McGuire Chapel Cemetery, Center Township PA

History, Formation

Back when Center Township was called Moon Township during the 1800s, people were converting to Methodism in Phillipsburg, Pennsylvania (now Center Township). One day in the year 1828 A.D, a Methodist named William Elliot from Ohio moved to Moon Township, and bought a farm three-miles south of the Ohio River. Methodist services were held in Mr. Elliot's house, and in addition to Will moving there, Philip Cooper from Ohio bought a farm at Sheffield, south of Phillipsburg; he also held services.

Methodists in Phillipsburg continued to worship at certain people's houses with various priests, since the Methodists in Phillipsburg did not have a Methodist church. Many Methodist "faith Groups" existed, but they struggled to stay, lasted shortly, and met irregularly. That fact changed in 1858, when Rev. Dr. John Murray of Bridgewater created a regularly organized faith group, which met at a summer schoolhouse called the Davis Schoolhouse during the summer. In addition, he created an annual two-day Methodist meeting for the summer. For the first annual meeting, he left Rev. Latchall McGuire in charge. Two years later in 1859, Reverend McGuire went to that Methodist conference once again which was now held at Corbin Prophater's farm. At that meeting, the priests decided to make a Methodist church called McGuire Chapel, and built the 35 x 45 foot frame of the church, which cost a whopping $1000² back then! Many people converted and became faithful Methodists on the day of the erection of the church, and the cemetery was also made. Corbin Prophater donated an acre of land, where the church stood and where the cemetery is today. Like all property, they had to get a Deed, which is described on the link at the bottom of this page. Methodist membership grew, and Methodists flourished under the new church. Chapel Road in Center Township, PA, is named after this church. ^{2 & 6}