Belleman's Union Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Bellman's Union Church
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Old Belleman's Union Church, east side.
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 Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Centerport, Pennsylvania |
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| Area | 2.5 acres (1.0 ha) |
| Built | 1814 |
| Architectural style | Georgian |
| NRHP reference No. | 73001589 |
| Added to NRHP | December 04, 1973 |
Bellman's Union Church is a special old church located in Mohrsville, Pennsylvania. It's a place with a long history, where two different church groups have shared a building for hundreds of years. This historic church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973, recognizing its importance.
Contents
A Church with a Long History
How It All Started
The story of Bellman's Union Church began way back in 1746. That's when two church groups, the Lutherans and the United Church of Christ, started meeting together. They shared a simple log cabin for their separate services. That first cabin is no longer standing, but you can still see where its foundation was on the church grounds.
The Old Belleman's Church
The second church building on this spot, often called the Old Belleman's Church, was built in 1814. This is the building that became famous enough to be added to the National Register of Historic Places. Even though it doesn't have modern electricity or plumbing, it's a beautiful example of Georgian architecture.
This old church has many cool features that you don't often see in churches from the 1800s, especially in the countryside. It has fancy decorations like an elaborate cornice (a decorative molding), special Palladian windows, and arched windows. The doorways are also very detailed, and inside there's a gallery (a balcony area). Two really interesting things to see are the "wineglass pulpit" (a unique type of stand for the speaker) and an old hand-pump organ.
People still use this historic building several times a year during the warmer months. It's used for Sunday services, weddings, and even annual "Hymn Sings." They also hold a special service in the Pennsylvania German dialect, which is a unique language spoken by some people in the area.
The Newer Church Building
A third church building was built next to the old one in 1924. Since 2003, the two original church groups have started working even more closely together. They now share a pastor, hold services together, and even have shared choirs, committees, and youth groups. Even with all this sharing, they still keep their separate identities as two different church communities.
Community Connection
Bellman's Union Church is also a home for the community. It hosts the Boy Scouts of America Troop 154 from Dauberville, Pennsylvania, providing a place for young people to learn and grow.
Gallery
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Front side.
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Back side and cemetery.
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Old Church interior.
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Current church, built in 1924.
See also
- Rebersburg Historic District
