McGuire Chapel Cemetery, Center Township PA

History, Years in Service

With the McGuire Church built in eighteen fifty nine, the Methodists of Phillipsburg rejoiced! They finally had a church where they could worship the Lord together! With the deed in place, the church was official and the leadership of this church was created. The first pastor to serve this church was Rev. Latchall McGuire, and followed with:

1. Latchall McGuire 1859
2. John Wright 1860
3. J.J. Jackson 1861
4. Farrall 1861
5. J.J. Jackson 1862
6. N. P. Kerr 1862
7. M. M. Eaton 1863
8. J. V. Yarnall 1864
9. James Jones 1864

In addition, some of the first members were:

• Daniel Carey
• Adaline Carey
• Philip Cooper
• Columbus Cooper
• Margaret Elliot
• Joseph Craig
• Jacob Glasser
• Elizabeth Glasser
• Corbin Prophater and his wife
• Sofia Prophater
• Caroline Hamilton
• Members of the Landis family.
• Members of the Uselton family.

Despite the glorious achievement of building the church, the members discovered that love is sacrifice. "Nearly every young man eighteen years of age and over enlisted in the army [for the Civil War that erupted], leaving a dearth of men in the church" (Origins 67)⁶. Some of them died and were buried in the cemetery with GAR stones (Grand Army of the Republic [or the Union]) and a flag, marking them as veterans. In addition, young children sadly died from diseases,as there was a lack of hygiene, medical knowledge, germs, and medicine. Moreover, going to church was even a hardship, since members from Phillipsburg had to walk three miles to go to church. Since walking three miles was hard on the children, Daniel Carey suggested to build a Sunday School in Phillipsburg, closer to members' homes. It was popularly approved! The school was built, and Carey became the superintendent for eleven wonderful years. The Church lasted several years, until it fell into neglect... ^{2 & 6}