The SNYDER COUNTY POST History Page

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From the Archives of
The
Middleburg Post

Presented by Emily Johnson, VP Snyder County Historical Society and the Simon Snyder of Pennsylvania: Citizen and Governor
1759-1819 exhibition committee

More Closed Churches and Their Histories in the County ...

Third In a Series...

125 Years Ago
April 7, 1886

    Farmers in the vicinity of Troxelville are hauling posts and rails preparatory to enclosing their farms property. Some are already making post and rail fences along the road to Troxelville.
    William Herbster of Beavertown, had his hand caught in a circle saw last Friday in the stave mill, cutting off two fingers and badly lacerated the others.
    A horrible accident happened near McClure recently. As a heavy freight train was coming up the track at great speed, Mr. F. Stanley's cat tried to cross in front of the engine and poor kitty was decapitated.

100 Years Ago
April 6, 1911

     Lester Troxel, of Beavertown, was in Middleburg on Saturday to secure stationary and milk tickets in preparation to beginning a dairy business in Beavertown, and perhaps in Beaver Springs.
    Hon. G. Alfred Schoch has built a large glass front in his store room adjoining the Washington House in Middleburg. This makes a valued and imposing improvement to the place and allows Mr. Gensburg, the new tenant, to display his goods.
    A.J. Shirk moved from Lewistown to Swineford. Mr. Shirk is an electrical contractor and will build electric lines from Middleburg to Penns Creek, New Berlin, and Troxelville.

75 Years Ago
March 12, 1936

Mr. and Mrs. Jefferson Hum-mel upon returning to their home in Middlecreek township, Tuesday evening were confronted with a horrible sight. Their home was burned to the ground.

35 Years Ago
April 8, 1976

Word has been received that some guests from Middleburg, Holland will visit Middleburg, Pa. during our Bicentennial Cele-bration which runs from Aug. 1st to Aug. 7th. This is also the week of the Fireman's Carnival and it should turn out to be a really big event. The Explorer Scouts plan to paint the fire hydrants in honor of our 200th.

Bowersox
United Brethren

Directions:
From the village of Penns Creek, go 2 miles south on PA 104 to Middle Road. Turn west on Middle Road and go 4 miles. [Ocker's school house was at the corner of Middle Road and Bergey Road, and the Bowersox farm was 0.5 miles past the school house.]

Brief History:
Dunkelberger's 1948 The Story of Snyder County, page 651, states the following. "Bowersox's Church was located about one-half miles from Ocker's Schoolhouse. The church was referred to as Die Darre Kaerrich (The Tar Church) because its vertical weather-boarding was painted with coal tar. It was called the Bowersox's Church after John Bowersox, the owner of the farm on which the church was located. The building was removed in 1894 and the material was used in the erection of an addition to the Evangelical Church at Penns Creek."

Directions:
From the square in Middleburg, go 0.5 miles north on PA 104 to New Berlin Road. Turn right on New Berlin Road and go 2 miles to Sunset Drive. Turn right on Sunset Drive and go 0.5 miles to Oak Drive. Turn left on Oak Drive and go 1 mile [Oak Drive becomes W. Ridge Road]. The church is on the left.

Brief History:
This building was erected in 1895 by the United Evangelicals on land donated by Susan Boyer. Regular services were discontinued in 1922, but the building was kept in reasonable repair and used irregularly on special occasions for many years until being sold.

Boyers Evangelical Church

Directions:
From the intersection of PA 104 and PA 35 east of Mount Pleasant Mills, go 0.5 miles south on PA 104 to Flint Valley Road. Go east on Flint Valley Road 3 miles to Rownzy Hill Road. Go south on Rownzy Hill Road 200 yards to Neitz Valley Road. The church is on the northwest corner of the intersection of Rownzy Hill Road and Neitz Valley Road.

Brief History:
This class met in the Flint Valley schoolhouse until the present building was erected in 1880.

Ebenezer United Brethren

Brief History:
Dunkelberger's 1948 The Story of Snyder County, page 634, states the following. "The first Evangelical church services in this locality were conducted in the home of David Heiser. This home was located on the south side of the road at the east end of the town, about halfway down the hill. In 1869, David Heiser donated a tract of land to the township for the erection of a schoolhouse, with the understanding that his people would have the privilege to conduct their church services in it. In 1902, the congregation erected the present church building. The cemetery is known by the name of the United Evangelical Cemetery. This church was officially closed June 1948 on account of small membership."
Final disposition:
The building is still standing and is in private use by a construction company.

Kratzerville St. Paul's EV

Brief History:
The first building at this site was a frame structure erected in 1850. In 1888 it was replaced by the present frame structure. There is a cemetery associated with the church a few hundred yards away on Middle Road,

which goes off Stage Road across from the church. The membership gradually dwindled until 1955 when the last reported membership was 5, 3 of which were classified as non-residents. For several years prior, only an annual homecoming service had been held.
Directions:
From the intersection of US 522 and PA 235 at the north edge of Beaver Springs, go one block west on US 522 to Ridge Road. Turn right on Ridge Road and go 1 mile to Stage Road. Turn right on Stage Road and go 1 mile. The church is on the right.

Manbeck Evangelical Church