A Brief History of Our Church
Seward United Methodist Church
213 Indiana St.
Seward, Pennsylvania
(From the 1985 Seward United Methodist Church Directory)
The first Methodist Episcopal Church was built in Indiana County, Blacklick Township in 1814. It was a log cabin donated by a Mr. Clarke, who immigrated from Ireland.
The next church was a house owned by John Barber. The Methodists worshipped in this house from 1836 to 1840.
In 1840, the old Hebron meeting house was built on the John Barber farm in Ninevah. The church faced the Armagh road and was located about where Gary Stiles now has his ball fields. There were high steps leading into the building. The pulpit was at the rear with high steps leading to it, putting the minister almost at the ceiling. High backed seats were used with one center aisle. There was a membership of 20.
A new church was completed on the same site in the fall of 1871. In 1881, this church was taken apart in sections and moved across the river to its present site, which was at that time called Ninevah Station. The name was changed to Seward in 1890.
From 1934 to 1954, these changes were made to the church: the basement was plastered, new pews added, and hardwood floors were laid. In 1954, a six room educational building was added to the rear of the building, an inside stairway to the basement, a garage built at the back of the church building and an oil furnace installed.
From 1934 to 1954, these changes were made to the church: the basement was plastered, new pews added, and hardwood floors were laid. In 1954, a six room educational building was added to the rear of the building, an inside stairway to the basement, a garage built at the back of the church building and an oil furnace installed.
Early in 1964, the spire was replaced by a neon cross that could be seen for miles.
On June 28, 1969, a disastrous fire destroyed the church and most of its contents. On April 14, 1970, the congregation approved plans to replace the church on the same site. The cost for the new building was $150,000. The first service was held in our present building on May 30, 1971. The church was consecrated on May 30, 1971, and the debt paid in the fall of 1980. The church was dedicated by Bishop Ault on May 17, 1982.
In 1982, Seward became a single charge church. (Prior to then, we were a dual charge with Armagh United Methodist.) Our first minister as a single charge church was the Rev. Robert G. Bedison, Jr. A new parsonage was constructed at the cost of $45,000 in 1982. In March of 1985 our membership was 276.
In July of 2020, our church once again has become a dual charge, and we are re-united with Armagh United Methodist. Both churches retained their buildings, with Rev. Scott Hamley pastoring both churches.
In 2023, after a period of much prayer and discernment, the Seward Methodist church voted to leave the United Methodist denomination and join the Global Methodist denomination. We are now Seward Methodist Church, a Global Methodist congregation.
