CHURCHES WITHIN THE PRESENT BOUNDARIES OF THE

SUSQUEHANNA CONFERENCE OF THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

 

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CENTRE COUNTY PA


1. Bellefonte Faith United Methodist Church

Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Bellfonte Faith

Address: 512 Hughes Street
Municipality:
borough of Bellefonte
County:
Centre
State:
PA

Directions:
    
Hughes Street goes south off of PA 550 [which is Bishop Street in town, and Zion Road east of town], in the east end of town by the high school.  The church is on the east side of Hughes Street, 3 blocks south of PA 550.

Historic Conference:
     Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical Church
     Allegheny Conference of the United Brethren Church

Journal references:
     1967,166 – 7 acres purchased for new church site

Brief History:


2. Bellefonte Trinity United Methodist Church

Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Bellefonte Trinity

Address: 128 W. Howard Street
Municipality:
borough of Bellefonte
County:
Centre
State:
PA

Directions:
    
Howard Street crosses PA 144 [Allegheny Street] 2 blocks north of High Street, the main east-west street in the downtown area.  From PA 144 [Allegheny Street] go 2 blocks west on Howard Street.  The church is on the southeast corner of Howard and Spring Streets.

Historic Conference:
     Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:

Brief History:


3. Black Oak United Methodist Church

Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Black Oak

Address: 580 Flat Rock Road
Municipality:
Worth township
County:
Centre
State:
PA

Directions:
    
Flat Rock Road is US 322, north of Port Matilda.  The church is 3 miles north of Port Matilda, when the north-bound and south-bound lanes are separated by about 200 yards.  The church is between the two portions and accessible only from the south-bound lanes.  If traveling north on US 322, use the cross-street Mountain Road, north of the church at the village of Flat Rock, to cross to the south-bound lanes.

Historic Conference:
     Allegheny Conference of the United Brethren Church

Journal references:

Brief History:
    
Three Centre County (Black Oak, Julian, Mount Pleasant) and one Huntingdon County (Center Line) appointments were united in 1879 to form the long-standing (until 1983) Port Matilda charge, with parsonage at Port Matilda.  The first church building at this site, which sttod “further back” in the cemetery,  was competed in 1861 and remodeled in 1882.  The present church building was erected in 1902 while W.R. Dillen was pastor and dedicated by presiding elder J.I.L. Ressler. 


4. Centre Hall Grace United Methodist Church

Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Centre Hall Grace

Address: 127 S. Pennsylvania Avenue
Municipality:
borough of Centre Hall
County:
Centre
State:
PA

Directions:
    
Pennsylvania Avenue is PA 144.  The church is on the west side of PA 144, six blocks south of the intersection with PA 192.

Historic Conference:
     Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical Church
     Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
     Presbyterian Church

Journal references:

Brief History:
    
On October 3, 1965, three churches in Centre Hall united to form a single congregation: St. John's EUB, Centre Hall Methodist, and Sinking Springs Presbyterian.  The united congregation became part of the Susquehanna Conference EUB, worshiped in the enlarged former Presbyterian building at 127 S. Pennsylvania Avenue and became Grace United Methodist Church in 1968.


5. Coburn St. James United Methodist Church

Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: X:\image\open_churches\adams\img3.jpg 

Address: 501 Main Street, village of Coburn
Municipality:
Penn township
County:
Centre
State:

Directions:
    
From the intersection of PA 445 (which goes north) and PA 45 in Millheim, go south on Penn Street 2.5 miles to the village of Coburn.  The church is on the left.

Historic Conference:
     Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical Church

Journal references: 1884, 39.

Brief History: At Coburn, on the Centre Circuit of the new St. James Evangelical Church which was begun under Brother P.C. Weidemyer’s administration, it was completed and dedicated in 1883. The church is 45x32 feet, and 15 feet in the clear. The cost was $1,253, all of which was provided for. There was originally a Union Sunday School for Coburn here, but it became denominational in 1893 with T.H. Hosterman superintendent.

This little town was the railroad center of the community and during the busy lumbering days, saw much activity which greatly aided in the growth of the congregation. With the passing of this industry many people moved away and the congregation decreased considerably. In 1911, some improvements were made to the church, and in 1915 it was completely remodeled. The steeple was torn down, the building encased in brick, new lights, art-glass windows, pulpit furniture and pews installed, and the interior redecorated. It was again redecorated in 1939, with a new lighting system installed. Construction of a 30x40 foot addition had a ground breaking in May of 1958.

Ministers on the charge originally preached in German, and later in both German and English, but finally the German was eliminated.


6. Curtin United Methodist Church

Description: C:\Users\loyer\Pictures\2012-10-08\003.JPG

Address: 305 Curtin Village Road, village of Curtin
Municipality:
Boggs township
County:
Centre
State:
PA

Directions:
    
Curtin is south of PA 150, 2 miles east of the PA 150 interchange with I-80.  Turn south off from PA 150 onto Curtin Road and go 0.5 mile.  The church is on the left.

Historic Conference:
     Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:

Brief History:


7. Fairbrook United Methodist Church

Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: X:\image\open_churches\centre\fairbrook.jpg

Address: 4201 W. Whitehall Road
Municipality:
Ferguson township
County:
Centre
State:
PA

Directions:
    
Whitehall Road crosses PA 26 as it skirts the southwest end of State College.  From the intersection of PA 26 and PA 45 north of Pine Grove Mills, go 1 mile toward State College on PA 26 to Whitehall Road.  Turn left onto Whitehall Road and go 2 miles, the church is on the right.

Historic Conference:
     Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:

Brief History:


8. Faith Chapel United Methodist Church

Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: X:\image\open_churches\centre\faith_chapel.jpg

Address: 551 Hunters Run Road
Municipality:
Liberty township
County:
Centre
State:
PA

Directions:
    
Hunters Run Road goes north from PA 150, 9 miles east of the PA 150 interchange with I-80.  Turn north off from PA 150 onto Hunters Run Road and go 1.0 mile.  The church is on the right.

Historic Conference:
     Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical Church
     Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:

Brief History:


 

9. Grays United Methodist Church

Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: X:\image\open_churches\centre\grays.jpg

Address: 5687 Buffalo Run Road
Municipality:
Patton township
County:
Centre
State:
PA

Directions:
     Buffalo Run Road is PA 550.  From the intersection of North Atherton Street (old US 322) and PA 550 west of State College, go 1.5 miles south on PA 550.  The church is on the right.

Historic Conference:
     Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references: 1889, 52: Grays Church on Half Moon Charge, after a long delay, was finished, and will be dedicated in the coming year.

Brief History:
    
The Peter Gray family and Conrad Hartsock family came to the Half Moon Valley in 1788, from Frederick County, Md., and settled in what is now Patton Township. As soon as Gray had a roof on his log cabin, and probably before, he began a Sunday school class. In about 1790, Gray arranged for Methodist preachers to stop at his house to hold services, and for nearly 30 years, his house was a temple where the surrounding community gathered once a month, and sometimes oftener to enjoy the privilege of worship.

     In 1826 a rude log church was built near Peter Gray’s home by Joseph Atley, John L. Gray, William J. Meek and others. In 1853 the log church was replaced by a more pretentious frame structure near the Peter Gray farm, which was used until the building of the present handsome edifice in 1888, which was dedicated April 14, 1889, by Rev Edward.J. Gray, President of Williamsport Dickinson Seminary.  At the time the church had 50 members. The church was attached to the Half Moon Circuit, in charge of Rev. James Beyer, who held services at Grays every two weeks. The circuit had six preaching points: Stormstown, Grays, Ross, Scotia, Fillmore and Buffalo Run.

     The church marked its 120th year of service in 1946 with former member Rev. H. Willis Hartsock sending in a letter of congratulations noting he had a part at age 11 in taking down the earlier building, and with his father serving to oversee the building of the new church.  In 1989, the congregation marked its 200th anniversary in a service led by Rev. Steven Atanasoff, assisted by presiding elder Rev. James Grubb.


10. Greater Buffalo Valley United Methodist Church

exterior

 

Address: 112 Trinity Court
Municipality:
Benner township
County:
Centre
State:
PA

Directions:
    
Buffalo Run Road is PA 550.  From the intersection of North Atherton Street (old US 322) and PA 550 west of State College, go 7 miles north on PA 550.  The church is on the left.

Historic Conference:
     Allegheny Conference of the United Brethren Church

Journal references:
     1939,87 – organized 2/18/1939
     1939,72 – building, original Presbyterian, purchased; dedicated 8/20/1939

Brief History:
     Formerly known as Buffalo Run UMC, Greater Buffalo Valley UMC was formed in 2014 when Valley View and Fillmore merged into Buffalo Run.  They moved into their present building on a 13 acre site, just west of their former site at 1667 Buffalo Run Road, in April 2024.


 

11.          Houserville United Methodist Church

Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Houserville

Address: 1320 Houserville Road
Municipality:
College township
County:
Centre
State:
PA

Directions:
     From the interchange of PA 26 with the US 322 by-pass, at the east end of State College, go 1 mile east on PA 26 to Houserville Road.  Turn left onto Houserville Road and go 1 mile.  The church is on the right.

Historic Conference:
     Allegheny Conference of the United Brethren Church

Journal references:

Brief History:


12.         Howard United Methodist Church

Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: X:\image\open_churches\centre\howard.jpg

Address: 144 W. Main Street
Municipality:
borough of Howard
County:
Centre
State:
PA

Directions:
    
Howard is south of PA 150, 7 miles east of the PA 150 interchange with I-80.  Turn south off from PA 150 onto PA 26 [Walnut Street] and go 0.5 mile to Main Street.  Turn right on Main Street and go 1 block.  The church is on the left.

Historic Conference:
     Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
     1926,270 – Sunday School addition dedicated 2/28/1926

Brief History:


13.          Julian Christ’s United Methodist Church

Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Julian

Address: 1200 Allegheny Avenue, town of Julian
Municipality:
Huston township
County:
Centre
State:
PA

Directions:
     The town of Julian is off old US 220 to the south, 9 miles east of Port Matilda.  Cross the railroad tracks into the town of Julian.  Allegheny Avenue parallels the old US 220 and the railroad tracks, and is the second street south of the tracks,

Historic Conference:
     Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
    1876,40 – church building dedicated 11/7/1875
    1991,222 - received the former Julian UB church to form the present Christ United Methodist

Brief History:


 

14.          Martha United Methodist Church

Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Martha

Address: 194 Audrey Hollow Road
Municipality:
Huston township
County:
Centre
State:
PA

Directions:
     From Port Matilda, go east 4 miles on the old US 220/322 to the interchange with the Skytop Mountain Road [Atherton Road] to State College.  Audrey Hollow Road is the first road off to the north, just past the interchange.  Turn left onto Audrey Hollow Road and go 0.5 miles.  The church is on the right.

Historic Conference:
     Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:

Brief History:


15.          Milesburg United Methodist Church

Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: X:\image\open_churches\centre\milesburg.jpg

Address: 303 Turnpike Street
Municipality:
borough of Milesburg
County:
Centre
State:
PA

Directions:
    
Milesburg is on PA 144, 2 miles north of Bellefonte.  Turnpike Street is PA 144.  The church is on the west side of PA 144, in the south end of town.

Historic Conference:
     Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:

Brief History:


16.          Moshannon United Methodist Church

Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: X:\image\open_churches\adams\aaamoshannon.jpg

Address: PA 144
Municipality:
Snow Shoe township
County:
Centre
State:
PA

Directions:
    
Moshannon is on PA 144, 4 miles west of Snow Shoe.  The church is on the northeast corner of the main intersection, that of PA 144 and PA 53.

Historic Conference:
    
Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:

Brief History:
     The property where the present building stands was purchased by John T. Lucas and George E. French
in May 1897.  Later that year the cornerstone was laid, the building was erected and dedicated.  It was not until September 1946, however, that the land actually became the property of the church when it was purchased from John  Lucas’ son for $1.00.  The pulpit was handmade by Henry Borger in 1897 and is still in use today.

 


17.          New Hope United Methodist Church

exterior1

Address: 1089 E. College Avenue
Municipality:
Spring township
County:
Centre
State:
PA

Directions:
   
 From intersection of PA 26 and PA 64, 2 miles north of Pleasant Gap, go 2 miles north on PA 64.  The church is one the left, down a long driveway.

Historic Conference:
     Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:

Brief History:
     This congregation was formed in 2005 by the uniting of the former Axemann and Weaver congregations.  The Weaver building was removed in anticipation of the of I-99 and I-80 interchange, and the  united congregation worshiped in the Axemann building until acquiring the present property from a Catholic congregation.


18.          Park Forest Village United Methodist Church

Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: X:\image\open_churches\centre\park_forest_village.jpg

Address: 1833 Park Forest Avenue
Municipality:
Patton township
County:
Centre
State:
PA

Directions:
          
From the Grays Woods/Waddle interchange [business US 322] with the I-99 by-pass, go 1.5 miles east on Atherton Avenue, to Park Forest Village.  Turn right onto Park Forest Avenue and go 1 block.  The church is on the right.

Historic Conference:
     Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical Church

Journal references:

Brief History:


19.         Philipsburg Grace United Methodist Church

Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: X:\image\open_churches\centre\philipsburg_grace.jpg

Address: 912 East Pine Street
Municipality:
borough of Philipsburg
County:
Centre
State:
PA

Directions:
     
Pine Street crosses US 322 2 blocks north of the crossing of PA 504.  Turn east off US 322 onto Pine Street and go 5 blocks.  The church is on the southwest corner of Pine and 10th Streets.

Historic Conference:
     Allegheny Conference of the United Brethren Church

Journal references:
     1921,62 – new basement placed under church; building rededicated 8/7/1921

Brief History:


20.         Philipsburg Trinity United Methodist Church

Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Philipsburg Trinity

Address: 121 S. Front Street
Municipality:
borough of Philipsburg
County:
Centre
State:
PA

Directions:
    
This part of Front Street is PA 53.  The church is on the west side of PA 53, 2 blocks west and 1 block south of the intersection og PA 53, PA 504 and PA 350.

Historic Conference:
     Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:

Brief History:


21.         Pine Glen United Methodist Church

Address: PA 879, village of Pine Glen
Municipality:
Burnside township
County:
Centre
State:
PA

Directions:
    
From Snow Shoe, go 5 miles north on PA 144, 1 mile past the turn at Moshannon, to PA 879.  Turn west on PA 879 and go 6 miles.  The church is on the right, on the corner of PA 879 and N. Main Street.

Historic Conference:
     Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
     1887,45 – church building completed

Brief History:
      The cornerstone for this structure was laid June 13, 1886.  The building was dedicated in October 1886 and united two appointments [Laurel Run and Pine Glen] on the Snow Shoe circuit.  The educational wing was added in the 1980’s.


22.         Pleasant Gap United Methodist Church

Description: X:\image\open_churches\centre\pleasant_gap.jpg

Address: 170 S. Main Street, town of Pleasant Gap
Municipality:
Spring township
County:
Centre
State:
PA

Directions:
    
The village of Pleasant Gap is on PA 144, 6 miles south of Bellefonte.  Main Street is PA 144.  The church is on the east side of PA 144, 0.5 miles south of PA 26.

Historic Conference:
     Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:

Brief History:
    
This congregation began in 1836 as part of the Bellefonte charge as a class meeting every two weeks in the Horntown school house under the leadership of William Hunter.  When a great revival at the school house about 1850 added 56 members to the class, it was decided to erect a church building.  Land was donated by Mrs. John R. Tate, and a church structure was built.  In 1875, an attempt to remodel the building that involved raising the structure resulted in the failure of one of the jacks and the collapse of the entire building.
     A near cornerstone was laid in 1875 and part of the lumber from old structure was salvaged to erect a new and larger structure.  The Sunday School addition was built in 1957, and in 1971 the old church building was razed to construct the current modern sanctuary which was dedicated in 1976.
    Note: The 1887 journal, page 45, states: “At Valentines, on Pleasant Gap circuit, the Church was renewed and beautified.”  This does not appear to refer to either the Axemann or Weaver building, and its location remains a mystery.  There was an “iron-workers’ church” dedicated at Valentine’s Forge 7/29/1879 (Linn’s 1883 History of Centre County, page 436), but there does not appear to be a Methodist connection.


23.         Pleasant Valley United Methodist Church

Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: X:\image\open_churches\centre\pleasant_valley.jpg

Address: 1106 Fairview Road
Municipality:
Boggs township
County:
Centre
State:
PA

Directions:
    
From Wingate, where PA 144 leaves old US 220 heading north, go north on PA 144 3 miles (i.e., 0.5 miles past the Runville UMC) to Thomas Hill [later Yarnell, later Little Marsh Creek] Road.  Turn east and follow the main road 5.5 miles to Fairview Road and the community of Pleasant Valley.  Turn right onto Fairview Road.  The church is across the creek on the right.

Historic Conference:
     Allegheny Conference of the United Brethren Church

Journal references:

Brief History:
    
Pleasant Valley Class was organized by Rev. G. W. Emenhizer and grew out of a Sunday school conducted by him in 1869. The class worshiped in the schoolhouse until 1898 when the pastor, Rev. J. F. Kelly and his trustees, J. Woomer, J. T. Confer, and Jacob Heaton had the present frame building erected at a cost of $1000. In 1917, the church was remodeled at a cost of $1400, and rededicated by Dr. J. S. Fulton.


24.         Port Matilda United Methodist Church

Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Port Matilda

Address: 209 S. Main Street
Municipality:
Port Matilda borough
County:
Centre
State:
PA

Directions:
    
Main Street crosses the old US 322/220 two blocks west of the main intersection where old US 322 left old US 220 to climb to Philipsburg.  The church is 2 blocks south of old US 322, on the northeast corner of Main and Church Streets.

Historic Conference:
     Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:

Brief History:
    Clement Beckwith (1794-1868), the founder of Port Matilda, was also a local Methodist preacher and set aside in his two-story frame house an “upper room” to be used for church purposes.  The congregation met in this “Church House” until it burned in 1863.  A new structure at the present site was dedicated in 1869.  That structure was incorporated into the 1915 stone building now in use.  The matching parsonage next door was completed in 1925.


 

 

25.         Runville United Methodist Church

Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: X:\image\open_churches\centre\runville.jpg Scan-230214-0002

Address: 1204 Runville Road
Municipality:
Boggs township
County:
Centre
State:
PA

Directions:
    
Runville Road is PA 144.  From Wingate, where PA 144 leaves old US 220 heading north, go north on PA 144 3 miles.  The church is on the left.

Historic Conference:
     Allegheny Conference of the United Brethren Church

Journal references:

Brief History:
     United Brethren circuit riders began visiting the area about 1840.  As early as 1842 a log church structure existed on land deeded to the congregation by General James Irvin, an ironmaster with extensive land holdings.  That property was sold to a Mr. John Curry in 1873 and now is the site of a private residence.
     The nucleus of the present church structure was erected in 1872 as a frame building and dedicated January 19, 1873 – see the picture at the right.  A bell tower and vestibule were added later.  In 1929 the building was remodeled and raised to allow for a basement and furnace.  In 1972 the building was completely remodeled.  The bell tower and vestibule were removed, the back of the building was removed to allow for considerable enlargement, and the entire structure was encased in brick.


26.         Sandy Ridge St. Paul’s Methodist Church

Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: C:\Users\loyer\Pictures\sandyridge.jpg

Address: 237 State Street, town of Sandy Ridge
Municipality:
Rush township
County:
Centre
State:
PA

Directions:
    
State Street is the road to Osceola Mills.  The church is off PA 350, 3 blocks west of the intersection of the road to Osceola Mills and PA 350, on the left side of State Street.

Historic Conference:
     Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:

Brief History:


27.          Snow Shoe United Methodist Church

Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: X:\image\open_churches\centre\snow_shoe.jpg

Address: Sycamore Street & Moshannon Avenue
Municipality:
borough of Snow Shoe
County:
Centre
State:
PA

Directions:
    
Snow Shoe is on PA 144, by its interchange with I-80.  Sycamore Street is PA 144.  Moshannon Avenue is really 5th Street, the only Street between 4th Street and 6th Street.

Historic Conference:
     Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
     1926,270 – new building under construction on site of the one destroyed by fire 12/1924
     1928,657 – brick church building dedicated 5/29/1927

Brief History:
     Previous to 1870 there was no regular Methodist worship in Snow Shoe.  At that point Rev. W.S. Hamlin began preaching there twice a month, sometimes in school houses and sometimes in the Presbyterian church.  A church building was erected in 1872 and a parsonage in 1877.  Snow Shoe became the home base of the Snow Shoe circuit.  In December 1922 the original church building was destroyed by fire.  The cornerstone for the present brick structure was laid in 1925 and the building dedicated that same year.


28.          Spring Mills Faith United Methodist Church

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Address: 107 Two Steeples Lane, town of Spring Mills
Municipality:
Gregg township
County:
Centre
State:
PA

Directions:
    
The town of Spring Mills is off PA 45 to the south, 7 miles east of the intersection of PA 144 and PA 45 at Old Fort.  Bear to the right to enter Spring Mills on Fire Hall Road and g0 0.25 miles to School Street.  Turn right onto School Street and go 0.25 miles across Penns Creek to Two Steeples Lane.  Turn left onto Two Steeples Lane.  The church is on the left.

Historic Conference:
     Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
     Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical Church

Journal references:
     1888, 53 – new church dedicated in village 2/19/1888; replaces old building on the hill

Brief History:
     This congregation was created in 1966 by the merging (even before the 1968 denominational union) of the community’s Methodist and EUB congregations.  The united congregation meets in the former Methodist building, which was erected in 1887.  For many years the combined Sunday School of the Methodist and Reformed churches met on alternate Sundays in each church, but this arrangement ended with the local Methodist-EUB merger of 1966.


29.          Sprucetown United Methodist Church

Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: X:\image\open_churches\centre\sprucetown.jpg

Address: 117 Upper Georges Valley Road
Municipality:
Potter township
County:
Centre
State:
PA

Directions:
    
From the intersection of PA 144 and US 322 at Potters Mills, go 0.5 miles north on PA 144 to Upper Georges Valley Road.  [Upper Georges Valley Road goes off to the right at Y angle very soon after Lower Georges Valley Road goes off to the right at a perpendicular angle.]  Turn east on Upper Georges Valley Road and go 0.5 miles.  The church is on the left.

Historic Conference:
     Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:

Brief History:
     This congregation was organized in 1830 and met on the Sankey farm until 1842, when the first church was built on land deeded from James and Susan Potter.  In 1872, the original building was torn down and replaced by the present structure.


30.          State College Albright-Bethune United Methodist Church

Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: State College Bethune

Address: 206 S. Burrows Street
Municipality:
borough of State College
County:
Centre
State:
PA

Directions:
    
Burrows Street runs parallel to and 1 block north of Atherton Street [business US 322].  The church is on the southeast corner of Beaver Avenue [north-bound PA 26] and Burrows Street.

Historic Conference:
     Central Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist    

Journal references:

Brief History:


31.          State College Mount Nittany United Methodist Church

Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: X:\image\open_churches\centre\lemont_mount_nittany.jpg

Address: 1500 E. Branch Road
Municipality:
College township
County:
Centre
State:
PA

Directions:
     From the interchange of PA 26 with the US 322 by-pass, at the east end of State College, go 1 mile east on PA 26 to Pike Street.  Turn right onto Pike Street  [which becomes Branch Road after it passes through Lemont] and go 2 miles.  The church is on the left.

Historic Conference:
     Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical Church
     Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:

Brief History:


32.         State College St. Paul’s United Methodist Church

Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: State College St. Pauls

Address: 109 McAllister Street
Municipality:
borough of State College
County:
Centre
State:
PA

Directions:
         
McAllister Street runs parallel to and 6 blocks north of Atherton Street [business US 322].  The church is on the southeast corner of College Avenue [south-bound PA 26] and McAllister Street.

Historic Conference:
     Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Journal references:
     1888,53 – church building completed
     1911,28 – pledge of conference support for the “new church enterprise” at State College
     1911,64 – ground broken 6/20/1910, cornerstone 9/18/1910, basement occupied 1/22/1911

Brief History:
     
St. Paul’s church has its roots in the congregation of a one-room wooden church located in the iron furnace community which flourished on the hillside opposite the Centre Furnace Mansion. The State College Methodist Episcopal Church was built on the corner of Lemont Pike and McAllister Street on a 75 x 175 foot lot purchased by John Hamilton. It was dedicated in 1888. The most notable exterior feature of the building was its red and white striped steeple, a landmark of that day.
     A commitment was made in 1909 to build a new church on the site of the old one, and it would become a single-point charge. The name St. Paul’s was made legal and official on July 5, 1910, with a charter that incorporated the name. An early history noted, “Indeed this was a most appropriate patron saint for a church in an educational setting.” Ground was broken June 20, 1910, and a cornerstone was laid Sep. 18 of that year. Dedication ceremonies were held Mar. 3, 1912, and the whole cost of the new building was set at $45,000.  The official student work of the Wesley Foundation dates from August 1920.

     St. Paul’s United Methodist Church was incorporated following the union in 1968 of the Methodist and Evangelical United Brethren denominations. On Nov. 13, 1987, a devastating fire resulted in total destruction of the sanctuary, social room, extensive damage to a new administrative suite, the third floor Asbury Room, and the popular ground floor gymnasium. During the years of reconstruction, worship services were held in the Wesley Foundation, with the choir and congregation sitting on metal folding chairs. Persons sitting in a room on the lower level participated in the service via closed-circuit TV. The church’s 125th anniversary took place in 2013-14.


 

33.         Woodward Trinity United Methodist Church

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Address: 90 Trinity Drive, town of Woodward
Municipality:
Haines township
County:
Centre
State:
PA

Directions:
    
Woodward is on PA, 7 miles east of Millheim.  Trinity Drive is a gravel drive off PA 45 to the north, at the east end of town.

Historic Conference:
     Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical Church

Journal references:

Brief History:
     This congregation was formed in 1929 when St. John’s (former United Evangelical) merged into Grace (former Evangelical Association).  In 1956 the congregation purchased the former Woodward school house, remodeled it for worship purposes and chose the name Trinity.


34.         Woodycrest United Methodist Church

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Address: 219 W. Clearville Avenue
Municipality:
Patton township
County:
Centre
State:
PA

Directions:
    
The Woodycrest exit of the I-99 and US 220/322 by-pass around State College is the first exit west of the interchange where US 322 from the east joins I-99 and US 220 from the north.   The road at the Woodycrest exit is Waddle Road.  Go 0.5 miles south on Waddle Road to Clearville Avenue.  Turn right on Clearville Avenue and go one block.  The church is on the right.

Historic Conference:
     Allegheny Conference of the United Brethren Church

Journal references:
     1936,76 – organized 2/14/1936 with 18 charter members

Brief History:


35.         Yarnell United Methodist Church

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Address: 808 Yarnell Road, village of Yarnell
Municipality:
Boggs township
County:
Centre
State:
PA

Directions:
     From Wingate, where PA 144 leaves old US 220 heading north, go north on PA 144 3 miles (i.,e., 0.5 miles past the Runville UMC) to Thomas Hill [later Yarnell, later Little Marsh Creek] Road.  Turn east and follow the main road 2.5 miles to the village of Yarnell.  The church is on the left.

Historic Conference:
     Allegheny Conference of the United Brethren Church

Journal references:

Brief History:
     This appointment grew out of the preaching of John Sitman in the 1850’s.  Preaching was in the home of Adam Walker, and later in the schoolhouse, until a frame building was erected 1865.  Yarnell was sometimes called Walkers Settlement and the church referred to as Walkers Church.  The present brick structure was dedicated 2/2/1912.