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The First United Methodist church of Greencastle has a rich history, tracing its early beginnings to the year 1805 when Bishop Christian Newcomer conducted services in the area. In his journal under the date of April 7, 1805 he wrote "this afternoon I preached in Greencastle, I have made an appointment for Lorenzo Dow to preach here on the fifteenth of this month at 2 o'clock." A short distance south of Greencastle and situated along the Williamsport pike is another United Brethren land mark- the barn on the farm of Jacob Wingert who identified himself with the United Brethren church. In the early years of its existence he owned the farm on which he lived and resided thereon until his death, which occurred about 1863 at his home. Religious services were often held by newcomer and others, but the house in which Mr. Wingert lived and in which the meetings were held has been replaced by one of a more modern style of architecture. The old barn is yet in use. In it, services were held on sacramental occasions, or "two day meetings" as they were called-- the dwelling being too small to accommodate the throngs who came to hear the word. Mr. Wingert was licensed to preach and was received into the Pennsylvania conference, but labored in a local capacity only. He was a good man, honest and upright in all the relations of life and enjoyed the confidence and esteem of a wide acquaintanceship. Although Bishop Newcomer preached in the vicinity of Greencastle before the close of the 18th century, no services were held in town until 1805--- the year of its incorporation. Under date of April 7th of that year his journal contains the following: "this afternoon I preached in Greencastle" he continued to preach in the town once or twice each year pretty regularly until the year preceding his death, the services having been held in the house of Rev. Peter Hawbaker and sometimes in the "union school house" --- a building that was owned jointly by the United Brethren, the Lutheran, and the Reformed people. After the membership increased in numbers, a church was erected in 1828, on a lot that had been purchased 13 years before, or in 1815. The church was a frame and weatherboard structure, one story in height, at a cost of $900.00 and was dedicated February 12, 1829. Bishop Newcomer who was then on his last tour west, assisted in the dedication services conducted by Bishop Henry Kumler. In 1884 the present two story brick structure was built at a cost of $7,000, and then in the 1904-1907 period a furnace was added along with a 300 pipe organ and electric lights. In 1906 a parsonage at 101 N. Washington St. was purchased for $3,000. In 1950 an addition was added to the church structure at a cost of $43,500. This structure housed the children's Sunday school department and kitchen with the addition of "inside rest rooms". In order to do this the cemetery at the rear of the church was exhumed and everything found on this site was re-interred in a common grave at cedar hill cemetery west of Greencastle. In 1963, the congregation purchased the residence immediately north of the church and converted it to an education building and it also housed the pastor's study and secretary's office. The next year, the residence north of the education building was purchased and torn down to make room for future expansion. Then in 1966 an electronic organ costing $19,540 was dedicated in memory of Marlene Rice, wife of Rev. Marvin Rice who was pastor of our church at that time. In 1983 a "split" devastated our church that saw over half of our members leave in a bitter dispute. Those of us who stayed limped along, wondering how or even if we were going to survive as a church family. Rev. Karalf, a retired pastor who resided at Quincy, was assigned as our supply pastor and did a terrific job from the pulpit. But our church needed a full time permanent pastor to lead us out of this period. During this time the church leadership decided that in order to attract a permanent pastor we should consider buying a new parsonage and as a result the, present parsonage on W. Walters Ave. was purchased and the old parsonage at 101 N. Washington St. was sold. With a new parsonage, a new determination, some doubt, some misgivings and a lot of answered prayers, and with the leadership of Revs. Doverspike, Gaither Carlson and Armstrong we did overcome the bitterness that prevailed and on September 11, 1999 our new $700,000 family life center was dedicated, along with a newly remodeled first floor in the old structure and an elevator. With the leadership of Pastor Crawford we feel that we are moving forward and helping to further the kingdom in our community. Growing, caring, and sharing in the name of Christ to God be the glory. History can be measured in the story of the people who passed their faith from generation to generation... the people who gave of themselves with their prayers, time, energy, donations, support, and service. Many Pastors (67), have left the imprints of their different personalities on this church, with their teaching, leading, building and improving this churches' services to its members and the community.
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