Our History
Methodist Episcopal – Erie Conference. The first Methodist services were held in the Presbyterian Church in 1873; then in private homes and in a hall on Erie Avenue. Encouragement and help during this period came from the Emporium Methodist Church. The first building was erected in 1895 on land purchased by W. L. Sykes. In 1895 it became the Saint Marys Charge with six preaching points as part of the Williamsport District, Central Pennsylvania Conference. It became a station in 1896. The church building was dedicated in 1897 and used though not completed. The building was completed in 1903, with additions in 1923 (Asbury Hall), and extensive renovations in 1957 and 1965. Adjacent property was acquired in 1968 for a parsonage. It became part of Western Pennsylvania Conference in 1962. Membership 1968 was 490. The membership on January 1, 2003 was 432.
Pastors: St. Marys:
W. C. Wallace 1895-1897;
George Washington Faus 1897-1901;
William Wade Hartman 1901-1903;
George M. Frownfelter 1903-1907;
William Emerson Karns 1907-1910;
Harman Heston Crotsley 1910-1911;
Ellis Elmer McKelvey 1911-1913;
James Monroe Johnson 1913-1915;
Herbert Crawford Hinkle 1915-1917;
Charles W. Bryner 1917-1919;
Richard Brooks 1919-1922;
Otto E. Miller 1922-1928;
Charles E. Lehman 1926-1928;
Frank Warren Roher 1928-1931;
Robert C. Peters 1931-1935;
Harry J. Schugart 1935-1936;
Joseph G. Rigby 1936-1941;
Thomas F. Ripple 1941-1944;
John T. Cummings 1944-1948;
John M. Stevens 1948-1953;
Robert H. Karalfa 1953-1962;
Richard Martin Burns 1962-1968;
Milton M. Rhodes 1968-1972;
James R. Wagner 1972-1976;
David Merle Davis 1976-1983;
Frank Melvin Sherman 1983-1993;
William John Starr 1993-1998;
David Russell Vaughn 1998--2005;
Dwayne Burfield 2005--2009;
Chris Kindle 2009--.
