CLOSED CHURCHES WITHIN THE
PRESENT BOUNDARIES OF THE
SUSQUEHANNA CONFERENCE OF
THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
The information for each
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YORK COUNTY PA
1. Airville McKendree UMC
Address: 3708 Delta Road [PA 74], village of Airville
Municipality: Lower Chanceford township
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
Airville is 15 miles
south of Red Lion on PA 74. The church
is south of the village, ½ mile past the intersection with PA 425, on the west
side of the highway.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania
Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
The first church building was erected in
1825. Prior to that services were held
in barns and houses. In 1867 the
original building was replaced at a cost of $2400. The present building was erected in 1904 and
significantly remodeled in 1969 to include classrooms in the basement. In 1992 the charge erected a new parsonage at
the north end of the church property.
For many years the 4-point Airville charge
consisted of McKendree and Salem in Lower Chanceford township, Bethel in
Chanceford township, and Prospect in Fawn township.
On 2/6/2023 the congregation voted 32-0 to disaffiliate from the
United Methodist Church, and that disaffiliation along with 140 others was
approved at a 5/17/2023 special session of the Susquehanna Conference.
Final
disposition:
The congregation
is operating as the independent McKendree Faith Church.
2. Airville Salem UMC
Address: 5042 Delta Road
Municipality: Lower Chanceford township
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
Airville is 15
miles south of Red Lion on PA 74. The
church is another 5.7 miles south of the village, 2.3 miles past the
intersection with PA 372, on the west side of the highway.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania
Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
2024,158 – separated
2/28/2024
Brief History:
The Salem congregation erected its
first church building in 1820 – at the present site. It was replaced by
in 1867 at a cost of $2500. The present
building was erected beside and to the west of the 1867 structure in 1977 at a
cost of $116,939. The 1867 structure has
since been razed.
This congregation voted to close in
February 2024 and to reorganize as an independent church.
Final
disposition:
The property was conveyed to
Salem Church of Delta on 2/15/2024 for $17,927.30.
3. Aughenbaugh EV
Location: North Susquehanna Trail
Municipality: Manchester township
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
From the Emigsville exit
[exit #24] north of York on I-83, go 0.1 miles west on Church Road to the
Susquehanna Trail. Go north on the
Susquehanna Trail 1.0 miles. Thr church is on the right.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical
Church
Journal references:
1861 – taken from York circuit and placed on Dover [Conewago] circuit
1870 – taken from Conewago circuit and
placed on York circuit
Brief History:
This class dates from 1825, when (future
bishop) John Seybert served the York circuit.
Details about the Aughenbaugh family and the founding of the church are
given in the 1999 issue of The Chronicle,
pages 89-90. Although apparently erected
by persons associated with the Evangelical Association, the building seems to
have been more closely associated with the Church of the Brethren. It’s formal association with the Evangelical
Church is not well documented.
Final disposition:
4. Bald Hill EV
[aka St. James EV]
Location: community of Erney
Municipality: Newberry township
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
From the Newberrytown
interchange of I-83 and PA 382, go west on PA 382 1.4 miles to York Road. Go south on York Road 2.0 miles to Erney Road
and the community of Erney. The church
is on the right, within the Y formed by York Road and
Erney Road.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical
Church
Journal references:
1957,71 – permission to discontinue the
appointment for the remaining members, at their own request, to become one
congregation with the Lutherans.
Brief History:
This building was erected
1856/57 as a union Lutheran-Evangelical church.
The appointment was one of the six (along with Alpine, Cross Roads, Emmanuel, Mt. Airy. Paddletown
St. Paul’s and Salem) original appointments on the Lewisberry circuit when it
was formed in 1875 by division of the Conewago circuit. The membership was never large, and the
appointment was discontinued in 1957.
The appointment was known over the years as Bald Hill, Parkville, and
St. James.
Final disposition:
The building eventually became the property of the
Parkville Cemetery Association (owners of the cemetery across the road). It is well maintained and apparently was sold
in 1980 for $1 to the “Parkville Church of the Living God.”
5. Beavertown EV
[no picture]
Location: Campground Road, community of Beavertown
Municipality: Carroll township
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
From the Dillsburg intersection of US 15 and Mountain
Road, go west ½ mile on Mountain Road to Campground Road. The Beavertown Evangelical church was located
west of Dillsburg on east side of Campground Road, near its southern terminus
at Mountain Road and just south of Pine Street.
The 1876 York County Atlas shows the exact location.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical
Church
Journal references:
1920,46 – no congregation,
building idle for several years, referred to Ways and Means
Brief History:
The building was purchased about 1921 by
John Baker and his son-in-law Henry Heisey.
They dismantled it and used the lumber to erect the house to the right
of the Cocklin Funeral Home in Dillsburg – but only used the material and did
not reconstruct the original building.
Final disposition:
6. Bethlehem Farm [Day Camp]
UMC
[no picture]
Location: 3150 Tunnel Hill Toad
Municipality: North Codorus township
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical
Church
Journal references:
1967,168 – responsibility for operation
and finances shifted from Bethlehem congregation to the Conference
Brief History:
The property was purchased in June 1, 1964, for $15,950 and dedicated June 13, 1965, as
an outreach of Bethlehem EUB Church in York.
Final disposition:
7. Bethlehem Stonepile UMC
Address: 250 Bethlehem Church Road
Municipality: Windsor township
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
From Red Lion, go south on PA 74 for 1
mile to Bethlehem Church Road. Turn
right onto Bethlehem Church Road and go 0.4 miles. The church is on the right.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania
Conference of the Evangelical Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
On 1/22/2023 the congregation voted 85-5-4 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:
8. Bittersville EV
Location: PA 624 at Winters Road
Municipality: Lower Windsor township
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
From Red Lion, go 5 miles east on PA 624 to the
village of Bittersville. The church is on the north side of the
highway.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical
Church
Journal references:
1967,175 – permission to
sell house and 7 acres willed to the church
2010,43 – discontinued
2012,241 – sold to St. Michael the
Archangel Church
Brief History:
This congregation held their first services
in the schoolhouse and erected the church building in 1906.
Final disposition:
9. Blooming Grove EV
Location: 478 Blooming Grove Road
Municipality: Penn township
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
From the square in Hanover, go 1 block east on
Broadway to York Street. Follow York
Street (PA 116) to the edge of town and the intersection with Blooming Grove
Road (PA 216). Turn right onto Blooming
Grove Road and go 1.5 miles. The
building is on the left.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the
Evangelical Church
Journal references:
1916,48 – church painted, cement pavement
and porch put down
1928,69 – membership at Blooming Grove
transferred to Hanover Grace
Brief History:
This church building was erected
in 1882. Blooming Grove, Mt. Pleasant
and Porter’s Siding were split off from Dillsburg circuit in 1886 to form
Blooming Grove circuit – later renamed Hanover circuit. In 1928 Blooming Grove, Porter’s and Pleasant
Hill were joined to Hanover Grace – then on Spring Avenue, now Grace UMC on
Albright Drive.
Final disposition:
The building is now a private
residence. The cemetery is part of the
back yard.
10. Cassell's EV
Location: [possibly 570 Cassel Road]
Municipality: Conewago township
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
Cassel’s CMA church is on 570
Cassel Road. Leave the city of York on
North George Street [PA 181]. From the
interchange with I-83, go 7 miles north and cross the Conewago Creek. The first road to the west is Conewago
Avenue. Turn west on Conewago Avenue
(which becomes Cassel Road) and go 3 miles.
The church is on the right. There
was also a Cassell’s schoolhouse in the area.
The Evangelical appointment appears to have been in the old building on
that site – whether a union church or a schoolhouse – whose bell is in front of
the present CMA church.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical
Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
This appointment was
connected with Manchester and appears in various records at least from
1917 to 1927. The church building
apparently also had an outdoor worship/picnic area. It is believed to have been a Union church
[or schoolhouse] near York Haven, quite possibly with no Evangelical claims to
the property.
Final disposition:
11. Chestnut Grove UMC
Address: 450 Chestnut Grove Road
Municipality: Carroll township
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
From Dillsburg, go 2 miles north on US 15 to
the red light (at the north end of the shopping center) for
Orebank Road.
Turn right onto Orebank Road and go ½ mile to
the 4-way stop at Siddonsburg Road. Turn left onto Siddonsburg
Road and go 1 mile to the crossroads with Chestnut Grove Road. Turn right onto Chestnut Grove Road and go 2
miles. The church is on the right.
Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of
the United Brethren Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
The congregation was
organized 9/16/1864 and grew out of school
house appointments at Filey’s and Troutwine’s and Red Schoolhouse. In 1887, Chestnut Grove was taken from the
York Springs circuit along with Franklintown, Arnolds
and Mt. Zion to form the Dillsburg circuit.
The original part of the present complex was dedicated 9/14/1952. Chestnut Grove was removed from the Dillsburg
circuit to erect a parsonage and become a separate station appointment in
1963. An addition to include a new
sanctuary was begun in 1978, the congregation vowing to complete the work
without going into debt. The finished
project was finally dedicated 3/8/1998.
On 11/14/2022 the congregation voted 34-3 to disaffiliate from
the United Methodist Church, and that disaffiliation along with 140 others was
approved at a 5/17/2023 special session of the Susquehanna Conference.
Final
disposition:
12. Cross Roads UB
Location: 500 Pleasant View Road
Municipality: Fairview township
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
From the interchange of Fishing Creek Road [PA 262]
with I-83, go 1 mile west on Fishing Creek Road to Pleasant View Road. Go south on Pleasant View Road for 50 yards. The church is on the west side of the road.
Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the United Brethren Church
Journal references:
1896,33 – Strinestown,
Cross Roads, Yocumtown on
the York Haven charge abandoned
Brief History:
The work here began in the nearby stone
schoolhouse about 1860. The stone church
was built in 1887 [some sources say 1891] as a union church, the primary
denominations being the Church of God, the United Brethren and the Evangelical
Association. At one time the United
Brethren predominated, but the work was abandoned at the same time as Yocumtown in 1896, and both sites were left to the Church
of God.
Final disposition:
The building is now home to the Crossroads
Independent Church.
13. Dallastown Bethlehem UMC
Address: 109 East Main Street [PA 74]
Municipality: borough of Dallastown
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
Main Street in PA
74, the main east-west street in Dallastown.
The church is in the east section of town, on the north side of the
street.
Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of
the United Brethren Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
This class was organized in 1838, with
preaching held in private homes until the first church building was erected in
1850. The second building was erected in
1885 when Bethlehem became a station appointment. The sanctuary of the third and present
building was dedicated in 1910, and the educational building was dedicated in
1968.
On 2/5/2023 the congregation voted 224-56 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:
14. Dallastown Trinity EV
Location: 16 S. Charles Street
Municipality: borough of Dallastown
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
Charles Street crosses Main Street [PA 74] one block
west of the center of town where Pleasant Avenue [PA 214] intersects
with Main Street.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical
Church
Journal references:
2002,132&335 – no longer listed
2003,S178 – all
members transferred out
Brief History:
The work here began with tent meetings in
the summer of 1905, moving to renting the Odd Fellows Hall when the cold
weather came. In 1906, a class was
formed and a Sunday School was organized.
The church building was erected in 1907.
In 2003 the congregation merged into Dallastown Bethlehem.
Final disposition:
In 2020, the property was sold to the Egyptian
Coptic Church for $90,000.
15. Delta MP
Address: 213 Main Street
Municipality: borough of Delta
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
From the intersection of PA 74 and PA 851
north of Delta, follow PA 851 east (which becomes Broad Street) for 2 miles
into Delta. Turn right onto Main Street
and go 1 mile. The church is on the
right.
Historic Conference:
Maryland Conference of the
Methodist Protestant Church
Journal references:
2019,167 merged into Bryansville
5/15/2019
Brief History:
This congregation began in 1880 when
members of the Mt. Nebo church who lived in the area asked for regular worship
services to be held in Delta. Services
were held in the Delta School (which later became the AMEZ church building). Services were later moved to the second floor
of Lloyd’s Hall (which later became the north section on the Pen-Mar
Theater). Eventually a lot was purchased
from R.S. Parke in 1883 and a church building erected
in 1884. In 1952 the basement was
completely remodeled to include a modern kitchen. The educational building was dedicated
6/5/1966.
Following the 1968 denominational union,
Delta was placed on a two-point charge with Bryansville
(former EV/EUB). In 2018, Delta merged
into Btyansville.
16.
Dillsburg ME
Location: 101 N. Baltimore Street
Municipality: borough of Dillsburg
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
Baltimore Street [PA 74] is the main N-S route through
Dillsburg. The building is one block
north of the square on the northwest corner of Baltimore and Church streets.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1968,104 – merged into Dillsburg Calvary
Brief History:
The first Methodist preaching in Dillsburg
was by the preacher of the Gettysburg circuit in 1834. A small church was erected in 1843. A Sunday School was organized in 1873, and in
1879 the church building was enlar4ged by adding 10 feet to the rear and
raising the ceiling by 5 feet. In 1902
the old church was torn dow, the parsonage was moved
to that location and the present structure was
erected. It was dedicated May 31, 1903,
and the educational unit was added in 1966.
In 1968 the congregation united with the former Dillsburg Calvary United
Brethren church to erect the present Calvary UMC on Mumper Lane.
Final disposition:
The building now houses the Kindercademy
Early Learning Center.
17. Dillsburg Calvary UB
Location: 18 E. Harrisburg Street
Municipality: borough of Dillsburg
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
Harrisburg Street is the main E-W street that
intersects PA 74 to form Dillsburg’s central square. From the central square go one block straight
east on Harrisburg Street (i.e., after ½ block, do not follow the main flow to
the left onto Harrisburg Pike). The
church building, greatly enlarged and modified, is on the south side of the
street.
Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the United Brethren Church
Journal references:
1937,32 - new SS unit being erected for $3500
Brief History:
The Dillsburg circuit was created in 1887 by
taking Franklintown, Arnolds, Mount Zion and Chestnut
Grove from the large York Springs circuit – leaving Hampton, Gardners, Mt.
Victory and York Springs as the reduced York Springs circuit. In 1894, the Dillsburg circuit decided to erect
a parsonage and a church building in Dillsburg parsonage in Dillsburg. The parsonage was dedicated November 12,
1894, and the church building on March 10, 1895, with most of the members
coming from other churches on the charge.
In 1968 the congregation united with the former Dillsburg Methodist
church to erect the present Calvary UMC on Mumper Lane.
Final disposition:
The building, greatly enlarged and modernized now
houses the Dillsburg Brethren in Christ congregation.
18. Dillsburg Calvary UMC
Address: 203 Mumper Lane
Municipality: borough of Dillsburg
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
From the square in Dillsburg, follow East
Harrisburg Street (makes a bend to the left after 1 block) ½ mile to Mumper
Lane. Turn right onto Mumper Lane and go
¼ mile. The church is on the left.
Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of
the United Brethren Church
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the
Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
On 12/5/2022 the congregation voted 54-8 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:
19.
Dillsburg
Mount Zion UMC
Address: 590 Mount Zion Road
Municipality: Warrington township
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
From Dillsburg, go 3 south on PA3 miles to Cabin Hollow Road. Turn east onto Cabin Hollow Road and go 1
mile to the T at Mount Zion Road. Turn
right onto Mount Zion Road and go 1 mile.
The church is on the right, at the intersection of Mount Zion Road with
Mountain Road and Old Mountain Road.
Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of
the United Brethren Church
Journal references:
1928,29 – no regular services; history of
the appointment
Brief History:
This class was organized May 6, 1856, and
formally “authorized” by the Conference in 1865. It was originally (with the Cocklin and Filey
appointments) part of the Lisburn mission and in 1887 in
was placed on the four-point (with Franklintown,
Chestnut Grove and Arnolds) Dillsburg charge.
The congregation lost many members in the 1889 denominational split and
never fully recovered. Regular services
were discontinued for several years beginning in 1917. For many years services were held on an
irregular basis by the Dillsburg pastor.
In 1950 the church was reactivated and placed with Mount Olivet (between
Stewartstown and Shrewsbury!!) on a two-point rural charge that lasted about 20
years, and Mt. Zion was again supplied independently.
In 1981, Mt. Zion was placed
with nearby Mt. Airy (former EV) to form a two-point change that lasted
until Mt. Airy disaffiliated in 2023.
The church was closed 10/20/2025 when the congregation sought to leave
the United Methodist denomination.
Final disposition:
20. Dover Bethany UMC
Address: 4510 Bull Road
Municipality: Dover township
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
From Dover, go east on PA
921 (canal Street) for 2 miles to the crossroads with
Bull Road. Turn north onto Bull Road and
go 1 mile. The church is on the left.
Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of
the United Brethren Church
Journal references:
1894,23 – building repair and bell tower
added at Weigle’s Church
Brief History:
For several years prayer meetings and
preaching services were held in “Neiman’s Prayer House” and Kochenour’s
School. A building was erected in 1861
on land donated by David Weigle – and so the building was sometimes refered to as “Weigle’s Church.” In 1923 the building was enlarged, a basement
was added, and land across the road was purchased for a cemetery.
On 11/6/2022
the congregation voted 89-2 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:
21. Emigsville Bethany Chapel EV
[no picture]
Location: village of Emigsville
Municipality: Manchester township
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
[exact location not
determined]
Historic Conference:
Central
Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangeliocal Chuech
Journal references:
Brief History:
This building was erected as a union
structure in 1870 and appears in the records as an Evangelical appointment on
the Manchester circuit at least from 1916 to 1924. In 1924 the United Brethren church at Emigsville was built, and the old Bethany Chapel was torn
down two years later. Some Evangelical
members then became United Brethren while most others transferred either Manchest or to churches in York. The Evangelicals never had any ownership in
the building – nor did the United Brethren, who also worshipped here before
erecting their own building.
Final disposition:
The chapel was torn down in 1926.
22. Fairmount UMC
Address: 5835 Furnace Road
Municipality: Hellam township
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
PA 462 is the Lincoln Highway, old US 30,
which is south of and parallel to US 30.
There is a Hallam interchange for US 30 between York and Wrightsville
that connects with PA 462 at the west edge of Hallam. At the east edge of Hallam go north 2.5 miles
on Accomac Road to Codorus Furnace Road. Go west 1 mile on Codorus Furnace Road. The church is on the right at the
intersection with Deer Forest Road.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania
Conference of the Evangelical Church
Journal references:
1881,11 – permission to sell church
property and look for a more favorable location
Brief History:
Originally Emmanuel Church
of Pine Swamp.
On 2/19/2023 the congregation voted 29-9-1 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:
23.
Fawn
Grove UMC
Address: 67 South Market Street
Municipality: borough of Fawn Grove
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Maryland Conference of the
Methodist Protestant Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
On 2/4/2023 the congregation voted 96-11 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:
24. Franklintown UB
Location: 10 North Baltimore Street
Municipality: borough of Franklintown
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
Baltimore Street [PA 194] is the main N-S road through
Franklintown.
The church is on the east side of the street in the north end of town.
Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania
Conference of the United Brethren Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
This congregation began as the result of
missionary work in 1848 by John Fohl of the Littlestown circuit. In 1849 the class was one of the charter
appointments on the newly formed Franklin circuit. The church building was dedicated
December 13, 1852. For a number of years the United Brethren churches in the area were part of
the York Springs circuit. In 1887 York
Springs circuit was split into Dillsburg (Franklintown,
Arnolds, Mount Zion, Chestnut Grove) and York Springs (Hampton, Gardners, Mt.
Victory, York Springs). In 1894 a
parsonage was erected in Dillsburg, and later that same year it was decided to
erect a church building in Dillsburg. At
that time the Franklintown structure was sold to the
United Brethren Old Constitution denomination for $450, with the proceeds
applied to the project in Dillsburg.
Final disposition:
The new
and enlarged building on the site remains the home of Franklintown
congregation of the United Brethren (Old Constitution) denomination,
25. Freysville Zion UMC
Address: 2595 Freysville Road
Municipality: Windsor township
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
From the square in Red Lion, go ½ mile
north on Main Street to the red light at Prospect Street. Turn east onto Prospect Street (which becomes
Freysville Road) and follow the main road 2 miles
(bearing left at the Y) to the cross roads with
Windsor Road that is Freysville. Continue straight on Freysville
Road for 100 yards. The church is on the
right.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania
Conference of the Evangelical Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
On 12/15/2022 the congregation voted 10-2 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:
26. Gatchelville Prospect UMC
Address: 8 Orchard Road, village of Gatchelville
Municipality: Fawn township
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
From the square in Fawn
Grove go north on Main Street [PA 425].
Continue straight for 2.5 miles [PA 425 will turn off to the right after
½ mile] to the T with New Park Road. This
is the village of Gatchelville. Cross New Park Road by making a slight jog to
the left. Go 100 yards and bear right
onto Orchard Road. The church is off to
the left.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania
Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
The early history of the congregation has
been lost. The present building was
erected in 1868, but a previous building is reported to have been erected in
the immediate area in 1820 on land deeded to the Methodists by Thomas Allen in
1810. Gibson’s 1886 History of York County, for example, gives the 1868 date but states
that “an old church stood near by for nearly half a
century.”
On 2/5/2023 the congregation voted 38-2 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:
27. Glen Rock ME
Location: 98 Church Street
Municipality: borough of Glen Rock
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
Near the center of Glen Rock, Church Street goes off
Main Street [PA 216] to east – one block west of the intersection where PA 616
heads south as Baltimore Street and PA 216 heads west as Manchester Street. The site is the last property on the left
before the alley. While the existing
building appears to match the size and location on the lot given in the 1876
county atlas, it seems very large for such a small congregation and was likely
considerably modified over the years.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
[East Baltimore] 1866,17 – church building
erected
1902,216 – last mention (missionary
offering statistics) in the journal
1938,33 – money from sale never yet turned
over to conference trustees;
½ of $3600 due Shrewsbury
1939,31 & 34 – $1800 from sale turned
over to conference; $1815.59 received
1946,31 – Methodist share in joint
cemetery given to Evangelical Church
Brief History:
This congregation was organized in 1865 and
erected a church building the following year.
The congregation never was large and appears to
have ceased to exist in 1902. It was
part of the enduring 4-point (Glen Rock, New Freedom, Rock Chapel, Shrewsbury)
Shrewsbury charge created in 1877 and is mentioned every year in that charge’s
statistics of missionary giving up to and including 1902. The charge reported having 4 church buildings
up to and including 1902 and 3 church buildings beginning in 1903.
Final disposition:
The
building is now a multiple dwelling.
28.
Goldsboro charge UB
The 1874 journal, page 22 states “on Goldsborough mission a school house has been purchased and fitted up as a
church.” This has not been able to be
matched up with the history of any known closed or open UB church in area and
remains a mystery – but it does not appear to have been in Goldsboro itself.
29.
Hanover
First UMC
Address: 200 Frederick Street [PA 194]
Municipality: borough of Hanover
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
Frederick Street [PA 194]
passes through the square in Hanover. The
church is two blocks west of the square, On the southwest corner of Frederick
and Centennial Streets.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania
Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
On 1/15/2023 the congregation voted 158-25 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:
30.
Hanover
Grace EV
Address: 55 Albright Drive
Municipality: Penn township
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
From the square in
Hanover. Go east on PA 116 (i.e., go one block east on Broadway, and then bear
right onto York Street) about 1.5 miles to the edge of town and the
intersection with PA 216 (Blooming Grove Road).
Bear right onto PA 216 and go 1 mile to Albright Drive. Turn left onto Albright Drive and go one
block. The church is on the right.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania
Conference of the Evangelical Church
Journal references
1930,45 – large Sunday School addition
dedicated
Brief History:
A rural circuit, first called Blooming Grove
and then Hanover existed in the 1880’s.
In 1901 it was decided that a mission should be started in the borough
of Hanover. A lot was purchased on the
corner of Spring Avenue and Locust Street and dedicated in February 1902. The building was added to in 1915 and in
1929.
In 1974, the congregation relocated
to a new building outside town on Albright Drive.
On 12/11/2022 the congregation voted 116-12-1 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:
31.
Hanover
Lohr Memorial UB
Address: 200 East Middle Street
Municipality: borough of Hanover
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
Middle Street runs parallel to and two blocks south of PA 194, the main east-west route
through Hanover. The church is therefore
in the southeast quadrant of the borough, about two blocks east and two blocks
south of the square – on the northeast corner of Middle and Locust streets.
Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of
the United Brethren Church
Journal references:
1905,25 – land purchased for new church
site
2012,160 – merged into Hanover First
Brief History:
Martin Lohr moved to Hanover in 1829, and
his home soon became a preaching place for United Brethren circuit riders. The congregation’s first church building was
dedicated October 24, 1847 on 125-127 Broadway. That structure was destroyed by fire in 1878
and replaced at the same site at the personal expense of Martin Lohr’s widow by
a second church building – now remodeled into businesses. Looking to expansion, the congregation
purchased the present site in 1902. The
first unit there was dedicated in 1913, followed by the main sanctuary and
parsonage in 1917. In 2012, because of
dwindling attendance and financial constraints, the church merged into Hanover
First (former Methodist).
Final disposition:
The property is currently
the Middle Street Campus of Hanover First UMC and operating as a community
center.
32.
Hanover
Lohr’s UB
Address: 200 East Middle Street
Municipality: borough of Hanover
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
Middle Street runs parallel to and two blocks south of PA 194, the main east-west route
through Hanover. The church is therefore
in the southeast quadrant of the borough, about two blocks east and two blocks
south of the square.
Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of
the United Brethren Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
Final disposition:
33. Hanover Otterbein UB
Location: 117 Ruth Avenue
Municipality: borough of Hanover
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
From the square in Hanover, go 2 blocks south on Baltimore Street to Walnut Street. Turn west onto Walnut
Street and go one block to Ruth Avenue.
The building is on the southwest corner of Ruth Avenue and Walnut
Street.
Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the United
Brethren Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
This church has a mysterious history. With much fanfare in the denominational
publications, the congregation was organized by local pastor Rev. H.L.
Eichinger and erected this building in 1929.
There are unverified statements that the new group was formed due to split in the Lohr’s congregation. Despite continued press in the denominational
publications, the congregation does not appear in the Pennsylvania Conference
journal or in Holdcraft’s definitive 1939 Conference History. It appears that Rev. Eichinger proceeded to
lead them out of the denomination. When
Rev Eichinger died suddenly in 1932, Paul Wineka, a local pastor from Spry
Otterbein, served as pastor from 1932 to 1969 – all the while the church being
known as Otterbein UB, but not associated with the mainline UB/EUB church or
the Old Constitution denomination. Paul
Wineka states that before he retired in 1969 he was
offered full pension credit if he returned the congregation to the denomination
– and a vote was taken, but the congregation opted to remain independent.
Final disposition:
The building is now the New Covenant Life Center
of the Hanover Community Church, which erected a new worship center at 1959
Smith Station Road in 2009.
34.
Hanover
Spring Avenue
Address:
Municipality:
County:
State:
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania
Conference of the Evangelical Church
Journal references:
1930,45 – large Sunday School addition
dedicated
Brief History:
Final disposition:
35. Harmony Grove UB
Location: 6410 Harmony Grove Road
Municipality: Dover township
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
From the intersection of Main Street [PA 74] and Canal
Street [PA 921] in the center of Dover, go 0.5 miles north on PA 74 to Harmony
Grove Road. Go west 3 miles on Harmony
Grove Road just past the modern Harmony Grove Community Church to the
triangular parking lot on the left formed when Clearview Road and Colonial Road
intersect with Harmony Grove Road. This building is on the left, just past the
triangular parking lot on the corner of Clearview and Harmony Grove roads.
Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the United Brethren Church
Journal references:
1890,18 – permission for
Dover charge to sell and keep the proceeds
1896,27 – interest in building sold;
proceeds to repair church at Dover
1937,23 – remain under care of the
quarterly conference of the Dover charge
Brief History:
This building was erected under the
leadership and financing of Abraham Rudisill.
In 1895 the United Brethren turned the work over to the Lutherans, but
that denomination was not able to sustain a
congregation. In 1918 a United Brethren
Sunday was organized, and in 1932 a United Brethren congregation was
re-organized. In 1947 the church was left without a pastor and a part-time
clergyman, C. Jack Orr, began serving the needs of the church. Then, as an Independent church, the congregation purchased the building
in 1951 from the EUB Conference and it was renamed
Harmony Grove Community Church.
Final disposition:
The property is owned and maintained by the
Harmony Grove Community Church, now located in their newer building on the
other side of the triangular parking lot.
36. Hellam Bethany UB
Location: 265 W. Market Street, community of Hellam
Municipality: Hellam township
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
Market Street is PA 462, the old US 30. The church is on the north side of the
highway, 4 blocks east of the stoplight at the west end of town for the access
road to the new US 30 .
Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the United Brethren Church
Journal references:
1979,261 – merged into Hellam St. Paul to
form Hellam Faith
Brief History:
This congregation’s first building was
dedicated December 27, 1885, by presiding elder Isaiah Baltzell. The present building was erected on the same
site in 1912, and the education unit was added in 1950. In 1979, Bethany merged into Hellam St. Paul
(former Evangelical) to form the present Hellam Faith UMC.
Final disposition:
37. Jacobus Christ Methodist Church
Address: 200 North Main Street
Municipality: borough of Jacobus
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
Jacobus is a few miles south
of York on the Susquehanna Trail, the former York-Baltimore highway. Main Street is the Susquehanna Trail. The church is on the west side of the
highway.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania
Conference of the Evangelical Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
On 1/19/2023 the congregation voted 46-1 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:
38. Jerusalem UB
Location: Codorus Furnace Road
Municipality: East Manchester township
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
The village of Starview is in
PA 24, where it makes a 90 degree turn, about one mile
south of Mt. Wolf. From the village of
Starview, go one mile east on Codorus Furnace Road to Jerusalem School
Road. The church stood on the north side
of Codorus Furnace Road, next to the cemetery.
Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the United Brethren Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
This class was organized in 1840. Services were held in the John Shelly spring
house and in private homes until the first church building was erected in 1850. That building was destroyed by fires in early
1856 and replaced by the building pictured above, which was dedicated June 22,
1856. In 1914 the congregation relocated
about one mile west to Starview and erected the present Starview UMC. The name Jerusalem followed the congregation
to the new location for a while, but that has been dropped. The one-room Jerusalem school, now converted
into a private dwelling, stands next to the site of the Jerusalem church.
This congregation was affected by
the 1889 denominational split, and those maintaining loyalty to the Old
Constitution erected the nearby Mt. Hebron church – on Mt. Hebron Church Road,
about 1/10 mile from Codorus Furnace Road.
Final disposition:
The church
was dismantled, and the stones from the foundation were used in the foundation
of the 1914 Starview building. The site
is marked by remaining adjoining cemetery – variously called the Jerusalem
school cemetery, the Jerusalem UB cemetery, and Hoover’s Cemetery – although it
is unclear whether the congregation ever actually owned the burying ground.
39. Klinefelter’s Chapel EV
Location: Fissels Church Road
Municipality: Shrewsbury township
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
From Glen Rock, go south on Pa 616 0.5 miles to Fissels Church Road – at the Y before the railroad
underpass. Turn west on Fissles Church Road and go 0.5 miles to the Susquehanna
Middle School. The site is behind the
Susquehanna Middle School. Follow the
nature path up a slight incline from the parking lot. The church stood about 0.5 miles before, and
on the same side of the road as, Fissels
Lutheran Church. The 1876 York County
Atlas gives the exact location .
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical
Church
Journal references:
1904,41 – permission to sell
1905,50 – permission to sell chapel
building and keep the cemetery
Brief History:
Also known as Seitz’s, the chapel was erected
when the congregation was organized in 1860.
It was built by Michael K. Seitz,
William Klinefelter, Thomas Hunt and others in the community. Prowell’s 1907
History of York County says the building was removed in 1905, which agrees with
the 1904 journal reference for permission to sell. However, the current website for the property
states, “By 1930, the congregation had dwindled considerably and was dissolved.
The chapel was donated to the town of Bonaire Maryland by Michael Seitz.” Today only the cemetery remains. It is located on
land originally farmed by John Jacob Klinefelter (1737-1831) [father of
prominent Evangelical pioneer preachers John and Jacob Klinefelter]. Both John Jacob and his wife Margaret nee
Gerberich (1737-1813) are buried here. The cemetery was begun, well before the
chapel was erected, to bury Mrs. Klinefelter when she was refused burial by the
established churches – and claims to be the oldest property owned by the
Evangelical Association. Michael K.
Seitz purchased the land in 1842.
Final disposition:
Descendants of the Seitz family own the cemetery today.
40. Kralltown EV
Location: village of Kralltown
Municipality: Washington township
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
From the intersection of PA177 and PA 74 in Rossville,
go 3 miles west on PA 74 to Wellsville.
When PA 74 turn north at the stop sign, continue straight onto
Wellsville Road. Go west on Wellsville
Road 3 miles to the stop sign. Turn
right onto Kralltown Road and go 1 mile into Kralltown. Go
straight at the main intersection in Kralltown. For
100 yards. The building is on the right.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical
Church.
Journal references:
1950,111 – Evangelical’s
half interest in building sold to the Mennonite church
Brief History:
The Kralltown class
met in homes and the schoolhouse as a part of the Bowers [Red Mount]
congregation for many years. In 1889
they erected (in conjunction with the Mennonites) their own church building and
organized as a separate congregation on the circuit. By 1950 regular services were no longer being
held by the Evangelical Church and they sold their ½ interest in the building
to the Mennonites.
Final disposition:
In the early 1990’s, the Mennonites relocated to a
new building at 6719 Davidsburg Road, and the
structure is now a community building and recycling center.
41. Leaders Heights Pine Grove EV
Address: 2523 Pine Grove Road
Municipality: York township
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
From the Leaders Heights
[PA 182] exit of I-83 just south of York, go west on
PA 182 one block on PA 182 to Pine Grove Road.
Go north on Pine Grove Road ½ mile.
The church is on the left.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania
Conference of the Evangelical Church
Journal references:
1962,117 – approval of
plans for new sanctuary and educational facilities
2020,179 – merged into Spry Otterbein
Brief History:
42. Lewisberry Emanuel EV
Location: 1168 Pinetown Road
Municipality: Fairview township
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
From the intersection on the south edge of Lewisberry
of PA 177 and PA 382, go 0.5 miles west on PA 177 to Pinetown Road. The property is on the northeast corner of PA
177 and Pinetown Road,
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical
Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
This class was organized about 1850 and met
in the Pinetown schoolhouse until this stone church was erected in 1871 and
dedicated in January 1872
Final disposition:
43. Lewisberry Grace EV
Location: 109 Market Street
Municipality: borough of Lewisberry
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
Market Street is PA 177. From the intersection of PA 177 and PA 382 at
the south end of town, go two blocks north on PA 177 to Walnut Lane. The church is on the northwest corner of
Market Street and Walnut Lane.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical
Church
Journal references:
1980,268 – merged into Lewisberry Wesley
to form Lewisberry UMC
Brief History:
Emanuel Church, 1 mile west of Lewisberry,
was the area’s original Evangelical congregation. Because so many of the members lived in the
borough, an effort to erect a church building in the borough resulted in the
December 4, 1898, dedication of Grace United Evangelical Church. The Sunday School addition was dedicated
March 15, 1959. In 1980 the congregation
merged into Lewisberry’s formerly Methodist congregation.
Final disposition:
The
building was sold and is now used for storage.
44. Loganville Emanuel UMC
Address: 40 South Main Street
Municipality: borough of Loganville
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
Loganville is several
miles south of York on the Susquehanna Trail, the former York-Baltimore
highway. Main Street is the Susquehanna
Trail. The church is on the west side of
the highway.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania
Conference of the Evangelical Church
Journal references:
2024,158 – closed 10/3/2023
Brief History:
Facing decreasing attendance and finances , Loganville Emmanuel closed 9/23/2023.
Final disposition:
The property (church and
parsonage) was sold to HPW Properties LLC on 4/24/2024 for $223,300.
45. Long Level Ebenezer EV
Location: 2100 Fishing Creek Road, community of Long Level
Municipality: Lower Windsor township
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
From Windsor, go 7.5 miles east on PA 624 to the
Susquehanna River. When PA 624 turns
north onto Long Level Road, turn south onto Long Level Road and go 0.25 miles
to Bull Run Road. At this point, Long
Level Road becomes Fishing Creek Road.
The church is at the intersection of Bull Run Road, Fishing Creek Road
and Long Level Road.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical
Church
Journal references:
2004,173 – abandoned
2005,365 – sold to Donald Androsky
2006,338 – sold to Messrs. Androsky and
Farmer
Brief History:
This building was erected in 1868.
Final disposition:
The
building is now home to Ebenezer Baptist Church
46. Manchester Albright EV
Location: 210 Cooper Street
Municipality: borough of Manchester
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
Cooper Street runs parallel to and 1 full block north
of Maple Street [PA 921]. At the
stoplight on Maple Street at Hartman Street (for the public schools), go north
1 full block to Cooper Street, and then wets 1.5
blocks on Cooper Street. The property is
on the north side of the street.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical
Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
This congregation was organized in 1858 and
met in the union church until erecting their own church building on Cooper
Street in 1902. This building was
enlarged in 1924. On April 8, 1956,
Manchester’s former Evangelical and United Brethren congregations to form St.
Paul’s EUB Church, and on June 17, 1962, they dedicated a new building at York
and Loucks Streets. In the meantime,
both buildings were utilized for various ministries and, since neither building
was large enough to accommodate the united congregation, combined services on
special occasions were held in the high school auditorium.
Final disposition:
The Coper Street building and lot was sold in 1964
to Mr. A.B. Musser for $3,000.
47. Manchester St. Paul’s UB
Location: 37 High Street
Municipality: borough of Manchester
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
High Street goes north off Maple Street [PA 921]
across from the Manchester Union Cemetery.
Go north on High Street 1
full block to Cooper Street. The
site is on the southwest corner of High and Cooper streets.
Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the United Brethren Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
Noted United Brethren circuit rider
Christian Newcomer preached in Liverpool (now Manchester) on January 11,
1824. The United Brethren class here was
organized in 1832 and met in the union church until erecting their own church
building on High Street in 1878. In
1941, a new church was built on the same site.
On April 8, 1956, Manchester’s former Evangelical and United Brethren
congregations to form St. Paul’s EUB Church, and on June 17, 1962, they
dedicated a new building at York and Loucks Streets. In the meantime, both buildings were utilized
for various ministries and, since neither building was large enough to
accommodate the united congregation, combined services on special occasions
were held in the high school auditorium.
Final disposition:
The High Street building was sold in 1963 to the
Manchester Borough Council for $5,500.
48. Margaretta Furnace ME
Location: village of Margaretta Furnace
Municipality: Lower Windsor township
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
From East Prospect, go 1 mile west on PA 124 to the cross roads with Cabin Creek Road (north) and Prayer Mission
Road (south). This marks the site of the
village. The 1876 county atlas shows the
exact location.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
The
furnace was built by Samuel Slaymaker of Lancaster in 1823, put into operation
in 1825, and was a leading iron-making center in nineteenth century York
County. According to Gibson’s 1886
History of York County, the appointment was active at least from 1844 to
1886. In the January 11, 1849, Christian Advocate, the Wrightsville
charge reports six new probationary members at Margaretta Furnace. It is not known for certain whether the
Methodists ever owned a building in Margaretta Furnace.
Final disposition:
49. Marsh Run Mt. Olivet UB
Location: 198 Old York Road
Municipality: Fairview township
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
Leave New Cumberland heading south on Bridge Street,
which becomes Old York Road upon crossing the bridge into York County. Go 1 mile south on Old York to the cemetery
entrance, immediately after the airport, on the east side of the highway.
Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the United Brethren Church
Journal references:
1899,21 – authorization to sell to
Cemetery Association
1904,61 – authorization to sell (or move
to New Cumberland) for the erection of the new church
Brief History:
This class was organized in the nearby
schoolhouse in 1855 with 32 charter members and erected a church building in
1860. This considered the Mother Church
for New Cumberland Trinity, which was organized in 1873. Worship at Marsh Run continued until 1897,
when it was clear that the population shift to New Cumberland was
permanent. The building was razed in 1915
Final disposition:
Only the cemetery remains. The first burial here was in 1808 and the
cemetery was incorporated in 1870.
50.
Martinsville
Salem UMC
Address: 460 Salem Church Road
Municipality: Lower Windsor township
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
From Red Lion, go 7 miles east
on PA 624 to the main intersection in Martinsville. Turn south on Snyder Corner Road and go 1
mile to Salem Church Road. Turn east
onto Salem Church Road and go 200 yards.
The church is on the right
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania
Conference of the Evangelical Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
On 1/14/2023 the congregation voted 22-0 to disaffiliate from the
United Methodist Church, and that disaffiliation along with 140 others was
approved at a 5/17/2023 special session of the Susquehanna Conference.
Final
disposition:
51. Maytown UB
Location: Church Road, village of Maytown
Municipality: Warrington township
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
From the intersection of PA 177 and PA 382 just south
of Lewisberry, go 3 miles west on PA 177 to Church Road. Bear right onto Church Road and go 0.25
miles. The site is on the north side of
the highway.
Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the United Brethren Church
Journal references:
1981,255 – merged into Alpine to form New
Bethel UMC
Brief History:
This class worshipped in the wooden
schoolhouse (now gone) in the village of Maytown
before erecting a frame church building in 1871. A vestibule was added to the front of the
building in 1948, and Sunday School rooms to the back
in 1956. In 1980, Maytown
merged into Alpine (former Evangelical) to form the present New Bethel UMC.
Final disposition:
The building is now a private home.
52. Moore's Mountain ME
Location: 1062 Siddonsburg Road
Municipality: Fairview township
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
From the intersection of PA 177 and PA 382 just south
of Lewisberry, go 0.4 miles north on PA 382 (just past the Silver Lake Inn) to Siddonsburg Road. Go
west on Siddonsburg Road 3 miles (just past the
intersection with Moores Mountain Road). The church and cemetery are on a driveway on
the south side of the road.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
This building was erected in 1831, but its
origins are uncertain and the building has been used by various groups – and it
is unclear if the Methodists ever had any ownership here. In February 1994, while being used by an
independent Baptist congregation, the building collapsed under the weight of
snow and ice and was rebuilt patterned after the original building.
Final disposition:
The building is now home to the independent Moores Mountain Church.
53. Mount Airy UMC
Address: 2020 Pinetown Road
Municipality: Warrington township
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
Rossville is the
crossroads between Dover and Dillsburg, where PA 74 meets PA 177. From the crossroads at Rossville, go 1.5
miles east on PA 177 to Mt. Airy Road (across from the main office for Pinchot
Park). Turn north onto Mt. Airy Road and
go 1 mile to the T with Pinetown Road.
Turn left onto Pinetown Road and go 200 yards. The church is on the right.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania
Conference of the Evangelical Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
The Mt. Airy class was organized in 1850
and met in a schoolhouse until the present sanctuary was erected in 1883. In 1980 the
longstanding three-point Lewisberry EV charge was discontinued: Lewisberry
Grace merged into the former Methodist congregation there, Alpine received the
members of Maytown (former UB) and became New Bethel
on the Wellsville charge, Mt. Airy declined to join the New Bethel union and
was placed on a two-point charge with nearby Mt. Zion (former UB) that lasted
for over 40 years.
On 2/19/2023
the congregation voted 16-3-2 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:
54. Mount Carmel ME
[no picture]
Location: [uncertain]
Municipality: Chanceford township
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Baltimore Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
East Baltimore Conference of the
Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
The history of this appointment is
vague. This class was known as the
Blaney schoolhouse appointment on the Castle Fin Circuit that is listed in the
circuit record book from 1854 tom1859, with a Mr. Robert Karr as the
appointment representative for 1859. The
circuit record book (page 98) for 1857 states that the Blaney schoolhouse
appointment is now called Mt. Carmel, and the Franklin Zarfos
book Bits and bytes of trivia and facts:
churches of York County, Pennsylvania (page 41) refers to a Mt. Carmel ME
Church in Chanceford township in 1855.
The most likely scenario is that Mt. Carmel was a local name for the
location of the Blaney schoolhouse and that there never was an actual church
building at the site.
Final disposition:
55. Mount Hebron UB
Location: Mt. Hebron Church Road
Municipality: East Manchester township
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
From PA 24 at Starview go east 0.4 miles on Codorus Furnace Road to Mt. Hebron Road. Go north 0.1 miles on Mt. Hebron Road. The church was on the east side of the road.
Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the United Brethren Church
(Old Constitution)
Journal references:
Brief History:
This congregation was formed after the 1889
denominational split by those maintaining loyalty to the Old Constitution. It appears to have begun in 1895. It is reported that when services here
ceased, the membership was transferred to the Strinestown
United Brethren (Old Constitution) Church.
Although never within the United Methodist structure, it is included
here for completeness.
Final disposition:
The church building was torn down about 1939.
56.
Mount
Nebo UMC
Address: 962 Flintville Road
Municipality: Peach Bottom township
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
From Delta, go two miles
east on Main Street [Atom Road] to the crossroads with Flintville Road. Go north ½ mile on Flintville Road. The church is on the left.
Historic Conference:
Maryland Conference of the
Methodist Protestant Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
On 1/12/2023 the congregation voted 34-3 to disaffiliate from the
United Methodist Church, and that disaffiliation along with 140 others was
approved at a 5/17/2023 special session of the Susquehanna Conference.
Final
disposition:
57. Mount Olivet UB
Location: 2323 Plank Road
Municipality: Hopewell township
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
From Shrewsbury, go 0.4 miles north on the Susquehanna
Trail to Plank Road. Go 1.5 miles east on Plank Road to Mt. Olivet Road. The church is on the southeast corner of
Plank and Mt. Olivet roads.
Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the United Brethren Church
Journal references:
1883,6 – building
dedicated July 30, 1882
2002,80 – abandoned
2002,S187 –
members withdrawn
2003,287 – sold to Grace Chapel
Brief History:
In 1872 the Conference passed a resolution
to establish a mission charge in lower York County and appointed Rev. G.W.
Beatty the task. In 1873 he reported the
establishment of six appointments with three organized classes. One of those organized classes was as Bowman’s schoolhouse, which was assigned to be served
as part the Rayville MD circuit. By circuit action the appointment was dropped
in 1877.
In 1882, Mr. Charles Gable and
family moved to the area from Windsor township and gave leadership resulting in
the re-establishing of a permanent appointment.
He donated land for a church building, which was dedicated September 3,
1882, and placed on the York circuit. In
1884 the York circuit was divided and Mt. Olivet was
placed on the Winterstown circuit, where it remained
for most of its existence.
Final disposition:
The building now houses an independent
congregation.
58.
Mount
Pisgah Trinity UMC
Address: 5615 Mount Pisgah Road
Municipality: Hellam township
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
From Wrightsville, head west on PA 462, the
Lincoln Highway. At the west end of
Wrightsville, turn south into Cool Creek Road and go 1 mile to Mt. Pisgah Road. Turn west onto Mt. Pisgah Road and go 1
mile. The church is on the right.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania
Conference of the Evangelical Church
Journal references:
2025,162 –
closed 11/29/2024
Brief History:
The official records for this congregation
begin in 1885 when Mt. Pisgah and Millersville [Yorkana]
were separated from the large York circuit and made a separate charge. While there were services as early as 1845 in
Millersville, the precise date and circumstances for the first services at Mt.
Pisgah have not been recorded. On April
1, 1988, Trinity North UMC (formerly also Evangelical) was destroyed by an
arson fire. That congregation then
merged into Mt. Pisgah to form the Mt. Pisgah Trinity UMC.
As a result of growth and vitality, an
education building was added in 1993 and the original building shown at the right was replaced in 2003 by the modern complex
shown at the left.
On 11/6/2024, however, in the face of declining membership and finances,
the congregation voted to close.
Final disposition:
The facilities now house the ministries of Jai Jalaram Mandir, a
multi-cultural organization devoted to prayer and community.
59. Mount Wolf Otterbein UMC
Address: 131 Center Street
Municipality: borough of Mount Wolf
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
First go to Manchester. Manchester is several miles north of York on
the Susquehanna Trail, the former York-Harrisburg highway. From the interchange of I-83 and PA 181 (North George
Street) go 4 miles north on PA 181 to Manchester and PA 921, which enters from
the west on Musser Street and then follows PA 181 north for a few blocks before
leaving to the east on Maple Street.
Turn east onto PA 921 at Maple Street and follow the main flow of
traffic, which becomes Center Street and PA 24 in the borough of Mount
Wolf. The church is on the left, soon
after entering Mount Wolf, corner of Center and Main Streets.
Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of
the United Brethren Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
On 12/15/2022 the congregation voted 99-1 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:
60. New Bridgeville Shenberger's Chapel EV
Address: Chapel Church Road
Municipality: Chanceford township
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
From Red Lion. Go 2 miles south on PA 74
to Burkholder Road (by Mack’s iced cream).
Bear east onto Burkholder Road and go 6 miles to New Bridgeville and PA
425. Go north on PA 425 0.25 miles to
Chapel Church Road. Bear right onto
Chapel Church Road and go 0.25 miles.
The site is on the right.
Historic Conference:
Central
Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
Shenberger’s Chapel is the outgrowth of a
Sunday School that began in nearby Arnold’s school house in 1860. In 1865, leader of the Sunday School, Adam W.
Shenberger, deeded land to the group on which to erect a church building. He entered the itinerant ministry in 1870 and
went on to serve as a pastor and district superintendent in several western
conferences before returning to Central Pennsylvania in 1912. The May 1877 quarterly conference of the East
Prospect circuit, meeting at Trinity South, gave the class official
recognition, and, upon investigation of the Shenberger deed, and a small chapel
was immediately erected. The church
building pictured above was erected in 1898, just a few feet north of the
original chapel. A Sunday School room
was added in 1956, and the educational wing was completed in 1980.
On February 2, 2009, the Shenberger
Chapel building was destroyed by fire, and the congregation united with Craley
St. Paul’s to form Water’s Edge UMC. The
new congregation has purchased additional land adjacent to the Shenberger
property and plans to erect a new worship center.
Final disposition:
61. New Freedom St. Paul’s EV
Location: 42 E. Main Street
Municipality: borough of New Freedom
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
The church stood in the east
end of town on the empty lot on the northwest corner of Main Street and
Constitution Avenue. Constitution Avenue
is the main road from New Freedom to Shrewsbury.
Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical Church
Journal references:
1924,44 – SS room completely renovated and
carpeted; concrete walks placed around church lot
1933,35 – Ruhl (MD) and
New Freedom taken from Loganville charge and placed with Yoe
Brief History:
This class was organized in 1859 and
worshipped in a building that had been a blacksmith’s shop. In 1871 they erected a building at the above
site and prospered for many years until the membership
began to dwindle. In 1934 the
congregation disbanded and the church building was sold and razed.
Final disposition:
The site is now an empty lot.
62.
New
Freedom Trinity UMC
Address: 101 N. Second Street
Municipality: borough of New Freedom
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania
Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
63.
Pleasant Hill Trinity EV
Location: Tollgate Road
Municipality: West Manheim township
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
From the square in Hanover, go 6.5 miles south on Baltimore Street (PA 94) to Tollgate Road in the village
of Pleasant Hill. Go west on Tollgate Road 0.1
miles. The site is on the left.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical
Church
Journal references:
1915,45 – iron fence placed around church
at a cost of more than $100
1916,48 – bell tower repaired, church
painted, cement walk an d porch put down
1951,112 – permission to sell (some? all?)
property to Hanover Water Company
Brief History:
This congregation worshiped in the
community’s band hall before erected a church building in 1866. In the 1894 denominational split, the
congregation sided with the United Evangelical Church – prompting a long and
bitter legal value before the congregation finally managed to keep the
building. The building was used until
1928, when the congregation merged into Hanover Grace on Spring Avenue.
Final disposition:
The
building was dismantled in the 1930’s and only the cemetery remains. The bell is in a display case in the Hanover
Grace UMC, now relocated to Albright Drive.
64. Pleasant Hill EA ME
Location: Hively Road
Municipality: Chanceford township
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
From Red Lion,
go south on PA 74 for 12 miles to Collinsville.
Turn east onto Collinsville Road and follow Collinsville Road for 1.5
miles [in 0.5 miles Collinsville Road made a left turn] to a cross
road. Go straight at the cross road [where Collinsville Road goes to the left and
Chanceford Road goes to the right] onto Grove-Hively Road. In 0.5 miles there is a Y, with Grove Road
going right and Hively Road going left.
Bear left onto Hivelt Road and go 0.25 miles. The
site is on the right, as pictured above
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the
Evangelical Association
Central
Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
Evangelical
Association
1883,11 – Trinity South, Shenberger’s
Chapel, Pleasant Hill, York Furnace, Union Chapel and
Bryansville
be detached from Prospect circuit to form Chanceford circuit
Methodist
Episcopal
1910,79 – money spent to improve the
building
1915,67 – listed on the Airville charge (with Bethel, McKendree and Salem) as a
Methodist-
owned building.
1937,31 – permission to sell
Brief History:
This church building was erected by the
Evangelical Association in 1875 at a cost of $1,000. The appointment did not thrive and was
discontinued in 1891. In 1898 it
appeared in the Methodist journals, and the Methodists eventually purchased the
building from the Evangelical Association.
It appears on a 1900 map of Conference church buildings. The appointment apparently did not thrive. It is listed irregularly in the Methodist
journals in the 1910’s, 20’s and 30’s – but without membership figures or
budgetary contributions. The building
was sold in 1937 and in 1938 was reportedly being used to store hay.
Final disposition:
The building was razed
65. Pleasureville UMC
Address: 2606 N. Sherman Street
Municipality: Springettsbury township
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
From the interchange of
I-83 with US 30, go 1 mile east on US 30 [Arsenal Road] to the red light at
Sherman Street. Turn north onto Sherman
Street and go 2 miles to Church Street.
The church is on the left.
Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of
the United Brethren Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
United Brethren preachers began
holding meetings in the community as early as 1855. These meetings were held in
private homes and especially the home of Dr. George
Conn on Pleasant View Drive. In 1860, Dr. Conn and other trustees were
appointed to build a church in Springett. The first building was one 30 feet
square room at the present church site with Rev. J.B. Jones as the pastor.
Named the Sardis church, after the church mentioned in Revelations 3:1-6, the
church has had many structural changes over the years, always growing larger.
It also underwent many name changes. Its present name was adopted in September 26, 1960.
On 1/25/2023 the
congregation voted 46-11 to disaffiliate from the United Methodist Church, and
that disaffiliation along with 140 others was approved at a 5/17/2023 special
session of the Susquehanna Conference.
Final
disposition:
The
congregation is continuing as Pleasureville Christian
Church.
66. Porter's Siding Zion EA
Location: Marburg Road
Municipality: Heidelberg township
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
From the square in Hanover go 5.5 miles east on York
Street (PA 116) to Porters Road. Go 1.2
miles south on Porters Road to Marburg Road, at the south end of the village of
Porters Siding (a.k.a. Porters Sideling).
Go 0.4 miles west on Marburg Road. The site is on the left, at the corner of
Marburg Road and Kelley Avenue.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the
Evangelical Association
Journal references:
East Pennsylvania Conference of the
Evangelical Association
1896,28
– instruct immediate action to prevent sheriff’s sale
Brief History:
The church building at this site was erected
in 1886. In the 1894 denomination split the vast majority of the congregation sided with the United
Evangelical Church and was forced to erect a new building in the village of
Porters Siding. The Evangelical
Association attempted to maintain a congregation, but
could not. In 1898 the Association
stopped supplying Porters Siding and Adamsville in order to
concentrate on York. The building was
sold to satisfy the debt, and the structure was eventually dismantled. Only the cemetery remains.
Final disposition:
The cemetery is maintained by Heidelberg township.
67. Porter's Siding Bethel UE
Location: village of Porter’s Siding
Municipality: Heidelberg township
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
From the square in Hanover go 5.5 miles east on York
Street (PA 116) to Porters Road. Go 1.2
miles south on Porters Road to the village of Porters Siding (a.k.a. Porters
Sideling). The site is on the right.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the
United Evangelical Church
Journal references:
1916,48 – new roof on church, cement wall
and pavement placed around front and one side
Brief History:
This building was erected in the village in
1896 by the United Evangelical faction of the original Evangelical Association
building outside the village. The
cornerstone reads “Bethel United EV Church 1896.” The building was used until
1928, when the congregation merged into Hanover Grace, then located on Spring
Avenue.
Final disposition:
The building was sold in 1928 and used by another
denomination for many years. It has now
been converted into a private dwelling.
68. Potosi Mount Zion UMC
Address: 10730 Mount Zion Road
Municipality: Springfield township
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
From the interchange of
I-83 and PA 216, head east on PA 216 and go 100 yards to Potosi Road. Turn south onto Potosi Road and go 1 mile to
the crossroads with Mt. Zion Road. The
church is at the crossroads, on the right.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania
Conference of the Evangelical Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
On 2/19/2023 the
congregation voted 18-0 to disaffiliate from the United Methodist Church, and
that disaffiliation along with 140 others was approved at a 5/17/2023 special
session of the Susquehanna Conference.
69. Providence ME
[no picture]
Location: Stone Ridge Road
Municipality: Springettsbury
township
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
The land and roads have been greatly
reconfigured. The church was
approximately across from the existing Evangelical Cemetery at the southeast
corner of Stone Ridge Road and Eastern Boulevard, but across Eastern Boulevard
– and likely on a section of Stone Ridge Road that has been relocated. The site was near the back exit to the old
Stony Brook Drive-in Theater at 3690 East Market Street.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
In the January 11, 1849, Christian Advocate, the Wrightsville
charge reports two new probationary members at Providence Chapel. This appointment was on the Wrightsville
circuit until 1870 when it was transferred to join “York Second” and Goldsboro
on the Duke Street charge. The building
was destroyed by arson on October 10, 1878, in retaliation for what was
perceived as overly aggressive evangelistic services. On December 21, 1878, the property was sold
to the Evangelical Association and has now become Yorkshire UMC on Edgewood
Road.
Final disposition:
70.
Red
Lion Chapel UMC
[St. Paul’s Chapel UB]
Address: 3050 Cape Horn Road
Municipality: York township
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
From the square in Red
Lion, head north on North Main Street [PA 24] and go 2
miles. The church is on the left, ½ mile
past the red light at the major crossroads by the shopping center and ¼ mile
past where Chapel Church Road veers off to the left.
Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of
the United Brethren Church
Journal references:
1894,23 – interests of the EV church are
purchased; the union chapel becomes solely UB
1895,22 – building dedicated as St. Paul’s
Chapel
1920,23 – new church building dedicated
5/2/1920
1937,32 – new church building costing
$25,000 in progress
1938,38 – new church building dedicated
Brief History:
This class was organized October 4,
1858, following a revival in the barn of George Musser, on Musser’s Lane north
of Red lion. In
the spring of 1859 Mr. Musser built a large spring house, with a large second
floor room to be used as a place of worship.
That structure, pictured above on the right as it appeared in 1995,
served the congregation for over 20 years.
In 1880 John Stabley donated the present site
and a union (Evangelical Association and United Brethren) wooden chapel
erected, replaced by a larger wooden structure in 1919, and by the present
brick sanctuary in 1936. The educational
addition was dedicated in 1983.
On 12/18/2022
the congregation voted 126-3 to disaffiliate from the United Methodist Church,
and that disaffiliation along with 140 others was approved at a 5/17/2023
special session of the Susquehanna Conference.
71. Red Lion St. Paul's UMC
Address: 41 First Avenue
Municipality: borough of Red Lion
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
From the square in Red
Lion, head north on North Main Street [PA 24] and go 1 block to First
Avenue. Turn west onto First Avenue and
go ½ block. The church is on the right.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania
Conference of the Evangelical Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
On 2/11/2023 the
congregation voted 50-22 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.
72. Red Lion Zion UMC
Address: 1155 Felton Road
Municipality: Windsor township
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
From the square in Red
Lion, head south on South Main Street [PA 24] and go 1 mile to the crossroads
at the south end of town where PA 24 turns right. Continue straight on South Main Street
[Felton Road] for another 1 mile to Zion Church Road. The church is on the left, at the corner of
Felton Road and Zion Church Road.
Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of
the United Brethren Church
Journal references:
1896,27 – added tower and bell; supposedly
site of first UB building in York County
Brief History:
This is the congregation’s third
building, the first two being frame buildings erected
in 1843 (the first UB building in York county) and
1891 across the road in the cemetery.
The present brick building was dedicated in 1942.
The class was organized in 1843 and
erected a building the same year on the land of Adam Stabley
– and the church was popularly known as Stabley’s.
On 1/14/2023 the
congregation voted 34-6-2 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.
73. Rock Chapel ME
1815 site 1885 site
Location:
first site: Oakwood Road
second site: Susquehanna Trail
Municipality: Shrewsbury township
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
first site: From the MD-PA state line, go 1 mile north
on the Susquehanna Trail to Southwood Road (across from the New Freedom
Restaurant). Go east on Southwood Road 0.25 miles to
Oakwood Road. Turn right onto Oakwood Road and go 0.25 miles (onto private
access road at the circular cul-de-sac).
The cemetery is on the left.
second
site: From the MD-PA state line, go 1 mile north on the Susquehanna Trail to
the New Freedom Restaurant. The church
stood in the south end of the restaurant parking
lot. The house to the left of the church
in the above picture is still standing.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1885,48 – new building
contemplated
1886,51 – new building completed for $1700
Brief History:
The first Rock Chapel building was erected
in 1815 on the John Low farm at the site of the existing Rock Chapel Cemetery,
along an access road between the Susquehanna Trail and I-83. The class has been meeting in the Low house
since 1788. In 1885 a new Rock Chapel
building was erected on the Susquehanna Trail and a
Cemetery Association was formed to care for the cemetery at the original
site. Rock Chapel was the Mother Church
for the Methodist work at New Freedom and Shrewsbury and continued in use until
1934. When the building was sold and converted into a two-family apartment
house.
Final disposition:
The cemetery at the first site may be accessed and
visited with permission. The building at
the second site has been razed to extend the restaurant parking area.
74. Rohler's UB
Location: Bluebird Lane
Municipality: Dover township
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
From Rossville, go 2 miles south on PA 74 to Conewago
Road. Go 1 mile east on
Conewago Road, through Mount Royal, to Rohler Church
Road. Follow the main road bearing right
onto Rohler Church Road. Go 2 miles east
to the crossroad with Bluebird Lane. Go
south on Bluebird Lane ¼ mile. The
church is on the left.
Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the United Brethren Church
Journal references:
1955,77 – declared abandoned, permission
to sell
1958,84 – declared “extinct and no longer
functioning as a congregation”
Brief History:
Christian Newcomer preached at the home of
Jacob Roller in June 1799 – and in the area again in 1802, 1806 and 1807. Preaching was held in a schoolhouse until the
present building was erected in 1870. In
1920, members Charles and Elmer Crone traveled to Chicago to investigate the
Baptism of the Holy Spirit and returned to introduce Pentecostal
experience/preaching – which was ultimately banned from the premises,
but led to the formation of the nearby Rohlers
Assembly of God Church. The last regular
service was held here October 24, 1943.
Final disposition:
75. Saginaw Community UMC
Address: 765 Market Street, town of Saginaw
Municipality: East Manchester township
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
From the interchange of US
30 and PA 24, go 4.5 miles north to the Y in the road
in the community of Starview. When PA 24
bears left, bear right onto Codorus Furnace Road and
go 200 yards to Saginaw Road. Turn left onto Saginaw Road and go 2.5 miles. Saginaw Road becomes Market Street in the
town of Saginaw. The church is on the
left.
Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of
the United Brethren Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
On 2/25/2023 the
congregation voted 22-3-3 to disaffiliate from the United Methodist Church, and
that disaffiliation along with 140 others was approved at a 5/17/2023 special
session of the Susquehanna Conference.
76. Salem EV
Location: East Camping Area Road
Municipality: Warrington township
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
From Rossville (the intersection of PA 177 and PA 74),
go 0.5 miles south on PA 74 to East Camping Area Road. Go east on East Camping Area Road 0.4
miles. The site is on the left.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical
Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
This church building was erected in 1849 and
served as part of the Lewisberry charge.
By 1927 the building was no longer in use, and it was razed so that the
lumber and pews and bell could be used by the Mount Royal appointment to erect
a church building. The remaining
cemetery is cared for by the Lions Club.
Final disposition:
77. Seven Valleys St. Paul's EV
Location: 3 Church Street
Municipality: borough of Seven Valleys
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
Church Street is PA 214. From the north end of Loganville on the
Susquehanna Trail, go west on PA 214 for 5 miles to Seven Valleys. At the intersection of Church Street and Main
Street in Seven Valleys, PA 214 turns north for 1 block to terminate at PA
616. The church building is on the
northwest corner of Church and Main Streets.
Historic Conference:
Central
Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical Church
Journal references:
1978,178 – discontinued
1979,A61 -
abandoned
Brief History:
The Evangelical Sunday School at Seven
Valleys was organized in 1885, and the church building was erected in
1896. The appointment was always part of
the Glen Rock charge. The final service
was held December 11, 1977.
Final disposition:
The
property was sold January 24, 1980, to Mr. and Mrs. Richard Redding for $7,500
for the stated purpose of being used as an antique shop.
78. Shrewsbury EV
Location: 2 Park Street
Municipality: borough of Shrewsbury
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
From the center
of Shrewsbury, the intersection of PA 851 and the Susquehanna Trail, go two
blocks west on PA 851 to where PA 851 turns left onto Park Street. The church is on the southwest corner of that
intersection.
Historic Conference:
Central
Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical Church
Journal references:
1926,103 – closed,
permission to sell, proceeds to New Freedom charge and the Missionary Society
Brief History:
The first log church built on this site, the
property of Joseph Klinefelter, was erected in 1821. After the log church was destroyed by a
tornado in 1840, the church pictured above was built on the same site in
1853. The building is still sometimes
referred to as Albright’s Church, and the burial ground behind it referred to
as the Albright Church Cemetery. The
headstones immediately behind the church were moved to the western end of the
property when a parking lot was installed.
The original log church claims to be the second building [after New
Berlin] in the entire Evangelical Association.
Final disposition:
After being used by independent congregations for
many years, since 2010 the building has housed a day care center.
79. Shrewsbury Grace UMC
Address: 473 Plank Road
Municipality: Hopewell township
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of
the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1875,40 – brick church building erected
Brief History:
On 11/16/2022
the congregation voted 89-4 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.
80. Slab Union Chapel EV
Location: 168 Slab Road
Municipality: Lower Chanceford township
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
From Red Lion, go south on PA 74 for 15 miles to Slab
Road – just south of Sunnyburn and the first road to
the east past the Pine Grove Presbyterian Church. Go 1 mile on Slab
Road, across PA 372.
The site is on the right.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical
Church
Journal references:
1883,11 – Trinity South, Shenberger’s
Chapel, Pleasant Hill, York Furnace, Union Chapel and
Bryansville
be detached from Prospect circuit to form Chanceford circuit
Brief History:
This building was erected about 1874 through
the instrumentality of Christopher Witmer, Alexander Snodgrass and Sample
Scott.
Final disposition:
81. South Mountain Union EV
Location: 1048 S. Mountain Road
Municipality: Franklin township
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
From the
Dillsburg intersection of US 15 and Mountain Road, go west 3½ miles on Mountain Road. The
church is on the right.
Historic Conference:
Central
Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
This building was erected in 1867 and used by
the Evangelicals, United Brethren, German Baptists, and Church of God. The congregation was re-organized in 1925 as
a United Brethren (Old Constitution) Church and in 2008 as Celebration
Community Church, which added a family life center and affiliated with the
Assembly of God denomination in 2009.
Final disposition:
82. Spring Grove UB
Location: 101 North Main Street
Municipality:
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
Main Street is PA 616.
The property is on the northeast corner of North Main Street and East
College Street.
Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the
United Brethren Church
Journal references:
1897,32 – appointment organized
1898,22 – brick school building purchased
1899,21 – building dedicated 9/25/1998
1912,58 – property sold for $1425.00, with
$804.68 used to pay mortgage and expenses
conference treasury
receives $620.32 from Spring Grove church account
1914,69 – conference treasury receives
$20.00 from sale of Spring Grove church organ
Brief History:
The March 1897 annual conference authorized
taking up work in Spring Grove. Late in
1897 a large three room brick school building was
purchased from the school authorities – this was the building that replaced the
town’s Coleman log cabin school. A
congregation of 15 charter members was organized and services began January 19,
1898. The structure was remodeled for
worship purposes for $500 and dedicated as a church building September 25,
1898, and January 1899 evangelistic services resulted in 75 conversions and 35
accessions. The 1904 journal (page 23)
reported: “Spring Grove is a growing and important town. We have a valuable property, and but little debt. We are the only church in the place that
believes in and hold revival services. We should hold on at Spring Grove.” The work was carried on
until 1909, when through membership losses, the remaining members requested the
disbanding of the mission.
Final disposition:
83. Springvale St. Paul's UMC
Address: 265 Circle Drive
Municipality: Windsor township
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania
Conference of the Evangelical Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
On 1/22/2023 the
congregation voted 67-5 to disaffiliate from the United Methodist Church, and
that disaffiliation along with 140 others was approved at a 5/17/2023 special
session of the Susquehanna Conference.
84. Spry UMC
Address: 50 School Street, town of Spry
Municipality: York township
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of
the United Brethren Church
Journal references:
1898,22 – new building
replaces old chapel; dedicated 12/5/1897
2016,147 – dropped
“Otterbein” from the church name
2020,179 – received the members of Leaders
Heights Pine Grove
Brief History:
Until 2016 the congregation was
known as the Spry “Otterbein” church.
On 12/4/2022 the
congregation voted 209-7 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.
85. Starview UMC
Address: 85 Codorus Furnace Road
Municipality: East Manchester township
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
From the interchange of US
30 and PA 24, go 4.5 miles north to the Y in the road
in the community of Starview. When PA 24 bears left, bear right onto
Codorus Furnace Road and go 100 yards.
The church is on the right.
Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of
the United Brethren Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
A class was organized here in 1840
and worshiped in a spring house and private homes a house of worship was dedicate 8/19/1851 at the corner of Codorus Furnace and
Jerusalem School roads on land donated by John Desenberger. Known as the Jerusalem Church, that building
was destroyed by fire in early 1856 – but immediately rebuilt and redicated 6/22/1856.
In early 1914 it was decided to relocate the church in
the neaby community of Starview. The Jerusalem church was dismantled
and the foundation fieldstone and timbers were
transported to the new location. The new
building was dedicated 9/24/1914
On 2/25/2023 the
congregation voted 14-0 to disaffiliate from the United Methodist Church, and
that disaffiliation along with 140 others was approved at a 5/17/2023 special
session of the Susquehanna Conference.
86. St. John's EV
Location: St. John’s Road
Municipality: Manheim township
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
From Glen Rock, go 6 miles west on PA 216 to the
village of Glenville. Enter Glenville
and turn onto Glenville Road. Go 2 miles
west on Glenville Road to St. John’s Road, just past the village of Hokes. Go ½ mile north on St. John’s Road. The church is on the southeast corner of the
intersection of St. John’s Road and Camp Woods Road.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical
Church.
Journal references:
1939,64 – appointment moved from
discontinued Hanover mission and added to Glen Rock
1995,221 – abandoned
2009,341 – sold to David E. Rohrbaugh
[this sale was not completed]
2014,191 – sold to St. John’s Cemetery
Association for $500
Brief History:
This building was erected in 1904, with
services presumably held in area homes before that. Beginning in 1909 and continuing at least
into the 1920’s, the United Evangelical Church operated Hoke’s Grove Camp
Meeting just west of, and within sight of, the church. The camp meeting grounds had cottages, and auditorium, dining hall, etc. This rather isolated congregation has had
various alignments over the years. In
1928, St. John’s was detached from Hanover circuit and added to the New Freedom
mission. In 1932, it was detached from
the New Freedom mission and added to Wellsville. In 1935, Hanover missi0on was revived and St.
John’s became a part of it. In 1939,
Hanover mission was dissolved and St. John’s became part of the Glen Rock
charge – where it remained until being closed.
Final disposition:
In 2014 the
church was sold to the Cemetery Association.
87. Stewartstown Calvary MP
Location:
Municipality:
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Journal references:
Brief History:
Final disposition:
88. Stewartstown ME
Location:
Municipality:
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Journal references:
Brief History:
Final disposition:
89. Strinestown UB
Location:
Municipality:
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the United Brethren Church
Journal references:
1896,33 – Strinestown,
Cross Roads, Yocumtown on
the York Haven charge abandoned
Brief History:
This work began as a union effort, with a
charter dated 1870 and a building called Mt. Pleasant Chapel erected in
1871. An Old Constitution group was
organized after 1889, and they continued the work when the mainstream United
Brethren withdrew in 1896.
Note: In 1841 the Strinestown UBOC purchased nearby Bear cigar factory,
renovated it into a church building, and left the old Mt. Pleasant Chapel –
which has since been razed.
Final disposition:
90. Trinity North EV
Location: Trinity Church Road
Municipality: Lower Windsor twp
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
From Wrightsville go 1 mile south on PA 624 (note: PA
624 goes off to the north and then curves around to head south by going under
the bridge over the Susquehanna River) to Hilt Road. Go 1 mile south on Hilt Road, which becomes
Trinity Church Road after it crosses Knights View Road. The site is on the west side of the road.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical
Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
The Trinity North congregation was organized
by the Evangelical Association in 1868, taking that name because there was
already a Trinity Congregation (which them became known as Trinity South) east
of Felton. The church building was
erected in 1869 on land belonging to Julia Ann Heindel (whose husband Jacob had
died in 1842). Upon the death of Julia
Ann, the property passed in 1888 to her son John H. Heindel and his wife Mary
Ann. – who then transferred the property to the congregation July 25,
1889. In 1896 amidst the uncertainties
of the denomination split, the property was sold to Rev. Armstrong Irvine
(superintendent of the York District) for $100, who then sold it back to the
now United Evangelical congregation in 1897 for $1.00.
When the building was destroyed by
arson on Good Friday, April 1, 1988, the congregation merged into Mount Pisgah
– which then became Mount Pisgah Trinity.
Final disposition:
The property was cleaned and maintained by Mt.
Pisgah Trinity for several years before being sold 12/20/1998 for $30,000 to
Craig and Lisa Lyle, and the right of persons to visit
the cemetery portion of the property was written into the deed. A modern house has since been erected on the
church site.
91. Trinity South EA, ME, EV
Location: 667 Main Street extended
Municipality: Chanceford township
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
From Felton, go 1.3 miles east on Main Street to
Trinity Road. The property is on the
northwest corner of Main Street extended and Trinity Road.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical
Association
Central Pennsylvania Conference of
the Methodist Episcopal Church
Central Pennsylvania Conference of
the United Evangelical Church
Journal references:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical Association
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
1896,69 – congregation approaches
Stewartstown charge; “duly” accepted
1909,77 – building received
“reluctantly” after EA split sold to UE faction
1910,35 – $147.92 received from sale
of building; 36 – put in Trinity Church fund
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the United Evangelical Church
Brief History:
This building was erected by the Evangelical
Association in 1871. The property was
sold to the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1895 and to the United Evangelical
Church in 1908. The history is vague –
but it appears that at the time of the Evangelical Association split, the majority of the congregation sided with the UE church
and the remaining EA supporters attempted to become Methodist. The building was purchased from the EA and
presented to the Methodists, but they were unable to form a viable
congregation. The original building may
have been moved into Felton in 1896 to become Bethany UE, after which the
property consisted of only the cemetery.
Final disposition:
The
cemetery is owned and maintained by Felton Bethany UMC.
92. Weiglestown UB
Location:
Municipality:
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the United Brethren Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
This class was organized in 1868. Dwindling membership led to its closing in
1913.
Final disposition:
93. Wellsville ME
Location:
Municipality:
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Journal references:
1977,154 – resolution for Conference to
supply $1000 per year for support
Brief History:
Final disposition:
94.
Wentz UB
[Mount
Zion UB]
Location: 378 St. Bartholomew Road
Municipality: West Manheim township
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
From the square in Hanover, go 6.5 miles south on Baltimore Street (PA 94) to Tollgate Road in the village
of Pleasant Hill. Go west on Tollgate Road 1 mile to
Impounding Dam Road. Go north on
Impounding Dam Road 1 mile to St. Bartholomew Road. Go west on St. Bartholomew Road 1 mile. The site is on the right.
Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the United Brethren Church
Journal references:
1928,29 – brief history and status report
as an inactive church
1938,50 – recommend sale of Wentz Meeting
House with proceeds to the Wentz Cemetery Fund
Brief History:
This congregation was organized in 1847 by
Samuel Enterline of individuals who left the nearby St. Bartholomew’s
Lutheran-Reformed union church. They worshiped in the home of John Wentz until
their building was erected in 1860.
Regular services were discontinued about 1918, with the remaining
members served for several years with services few times a year from the
Hanover charge. John’s brother Jacob
Wentz (1824-1899) became a United Brethren preacher, and John’s first cousin
Henry Wentz (1827-1875) is the noted former Gettysburg resident who removed to
Virginia, fought for the Confederates at the Battle of Gettysburg, and wound up
attacking his own property and the family house in which his father was hiding
in the basement.
Final disposition:
The property has been restored, is available for
weddings and special services, and is maintained by members of the Wentz family
and by St. Bartholomew’s, which in 2000 officially became St. Bartholomew’s
United Church (ELCA).
95. Windsor Emmanuel UMC
Address: 2185 Windsor Road
Municipality: Windsor township
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania
Conference of the Evangelical Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
On 2/19/2023 the
congregation voted 49-10-2 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.
96. Windsor Grace UMC
Address: 11 W. Main Street
Municipality: borough of Windsor
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of
the United Brethren Church
Journal references:
2023,180 – closed 9/1/2022
2023,276 – sold 12/28/2022 for $110,000 to
Hunter Creek Partners LLC
Brief History:
On 7/31/2022 the congregation voted
to close as of 9/1/2022.
Final disposition:
The property was sold at public
auction on 11/12/2022 for a total of $110,000.
97. Winterstown Emanuel UB
Location:
Municipality:
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Journal references:
Brief History:
Final disposition:
98. Winterstown St. Paul EV
Location:
Municipality:
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Journal references:
Brief History:
Final disposition:
99. Woodbine EV
Location:
Municipality:
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Journal references:
Brief History:
Final disposition:
100. Wrightsville Locust Street UMCurch
Address: 314 Locust Street
Municipality: borough of Wrightsville
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania
Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
2013,149 – merged into
Wrightsville Grace [former EV] to form Hope UMC
Brief History:
101. Yocumtown UB
Location: 160 Red Mill Road, village of Yocumtown
Municipality: Newberry township
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
From the
interchange of I-83 with PA 392, go east 2 miles on PA 392 to Red Mill Road, at
which crossroad is the center of the village of Yocumtown. Go north 100 yards on Red Mill Road. The church is on the east side of the road.
Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania
Conference of the United Brethren Church
Journal references:
1896,33 – Strinestown,
Cross Roads, Yocumtown on
the York Haven charge abandoned
Brief History:
As far back as 1857, when Rev. John Dickson
was appointed pastor of Shoop’s [Shiremanstown], Yocumtown was already one of the appointments. Services were held in a school building until
the building was erected as a union church.
The United Brethren abandoned the appointment in 1896.
Final disposition:
The building now houses a Church of God
congregation.
102. Yoe Christ EV
Location: 107 W. Broad Street
Municipality: borough of Yoe
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
Exit Red Lion heading west on High Street (which
becomes Springwood Road) and continue 2 miles to the “square” in Yoe. Turn south onto Main Street and go 3 blocks
to Broad Street. Turn west onto Broad
Street and go 2 blocks. The church is on
the northwest corner of Broad and Maple Streets..
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical
Church
Journal references:
1948,111 – request permission
to sell parsonage; request referred
1977,196 – merged into Yoe Salem (which
then took the name Yoe Christ)
Brief History:
This class was organized in the home of D.S.
Hildebrand in 1893. A revival was held
the same year, and many members were added.
The church building was dedicated in 1894. The church has had many charge affiliations
over the years – the most enduring ones being with Freysville
1902-1927 and Dallastown 1937-68.
Final disposition:
103. York Aldersgate UMC
Address: 397 Tyler Run Road
Municipality: York township
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of
the Methodist Episcopal Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
On 1/22/2023 the
congregation voted 181-40-1 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.
104. York Bethany UMC
Address: 1401 Mount Rose Avenue
Municipality: city of York
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
Mount Rose Avenue is PA
124. From the interchange of I-83 and PA
124, go west on PA 124 ½ mile to Ogontz Street.
The church is on the northeast corner of Mount Rose Avenue and Ogontz
Street.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania
Conference of the Evangelical Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
In 1868, the Evangelical Association began a Sunday-school
and prayer meeting in the Mount Rose Avenue home of Michael Shellenberger. As the group grew, the meetings moved to the
carpenter shop on the property. In 1870, the organization built its first
place of worship, a simple wooden building on a tract of land, called Green
Hill, which had been deeded from the Shellenberger
family. Included in the tract of land
was property adjacent to the Green Hill cemetery on Ogontz Street, known as
Bolls Avenue at the time. In 1905, the Association built a brick church on
this property, the current site of Victor’s Restaurant. In 1925, the brick church was vacated when
the congregation, then known as Bethany Evangelical Church, moved to a property
on the corner of Mount Rose and Bolls/Ogontz, where it stands today.
On
12/10/2022 the congregation voted 49-3 to disaffiliate from the United
Methodist Church, and that disaffiliation along with 140 others was approved at
a 5/17/2023 special session of the Susquehanna Conference.
105. York Bethlehem EV
Location #1: Queen Street, between Market and Philadelphia
Streets
Location #2: 601 Wallace Street; northeast corner of
State and Wallace Streets
Municipality: York city
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical
Association
Journal references:
East Pennsylvania
Conference of the Evangelical Association
1899,21
– permission to sell church and parsonage to erect new church and parsonage
1904,27
– permission for mortgage to purchase parsonage
1908,30
– permission for additional mortgage to meet debts
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the
United Methodist Church
1970,93 – merges into Ridge Avenue
ME
Brief History:
This congregation had its beginning with
Jacob Albright, who visited York in 1806 and preached in the courthouse. Services were held in the courthouse until
1836, when the congregation began meeting in homes. In 1842 a church building was erected on the
east side of Queen Street, between Market and Philadelphia Streets. The congregation was served by the Atlantic
(German) Conference 1877-84. In 1903 the
congregation moved to State and Wallace Streets. In 1970 the congregation united with the
(former Methodist) Ridge Avenue congregation to worship in the Ridge Avenue
building as the Bethlehem United Methodist Church.
Final disposition:
The building has been sold and now houses the New
Life Ministries congregation of the Church of God.
106. York Christ EV
Location: 629 S. Pershing Avenue
Municipality: city of York
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical
Church
Journal references:
1982,304; 1983,322 – merged into York St.
Paul’s
Brief History:
Final disposition:
107. York Christ Hope Community UM
Location: 215 Chestnut Street
Municipality: city of York
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the United
Methodist Church
Journal references:
2004,173 – discontinued
Brief History:
Final disposition:
The property was transferred to the Northeast
Neighborhood Association.
108. York Crosswalk Community UB
Location: 2550 Tara Lane
Municipality: Manchester township
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Journal references:
Brief History:
Existed 2002-2008.
Final disposition:
109. York Duke Street ME
Location: 250 S. Duke Street and College Avenue
Municipality: city of York
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
From the square in York, go three blocks south on York Street to College Avenue. Go one full block east on College Avenue to
Duke Street. The building is on the
northwest corner of E. College Avenue and S. Duke Street.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church/
Journal references:
Brief History:
In March 1861, Rev. W.M. Frysinger was
assigned to organize a second Methodist congregation in York. Then present lot was purchase
in a newly developing section of the city in May, and the congregation
worshipped on the street corner until a chapel was erected later that
year. Along with outlying appointments
at Goldsboro and Providence, the chapel became part of the “York Second”
charge. The cornerstone of the present
building was laid in 1870. The building
was finally finished and dedicated in 1872.
Providence was discontinued in 1871 and in 1873 the congregation
requested that Goldsboro be assigned to another charge.
In 1964, the congregation relocated outside the southern city limits to Tyler Run Road and became Wesley Methodist Church. In 1969, the former Second EUB (renamed Faith UM) merged into Wesley to form the Aldersgate UM congregation.
Final disposition:
110. York Epworth ME
Location: 155 South Hartley Street
Municipality: city of York
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
From the square in York, go south on George Street 2 blocks to Princess Street. Go west on Princess Street 5 blocks to
Hartley Street – where the “diagonal” Salem Street also “crosses” Princess
Street. Go north on
Hartley Street. The building is
immediately on the right, on the corner of Hartley and Salem Streets.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1921, 60 – sale authorized, proceeds to be
used for erection of the proposed Grace Church
Brief History:
The former Princess Street ME relocated to
Hartley and Salem Streets in 1898 to become Epworth ME. In 1921, Epworth and West Street ME merged to
form Grace ME (now Calvary UMC) and erect a new building at 11 N. Richland
Avenue (the corner of Market and Richland).
Final disposition:
Having housed a Lutheran Church (Missouri Synod)
congregation for many years, the building now (2020) is home to The Well
Worship Center – a non-denominational congregation.
111. York First Spanish UM
Address: 301 West Philadelphia Street
Municipality: city of York
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
Philadelphia Street (which
is one way, PA 462 west) runs east and west and is one block north of Market
Street (which is one way, PA 462 east).
The church is 4 blocks west of George Street (the central north-south street)
on the northwest corner of Philadelphia and Newberry Streets.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania
Conference of the United Methodist Church
Journal references:
2017,143 – merged into York Calvary
12/21/2016
Brief History:
This congregation was organized in
1980. In 1983 they moved to their own
building, pictured above on the right, at 426 S. Queen Street, for several
years. Since then
they worshiped at Trinity United Methodist (now closed) on East King Street and
later at Otterbein United Methodist on West Philadelphia Street, pictured above
on the left, where they were located when they merged into Calvary
112.
York
Grace EV
Address: 37 N. Broad Street
Municipality: city of York
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
Broad Street runs
north-south four full blocks east of George Street (the central north-south
street). From the square in York, go 4 fill blocks east on Market Street to Broad Street. Turn North onto Broad Street and go ½
block. The church is on the right.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania
Conference of the Evangelical Church
Journal references:
2022,177 – merged into York Calvary
Brief History:
Rev. Joshua Shambach was pastor of
York Queen Street 1893-94 when the split occurred in the Evangelical
Association and Queen Street was one of the few Central Pennsylvania Conference
congregations choosing to remain in the Evangelical Association. Rev. Shambach then led creation of a new
United Evangelical congregation. The
first church building was dedicated at the present location October 20,
1895. In 1910 the original building was
moved to the rear of the lot to be used for Sunday School purposes
and a new sanctuary was erected. In 1927
a new and larger Sunday School addition completed the complex. In 2022, York Grace merged into York Calvary
Final disposition:
113.
York
Messiah UMC
[York Fifth UB]
Address: 1300 N. Beaver Street
Municipality: borough of North York
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
Beaver Street runs north-south
one full block west of George Street (the central north-south street), but
Beaver Street is not a continuous street.
From the intersection of US 30 (which skirts York on the north) and
George Street, go 3 block south on George Street to 10th
Avenue. Turn west onto
10th Avenue and go 1 full block to Beaver Street. The church is straight ahead.
Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of
the United Brethren Church
Journal references:
1894,24 – lot purchase in progress on
which to erect a church house
1896,28 – building at N. Duke and Girard
Avenue dedicated 10/6/1895
1958,87 – new church on Beaver Street,
$640,000
Brief History:
On 3/4/2023 the
congregation voted 69-29-2 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.
114.
York
Otterbein UB
[York First UB]
Address: 301 W. Philadelphia Street
Municipality: city of York
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
Philadelphia Street (which
is one way, PA 462 west) runs east and west and is one block north of Market
Street (which is one way, PA 462 east).
The church is 4 blocks west of George Street (the central north-south street)
on the northwest corner of Philadelphia and Newberry Streets.
Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of
the United Brethren Church
Journal references:
2017,143 – merged into York Asbury
5/8/2017
Brief History:
115. York Princess Street EV
Location: 131-137 W. Princess Street
Municipality: city of York
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
From the square in York, go south on
George Street 2 blocks to Princess Street.
Go west on Princess Street 1.5 blocks. The chapel stood on the north side of
Princess Street midway between Beaver and Pershing – directly south of the
Lutheran church’s educational annex.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical
Church
Journal references:
1894,65 – revival results in 31
conversions
1908,50 – taken up as an
appointment and placed with Yoe
1922,56 – placed with Dallastown
1924,56 – attached to Manchester mission
,89 – permission to sell parsonage
to pay off debts and fix chapel roof
1926,103 – permission to rent the property
to Grace and Hope Mission for 5 years
1947,110 – terminate lease to the property
so it could be sold
Brief History:
In 1907 the conference signed a 99 year lease (for $1.00/year) with the “trustees of the
Princess Street Chapel and Bethany Chapel” to establish the mission. It operated until 1926, when the conference
abandoned the mission and sub-let the buildings to the “Grace and Hope
Mission.” The conference never actually
owned the property and essentially walked away from the lease. In 1947 the Bethlehem Baptist Church was
using the property and wanted to formally purchase it.
Final disposition:
In 1947 the Bethlehem Baptist Church was using the
property and wanted to formally purchase it from its rightful owners. In order for that
sale to take place, the conference was called upon to legally terminate the
lease they had previously walked away from.
That was accomplished, but the property is now part of a large parking
lot across from the William Penn Senior High School.
116. York Princess Street ME
[no picture]
Location: Princess Street
Municipality: city of York
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
This may or may not be the same property given above
that the Evangelical Church took control of in 1907. That property is identified in the 1903 atlas
(plate 9) as the “Princess Street Union Chapel.”
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1892,56 – church building
“greatly improved”
1892,56 – “Two eligible lots have been
bought in York for a new building for our Princess Street congregation.”
Brief History:
Gibson’s 1886 History of York County, page 541, states the following: “West Princess Street Methodist Episcopal Church and Ridge Avenue Church grew out of mission work from Beaver Street Church when under the pastoral care of Rev. S. C. Swallow. The Princess Street Church was the direct result of a Sunday-school opened in September, 1881, in a schoolhouse in West York, then known as Smysertown. Prof. W. H. Shelley was the superintendent. A church was built and dedicated in 1882. The Sunday-school now numbers 150 pupils.”
Beginning with the 1898 journal, the name “Princess Street” becomes “Epworth”
Final disposition:
117. York Ridge Avenue ME
Location: 121 Ridge Avenue
Municipality: city of York
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1970,53 –
receives members of Bethlehem EV; renamed Bethlehem
2002,337 – no longer listed
2003,288 – abandoned
2004,279 – abandoned; sale pending
2005,365 – sold to Unity Church of
God in Christ
Brief History:
Final disposition:
The building has been sold and now houses the
Unity congregation of the Church of God in Christ.
118. York
Second UB
York Faith UM
Location: 401. South Queen Street
Municipality: city of York
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the United Brethren Church
Journal references:
1925,25 – groundbreaking for new building
7/12/1925
Brief History:
Rev.
William B. Raber, pastor of York First Church, took the initiative that
resulted in the organization of York Second Church. Acting on his own, he purchased in January
1873 the plot of ground having a dwelling on it at the southeast corner of Duke
and South Streets. Before the end of the
year, the quarterly conference of First church elected trustees for the
property, twenty-six members of First Church became the charter members of
Second Church, and a frame church building had been erected at the site.
In
1892 a brick structure replaced the original chapel, and in 1906 an addition doubled the size of the building. In 1926 the congregation relocated a few
blocks east to the southeast corner of Queen and South Streets. Following the 1968 union to create the United
Methodist Church, the congregation was renamed Faith, and in 1969 they joined
with Wesley Memorial [the former Duke Street Methodist Episcopal Church which
had relocated to Tyler Run Road in 1964] to form the present Aldersgate United
Methodist Church on Tyler Run Road.
Final disposition:
This
building is now the home of the Small Memorial AME Zion congregation.
119. York St. Paul's EV
Address: 128 S. Belvidere
Municipality: city of York
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
Belvidere Street runs
north and south and is about 9 blocks west of the square in the city of
York. The church is 3 blocks south of
Market Street, on the northwest corner of Poplar and Belvidere Streets.
Historic
Conference:
Central Pennsylvania
Conference of the Evangelical Church
Journal
references:
1904,40 – request for aid for “a larger
house of worship” approved
2016,147 – merged into York Calvary
Brief
History:
This work began in 1898 when a members of York Trinity United Evangelical Church living in
the west part of the city began gathering for weekly prayer meetings. A congregation was formed and began meeting
in June 1899 in a tent on the southeast corner of S. Belvidere and W. Poplar
streets. In the fall of that year a
small brick chapel was erected at the present location – on the northwest
corner of that same intersection. In
1905 ground was broken for a larger facility, the congregation worshiping in
the Hartley School during the construction.
Services were held in the new Sunday School room beginning November 19,
1905, and the completed structure was dedicated May 20, 1906.
In 1922, at the reunion of the
United Evangelical Church with the Evangelical Association, more than 100
members declined participate in the reunion and joined other dissenters from
Eastern Pennsylvania Conference in forming an Evangelical Congregational
congregation – which continues to this day as St. Paul’s Evangelical Congregational
Church at 450 W. King Street.
In 1982, York Christ (former
Evangelical) merged into St. Paul’s. A
decades long relationship with St. Luke’s (formerly Third United Brethren)
failed to produce a congregational merger, and that latter closed in 1999. In 2016 St. Paul’s merged into York Calvary
(former Methodist).
120. York
Third UB
York St. Luke UM
Location: 116 S. West Street
Municipality: city of York
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
From the intersection of West Market Street and
Richland Avenue (in the west end of York, by the York Fairground), go 2 blocks
south on Richland Avenue to King Street.
Go east 4 blocks on King Street to West
Street. The church building is on the
southeast corner of King and West streets.
Historic Conference:
Pennsylvania Conference of the United Brethren Church
Journal references:
1894,23 – addition extends Sunday School
area by 25 feet
1953, 58 – clarification on deed necessary
when Church of the Nazarene sells original Princess Street location to AME
church
1955,80 – approve erection of new worship
center for $225,000
1969,197 – named York St. Luke’s
1975(2),108 – made a two-point change with
York St. Paul’s
1995,22 – charge with St. Paul’s dissolved
1999,219/S146 – congregation ceased, all
members transferred out
Brief History:
In 1886, overcrowding at First UB prompted
whip manufacturer Jacob Allison to donate a lot on
West Princess Street and erect, at his own expense, a church house in memory of
his deceased son. Originally designated
Allison Memorial Church, it became officially known as York Third. The congregation purchased the lots on West
King Street in 1925 but moved in a cautious and financially responsible manner
– finally erecting the Sunday School auditorium there in 1939 and the sanctuary
in 1956. The original building on
Princess Street (above, left) was sold to the Church of the Nazarene in
1939. That structure is now (2018) the
Bethel AME church.
Following the 1968 denomination merger the
church became St. Luke UMC. From 1975 to
1995 the congregation was part of a cooperative inner-city parish with nearby
St. Paul’s UMC (a former Evangelical church).
Declining membership forced the church to close in 1999, and the
building (above, right) was sold to the Maranatha Church of God in Christ
congregation. The structure is now (2018) the
New Covenant Community Church.
Final disposition:
Both the buildings were sold as indicated in the
above history.
121.
York
Trinity EV
[York King Street EV]
Address: 241 E. King Street
Municipality: city of York
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania
Conference of the Evangelical Church
Journal references:
Brief History:
This congregation began in 1871 when
57 members of Queen Street withdrew to form an “English mission” and erected a
frame building at the present location.
The congregation became United Evangelical during the denominational
split and erected the present brick building in 1896 – which was enlarged in
1906. Also known as “First United
Evangelical Church,” Trinity was the mother congregation of York Zion in 1898,
York St. Paul’s in 1898-99, and York Christ in 1901.
Final
disposition:
122. York West Street ME
Location: 601 W. Philadelphia Street
Municipality: city of York
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
Philadelphia Street runs parallel to and one block
north of Market Street. The church stood
at the northwest corner of Philadelphia and West Streets. The site is now occupied by a large
commercial building. The former
parsonage, next to the church at 611 W. Philadelphia
is still standing as a private home.
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1921,60 – sale authorized, proceeds
to be used for the erection of the proposed Grace Church
Brief History:
In 1921, West Street and Epworth ME merged
to form Grace ME (now Calvary UMC) and erect a new building at 11 N. Richland
Avenue (the corner of Market and Richland).
Final disposition:
123. York Haven UB
Location: 50 Front Street
Municipality: borough of York Haven
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Journal references:
Brief History:
Final disposition:
124. Yorkana Christ UMC
Address:
5
Main Street, Yorkana
Municipality: borough of Yorkana
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
Yorkana is a small borough within
Lower Windsor township, just off PA 124, 4 miles east of York. From the interchange of I-83 and PA 124, go 4
miles east on PA 124 to Mt. Pisgah Road (which is Main Street in Yorkana). Turn north
and go 100 yards on Main Street. The
church is on the right.
Historic
Conference:
Central Pennsylvania
Conference of the Evangelical Church
Journal
references:
Brief
History:
Began in 1845, this congregation is mow worshiping in its fourth building. The original meeting house near the present
village was abandoned in 1867 when the congregation erected a frame building
across the road from the present site.
That structure was destroyed by fire in January 1893 and replaced by a
new structure August 1893. The present modern complex was dedicated in
1961 northeast of, and on the same plot as, the 1893
structure. A two-point charge with Mt.
Pisgah beginning in 1885, Yorkana Christ became a
station appointment in 1988.
On 1/15/2023 the
congregation voted 98-6-1 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.
125. Zion ME
Location:
Municipality:
County: York
State: PA
Directions:
Historic Conference:
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church
Journal references:
1963, 83 authorization
to raze and/or sell
Brief History:
Final disposition: