History

1800

The first vestige of Methodistism in the area of Tioga County now known as Campville dates back to the beginning of the 19th century. In the year of 1800 Colonel Asa Camp crossed the Susquehanna River from Apalachin with his family of five sons and one daughter. The Camp family settled on a tract of farmland in what was then referred to as East Owego. Colonel Camp built and managed a tavern that became a famous resort in the stage coaching period. This stopping off place became quite popular and other settlers built homes in this vicinity. Four of the Camp boys settled on good farms in the area.

1820

Along about 1820 a Methodist Class was formed. There are no know records available that give the origin of this Class, but it appears as though this Class was formed through the efforts of a Camp family that was active in the Methodist Society in Owego.

1833

From all indications this Class grew in purpose as well as numbers for one historian records that a society was served here in 1833 by the Reverend Marmaduke Pearce. The records of this period tell of great private homes that were used for two and three services daily. These revivals drew people from Union, Owego and the surrounding countryside. It was about this time that the community came into its own.

1835

By action of the Congress of 1835-37 a Post Office was established here with the official name of Campville, in honor of Colonel Camp who had given outstanding serve in the army, and who had also served the community as Justice of the Peace and as a minor county official.

1849

The prospect for community growth was increasing due to the building of the Erie Railroad. Colonel Camp was concerned for the future of his community and worked hard toward the establishment of a Depot at Campville. It was not until the year after his death that the Railroad station became an actuality. In 1849 the first rail stopped at Campville. This increased the importance of the settlement and others came to live here. As the community grew so did the Methodist Society.

1853

While there are very few records available to be found of this period the work of the church must have progressed. In 1853 Campville is listed as a place to be supplied in the yearbook of the recently organized Wyoming Annual Conference.

1854

Campville at this time was stirring with activity. The Railroad had build a stockyard here, and all of the cattle trains stopped that the animals might be fed. This increased the economic status of the community and it must have had an immediate affect on the Methodist Society. It was during this time, in the year 1854, that a plot of ground was purchased from Roswell Camp for $100.00 and work was begun on the erection of a church building.

1855

The Church as completed and dedicated for worship in 1855. Life within the community prospered with the establishment of the Railroad Stockyards in 1855.

1856

The deed to the property was executed May 28, 1856.

1857

The Society became incorporated as "The Trustees of the First Methodist Church of Campville" on October 5, 1857. It is recorded that Reverend Ira Dickinson and James Tilbury circulated a subscription and secured the necessary funds to erect the Church. John E. Brown and his son Jeremiah did the carpentry work.

1872

A Gazeteer of about 1872 lists Campville as a station on the Erie Railroad, containing one Church, a Methodist, a hotel, a store, grist mill, plaster mill, blacksmith shop, a saw mill and about 20 homes.

1875

It must have been about this time that the stockyards closed and a depression hit the community.

1876

From 1876 until 1883 Apalachin was served with Campville.

1877

It has been recorded that during this period the Church membership totaled 37 and the Sunday School numbered 50 scholars and teachers.

1882

Something must have happened either in Campville or Apalachin about this time for the appointment at the next Conference lists Apalachin as the preacher's residence and Campville as the out appointment.

1897

It was in 1897, that the church was repapered and painted. The pulpit was moved to the opposite end of the room, the floor raised, and several minor improvements were made.

1899

The Annual Conference of 1899 made another adjustment of charges and Campville was listed as a circuit with Whitttemore Hill as the out appointment.

1924

In September of 1924 there was a rearrangement of charges and Campville and Whittemore Hill were united with Union Center. During this time, the Social Room was added on to the church, at a cost of three thousand dollars.

1942

The Conference of 1942 made another shift of appointments and placed Campville with Vestal Center.

1950

At the Conference of 1950 Campville was again shifted, and this time it was attached to the Barton Church.

1954

This arrangement continued until November 1954 when Campville was again made the out appointment of St. Paul's Church in West Endicott.

1992

Appointment with St. Paul's Church ended.

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