THE BEGINNING
The history of the United Methodist Church of Wellsboro can be traced back to the circuit riding preachers of the Genesee Conference, organized in 1810. By 1822, Wellsboro, not much more than a village at the time, became part of the Tioga Circuit and later was a circuit of its own. The circuit included Lawrenceville, Pine Creek, Delmar, and Dartt Settlement. Meetings were held at various times in the Log Courthouse, a school, and the Academy (now the Knights of Columbus Hall). In 1834, Articles of Incorporation were drawn and signed to establish "The Methodist episcopal Church in Wellsborough". Meetings were still held in various places and by 1840 plans were made for a church building. The first church building was located at 7 Main Street and was a simple, neat church finished very plainly inside. It was dedicated on May 21, 1842, being the second church building in the borough at the time. During this period of time, many revivals were held in the area and the church grew with the addition of new members. by 1867 the church needed repairs and improvements, which were completed in November. The evening of the first Sunday service held after the work was done, the church was discovered in flames and it burned to the ground. The people worshiped in the Courthouse for the next two years while a new brick church was built.
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SECOND CHURCH BUILDING
During the winter after the fire a protracted revival was held that swept the town for a period of 14 weeks, resulting in more conversions for the Lord. A building fund was begun and through the next two years a substantial Gothic structure was erected at the corner of Main and Queen Streets (the site of our present church)l. It was dedicated on November 17,1869, exactly two years to the day after the fire . The two years of church building were years of great toil and had to be years of great faith and exertion on the part of the people. They remembered that "unless the Lord build the house, they labor in vain who build it." Between 1882-85 a parsonage was built next tot he church, which remained until 1974 when it was razed. Unfortunately due to construction defects the church was determined to be unsafe for use in 1900. It was torn down in 1904 and a new church of yellow brick and Hummelstown sandstone was begun.
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Present Church Building
The present church building was dedicated on October 1,1905. Much was favorably written at the time about the appointments and architecture of this fine building. The sanctuary is especially beautiful. Even though we can be truly thankful for this building, it is the work that is done in it and comes out of it that the congregation is most concerned. This building has become a landmark in Wellsboro, situated on one of the main intersections in the county. In 1960 a new educational wing was built on to the church, which to this day is used for many educational purposes and church functions. The entrance features a lintel stone from the Old Rectory, Epworth, Lincolnshire,England, the original home of the Wesley family. The wing is named Epworth Hall after this historic town. A new entrance facade was constructed in 2001 to incorporate the UMC logo and new energy efficient windows. The present parsonage was purchased in 1968 to replace the aging parsonage which stood next to the church on Main Street.
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Denomination History
In 1939, Methodists were joined as one when the Methodist Episcopal Church, North, the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and the Methodist Protestant Church stood as one in Kansas City to become The Methodist Church. We became that day the"First Methodist Church of Wellsboro, PA" In 1962 we were reassigned to the Central Pennsylvania Conference from the Genesee Conference where we had been from the beginning. This was part of restructuring of the Conferences along state geographic lines. 1968 was the year that the merger of the Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church took place. The merged church adopted a new name to reflect the two former identities, and on October 8, 1968 our local church became the "United Methodist Church of Wellsboro". We are part of the Wellsboro District of the Central PA Conference, and many District and Conference events and regular meetings are held here.
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Rotunda
An addition to the second church building, dedicated in 1899, added Sunday School classrooms and a large open community area affectionately called the "Rotunda Room" because of its circular layout. This part of the building was retained as part of the rebuilding of the Sanctuary building. The church office was located on the first floor in 1952, and presently the area also houses the church library, archives and audio-visual storage as well as classrooms and a kitchenette.
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Organ
The pipe organ is Moller Organ, installed in 1914 and in constant use until 1948 when it ceased to operate. A Hammond electric organ was then used until 1961 when a rebuilding project was begun. The organ was removed to the factory, rebuilt and enlarged, then returned in January 1962. At that time, the choir and organ position were rearranged, and a new loft and pews were built.
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Stained Glass Windows
Of the many stained glass windows throughout the church building, the two large (16 x 22 feet) window sin the sanctuary are by far the most beloved. The Main Street side window, donated by Mrs. Sarah M. Billings, depicts "Christ in the Temple" based on the Hoffman painting The Queen Street window is "The Good Shepherd" by Plockhorst. This window was given by the L.A. Garnder Family. IN the wall directly over the pulpit gleams a small, jewel-like rose window.