Methodism in Western Pennsylvania (2023)

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HISTORY OF THE CHURCHES

(Video) This is the Continuing United Methodist Church

(For the pastorsver NOTES FROM THE MINISTRY)<page725> BLACK ASHES🇧🇷 Located in open country on Route 27, halfway between Meadville and Titusville, Crawford County. Methodist Episcopal Church. Erie Conference. Black Ash Church was built between 1861 and 1863 and is still in use. The basement was excavated in 1950 and since then the church has been renovated. It was part of the Chapmanville Charge until Chapmanville closed in 1969, leaving Black Ash, Bradleytown and Wallaceville on the circuit. The 1868 membership was twenty-five.<page726> FLOWERING VALLEY.Located in Blooming Valley Borough off Route 77. Crawford County. Methodist Episcopal Church. Erie Conference. The first Methodist meetings took place as early as 1835 at Cowans School, about a mile north of the village. Later services were held in the Advent Christian building. The current building was constructed in 1874 at a cost of $4,500. In its early years, Blooming Valley was on the Riceville Loop. Prior to 1897, Blooming Valley was part of Saegertown for some time. Church records from before 1910 were destroyed in a fire. In the 1910s, Blooming Valley was a circuit with Lyons, Pine Grove and State Roads. In 1961, Blooming Valley, Pine Grove and State Road became part of the Saegertown Raid. Since 1963, Blooming Valley and Saegertown have been a risk. Reported membership in 1968 was 191.<page736> CAMBRIDGE FEDERN: FIRST🇧🇷 The hotel is located at South Main and Lincoln Streets in the Cambridge Springs neighborhood, on Routes 6 and 19, in Crawford County. Methodist Episcopal Church. Erie Conference. The society that would become Cambridge Springs Church was formed in 1828. They met at a schoolhouse until 1832, when their first building was erected in Church Street. This building served the community until 1865, when the second church was built on Church Street. This building was sold to the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church after the current church was built in 1900. Today's church was consecrated on July 15, 1900, debt-free. In 1968, the number of members was 339.<page737> CENTROVILLE(Crawford County🇧🇷 Located in Centerville off Route 6, eight miles north of Titusville, Crawford County. Methodist Episcopal Church. Erie Conference. The Centerville Circuit was organized in 1831. The current church was founded in 1858. The church building was erected in 1875 and consecrated February 8, 1876. Centerville was part of the Riceville Circuit until 1873. Elmer E<page739>Higley's first pastorate was the Centerville Charge (1891-92). Mr. Higley became well known in Methodism in the United States and also for his work with Native Americans. In 1902, the Centerville Charge consisted of Centerville, Riceville and Britton Run. In 1923 it became part of the Spartansburg Charge. Prior to 1930, an addition for classrooms was built at the back of the church. Centerville joined the Hydetown Charge in 1947. In 1953 adjacent land was purchased for use as a vicarage. In 1960, the Miller Station Charge was formed with Centerville as the pastor's residence. The Centerville charge with Riceville and Wilkins was formed in 1965. Former members who became ministers include Roy B. Decker and John Clark. Mr. and Mrs. Robert Harvey serve as missionaries in New Guinea. In 1968, the number of members was 42.<page745> COCHRANTON:Located at 114 East Adams Street in Cochranton. Crawford County. Methodist Episcopal Church. Erie Conference. Organized in 1839 by Rev. William Patterson, pastor of the Oil Creek Circuit, with twelve families as members. It was later part of the Cochranton Circuit and became the conductor of the circuit in 1855. The first church on Pine Street was built in 1843 at a cost of $900 and renovated in 1870. The present brick church on East Adams Street was built in 1891 at a cost of $8,000 and rebuilt in 1957. Church classrooms and other alterations were added to the building in 1950. An educational unit was added in 1962. In 1968, membership was 380.<page747> LAGO CONNEAUT: TRINIDAD.Located on North Third Street, Conneaut Lake, in Crawford County. Methodist Episcopal Church. Erie Conference. Organized as a class in the early 19th century and assembled in the attic of the Voormanswagon factory. In 1839, land was purchased and a white-framed church was built. During those years, ministers from Salem, Dicksonburg, and Geneva counties served in this church. Lake Conneaut was then called Evansburg. In 1842, a county was formed from Conneaut Lake, Geneva, Hartstown and Vernon. After a few years the Church of Vernon was dropped and the Church of Harts-town was added to the Espyville Charge. Shermansville Church became part of this circle in 1886. In 1964 Geneva Church became part of another circuit. The present brick church was built in 1901 and the educational center in 1956. Two large plots of land adjacent to the church were acquired in 1960. In 1968 membership was 343.

CONNEAUTVILLE: DIE TALKIRCHE.Valley Church is located in Conneautville at 1120 Water Street. Crawford County. Methodist Episcopal Church. Erie Conference. The church grew out of a course organized by the Reverend Joseph Davis in the spring of 1829. By 1834 the circuit was known as the Harmonsburgh Circuit. Plans for building the first church were formulated in the spring of 1837 and built that year. 1842 marked the division of Harmonsburg Circuit into two counties, Conneautville and Evansburg. In 1868, Conneautville became a station for the first time. The current brick structure [sic] was built in 1877 and expanded in 1966 to include an educational facility. In the summer of 1967, the First Methodist Church of Conneautville merged with the United Presbyterian Church. A new church was formed and incorporated under the name The Valley Church - United Methodist Affiliate. In 1968, the number of members was 272.

<page756> Dicksonburg.This church is located on Legislative Route 20042, one mile west of State Route 18 and 4 miles south of Conneautville in Crawford County and Summerhill Township. Episcopal Methodist. Erie Conference. Organized as a class on the original Erie Circuit at James McDowell's home in the spring of 1802 and known as the McDowell Class. Later in 1833 it was placed on the Summerhill circuit of the Meadville district. This circle then had 14 other churches or classes. Summerhill was moved to Harmonburg and McDowell or Dicksonburg moved there. In 1835 the first church was built a mile south of the current church. Some time later, it burned out. The current church was built in 1851 at a cost of $975.00 on the McDowell Farm lot. With its ups and downs, it was closed for a few years and reopened in 1962. In 1968, the number of members was 10.<page761> ORIENTAL SLUT.Located in Crawford County on a gravel road between Route 408 and Route 27. Methodist Episcopal. Erie Conference. The exact time the class was organized is not known, probably in 1850 by the Rev. Thomas Benn when an appointment was made to preach on the Sunville Circuit. Meetings took place at Bromley Schoolhouse and later at East Troy School. The current building was built in 1874 and in 1860 the educational unit was added. In 1877 the church was transferred from the Sunville Circuit to the Hydetown Circuit. It will be continued in 1968 Hydetown Charge. Membership in 1968 was 19.<page769> ESPYVILLE.Located in the town of Espyville off Route 285. Crawford County. Methodist Episcopal Church. Erie Conference. The church was organized in 1831 with seven members in the home of Aaron Herriott. The first church services were held at the school and a place of worship was erected in the autumn of 1833, which was replaced in 1870 by a new two-story structure. Structure destroyed by fire in 1894 and replaced by the current structure. This church was the county seat of Espyville County, founded in 1851 with nine churches. Years later the county was reduced to four churches, then three, then two, Espeyville and Westford, and became known as Pymatuning Parish. In 1967 an oil to heat conversion was installed and an electric organ was purchased. In 1967, Charge's name was changed to Lake Parish with the addition of Geneva Church. Many renovations were made to the Rectory at Espeyville, including insulation of the house and a new oil stove. In 1968, the number of members was 62.<page771> FALLOW:Located two miles northeast of the Atlantic Ocean on Legislative Route 20013 in East Fallowfield Township, Crawford County. Methodist Episcopal Church. Erie Conference. This church grew out of an organized class sometime before 1842 in the house of Adam Kean about a mile east of the Atlantic. The gang met in Salem County. Adam Kean and his wife and John McEntire and his wife were among the first members. A small half-timbered church called Wesley Chapel was built in 1844. Today's church was built in 1874 on land donated by R. Hanna. At that time the name was changed to Fallowfield. In 1948 a new foundation was built, which included a basement, and the church was transferred to it.<page772>An educational addition was added in 1958 and the sanctuary renovated in 1969. Fallowfield existed until 1857 as part of the Salem Charge. That year the Kennard-Fallowfield Charge was formed, leaving historic Old Salem as a station. In 1968, Fallowfield had 144 members.<page778> GINEBRA.The hotel is located south of Lake Conneaut on Route 285 in the Geneva district. Formerly known as Suttons Corners. Crawford County. Methodist Episcopal Church. Erie Conference. Around 1820 a Methodist class was organized and assembled at a school about a mile east of Geneva. A log church was later built to the east of the community. It was later replaced by a half-timbered church in 1843. The current parish building was completed in 1858 at a cost of $1,200. The interior was renovated in 1952. The basement was added in 1957. The first members were Thomas Abbott, Wyram Newton and John Sutton. In its earliest history, this church was associated with the Salem Circuit. Mercer County. It later formed part of Dicksonburg, Evansburg and was served by Allegheny College students for a number of years. Of<page779>From 1851 to 1965 it was part of the Conneaut Lake Circuit. In 1960, a water well was drilled. In 1961 a kitchen and bathrooms were installed. In 1965 it became a new cargo formed by Geneva and Bethany. In 1966 a new bell tower was built and the bell tower was rebuilt. In 1967, Geneva was incorporated into the former parish of Pymatuning, with Westford and Espyville churches creating a new site called Lake Parish. In 1968, a pipe organ was purchased and installed. In 1968, the number of members was 54.<page783> CAPELA HAMLIN.Located three miles west of Saegertown, Crawford County and one mile east of Littles Corners on Route 198. Methodist Episcopal. Erie Conference. In 1838, Samuel and Polly Cease donated a log cabin to a church. A new church was built in 1847 under the direction of Rev. David H. Jack, pastor of Rockville County. Land at the northwest corner of Meadville-Mosiertown Road and Route 198 was donated to Church trustees by Isaac and Desiah Noble. In 1925 a cellar was built underneath, including central heating. Services were suspended from 1937 to 1943 when the Rev. George Gardner was installed as vicar. During the spring and summer of 1943, the interior was remodeled and the exterior painted. A new oil stove was installed in 1958, a new organ was purchased in 1960, and a false ceiling was installed in the basement in 1968. In 1943 the church became part of the Littles Corners Charge. In 1968, the number of members was 102.<page784> HARMONSBURG.The hotel is located one block east of the main intersection in the town of Harmonsburg on Route 18 in Crawford County. Methodist Episcopal Church. Erie Conference. First class meeting at the home of Joseph and Jacob Gehr by Mr. Swartz, who came to Harmonsburg in 1806. An early 1840s building was used until 1900. Under the direction of the Rev. K. T. JaQuay and after much effort, in 1900 the present brick building was opened by the pastor and members. Harmonsburg was known as Brightstown for many years. The Harmonsburg Circle was organized in 1834. It was originally a four-week large group with two ministers. Later it included Harmonsburg, Dicksonburg, Smith and Littles Corners. This circuit lasted until 1909. In 1911, Harmonsburg became part of the Linesville circuit. In 1960, an educational unit was added, headed by the Rev. Edward Donner. The building was dedicated that year under the presidency of Bishop Middleton. In 1968, the number of members was 212.<page792> HYDETOWN.The hotel is located on Main Street or what is known as Old Route 8 in the Borough of Hydetown, Crawford County. Methodist Episcopal Church. Erie Conference. The first course was organized by the Reverend John Abbott in 1847 as part of the Oil Creek Circuit. The first class consisted of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Spaulding, Sr. and Mrs. Oran Davenport, Sr. and Mrs. Thomas Titus and Mrs. Baugher. The meetings took place at the school. A deed states that the property was purchased by Isaac Baker and Samuel Fulmer for $35. John Peat, the senior president, along with Bethel, Hydetown, and Tryonville as part of Titusville County. In 1877, East Troy was added by Sunville Racecourse. White Oak was added in 1893. Membership in 1968 was 73.<page806> LINESVILLE.Located on West Erie Street in the Linesville Borough of Crawford County. Methodist Episcopal, Erie Conference. Organized as part of the Conneautville Circuit (date unknown, but circa 1845). It later became the Shenango Circuit; even later it became part of the parish of Pymatuning, then known as Espyville. In 1861 it became the Linesville Circuit with Frey's Chapel and Shermansville. In 1909 the Freys Chapel was closed; Shermansville was blamed for Lake Conneaut. Harmonsburg was added in 1911. The congregation met in a schoolhouse for many years. A white-framed church was completed in 1861. The current brick building was completed in 1900. An educational unit was added under the direction of the Rev. Edward Donner; Dedicated with Bishop Middleton in 1961. The educational unit was opened in 1968 with the Rev. James Cousins, acting superintendent. Commemorative gifts since 1963 have decorated the church with carillons, bells, new pews, carpets and lighting. In 1968, the number of members was 297.

SMALL CORNERS.Located in the town of Littles Corners on Routes 98 and 198 in Crawford County. Methodist Episcopal Church. Erie Conference. The Church was founded in 1852 by Rev. JK Hallock at one of the first Methodist class meetings. A church was built in 1853 at a cost of

<page807>$1700.00. The church was originally in Conneautville Charge, circa 1880 Harmonsburg Charge, circa 1888 Dicksonburg Charge, 1907 Saegertown Charge, 1940 Eureka Charge supplied by student pastors at Allegheny College. In 1896 the church was rebuilt; a brick foundation, a lobby tower with a bell tower, and other renovations. In 1948 new floor beams and parquet were laid. By 1957 the church had installed a basement, restrooms, water system, central heating, pews and a gravel parking lot behind the church. In the meantime, land was acquired for an additional parking lot on the west side of the church. In 1968 a new oil oven was installed. In 1968, he was on a two-point charge with Hamlin Chapel. In 1968, the number of members was 62.<page816> MADVILLE: BETANIA.Located on Wadsworth Avenue in the town of Meadville. Crawford County. Methodist Episcopal Church. Erie Conference. This church was built in 1878 and was originally called Wallonia Chapel, later Fifth Ward Chapel. It was an Episcopal Church. In 1895 it was sold to Stone Methodist Church in Meadville for $350.00. From 1895 to 1929 it was mainly used for Sunday school. The church was partially destroyed by fire on July 4, 1929. The Reverend Charles Lunn was the first pastor assigned to a Methodist church. In 1937 Stone Church purchased the church and completely rebuilt it. In 1948, Bethany joined Little Corners Charge, then Stone Church, then Grace Methodist.<page817>back to StoneMethodist. In 1964 he left the Geneva Methodist office. In 1967 he became part of a three-point charge with Venango and Woodcock under the name Triangle Charge. In 1968, the number of members was 35.

MADVILLE: FIRST ("OLD STONE").The hotel is located at Chestnut and Main Streets in Meadville. Crawford County. Methodist Episcopal Church. Erie Conference. Organized in 1825 by Rev. Robert C. Hatton, pastor of the French Creek Circuit, in a meeting in an attic above John Lupher's forge. Services were held in this building until a brick church was built in 1834. The congregation met in the brick church until 1868. Allegheny College in Meadville came under Methodist patronage in 1833. The Erie Conference was formed out of part of the Pittsburgh Conference in 1836. the first session at the Meadville Courthouse. Calvin Kingsley, later a bishop, was one of the ministers of that office in 1842. The Stone Church was built in 1868 to hold one-tenth of the city's population. In 1924, an educational facility called the Thoburn Chapel was erected in honor of Bishop James M. Thoburn, a pioneering missionary to India. In 1927, a devastating fire destroyed the sanctuary and caused minor damage to the educational facilities. The church was rebuilt using the original stone walls and rededicated in 1928. The large debt was finally paid off in 1943. A major refurbishment of the educational facilities was completed in 1962. In 1968 membership was 1,554.

MADVILLE: GRACE.The hotel is located at 828 North Main Street, between Diamond Park and Allegheny College, in the town of Meadville, Crawford County. Methodist Episcopal Church. Erie Conference. This church originated in 1869 as the State Street Methodist Episcopal Church. The congregation grew out of a group of people meeting in homes in the Mohican Place and State Street area, the site of the church's first construction. In the early years, the pulpit was occupied by students from Allegheny College. In 1914 plans were made to purchase "Burdock Park" at the corner of North Main Street and North Street as the site for a new church. The cornerstone of the new building was laid in 1915 and opened on January 28, 1917. In 1953, the charter was changed and the name changed to Grace Methodist Church. In 1959, construction began on a branch line to be used as an educational center. This educational appendix was completed and dedicated July 9, 1961. Membership in 1968 was 706.

<page819> MILLERS-STATION.Located on the Legislative Route in Rockdale Township, Crawford County, three miles east of Cambridge Springs. Methodist Episcopal Church. Erie Conference. The church was built in 1880 by George Miller, a prominent resident of the city. He was a Free Will Baptist and the first pastor of the church. The non-denominational church was overseen by Rev. Ira D. Darling, pastor of the Cambridge Springs Methodist Church, in 1885 and the congregation voted to become a Methodist church. A community hall was built in 1912 and remodeled in 1940. Cambridge Springs pastors served the church until 1958. Since then, it has been a single calling. Membership in 1968 was fifty-seven.<page823> BERG HOFFNUNG (Crawford County)Located off Route 27, three miles southeast of Guys Mills in Crawford County. Methodist Episcopal Church. Erie Conference. As early as 1812, the Daniels' home was a Methodist preaching place. These services continued regularly until 1825, when the Society grew significantly due to a revival and a frame church called "Guys" was built about half a mile south of Guys Mills. John Smith, David Jones, David Hanks, Thomas Wilder, Reuben Smith and William Waid were the main members. The current church was built in 1858 on land donated by Levi Oakes. The church was remodeled in 1886, adding the bell tower and the belfry. The basement was excavated in 1958 and in 1964 a new vicarage was purchased at Mount Hope. This church has always been connected in a loop to Pine Grove Church in 1968. Membership in 1968 was 104.<page827> CAPILLA MUMFORD.Located on route 285 approximately five miles west of Cochranton in Crawford County. Methodist Episcopal Church. Erie Conference. It originated in 1801 from the Methodist class on the original Erie circuit in the home of David Mumford. He was the class leader. A schoolhouse was built at Calvins Corners in 1816 and used as a Methodist place of worship around 1830. Town Hall was built in 1856 and was also used as a Methodist place of worship. The group was known as the Townhouse Society until Mumford Chapel Methodist Church was founded in 1859 by the Rev. John Abbott of Cochranton Circuit. The church building was constructed in 1861 at a cost of $1,200. In 1950 church school rooms were added, the basement was enlarged and the altar room was redesigned. The church has had several circuit relationships, it is currently in a two church arrangement with Cochranton. In 1968, the number of members was 100.<page835> NOVO RICHMOND.Located in the town of New Richmond on Route 77, twelve miles east of Meadville, in Richmond Township, Crawford County. Methodist Episcopal Church. Erie Conference. Land for the church was transferred to trustees by James and Martha Sayre in 1863, and the church was built in 1864. The original trustees were: Russell Flint, Israel Cannon, Oren Lyon, Abraham Ward, and Silas Clark. The basement was added in 1945. New Richmond was originally on the Rockville Loop and the pastor lived in Woodcock. The New Richmond Charge was formed in 1893 and consists of New Richmond, North Richmond, and Teepleville churches. In 1969, a new vicarage was acquired in New Richmond. Membership in 1968 was thirty-six.<page837> RICHMOND DES NORDENS.Located in the village of North Richmond in Richmond Township, Crawford County. Methodist Episcopal Church. Erie Conference. The current white-framed church was built in 1854 on land donated by Patrick Perry. The trees in the church yard were planted in memory of the founders, with each family represented by a tree. In 1964 the catechism rooms were built at the back of the church and in 1968 the chancel was remodeled. Originally part of Rockville Speedway, it has been a part of the New Richmond Charge since 1893. In 1968, membership was fifty-six.<page844> KIEFERWALD (Crawford County)The hotel is located on Wayland Road at the base of Kaiser Hill outside Meadville in Crawford County. Methodist Episcopal Church. Erie Conference. The original class was organized in 1825 by a group of English Methodists who had settled in the community. They prayed in members' homes and at a school until the church was built in 1858. The church was built over a dense pine forest, hence its name. In 1958 a cellar was built under the church<page845>Building. Originally, in 1858, Pine Grove was attached to the Meadville Circuit. It has since been a part of Saegertown, Cochranton and Townville racecourses at various times. In 1965, a two-count indictment linked him to Mount Hope Church. In 1968, the number of members was 47.<page862> RICEVILLE.Located off Route 77, 21 miles east of Meadville, Crawford County. Methodist Episcopal Church. Erie Conference. Organized in 1849 with four members. The meetings took place in the old red school. Later at the Congregational Church. The Methodist Church was built in 1874 at a cost of $4,500. In 1872 it was part of the Centerville Circuit. In the 1920s it was the Riceville Charge again with Wilkins and Mt Pleasant Church at Tillotson Corners. Around 1928 the Congregational Church closed its doors and the members joined the Methodist Church. In 1931 the church was rebuilt and the large bell of the Congregational Church was placed in the steeple. In 1966 an extension was built over the church. Riceville was part of the Miller Station Charge in 1959. In 1965, the Centerville Charge was formed with Centerville, Riceville and Wilkins. In 1968, the number of members was 60.<page866> SAEGERTOWN: MEMORIAL DOS SIMPSONS.Corner of Washington and Euclid in Saegertown Township. Crawford County. Methodist Episcopal Church. Erie Conference. In 1829, the first Methodists joined the German Lutherans and Reformed in building the "Church of the Three Faiths". Prior to 1839, Matthew Simpson, later a bishop, assisted in an extended meeting that led to the formation of a Methodist Society. In August 1839, the Erie Conference named John J. Steadman and James Plant as its first pastors. Some of the first members were of the Seavy class as early as 1826. The first Methodist church was built in 1841. On May 4, 1847, the Society became a legal entity. The original charter was revised in 1963. A second building was constructed in 1875 at a cost of $6,000. This building caught fire in 1918 after a lightning strike. A brick building was erected immediately afterwards. A building and improvement program began in 1961 and resulted in a major expansion of the building in 1968-1969. Prior to 1898, Saegertown was associated with several communities: Blooming Valley, State Road, Pine Grove, Hamlin Chapel and Seavys Cita. From 1940 to 1956, Saegertown was a racecourse with Woodcock and Venango. In 1961, an indictment was formed with Blooming Valley, Pine Grove and State Road. Since 1963, Saegertown and Blooming Valley have been together as one lot. In 1968, the number of members was 285.<page874> Shermansville.Located off Route 6 four miles west of Conneaut Lake in Crawford County. Methodist Episcopal Church. Erie Conference. It organized itself as a class and held services in a schoolhouse in the 1840s. In 1867 land was purchased and a white-framed church built which is still in use. Shermansville Church was part of the Linesville Circuit until 1886. In 1886 it became part of the Conneaut Lake Circuit and currently sits at an intersection with two churches and Conneaut Lake. The church building was renovated in 1968. Membership was 54 in 1968.<page879> SPARTANSBURGO.Located in Spartansburg Township on Route 77 in Crawford County. Methodist Episcopal Church. Erie Conference. Organized around 1827 by I. H. Tackett. Meetings were initially held at GoldenSchool House, about a quarter of a mile west of the community. In 1849, a Presbyterian church was built and dedicated. Later the Methodists bought it. The current building was erected in 1877 on its current location. the property given<page880>by the Blakeslee family. The wood was cut in the surrounding forests and transported to a local sawmill for processing. Around 1948 the building was raised and a basement was added. Many other improvements have since been made, including new oak flooring, lowering and installation of a new roof, new pews and, in 1968, an electronic carillon was presented to the church in memory of one of the oldest members. In 1968, membership was 123. Always on tour, he is part of a three-charge indictment with Elgin and McCray churches with Spartansburg Parsonage in 1968.<page882> STATE LINE (Crawford County)The hotel is located on Stateline Road along the Ohio-Pennsylvania line, west of Jamestown, Crawford County. Methodist Episcopal Church. Erie Conference. This class was organized in 1819 with fourteen members. Peter Royal, Henry Royal, William Roke, John Betts and Mr. and Mrs. Edwards were among the first members. Services were held in a barn on McCormick Farm, which was a school for many years. The first church, located around the corner from the current parish cemetery, was built in 1851. This church burned down but was rebuilt. Henry Bates donated the current church property and the current red brick church was built over it in 1891-1892. At various racecourses in the 19th century, it had been part of a two-point charge with Jamestown since 1903. Membership in 1968 was 79.

STATE HIGHWAY.Located in open country on Route 77 on Wayland Road northeast of Meadviile in Crawford County. Methodist Episcopal Church. Erie Conference. The church was built in 1847 on land donated by Francis Waid. For many years she was mentored by student pastors at Allegheny College. In 1968, the number of members was 38.

<page888> Teepleville.Located in the village of Teepleville, off Route 408, 7 miles east of Cambridge Springs, in Richmond Township, Crawford County. Methodist Episcopal Church. Erie Conference. Worship began in 1877 in the parish's Casa Escuela, and the current church was built in 1882 at a cost of $1,800. At first it was known as Van Scoder Church. The church was renovated in 1967 with new carpets and lighting. When organized, it was part of the Rockville Loop, which included Woodcock, North Richmond, New Richmond, Teepleville, Jervis, and Penny's Corners. The New Richmond Charge was formed in 1893 and the Charge Rectory was established in 1894 adjacent to Teepleville Church. It burned down in 1943 and a second vicarage was purchased at the corner of Route 408 and Teepleville Road. The third vicariate on the lot is the new home purchased in New Richmond in January 1969. Membership in 1968 was sixty-one.<page890> TITUSVILLE: BETEL.Located four and a half miles north of Titusville on Route 89 in Crawford County. Methodist Episcopal Church. Erie Conference. This class was organized as early as 1825 and included the following original members: Andrew Alcorn, Obed Gardner and wife, Isaac Connell and wife, John and Martin Zeley, Barnett Shelmadine and wife, Benjamin Shelmadine and wife, John Colton and wife, Charles Fink and your father. The meeting place was first Fink's cabin and then Colton's school. The church was built in Sunville County in 1856 under the direction of George M. Eberman and Jeptha Marsh. A presbytery attached to the church was built in 1939 and inaugurated on December 31 of the same year. The church was rebuilt in 1965 and in 1967 an educational unit was added in the basement of the vicariate. She worked at Hydetown Charge until 1941, when she was converted into a station. In 1968, the number of members was 136.

TITUSVILLE: FIRST.Located on West Walnut Street in Titusville Township, Crawford County. Methodist Episcopal Church. Erie Conference. In the summer of 1799, Samuel Gregg and his family settled in Oil Creek, three miles south of Titusville. Mrs. Gregg was converted under the preaching of John Wesley in Ireland. These were the grandparents of Rev. Samuel Gregg, author of the first history of the Erie Conference. Andrew Hemphill organized a Methodist course at the Gregg home on the original Erie circuit in 1804. Between 1820 and 1850 the class was reorganized several times. The first attempt to build a house of worship was in 1860. Thie[sic] Temporary "Lincoln Wigwam" was an octagonal clapboard structure with no floor, with rough plank seats nailed to posts driven into the ground, with an old oil drum as a pulpit, located at the corner of Perry and Pine Streets . Dissatisfied with this primitive structure, a new wooden church was built in 1864, which became an infirmary station that year. This church had the first church bell in Titusville, and the bell is still in use. A new stone church built in 1903 at the corner of Perry Street and Walnut Street was destroyed by fire in 1952. It was rebuilt and expanded in 1954. This church served as the site of the annual Erie Conference in 1876, 1904 and 1923. membership in 1968 was 609.

<page891> STADTVILLE.The hotel is located on Main Street in Townville Township off Route 408 in Crawford County. Methodist Episcopal Church. Erie Conference. A Methodist Society was founded in Townville in 1845 with J. A. Pond, Henry Hull, Gamaliel Phillips, Dr. William Mason and Dr. Luther Pearce as founding members. Meetings were held at the school until 1849, when a half-timbered church was built on Main Street. It was known as "The Church of Buckley". In 1877 the current church was built on the opposite side of the street. The shrine was remodeled in 1964. In 1968, it was part of a two-point charge with Troy Center. In 1968, the number of members was 151.<page892> TROY CENTER.Located in the town of Troy Center on Route 428 in Crawford County, approximately ten miles west of Titusville. Methodist Episcopal Church. Erie Conference. The original grade was founded in 1812 at Henry Kinnear's foundry in far north Venango County. They later moved their meeting place to Jonathan Benn's cabin in Troy Township, where they met for over twenty years. In 1850 the class meeting was transferred to Bromley School House, under the direction of Thomas Benn, pastor of the Sunville circuit. Troy Center Church arose from this class in 1870. The current church building was erected in 1874. A basement was added in 1959. It is on a two point charge with Townville. In 1868, the number of members was 80.<page897> LATER.Located in the town of Venango on US Route 19 in Crawford County, four miles south of Cambridge Springs. Methodist Episcopal Church. Erie Conference. Organized into a class of twelve in 1842 by Ahab Keller, pastor of the Cambridge Circuit. The services were initially held at a school west of town; later in the Lutheran Church until 1848, the year in which the first structural building of the Church was erected. In 1935, the congregation moved across the street into a building purchased by Presbyterians. It was a Lutheran church built in 1879. It has been converted into a beautiful sanctuary. This church has been in various circles and assignments over the years. The first resident minister was in 1956. In 1968 he was part of the Three Point Triangle Charge with Bethany at Meadville and Woodcock. In 1968, the number of members was 118.<page907> WESTFORD.Located south of Espyville in the Pymatuning Reservoir area. Crawford County. Methodist Episcopal Church. Erie Conference: This church was built in 1900 to replace the Old North Bank Methodist Episcopal Church founded by the Rev. Charles Thorn in 1824 with about nine members. The old church was part of the Williamsport, Ohio circuit. The first meetings took place in private homes and in schools until about 1845, when a house of worship was built. Later, in 1851, the church became part of Espyville County. The church existed until 1900, when its building was abandoned and replaced by Westford Church, 1 mile from the church's former grounds. A $40,000 educational unit was completed in 1966 as an extension to the church. Espyville and Westford formed the parish of Pymatuning until 1967 when Geneva was added to Charge and the name changed to Lake Parish. In 1968, the number of members was 112.<page911> WHITE OAK.Located in Crawford County in what is called Titusville, Spring Creek Road, Route 2, Titusville. Methodist Episcopal Church. Erie Conference. The date of organization of the class is unknown. They met at school for several years. In 1889, Rev. Hiram McClintock of Meadville led a revival. Because of many decisions, Ms. Jane Whitford decided that a church was needed. Silas Kerr sold land for $50.00 and a church was built, mostly with donated labor. Silas Prather, Elder Presiding, dedicated it November 30, 1893. The church was removed from the street in 1942 and placed in a basement. Extensive renovation work completed in the 1950s. It forms part of the Hydetown lot with Hydetown and East Troy churches. In 1968, the number of members was 22.<page912> WILKINS.Located five miles southwest of Union City, Bloomfield Township, Crawford County. Methodist Episcopal Church. Erie Conference. The Methodist Society was founded in 1840. The first meetings took place in a school on the block. A wooden church was erected in 1868 at a cost of $1,500. The property was donated by Mark Wilkins and left to trustees John Chapin, Lewis Larkin and WB Taylor. The society was known as Chapins and was affiliated with Circuito Vila do Moinho. The Wilkins United Brethren Society also used the church for religious services. In the summer of 1957, the church was transferred to the property on a new foundation. In 1959, the shrine was rebuilt. Wilkins joined Riceville and Centerville in 1965 and became part of the Centerville Charge. On September 2, 1968, the centenary celebrations took place. In 1968, the number of members was 30.<page914> IN GALLERIES.Located in the town of Woodcock off Route 86 four miles south of Cambridge Springs in Crawford County. Methodist Episcopal Church. Erie Conference. Organized as a class in 1806 at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ford by Rev. Robert R. Roberts, year Erie Circuit ran.<page915>The first log church was built in 1811; the second church in 1817; and the current brick church was built in 1838. The current church property was donated to the church in 1837 by John Lang. A vicarage was built in 1879. It later became a church hall and in 1959 it was extended to the present day. Fraternity Hall. Always on a racetrack, he had a three-point attack with Bethany in 1968 at Meadville and Venango. In 1968, the number of members was 74.¹Wallace Guy Smeltzer, Hrsg.,Methodism in Western Pennsylvania(Little Valley, Nova York, 1969).