Throughout 2012, Beaver Memorial United Methodist Church will celebrate 200 years of Methodism in Lewisburg with special events, information and activities.
Events:
Watch for updates!
Sunday, April 29, 10:30AM
True Heart-Southern Gospel Quartet Concert
Sunday, May 13, 10:30AM
Peter Beaver will bless us with his presence and speak the Good Word
Sunday, May 20, 10:30AM
Bishop Jane Allen Middleton will preach and previous pastors will return.
Thursday, September 27, 7PM
Concert by the Susquehanna Conference Choir, Chi Rho Singers, led by John Dromazos
Past Events–
Sunday, January 29, 10:30AM
Lycoming Choir under the direction of Dr. Fred Thayer Bicentennial celebration performance, 10:30 AM January 29, 2012
Moments in our History
On January 6, 1833, a new meeting house on Third Street was dedicated where Beaver Memorial United Methodist now stands. The total cost of the larger, 60×40 foot structure amounted to $1535.78. The census showed the population of Lewisburg during this time was 1220. In 1853, a building committee was elected to supervise the construction of the New Brick Meeting House on the site of the existing church. Its size was 75×50 feet, and contained a vestibule and basement. This third structure was dedicated on July 2, 1854, by the Rev. Thomas Sargent. Membership in the church had increased to 230 and the offering at the dedication was $4160. During the Civil War, the Church lost many members because of the outspoken manner in which the ministers discoursed on political subjects. But after the war, the church was repaired, frescoed, painted, and carpeted. And the membership was on the rise.
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On May 25, 1812, the Methodist Episcopal Church in Lewisburg was first organized in the home of John Gordon. The Rev. John Hazard and James S. Lent were in charge of what was then the Lycoming Circuit, Susquehanna District, Genesee Conference. In that year there were 480 members in the Circuit without a single church building. Lewisburg contained about 50 families. The town was well supplied with hotels and taverns; had one distillery and one brewery. There were two school houses, but no church buildings.
By 1814, preaching services were held in a large stone building on the corner of 4th and St. John’s Streets. The building had been a hotel, and its ballroom was used for the services. Then in 1818, James Kelly, a trustee of the Methodist group, bought a lot on the northeast corner of Front Street and St. Louis Street. In the deed, the title was traced back through the original warrantees and patentees to the Penn family, through them to the Six Nations and on back to Adam and Eve and Almighty God! Also in this year the first Methodist Church was built on the lot. It was a one-story, wood frame building, measuring 30 by 40 feet. The Rev. Marmaduke Pierce dedicated the church which for a long time was the only church in Lewisburg.
