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
WAYNE COUNTY PA
In Wayne County PA, the major north-south highway PA 191 and the major east-west highway US 6 intersect at the county seat of Honesdale. All Wayne County directions will be given from starting points on PA 191 or US 6.
1. Abrahamsville UMC
Address: 623 Callicoon Road, village of
Abrahamsville
Municipality: Damascus township
County: Wayne County
State: PA
Directions:
From the 3-way stop sign
on PA 191 just south of Lookout, go 4 miles east on Callicoon Road. The church is on the left, by the
intersection with Cemetery Road.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
Abrahamsville was a schoolhouse
appointment on the Damascus charge until the class erected their own
building. Land for the church was deeded
by Henry “Joe” Whitmore, and the groundbreaking service took place in July
1925.
On 3/8/2023 the congregation voted 17-1 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.
2. Aldenville ME
Location: PA 170, village of Aldenville
Municipality: Clinton township
County: Wayne
State: PA
Directions:
From US 6, 4 miles west of Honesdale,
go 5 miles north on PA 170 to the village of Aldenville.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1881,36 – Aldenville church, Bethany
charge, repaired
1894,21 – church building thoroughly
remodeled
1972,75 & 86 – abandoned; furnishings
divided between Prompton and Bethany
Brief History:
This building was dedicated January 3,
1856. The property was a gift to the
church the following year by Julius T. and Levi H. Alden and their wives. The construction of the Prompton Reservoir
necessitated the relocation of several of the congregation’s active families,
and the final service was held December 1970 – there being an average attendance
of 7. The church was formally closed in 1972.
Final disposition:
As no legal heirs of the Alden family could
be located to satisfy the reversion clause in the original deed, the property
was given via a quit claim deed to the Aldenville Baptist Church.
3. Arlington Centenary ME
Location: PA 590, village of Arlington
Municipality: Salem township
County: Wayne
State: PA
Directions:
From PA 191 at Hamlin, go 6 miles
east on PA 590 to the village of Arlington.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1958,675 –
church closed and abandoned;
land to cemetery association
with understanding that the building be removed
Brief History:
This class worshiped in homes and school
houses before their church building was dedicated December 17, 1885, on a lot
donated by James Osborne. The building
was reported to be “24x40, with a lecture room 14x24, and a tower 40 feet
high. Services were discontinued in
1958, and the property was sold to the cemetery association.
Final disposition:
The church building was razed, the property
was deeded to the cemetery association, and a marker was erected to memorialize
the church building.
4. Bethany UMC
Address: 3 Court Street, village of Bethany
Municipality: Dyberry township
County: Wayne County
State: PA
Directions:
From PA 191 at the north end of
Honesdale, go 2.5 miles north on PA 670 to the village of Bethany. The church is on the right, at the northeast
corner of PA 670 [Wayne Street] and Court Streets.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
Final disposition:
The property was conveyed
to Bethany Community Church on 2/9/2024 for $60,250.95.
5. Bidwell Hill ME
Address: 186 Ledgedale Road, village of
Bidwell Hill
Municipality: Salem township
County: Wayne County
State: PA
Directions:
From PA 191 1.5 miles
south of Hamlin, go 1 mile east on Ledgedale Road. The church is on the right, just past the
intersection with Bidwell Hill Road.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
2014,191 - discontinued
Brief History:
This class reportedly had existed “a
number of years” before a cornerstone for a building was laid October 9,
1869.
Final disposition:
This building now houses 5 apartments and
advertises itself as an “apartment community.”
6. Calkins Union ME
Location: village of Calkins
Municipality: Damascus township
County: Wayne
State: PA
Directions:
From US 6, 3 miles south of
Honesdale, go west 6 miles on PA 652 to Beach Lake. At Beach Lake bear left onto Milanville Road
and go 1 mile to Butternut Flats Road.
Turn left ointo Butternut Flats Road and go 5 miles to the village of
Boyds Mills. At Boyds Mills, turn left
onto Boyds Mills Road and go 2 miles to Calkins Road. Turn left onto Calkins Road, and the village
of Calkins.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1930,310 – new belfry
1975,74 – Beach Lake Calkins, Narrowsburg
NY charge dissolved; Narrowsburg to NY Conf.
1977,133 –
congregation discontinued
Brief History:
This was a union church building, serving
both Baptist and the Methodist constituents.
In October 1976 the congregation voted to affiliate solely with the
American Baptist denomination. United
Methodist members not expressing a desire to transfer elsewhere were assigned
to the Beach Lake UMC.
Final disposition:
This building now houses the Calkins Baptist
Church.
7. Carley Brook ME
Location: 491 Carley Brook Road
Municipality: Oregon township
County: Wayne
State: PA
Directions:
From the east end of Honesdale on US
6 (immediately after crossing the creek), go north on Cliff Street 1 miles to
Bunnell Pond Road. Bear left onto
Bunnell Pond Road and go 1 mile to Carley Brook Road. Bear left onto Carley Brook Road and go 1.5
miles. The church is on the left.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
2005,181 – permission to sell parcel of land behind the
church
2009,221 – church closed
Brief History:
The Methodist work here began in 1853. During
that time Carley Brook had sawmills, tanneries and a chemical acid
factory. Services were originally held
in a local home. From 1854 until 1886, services were held in the Carley Brook
schoolhouse. On February 6, 1867, the court granted a charter to the Methodist
Episcopal Church of Oregon. In 1876 John Riefler sold two acres and four
perches of land to the church for $13.50. This land was used to build the
existing church and parsonage. The parsonage was built in 1876, and the church
was built in 1886 at a cost of $1250.
The church bell was installed in 1923. The stained glass windows were
put in when Rev. William Schenk and Rev. Pearl Osterhout served the parish. A
new basement under the church was later installed to serve the needs of the
various groups.
Final disposition:
The building is now the Carley Brook
Chapel, housing a Mennonite-related congregation.
8. Cherry Ridge ME
[no picture]
Location: village of Cherry Ridge
Municipality: Cherry Ridge township
County: Wayne
State: PA
Directions:
From PA 191, 3 miles south of
Honesdale, turn west onto Owego Turnpike and go 1 mile to the village of Cherry
Ridge. The church stood about ½ mile
past the intersection that defined the Community of Cherry Ridge, on the north
side of the highway, before the next cross road. The exact location is given in the 1872
county atlas.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1930,208 – Cherry Ridge and Hoadleys
abandoned as part of charge consolidations
1934,250 – charge discontinued “several
years ago”; permission to sell parsonage
1937,126 – sold to Harry B. Gross for
$1000
1947,574 –
property abandoned and quit claim deed to those cited in reversion clause
Brief History:
George Harmon organized a class in Cherry
Ridge in 1810. This building was erected
in 1849 as a union structure owned by the Methodists and Presbyterians, but
eventually it was served exclusively by the Methodists. The Cherry Ridge charge was formed in 1852,
with the pastors using rental housing until a parsonage was acquired in 1892,
and consisted of Cherry Ridge and Cherry Valley [Hoadley’s] and Middle Ridge
[Clemo]. Regular services were
discontinued about 1935. It is possible
that this appointment was once known as Clarks Corners, which is a location in
Cherry Ridge township.
Final disposition:
The site is now open land.
9. Cold Springs ME
Location: 1421 Upper Woods Road
Municipality: Lebanon township
County: Wayne
State: PA
Directions:
From the intersection of PA 191 and
PA 371 at Rileyville, go east west on PA 371 to Upper Woods Road. This intersection is commonly designated Cold
Springs. The building is on the
southeast corner of PA 371 and Upper Woods Road
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1901,47 – new Union church bu7ilding
(Presbyterian & Methodist) at Cold Springs
Brief History:
Final disposition:
10. Conklin Hill Union ME
[no picture]
Location:
Municipality:
County: Wayne
State: PA
Directions:
From the intersection of PA 191 and
PA 371 at Rileyville, go east 9 miles on PA 371 to Dasmascus. At Damascus go 100 yards north to the Y where
Galilee Road goes left and Conklin Hill Road goes right. Go north on Conklin Hill Road 3 miles. The church stood on the east side of the road
by the cemetery.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
This building was
erected near the foundation of an earlier church that had burned. In August of
1913 William Boults gave one-third acre from his farm to the trustees for the
church. The 1914 charter states "the said corporation is formed for the
purpose of the support of public worship, according to the faith, doctrine,
discipline and usages of the Methodist, Presbyterian and Baptist
Churches." The church was completed in 1915. In 1929 Floyd Deighton, then
owner of the Boults farm, donated additional land to the church. Next to it is
the Conklin Hill Cemetery that has a separate Board of Trustees. While the building hosted Methodist
preaching, the Methodists never had any formal share in the property. Before the church building was erected, this
had been a school house appointment.
Final disposition:
11. East Canaan ME
[no picture]
Location: village of East Canaan
Municipality: Canaan township
County: Wayne
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1945,15 – discontinued and abandoned. East Canaan trustees directed to sell,
proceeds to Conference Board of Missions.
Brief History:
This church was on the Waymart charge.
Final disposition:
12. East Chapel ME
Location:
Municipality: South Canaan township
County: Wayne
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
This chapel was erected
for a cost of $662.95, one mile east of South Canaan, on land that was leased
from Alexander Correll. It was dedicated
January 22, 1899 – with the understanding that the property would revert to Mr.
Correll when it was no longer used for church purposes.
Final disposition:
13. East Sterling MP
Location: PA 191, village of East Sterling
Municipality: Dreher township
County: Wayne
State: PA
Directions:
From the interchange of PA 191 with
I-84, go 4 miles south on PA 191 to Phillips Road, at the south end of East
Sterling. The building is on the
southeast corner of PA 191 and Phillips Road.
The 1872 atlas gives the exact location.
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
1888,7 – deed for an additional lot
secured and placed in hands of the treasurer
1922,53 – Angels, Cortez,
Hollisterville, Mt. Cobb & [East] Sterling to form Hollisterville circuit
1925,47 – new pipeless furnace installed.
Brief History:
The East
Sterling and West Sterling Methodist Protestant churches were both formed about
the same time by dissenting members from the Sterling Methodist Episcopal
Church. The East Sterling Church
Final disposition:
The building has been transformed into a private
dwelling.
14. Galilee ME
Location: Galilee Road, village of Galilee
Municipality: Damascus township
County: Wayne
State: PA
Directions:
From PA 191, 3 miles north of the
intersection with PA 371, turn right onto Rutledgedale Road and go 1 mile to
Galilee Road. Turn left onto Galilee
Road and go 3 miles to the village of Galilee.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1988,226 – placed on limited service
2003,106 & 187 - abandoned
Brief History:
This class was organized in 1840 and
worshiped in a school house for 36 years before erecting a church building in
1876. The building was dedicated January
10, 1877, and decommissioned June 29, 2003.
The congregation had dwindled over the years and had been on “limited
service” since 1988.
Final disposition:
15. Girdland ME
Address: Oregon Turnpike, village of Girdland
Municipality: Lebanon township
County: Wayne County
State: PA
Directions:
Exit Honesdale on Cliff
Street (after US 6 crosses the Lackawaxen River at the south end of town) and
go 2 miles to Bunnels Pond. Turn left on
Bunnels Pond Road and go 1 mile to Carley Brook Road. Turn left and go 2 miles to Carley
Brook. Go 4 miles north on Carley Brook
Road to the Oregon Turnpike. Go 1 mile
east on the Oregon Turnpike. The church
is on the north side of the road.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal References:
1895,23 – church building
erected and dedicated
1957,353 – receives membership and
assets of West Damascus [schoolhouse appointment]
Brief History:
This is an appointment on
what was called the Oregon charge until it was re-named Carley Brook charge in
1899. At one time there were five church
buildings on the charge: Torrey (1849), Smith Hill (1852), Rileyville (1871),
Carley Brook (1886), Girdland (1894).
Services were held in Girdland at the home of Jonathan Bryant in 1851,
and regular preaching was established at the school house in 1857. The school house was used until the present
church building was erected in 1894. Two
adjacent farms gave land for the building, and it was deliberately erected on
the property line.
A service of “Deconsecration and
Disbandment” was held in early 2011.
While there is no formal statement of this in the 2011 journal, the
statistics for that year (page S-133) list only 4 members, and the church is
not listed in the appointments for the next year (page 365). There was, however, an unofficial merger into
Smith Hill with the understanding that Smith Hill would care for the property
for 10 years and then hand it over to the trustees if no further arrangements
could be made.
A reversion clause in the original deeds,
the fact that the building was erected on both properties, and disagreements
among the heirs made selling and/or disposing the property problematic.
Final Disposition:
16. Gravity ME
Location: PA 296, village of Gravity
Municipality: Lake township
County: Wayne
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1921,77 – public hall purchased to be
remodeled into worship center
1922,91 – building dedicated March 12
1930,308 – moved from South Canaan charge to
Ariel charge as part of charge consolidations
1945,15 –
bequest turned over to conference trustees, proceeds to go to Hamlin Centenary
building fund.
Brief History:
This was a schoolhouse appointment for
many years on the South Canaan charge.
In 1921 the congregation purchased the POSA Hall pictured above and used
it until 1943, when it was sold and became a Grange Hall. When it closed, the church was on the Lake
Ariel charge.
Final disposition:
The building is now a private home.
17. Hoadley’s ME
[a.k.a. Cherry Valley ME]
[no picture]
Location: PA 191, village of Hoadley’s
Municipality: Cherry Ridge township
County: Wayne
State: PA
Directions:
From Honesdale, go 5 miles south on
PA 191.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1905,64 – church building erected
1906,55 –
building dedicated July 23, 1905
1930,208 – Hoadleys and Cherry Ridge
abandoned as part of charge consolidations
Brief History:
This class met in schoolhouses for many
years until land was donated in 1904 for a church building. The final Methodist services were held in the
building in May 1941. In 1946 the heirs
of the original owners reclaimed the property, via a reversion clause in the
deed, and converted the building into a dwelling.
Final disposition:
18. Hollisterville ME
Address: Pond Road, village of Hollisterville
Municipality: Salem township
County: Wayne County
State: PA
Directions:
From PA 191 in Hamlin, go
west on PA 590 2 miles to the PA 690.
Turn left on PA 690 and go one block to Pond Road. Turn left on Pond Road and fo one block. The church is on the right.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
2016,147 – merged into Hamlin Centenary to
form Salem Community UMC
Brief History:
This class was formed in
1850 and worshipped with the Methodist Protestants in a union church
building. In 1870 they began meeting
with the ME class at Greenwood, but in 1874 they returned to Hollisterville and
met in the Baptist building. In 1884
they erected the present structure, the first building that was truly their
own.
In 2016, Hollisterville UMC and Maplewood
Grace UMC merged into Hamlin Centenary UMC to form Salem Community UMC.
Final disposition:
The property was sold in 2020 and is being
converted into a residence.
19. Hollisterville MP
Location: PA 590, village of Hollisterville
Municipality: Salem township
County: Wayne
State: PA
Directions:
The church is in the west end of
Hollisterville, on the northwest corner of PA 590 and Stanet Road. The parsonage and original church lot are on
the East side of Hollisterville Road, about 100 yards south of Newville
Road.
Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Protestant
Church
Journal references:
1922,53 – Angels, Cortez,
Hollisterville, Mt. Cobb & Sterling to form Hollisterville circuit
Brief History:
This building originally
stood on the west corner of the junction where Hollisterville road joins the
Moscow road, and was the West Sterling MP Church. It was later moved to Hollisterville and
became the Hollisterville MP Church. It
was shared with the ME congregation until 1870, when that group left to worship
with the Greentown ME congregation and later returned to Hollisterville to
erect their own building (now Hollisterville UM Church) in 1884. The Hollisterville MP Church did not
participate in the 1939 union, and continues today as the Hollisterville Bible Church.
Final disposition:
The 0.5 acre rectangular
parsonage lot at 294 Hollisterville Road is still listed in the 2011 Wayne
County tax rolls as is owned by the “Methodist Protestant Parsonage.” The empty 0.5 acre square lot to the south
is listed as owned by the “Methodist Protestant Church” and may have been site
of an earlier church building.
20. Kingsbury Hill ME
Location: community of Autumn Leaves
Municipality: Buckingham township
County: Wayne
State: PA
Directions:
From Hancock NY,
cross in to Pennsylvania on PA 191. In 2
blocks, bear right onto Winterdale Road.
Proceed on Winterdale Road 1.5 miles to Autumn Leaves Road. Turn left on Autumn Leaves Road and proceed
2.5 miles. The cemetery is on the
right, immediately after the road makes a 90 degree right turn. It is believed the church was near the
cemetery.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1883,60 – new church building dedicated on
February 18, 1883
1949,52 – declared closed and abandoned;
sale authorized with proceeds to Hale Eddy [NY]
1950,338 – sale accomplished, proceeds in
possession of Hale Eddy church
Brief History:
This society
worshiped in a schoolhouse for many years before erecting a church. It was always part of the Hale Eddy [NY] charge,
which was actually called the Kingsbury Hill charge for two years when it first
appeared in 1868.
Final disposition:
21. Lakewood ME
[a.k.a. Winwood ME]
Location: community of Lakewood
Municipality: Preston township
County: Wayne
State: PA
Directions:
Lakewood is on PA route 370, 7 miles
east of Thompson PA and 10 miles southwest of Hancock NY.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1904,59 – new church worth, with lot,
$6,500
1964,63 – declared abandoned; permission to sell with proceeds
divided between Lake Como and Shehawken
1964,80 – officially discontinued
Brief History:
The village of Winwood became known as
Lakewood about 1910. Services were begun
here about 1899 and held in the schoolhouse until the church building was
dedicated August 16, 1903. The church
was always on the Lake Como charge.
Lakewood last appears in the statistical tables, but with no entries, in
1962.
Final disposition:
There were bad feelings
and controversy about the closing, with specific interest expressed in selling
to the Free Methodist congregation worshiping in an inadequate building in Lake
Como. There was also interest in
re-starting the congregation or selling the property to the township for a
community building. After legal considerations,
the property was finally sold in 1967 – the
stained glass windows having been sold separately, and the remainder of
the building having been removed. The
negotiations involved are recorded in the vertical file at the conference
archives.
22. Little Chapel ME
Location:
Municipality: Salem township
County: Wayne
State: PA
Directions:
From PA 191 in Hamlin, go 2 miles
east on PA 590 to Chapman Road. Turn
north onto Chapman Road and go 2 miles to Little Chapel.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1927,45 – permission to sell
Brief History:
This chapel was conveyed to the Methodists
in 1858. The class was greatly
strengthened by a revival in 1899. The
proceeds of the sale were turned over to the Hamlin congregation, which had
originally launched the enterprise.
Final disposition:
23. Maplewood EA
Location: Lake Henry Road, south of the village of
Maplewood
Municipality: Lake township
County: Wayne
State: PA
Directions:
From PA 191 in Hamlin, go 2 miles
west on PA 590 to PA 348. When PA 590 bends
south, go straight on PA 348 1 mile to Lake Henry Road. Go 1.5 miles north on Lake Henry Road. The cemetery is on the right.
Historic Conference:
East Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical
Association
Journal references:
1924,36 – permission to merge with Maplewood Grace UE
and sell the building
1926,297 – permission to sell the
church lot and cemetery
Brief
History:
This building stood by the Maplewood
Evangelical Cemetery on Lake Henry Road.
The congregation divided as a result of the denominational split and the
dissenters formed the Grace United Evangelical Church of Maplewood and erected
their own building a short distance up the road. When the two Wayne circuits came back together
in 1922, there were two Maplewood buildings.
The United Evangelical structure being the newer and better, this
congregation voted to merge into Maplewood Grace and to sell their building –
which was then removed from the site.
The church lot and adjoining cemetery were sold two years later to the
Cemetery Association.
Final disposition:
The site is now an active cemetery controlled by a
cemetery association.
24. Maplewood Grace ME
Address: Lake Henry Road, Maplewood
Municipality: Lake township
County: Wayne County
State: PA
Directions:
From PA 191 in Hamlin, go
west on PA 590 2 miles to PA 348.
Continue straight on PA 348 1 mile to Lake Henry Road. Turn north on Lake Henry Road and go 1.5
miles. The church is on the left, at the
intersection of Lake Henry and Maplewood Roads.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1970,195 – receives 50 members from
Maplewood Grace (former EUB)
1998,308 – dedicated new additioonjh
4/26/1998
2016,147 – merged into Hamlin
Centenary to form Salem Community
Brief History:
The Methodist class here
was organized in 1870, and the community was known first as Forest Hills and
then Forest Chapel before it became known as Maplewood. The church building was begun in 1871 and
dedicated in 1874. The congregation was
known as the “Maplewood” Church. In 1970
the congregation received the members of the former Maplewood Grace EUB church
and became known as “Grace.” The wing to
the left of the town was added following that congregational merger.
In 2016, Maplewood Grace UMC and
Hollisterville UMC merged into Hamlin Centenary to form Salem Community UMC.
Final disposition:
The property was sold in 2017, reportedly
to be used as a recording studio.
25. Maplewood Grace UE
Location: Lake Henry Road, village of Maplewood
Municipality: Lake township
County: Wayne
State: PA
Directions:
From PA 191 in Hamlin, go 2 miles west
on PA 590 to PA 348. When PA 590 bends
south, go straight on PA 348 1 mile to Lake Henry Road. Go 2 miles north on Lake Henry Road. The church is on the right.
Historic Conference:
East Pennsylvania Conference of the United Evangelical
Church
Journal references:
1969,246 – 50 members to Wyoming Conference
Wyoming Conference
1969,60 – transfer by change of boundaries to Wyoming Conference
1970,195 – merges into Maplewood (former ME)
Brief History:
This congregation was formed by those in
the Maplewood Evangelical Association congregation who sided with the United
Evangelicals. They erected their own
building a short distance away. The
congregations followed the example of their parent denominations and re-united
in 1922, worshiping in the Grace building and selling the former Evangelical
Association property. In 1969, following
the Methodist-EUB denominational union, the congregation brought 50 members
into the Wyoming Conference of the United Methodist Church. Those members joined with the 16 members of
the Maplewood Methodist congregation to form the Maplewood United Methodist
Church, meeting in the former Methodist building. The Grace building has been sold and now
houses an independent congregation.
Final disposition:
Formerly home to the Calvary Bible Church, the building now houses the Avoy
Christian Church. The Maplewood
Evangelical Cemetery exists on Lake Henry Road, 1 mile south of Maplewood Road.
26. Milanville ME
Location: Milanville Road, village of Milanville
Municipality: Damascus township
County: Wayne
State: PA
Directions:
From Honesdale, go 3 miles east on
US 6 to PA 652 [Beach Lake Highway]. Go
north on PA 652 6 miles to Beach Lake.
Bear left onto Milanville Road [at Beach Lake UMC]. Follow Milanville Road 6 miles (through
Milanville – i.e., bear right at the triangle and head toward the bridge to New
York state). The church is on the left
as you leave the village.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
2007,93 – merged into Damascus to form Damascus Manor
UMC
[note: the journal
erroneously states Abrahamsville instead of Milanville]
Brief History:
Milanville was a schoolhouse appointment
on the Damascus charge until the class purchased land and erected a church
building in 1910. January 1, 2007,
Milanville UMC merged into Damascus UMC to form Damascus Manor UMC. A detailed history of the Milanville church,
including many photographs, is given in the 2007 anniversary booklet of the
Damascus Manor church.
Final disposition:
27. Orson ME
Address: PA 370, village of Orson
Municipality: Preston township
County: Wayne County
State: PA
Directions:
From PA 191 1 mile south of Hancock NY, go
13 miles south on PA 370 to the crossroad at Orson. Turn right on Oxbow Road [the road to the
left is PA 670] and go ½ mile. The
church is on the left.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal References:
1916,76 – church building moved
nearer to the center of the community
Brief History:
Methodist work began in Hine’s
Corners, Wayne County, in 1849 after Catherine (Mrs. Merritt) Hine was
converted and invited the preacher from Lanesboro to hold a series of meetings
that resulted in some 50 additional conversions. Meetings were held in the schoolhouse until a
church building was dedicated on the Hine farm in 1878. In 1890 the Ontario and Western (O&W)
Railroad extended its service to Scranton and the Orson depot/post-office
(named for Catherine’s grandson Orson who had died of diphtheria) at Hine’s
Corners became a town with two creameries, two ices houses, a grain mill, a saw
mill, and several hotels and stores.
Land was purchased to move the church building nearer the village, and
on May 22, 1916, the Orson Methodist Episcopal Church was dedicated at its new
location. The railroad, the post office,
and the town disappeared years ago, but the Church continued serving the community
until 2013 – when the remaining congregation celebrated 97 years at the present
location and decided to discontinue services and present its assets to the
Susquehanna Conference.
Final Disposition:
The land and building was sold to an
adjacent land owner.
28. Poyntelle ME
Location: village of Poyntelle
Municipality: Preston township
County: Wayne
State: PA
Directions:
Poyntelle is on PA 370, 1 mile east
of Orson. The location of the church
building is unknown.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1910,56 – new church building at Poyntelle
on the Orson charge
Brief History:
The 9/24/1909 Wayne County Herald mentions
a funeral held at the Poyntelle Methodist Church, and states that “the Orson
choir did the singing.” The 1908 record book of the Herrick Center charge lists
congregations at Herrick Center, Poyntelle, Hines Corners, East Ararat and
Orson – and the Poyntelle congregation appears to have taken is members from
1908 to 1917. The appointment/building
is not mentioned in Chaffee’s 1904 History
of the Wyoming Conference.
Final disposition:
29. Prompton ME
Location:
Municipality:
County: Wayne
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1888,20 – building secured, which will be
“reseated” and improved over the years
1952,942 – permission to sell
Brief History:
According to court records, the “Eaton
Methodist Episcopal Church of Prompton was registered April 20, 1870, and the
“Methodist Episcopal Church of Prompton” was incorporated July 20, 1922. The actual building was erected by the Universalists
in 1839 and used by them until 1859 when it was converted into the Wayne County
Normal School. In 1880 the property
reverted to the original owners, and in 1882 it was purchased by the
Methodists. The building was formally
dedicated in 1887 and improved over the years.
In 1952 the Methodist and Presbyterian congregations united to form a
Methodist congregation owning both properties.
The former Methodist property was sold and the congregation (now
Prompton UMC) continued in the former Presbyterian building.
Final disposition:
30. Rileyville ME
Location: village of Rileyville
Municipality: Lebanon township
County: Wayne
State: PA
Directions:
Rileyville is on PA 191, 10 miles north
of Honesdale, at the intersection of PA 191 and PA 371. The church is believed to have been on PA
371, about 0.5 miles west of PA 191.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1894,21 – reopened
after no services for “eight or nine years”
Brief History:
The first Methodist preaching here was in
the house of Joseph Bass in the 1860’s.
A class was formed, and Mr. Bass became a licensed exhorter. The church building was dedicated October 4,
1871. The church was closed 1889-1894,
and then reopened and placed with Galilee.
In 1896 it was placed on the Carley Brook charge, where it remained
until being closed in the early 1900’s.
Final disposition:
By 1915 the building had
ceased to be used for a church and a 99 year lease was granted to Hickory
Grange. Hickory Grange is now defunct
and in 2008 assigned the remaining years of its lease to the Rileyville
Community Association. When the lease
was about to expire the Rileyville Community Association sought and received a
quit claim deed for the property from the Susquehanna Conference UMC in
September 2013. The building is now
property of the Rileyville Community Association.
31. South Canaan ME
Location: Saint Tikhons Road, village of South Canaan
Municipality: South Canaan township
County: Wayne
State: PA
Directions:
From PA 191 in Lake Ariel, take PA
296 north for 6 miles to the crossroads in the village of South Canaan. Turn right at the cross roads and go 200
yards. The church building is on the
left.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1947, 573 – Since the property has
been sold, all open accounts shall revert to the Conference.
Brief History:
Methodist circuit riders began visiting
this area about 1810. Services were held
in homes and the school house until a church was erected in the old cemetery
(just north of the main crossroads) in 1834. This area was severely impacted by the
Methodist Protestant division. Both
factions continued worshiping in the old church until the Methodist Episcopal
congregation erected the original section of the building pictured above in
1865 on a lot donated by Philip Lerch and wife – and the nearby crossroads was
once known as Lerch’s [or Learch’s] Corners.
A parsonage was purchased in 1871, and the South Canaan charge included
church buildings at East Canaan, Gravity, South Canaan and a school house
appointment at Varden. None of the
Methodist Episcopal congregations survive today, although the former Methodist
Protestant congregation (which did not participate in the 1939 denominational
re-union) does.
Final disposition:
The property was sold to
the Free Methodist Church for $100 in 1942.
The nearby Simontown Free Methodist congregation (whose building stood
across from the existing graveyard) moved into the building, and they were
joined by the Pink Free Methodist congregation (whose building north of Lake
Ariel, near the old drive-in theater, is now a hunting cabin) in 1948. The building was raised and the basement
added in the 1950’s, and the Christian education wing to the east was added in
the 1960’s. The building now houses the
South Canaan Free Methodist Church, which considers the building’s Methodist
Episcopal history as part of its heritage.
32. South Canaan MP
Location: PA 296, village of South Canaan
Municipality: South Canaan township
County: Wayne
State: PA
Directions:
From PA 191 in Lake Ariel, take PA
296 north for 6 miles to the village of South Canaan. The church stood in the existing cemetery ½
mile north of the crossroads, on the left side of the road.
Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Protestant
Church
Journal references:
1922,53 – South
Canaan & Varden form a circuit
Brief History:
A German Reformed
congregation was founded in the area by Hans Ulrich Swengle about 1790. That appears to have been the nucleus of the
group that became Methodist and erected a meeting house here about 1823. The congregation was affected by the 1830
denominational split, and both the Methodist Episcopal and Methodist Protestant
congregations worshiped in the building until 1865, when the Methodist
Episcopal Church erected its own structure.
The building continued to be Methodist Protestant until 1939, when the
congregation opted out of the union that created the Methodist Church and
joined the newly-formed Bible Protestant Church.
Final disposition:
This congregation joined with its sister
congregation at Varden in 1975 to erect the present Canaan Bible Church,
located at the southern end of South Canaan, just east of PA 296 on Hemlock
Road. The building at this site was
razed and replaced by a monument housing the old bell and an historical plaque.
33. South Preston ME
[no picture]
Location:
Municipality: Preston township
County: Wayne
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1888,20 – new structure erected from old
Tallmansville building
1927,45 – permission to sell
Brief History:
This building was dedicated December 3,
1887, on a lot donated by David Doyle.
The structure was actually the 1866 Tallmansville ME Church, which had
been dismantled, moved, and re-erected slightly reduced in size.
Final disposition:
34. South Sterling ME
Location: PA 191 village of South Sterling
Municipality: Dreher township
County: Wayne
State: PA
Directions:
South Sterling is on PA 191, 3 miles
above the Monroe County line.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1981,86-89 – charge reorganization and distribution of property and
assets following the fire
1981,93 - discontinued
Brief History:
A Methodist Sunday School
meeting in the school house existed in South Sterling in 1850. A revival in 1853 resulted in the erection of
a church building the following year and the formal chartering of a
congregation in 1859. In 1930 the
Sterling circuit was divided and Hemlock Grove, LaAnna and South Sterling
became the South Sterling charge, with a parsonage erected that year next to
the church. When the church was destroyed
by fire November 27, 1979, the charge considered several options for
rebuilding. In 1981, it was decided not
to rebuild: the 3 point charge was officially dissolved, most of the members
transferred to Hemlock Grove, and the parsonage served the Hemlock Grove
congregation until it was sold in 1986 when a new parsonage was erected next to
the Hemlock Grove church.
Final disposition:
35. Stalker ME
[no picture]
Location: village of Stalker
Municipality: Manchester township
County: Wayne
State: PA
Directions:
The village of Stalker is about 2
miles east of Braman
Historic Conference:
New York Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
It is unclear whether this Methodist
building was in Wayne County PA or in Sullivan County NY. A communication from the New York Conference
reported in the 1996 History of the Equinunk Methodist Church reads as
follows. “Stalker was probably organized
about 1890 and absorbed by Equinunk in 1929.
The New York Conference minutes show authorization on May 4, 1935 to
sell for $250. The best offer was $150,
with the bell and furniture worth $100.”
There are also recent references in the Wayne County Historical Society
minutes to a “Stalker Church” – but without denominational reference.
Final disposition:
36. Stanton Hill ME
Location:
Municipality:
County: Wayne
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
This class was organized about 1855 with H.P.
Stanton as the class leader. The
schoolhouse was used for worship until the church building was dedicated
October 27, 1883, on land from A.R. Dix.
It appears that Mr. Dix may have actually donated a lot for a new school
on the condition that the Methodists could have the old school lot on which to
erect their building.
Final disposition:
37. Starrucca ME
Location: 1 Shadigee Creek Road
Municipality: borough of Starrucca
County: Wayne
State: PA
Directions:
Although in Wayne County, Starrucca is near the county line and has
identified with the Thompson charge in Susquehanna County. From the main intersection in the village of
Thompson [where PA 171 makes a right angle turn] in Susquehanna County, go east
5 miles on Starrucca Road [which becomes Starrucca Creek Road] to the village
of Starrucca. The church is in the
village of Starrucca, near the main intersection of Shadigee Creek Road and
Starrucca Creek Road.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
2006,93 – merged
into Thompson
2006,167 – permission to sell
building
Brief History:
The congregation here
developed from services held first in a barroom and later in the schoolhouse. The first Methodist Episcopal church building
in Starrucca was dedicated January 1, 1848, and stood across the road and
slightly toward the schoolhouse from the present structure. The existing building was dedicated June 13,
1872. The church was part of the
Thompson charge from 1893 until it closed.
Final disposition:
The building was sold by the Thompson charge
on 3/30/2009 to the Body of Christ Church of Starrucca for $53,000.
38. Steene ME
Location: US 6, village of Steene
Municipality: Canaan township
County: Wayne
State: PA
Directions:
The village of Steene is on US 6,
between Waymart and Prompton. The
building sits on the southeast corner of US 6 and Davis Road.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1924,51 – permission to sell
1925,93 –
building sold; proceeds total $535
Brief History:
Canaan Corners was the site of the original
Methodist class in this area, but the population shifted. After worshiping in a schoolhouse for a
number of years, the class at Steene secured the old church at Canaan Corners
and moved it to a lot donated by Emmons Eaton, where it was dedicated in
1859. The class was incorporated April
20, 1870, as “The Eaton Methodist Episcopal Church.”
Final disposition:
The building is now a private residence.
39. Sterling EV
Location: PA 191, village of Newfoundland
Municipality: Dreher township
County: Wayne
State: PA
Directions:
From the interchange of PA 191 with
I-84, go 6 miles south on PA 191 to the south end of Newfoundland. The building stood on the east side of PA
191, in front of the existing cemetery.
The 1872 atlas gives the exact location.
Historic Conference:
East Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical
Association
Journal references:
1921,103 – permission to sell “Newfoundland church
property on Wayne charge”
Brief History:
As Dreher township was originally part of
Sterling township, this appointment is referred to as Sterling in the church
records. The appointment is first named
in the records in connection with Wayne mission in 1869, but the work seems to
have begun in the early 1860’s. The
church building is reported to have been erected about 1854, perhaps by
Moravians. There was a separate Sterling
circuit in the 1870’s until the appointment was permanently attached to Wayne
circuit in 1877. The parsonage for Wayne
circuit was here from 1880 until 1887, when a more centrally located house was
purchased. Preaching continued here at
least until 1908. Authorization to sell the
property was granted in 1921. The church
building was reportedly moved across the street to become a private residence
in the 1940’s. The so-called Albright
Cemetery of this congregation exists just south of Newfoundland, about 20 yards
off the highway, and it is unclear how near the church site was to the
cemetery.
Final disposition:
40. Stockport ME
[no picture]
Location: community of Stockport
Municipality: Buckingham township
County: Wayne
State: PA
Directions:
Stockport is on PA 1919, 5 miles
north of Equinunk.
Historic Conference:
New York Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
Stockport was on the Equinunk charge. The last services here were held in 1916.
Final disposition:
41. Tallmansville ME
Location:
Municipality: Preston township
County: Wayne
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
This class was organized in 1831, with
David Wooley as class leader and meetings held in homes. The Tallmansville charge first appears among
the appointments in 1859, having been separated from the Lanesboro
circuit. Tallmansille was a schoolhouse
appointment for many years until a church was erected and dedicated June 23,
1866, on land donated by C.P. Tallman.
The building was dismantled and moved to South Preston in 1887.
Final disposition:
42. Torrey ME
Address: Torrey Road, village of Torrey
Municipality: Oregon township
County: Wayne County
State: PA
Directions:
Exit Honesdale on Cliff Street (after US 6
crosses the Lackawaxen River at the south end of town), which becomes Daniels
Road and then Fox Hill Road. Stay on
this road about 7 miles. At the stop
sign with Torrey Road, turn left and go 1 mile to the village of Torrey.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal References:
1905,64 – new church built
1906,55 – building dedicated May
21, 1905
1928,88 – building destroyed by fire
3/4/1927
1930,309 – building burned to ground
2 years ago; new structure dedicated 5/29/1929.
Brief History:
This is the first church
building erected on what was called the Oregon charge until it was re-named
Carley Brook charge in 1899. At one time
there were four church buildings on the charge: Torrey (1849), Smith Hill
(1852), Rileyville (1871), Carley Brook (1886), Girdland (1894). Because of declining membership, the
congregation voted unanimously to discontinue.
The closing service was held December 11, 2011,
43. Tresslarville EV
Location: PA 196, village of Tresslarville
Municipality: Lake township
County: Wayne
State: PA
Directions:
From the intersection of PA 191 and
PA 196 south of Lake Ariel, proceed north on PA 196 3 miles to the intersection
with PA 296. The church is one lot north
of the northwest corner of the intersection.
Historic Conference:
East Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical
Association
Journal references:
1923,20 – “At
Tresslarville our church is used and the then UE property abandoned.”
Wyoming Conference 1969,60 – transfer
by change of boundaries to Wyoming Conference
Brief History:
This congregation began sometime before
1894. There were both Association and
United Evangelical buildings in Tresslarville during the 1894-1922
denominational split. This is the
Association building that was used by the post-1922 merged congregation. Following the 1968 Methodist-EUB union, the
27 members of this congregation became part of the Wyoming Conference of the
United Methodist Church. There were 16
members on the rolls when services were discontinued in 1979. Tresslarville and the nearby Lackawanna
County congregation at Elmdale, both formerly of the Wayne circuit of the
Evangelical Church, had sought and were given permission to leave the United
Methodist Church. The property was sold
to the Tresslarville Evangelical Bible Church for $2000. The property not having suitable facilities,
it was soon abandoned and the congregation merged into the Elmdale Evangelical
Bible Church.
Final disposition:
In 2011 the building was empty and for sale by a
realtor.
44. Union MP
[Angels MP]
Location: village of Angels Corners
Municipality: Dreher township
County: Wayne
State: PA
Directions:
From PA 191, 2 miles south of
Newfoundland, go west on PA 507 3 miles to PA 196. The intersection of PA 507 and PA 196 is
called Angels Corners.
Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Protestant
Church
Journal references:
1911,61 – listed as part of the charge’s report of the
Committee on Ladies’ Aid
1916,40 – conference president
preaches here Monday 2/14/1916
1922,53 – Angels, Cortez,
Hollisterville, Mt. Cobb & Sterling to form Hollisterville circuit
1925,47 – interior of church painted
1952,945 – declared abandoned;
permission to sell
Brief History:
This building was
dedicated in 1888 on land donated by the Nevin family. For many years
the congregation was part of the 3-point Salem & Sterling charge consisting
of Hollisterville, East Salem and Union.
That charge later added Mt. Cobb and Cortez and became the
Hollisterville charge. Church services
in the building appear to have ceased as a result of the 1939 denominational
merger. The structure must have been significant, as the December 7, 1916,
issue of the Wayne Independent in
Honesdale reported as follows: "Last Sunday the Union Church
which had been remodeled by the addition of a basement and a capacious vestibule
containing a stairway to the second story as well as the fine basement was
rededicated. Services were held all day and evening. Free chicken
dinner and supper was served to the crowd. Rev. Mr. McAckley of Daleville
held the attention of the congregation in the evening by a good address."
Final disposition:
The building was purchased by
Harry C. Roof, pastor of the 3-point LaAnna – South Sterling – Greentown
Methodist parish. In 1956 he dismantled
the structure and used the materials to build his retirement home on the
southeast corner of the intersection of PA 507 and PA 196. The nearby original site is now overgrown.
45. Varden EV
Location: PA 296, village of Varden
Municipality: South Canaan township
County: Wayne
State: PA
Directions:
From PA 191 in Lake Ariel, go 2
miles north on PA 296 to the village of Varden.
The church stood in the south end of town, on the top of hill before the
bridge crossing Middle Creek, on the right side of the road. The church building stood directly in front
of the house pictured above, and its foundations lie just beneath the surface
of the front yard.
Historic Conference:
East Pennsylvania Conference of the United Evangelical
Church
Journal references:
1922,126 – listed
for the final time as a conference building
Brief History:
This congregation was
formed after the 1894 denominational split and discontinued at the 1922
denominational re-union. It is believed
that the building erected in 1897 was owned ½ by the United Evangelical Church
and ½ by the Methodist Protestant Church.
Final disposition:
The building became in
full possession of the Methodist Protestant denomination in 1922.
46. Varden MP
Location: PA 296, village of Varden
Municipality: South Canaan township
County: Wayne
State: PA
Directions:
From PA 191 in Lake Ariel, go 2
miles north on PA 296 to the village of Varden.
The church stood in the south end of town, on the top of hill before the
bridge crossing Middle Creek, on the right side of the road. The church building stood directly in front
of the house pictured above, and its foundations lie just beneath the surface
of the front yard.
Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Protestant
Church
Journal references:
1922,53 – South
Canaan & Varden form a circuit
Brief History:
In 1896, after 65 years of
worshiping with the South Canaan Church, the people of Varden decided to build
a sanctuary of their own. They partnered
with the newly-formed United Evangelical congregation to erect a building which
was dedicated in June 1897. With the
1922 denominational reunion, the Evangelicals appear to have ended their
interest in the building and it continued to be Methodist Protestant until
1939, when the congregation opted out of the union that created the Methodist
Church and joined the newly-formed Bible Protestant Church.
Final disposition:
This congregation joined
with its sister congregation at South Canaan in 1975 to erect the present
Canaan Bible Church, located at the southern end of South Canaan, just east of
PA 296 on Hemlock Road. The property was
sold and the church building was razed.
47. West Damascus ME
Location:
Municipality:
County: Wayne
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1957,353 – membership and assets merged
into Girdland
Brief History:
This schoolhouse appointment 7 miles
northeast of Carley Brook is included in this list because it was active for
over 100 years, beginning in 1854. In
1857 the membership and assets were merged into Girdland.
Final disposition:
48. West Sterling MP
Location:
Municipality:
County: Wayne
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Protestant
Church
Journal references:
1883,4 – new church building dedicated
Brief History:
The East Sterling and West
Sterling Methodist Protestant churches were both formed about the same time by
dissenting members from the Sterling Methodist Episcopal Church. The West Sterling Church
Final disposition:
49. Whites Valley ME
Address: 1995 Bethany Turnpike [PA 670],
village of Whites Valley
Municipality: Mt. Pleasant township
County: Wayne County
State: PA
Directions:
From PA 191 at the north end of
Honesdale, go 10 miles north on PA 670 to the village of Whites Valley. The church is on the right.
Historic Conference:
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
2019,168 – closed 4/24/2019
2021,266 – sold 7/11/2020 for
$12,500 to Neeco Beaham.
Brief History:
The present building here was dedicated in
June 1891. The building was
decommissioned May 3, 2019, and sold on July 11, 2020, to Neeco A. Beahan for
$12,500.
Final disposition: