
toward erecting a church building
1897,29 – new brick building 40x45 opened
2/21/1897
1898,18 – church building
dedicated 10/10/1897
1971,98 – to charge with New Bloomfield Keboch Memorial
1995,220 – merged into Keboch
Memorial to form New Bloomfield UMC
Brief History:
This
congregation began as an appointment in the Jericho School House in 1861. The present building was erected in
1897. For many years it was part of the
strong six-point Perry charge: Dellville, New Bloomfield, Reibers,
Shermansdale, Snyders, Youngs. In 1971 Trinity was placed with (former ME) Keboch Memorial. In
1995, Trinity merged into Keboch – with the new
congregation being named New Bloomfield UMC and meeting in the former Keboch building.
Final disposition:
33. New Buffalo EV
Location: Mill Street, village of New Buffalo
Municipality: Watts township
County: Perry
State: PA
Directions:
The site is believed
to be on the east side of Mill Street, the third lot north of Walnut Street
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the
Evangelical Association
Journal references:
1861 – financial difficulties discussed,
committee appointed
1863 – property given to George Dressler
as full compensation for his claims
Brief History:
The deed for this
property, lot 21 in the original plan of the borough, consisting of 7500 square
feet, was
written in January 1859 and filed in August of that year. A building was erected soon thereafter, but
there was never a viable congregation.
The property was turned over George Dressler in 1863. He had a local pastor’s license, was ordained
a local deacon in 1860, and had been one of the persons trying to establish the
congregation.
Final disposition:
George Dressler converted the building
into two apartments. The property
changed hand several times before being acquired in
1962 by Ivan Lowe and Charles Barrick, who razed the building.
34. New Germantown UMC
Address: 3390 Big Spring Road
Municipality: Toboyne township
County: Perry
State: PA
Directions:
Big Spring Road is PA 274. From the borough of Blain, go 5 miles west on
PA 274 to the village of New Germantown.
The church is on the left.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the
Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
The first Methodist organization
here was effected in 1841, and at that time the
congregation was connected with the Concord (Franklin
County) Circuit. More information on the
old and extensive Concord Circuit is given in “Methodism and the Concord
Circuit” in the 1997 issue of The
Chronicle, pages 42-111 – pages 77-78 refer specifically to New
Germantown.
The first church
was built in 1843 on land donated by Solomon Sheibley (Shively), who also gave
the land for the cemetery. Until then
the congregation had worshipped in the school building, but
was refused its future use. When the
first structure burned, a new church building was erected in 1888 on land sold
to the congregation by J. Morrison and son.
The church was incorporated 12/19/1888.
On 11/16/2024, in the face of declining
membership and finances, the congregation voted to close.
Final disposition:
35. Newport ME
Location:
Municipality:
County: Perry
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Journal references:
Brief History:
Final disposition:
36. Newport Calvary EV
Location:
Municipality:
County: Perry
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Journal references:
Brief History:
Final disposition:
37. Pennell's ME
Location: PA 849
Municipality: Wheatfield township
County: Perry
State: PA
Directions:
From the intersection
of Market Street and PA 849 in Duncannon (just south of the “Duncannon subway”
railroad underpass), go 2.5 miles north on PA 849 to the Y at Pennells Church
Road, where PA 849 bears left and Pennells Church Road goes straight
ahead. The church stood within the Y in the road.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1940,24 – permission to sell; proceeds to
upkeep of Duncannon parsonage
Brief History:
This land was
obtained in 1845 when Andrew Pennell donated a plot at the corner of his farm
for the erection of a Methodist Church.
The stone church building was reportedly erected in 1858. The appointment was served “at intervals”
from Duncannon. The 6/3/1898 trustee
minutes from Duncannon include the following interesting item: “On motion, Sec.
was instructed to notify Mr. Robert Valentine to return the Organ to Pennels
[sic] Church.” Beginning in 1931, and continuing until they purchased a building in town
in 1935, the Duncannon Assembly of God congregation worshiped in this building.
Final disposition:
After standing in ruins for over 50 years,
the church building has been razed and a modern house erected on the site.
38. Pfoutz Valley ME
Location: 159 Church Road
Municipality: Greenwood township
County: Perry
State: PA
Directions:
Pfoutz Valley Road has an interchange with US 22-322 between
Millerstown and Thompsonton. From that interchange, go east on Pfouz Valley Road for 4 miles. Continue across Seven Stars Road, at which
point the name of Pfoutz Valley Road changes to Church Road, for 200
yards. The site is in the cemetery, on
the north side of the road, approximately where the large “Long” stands.
Historic Conference:
Baltimore Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
This property was deeded by John and Mary Baker to the
“Methodist Society in Pfoutz Valley, Greenwood township” in 1807. The diary of circuit rider Nathaniel Mills
for 11/10/1822 states that he preached in the home of Peter Coffman and that
“their meeting house lies in an unfinished state.” The archives have the class
meeting records from 1834 to 1841.
Final disposition:
39. Pisgah EV
Location: 255 Church Road
Municipality: Carroll township
County: Perry
State: PA
Directions:
From the intersection
of PA 34 and PA 850 at Dromgold, go south on PA34/850
100 yards to Pisgah State Road. Go west
of Pisgah State Road 3 miles to Church Road.
Turn left onto Church Road and go ¾ mile. As Church Road takes a right turn, the
cemetery is on the left and the church is straight
ahead.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the
Evangelical Church
Journal references:
2006,233 – discontinued
2008,322 – sold
Brief History:
The first church building at this location
was erected across the road from the present structure by the Lutherans
in 1842. By 1870, most of the Lutherans
had moved away and services were discontinued.
The Evangelical Church began holding services there in 1873, but the
work was sporadic, with periods when services were discontinued, until the
1930’s – when regular church and Sunday School services began again with
renewed vigor. In 1958 the present
modern building was erected, and the old structure was razed.
Final disposition:
The property, consisting of four separate
lots, was sold to Carroll township 5/7/2007 for $106,500 and is now the Carroll
Township Community Center. The pulpit
Bible was given to the Perry Historians.
40. Pleasant Valley EV
[no picture]
Location: Pleasant Valley Road (?)
Municipality: probably either Saville township or Centre
township
County: Perry
State: PA
Directions:
The building is
assumed to have stood along Pleasant Valley Road, which parallels PA 274 north
of Elliottsburg.
Any relation to the present Pleasant Valley Church at 263 Church Road,
southeast of Mannsville and just off Pleasant Valley
Road, is unknown.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical
Church
Journal references:
1911,59 – building dilapidated; membership
moved away; permission to dispose of the property
Brief History:
This appointment was on the Perry charge. It appears in the missionary giving reports
1897-1901, but not after that
Final disposition:
41. Reibers UB
Location: 180 Reibers Church Road
Municipality: Carroll/Spring township
County: Perry
State: PA
Directions:
From the intersection of PA 34 and PA 850 at Dromgold, go south on PA34/850 100 yards to Pisgah State
Road. Go west of Pisgah State Road 4.5
miles to Reiber Church Road. Turn right
onto Reiber Church Road and go 1 mile.
The church is on the left.
Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the United
Brethren Church
Journal references:
1903,24 – Rivers [sic] remodeled and bell
placed in tower
Brief History:
This church
building was originally a school house. The United Brethren began holding preaching
there about 1840, and a congregation was formally organized about 1860. The (Winebrenner) Church of God also held
services there for a time. The
congregation left the denomination in 1952.
The 1952 journal shows 52 members, but the 1953 journal no longer lists
the congregation. The congregation had
been part of the 6-point New Bloomfield UB charge.
Final disposition:
The building is mow
the Reibers Reformed Baptist Church
42. Salem UMC
Location: 2465 Valley Road
Municipality: Rye township
County: Perry
State: PA
Directions:
Valley Road is PA 850. From the intersection of US 11/15 with PA 850
in Marysville, go 3.5 miles west on PA 850.
The church is on the right.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the
Evangelical Church
Journal references:
2023,181 – closed 2/26/2023
Brief History:
The first Evangelical meetings in the area
were held in conjunction with Bethel at Grier Point. A church building was erected in 1856 and
used until it was replaced by a newer structure in 1905. The sanctuary was remodeled and an
educational wing added sometime before 1979. Faced with declining membership and
attendance, the congregation voted on 2/5/2023 to close. The final service was held February 26, 2023.
Final disposition:
The property was sold at auction
on 5/20/23 for a total of $104,500.
Final settlement was 7/2/2023.
43. Scyoc ME
[Horse Valley ME]
Location: 6605 Horse Valley Road
Municipality: Toboyne township
County: Perry
State: PA
Directions:
From the intersection of PS 75 and PA 641 at Spring Run (in
Path Valley, Franklin County), go north on PA 75 11 miles (through Doylesburg and 1 mile past
Concord) to Horse Valley Road. Go eats 5
miles on Horse Valley Road. The church
is on the north side of the road.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1991,222 – abandoned
Brief History:
This building was erected in 1857 on land
donated by Benjamin Scyoc. The building
was dedicated December 27, 1857. The
appointment was originally on the old and extensive Concord ME circuit. More information is given in “Methodism and
the Concord Circuit” in the 1997 issue of The
Chronicle, pages 42-111 – pages 96-97 refer specifically to Horse Valley.
Final disposition:
The building was sold in 1997 for use as a
community/heritage center. The adjacent
schoolhouse was formally included in the property in 2005.
44. Shermans Dale MP
Location:
Municipality: Carroll township
County: Perry
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Maryland Conference of the Methodist Protestant
Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
This appointment was served as part of
the Carlisle circuit.
Hain’s 1922 History of Perry County, page 943, states the following: “A church once stood opposite the Jeremiah Smith mill dam, on an elevation about fifteen feet above thelevel of the dam, and about 500 feet to the rear of its breast. It was known as the Methodist Protestant Church. It was built of logs, in 1838, on lands donated for thatpurpose by George Smiley… The building stood until 1868, although no services were held long prior to that. In that year it was sold to William A. Smiley, who dismantled it, selling the hard yellow pine pews to residents for use as benches. Rev. James W. Smiley preached there at times. Among the regular preachers were the Reverends Jordan, Holmes,
Wright, Swengler, Hamilton, Thompson and White, according to the Evarts-Peck History of
the Susquehanna and Juniata Valleys.”
This is what that Evaerts-Peck book states: Methodist Protestant Church. — On the 20th of December, 1838, George Smiley donated to Lawrence Hippie, John Kennedy, Thomas
J.
Stevens, William McClintock and William Murray, as trustees of the Methodist
Protestant
Church, sixty-three
perches. On this land a log church was built, which was situated oppo-
site the
Billow Mill, (now Weaver's,) about half-way up the mill-dam.
The structure stood
until
1860, although services were discontinued many years before. No ruins mark its
site.
Among
its first ministers were Rev. Hanson P. Jordan.
Final disposition:
45. Shermansdale UMC
Address: 40 Windy Hill Road
Municipality: Carroll township
County: Perry
State: PA
Directions:
From the intersection of PA 34 and PA 850
in Shermansdale, go ½ mile north on PA 34/850 (across
the creek) to Windy Hill Road. Turn east
on Windy Hill Road and go ¼ mile. The
church is on the left.
Historic
Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the United
Brethren Church
Journal
references:
Brief
History:
On 1/23/2023 the congregation voted 34-1 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:
46. Snyders UMC
Address: 1724 New Bloomfield Road
Municipality: Wheatfield township
County: Perry
State: PA
Directions:
New Bloomfield Road is PA 274. From the PA 274 interchange on US 11/15 at
Duncannon, go 7 miles west on PA 274.
The church is on the right.
Historic
Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the United
Brethren Church
Journal
references:
Brief
History:
On 1/14/2023 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:
47. Stony Point EV
Location: PA 17, community of Stony
Point
Municipality: Madison township
County: Perry
State: PA
Directions:
From the interception
of PA 17 and PA 850 in Kistler, go 3 miles west on PA 17. The site is on the north side of the highway,
just past the crossroads that is designated as Stony Point. The church building stood parallel to the
highway, about 25 feet off the road, facing east.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the
Evangelical Church
Journal references:
1946,95 – permission requested to sell church building
1947,39 – building allowed to remain if
Cemetery Association assumes upkeep
Brief History:
This building was
erected in 1866 and torn down in 1969.
This appointment is also known as Kistler and Trostle’s Chapel.
Final disposition:
Only the cemetery remains.
48. Wila EV
aka Milford EV
Location: off PA 849, village of
Wila
Municipality: Juniata township
County: Perry
State: PA
Directions:
From Newport, go west
on PA 849 for 3 miles to the village of Wila.
When PA 849 makes a left turn in the center of the village, so straight
on Milford Road for 100 yards. The
church is on the right.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of
the Evangelical Church
Journal references:
2003,S-106 –
merged into Newport Hope Eternal UMC
Brief History:
The first
serviced were held about 1 mile west, in the home of Henry Toomey, about
1840. A church building was erected in
1844. About 1885 the building was
weatherboarded. The belfry was added in
1913. In 2003 the two Newport churches
[Calvary (former Evangelical) and Market Street (former Methodist)] merged with
Wila to form Newport Hope Eternal UMC and erect a new building off PA 34 on the
other side of the Juniata River.
Final disposition:
49. Youngs UMC
Address: 101 Youngs Church Road
Municipality: Carroll township
County: Perry
State: PA
Directions:
From the intersection of PA 34 and PA 850 in
Shermansdale, go 1 mile south on PA 34 to Youngs
Church Road. Turn right onto Youngs
Church Road and go west ¼ mile to Old State Road (where Youngs Church Road
makes a slight jog to the right). The
church is at the northwest corner of Youngs Church Road and Old State Road.
Historic
Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the United
Brethren Church
Journal
references:
1891,24 – new house of worship replaces
old “dilapidated” structure
Brief
History:
On 1/23/2023 the congregation voted 49-6 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: