![[East Main St. Church]](images/oldch.gif)
on East Main and High Streets.
The history of the church dates back to the Harpster Class which worshiped in a school house north of Bellevue for some years prior to 1875. Many of the direct descendants of this "Harpster Class" were also direct descendants of the "Thomas Class" in McClure PA. have been and still are active members of Seybert Church. The Thomas Class was the first Evangelical Class (Church) west of the Susquehanna River, beginning from a large camp meeting held in 1800 by Jacob Albright (Founder of the Evangelical Church) on the Thomas Farm.
The Ohio conference of the Evangelical Church deemed it advisable to establish a mission in Bellevue in the spring of 1875, and on April 1 of that year the property at the corner of East Main and High Streets was purchased from the Baptists. In 1895 the old frame building was replaced by the brick church on East Main and High Streets.
The Pike Evangelical Church was located just west of the present York School, on property donated by Levi Parker. Levi Parker lived in the house located just east of York School which was demolished in 1997. It was in this home that Bishop Seybert spent his last days on earth before going to join his Father in Heaven.
In 1912 the Pike Church and the Seybert Church were merged in to one using the Seybert building.
August 18, 1929 ground was broken for a new Sunday School addition on this building. New basement space under the old and new buildings gave complete modern equipment and room for double the membership for both Sunday School and Church. The excavation for the basement was done with a team of horses owned by Mr. Brandal and the dirt was hauled away by another team of horses with a "bottom opening" dump wagon. The total cost including a new pipe organ with chimes was $31,000. The rededication took place on January 19, 1930. Bishop S. P. Spreng, who had served as the first pastor from 1875 - 1876, was the presiding Bishop at the rededication service. District Superintendent D. L. Caldwell also took part in the service.
1946 the Evangelical Church and the United Brethren Church merged denominations forming the Evangelical United Brethren Church (EUB) This was celebrated locally by a marriage ceremony of Miss Evangelical and Mr. United Brethren.
April 25, 1965 ground was broken for the new church on West Main Street. The West Main Street property contains approximately 3.6 acres. The old East Main Street property contained only .8 acres.
On July 11, 1965 the old and the new cornerstones were laid at the new church on West Main Street. Also on the same day ground was broken for the new parsonage located to the rear and right of the new church.
The last service in the old church on East Main Street was held on May 8, 1966. Rev. George Fisher's sermon was "Get Your Heart fixed to Give". The First service in the new church on West Main Street was held on May 15, 1966. This service was begun in the East Main Street Church and the entire congregation walked down Main Street (Rt. 20) led by the Pastor, Choir, and Acolytes to the new Building located at 442 West Main Street. Singing Hymns the entire way. The subject of the sermon by Rev. George Fisher was "Much Given - Much Required". The Music Director, Roger Russell, sang a solo entitled "The Lord Is My Light".
The EUB Church and the Methodist Church merged denominations in 1968 to form the new United Methodist Church.
1996 saw the return of the beautiful Good Shepherd Window, which originally was located on the north wall of the East Main St. Sanctuary. This window was completely restored by Franklin Art Glass of Columbus Ohio and hung with back lighting in the front and center of the current sanctuary.
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Pastors who have served Seybert United Methodist Church since it's founding.
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Seybert United Methodist Church main page