McKee Chapel United Methodist Church

R. D. #1; Fenelton, Pennsylvania

As transcribed from the 1881 – 1981 Church history booklet by Joyce Bauldoff Rauschenberger

Introduction

My deep appreciation and my warmest congratulations to the families of McKee Chapel on the occasion of this One Hundredth Anniversary. May this special day be a time for remembering, experiencing and anticipating the goodness of God to his people in this parish, Further, I hope this will be a time for rededication to Christ and his church by upbuilding the congregation in love for service beyond the walls of the church.

Grace and Peace, James M. Ault, Bishop

Dear Christian Friends:

In His own mysterious way, God takes the common things of life, blesses them, and through them works the wondrous miracles of His grace. We experience that miracle each time we eat the bread an dsip from the cup at Holy Communion. So it was in 1881, that Thomas Dipner’s common granary was transformed into McKee Chapel. With God’s grace at work in this blessed place, miracles of transformation and service have taken place now for a century. We share your joy at this time of remembrance and celebration and pray that God will bless the future of McKee Chapel and her people as He has the past.

Blessing, Paul J. Meuschke, District Superintendent

My Dear Friends,

When I was 10 and felt God’s call to become a Pastor, I could never have dreamed of a place like McKee Chapel or its people. God, in His wisdom, brings together and blesses those who belong together. Together we remember, celebrate, and benefit from 100 years of Christian commitment and service at McKee Chapel. I thank God that I have been included in this event and for the people who have made this place what it is. I pray that all of us will enter into God’s future for us and McKee Chapel with confidence and joy and faith in Him because we have looked at the past and lived the present together. “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you.” Phil. 1:3

In Christ’s love, Sharon L. Schwab, Pastor

Charter Members * Indicates photo is included in booklet

Parks McKee * 1881

David Cupps 1882

Z. M. Silbaugh 1884 – 1886

Frank Prosser 1886 – 1888

Robert D. McKee * 1888 – 1892

S. P. Douglass 1892 – 1893

William Medley, Sr. 1893 – 1894

Walter Bryan Bergen 1894 – 1895

Charles Wesley Hoover 1895 – 1900

Z. M. Silbaugh 1901 – 1903

Charles C. Emerson 1903 – 1904

George Emerson Cable 1904 – 1908

Paul Sappie 1908 – 1911

Samuel Monroe Cousins 1911 – 1912

Daniel J. Davis 1912 – 1916

R. H. Calerwood 1916 – 1919

Roy Curtis Ehrheart 1919 – 1921

S. W. Wass 1921 – 1922

Grant D. Swartwout 1922

Olin E. Rodkey 1922 – 1924

L. C. Matthews 1924 – 1926

Charles L. Cusick 1926 – 1928

Parker W. Large 1928 – 1933

Roy A. Beggs 1933 – 1935

Arthur Sellers 1935 – 1938

Charles T. Murdock 1938 – 1940

William Earl Baker * 1941 – 1942

William Smith 1942 – 1943

William Earl Baker 1943 – 1946

Elseworth D. Crispens * 1946 – 1948

Alvie Bowser * 1948 – 1956

Samuel C. Dunning * 1957 – 1958

Arnold A. Slagle * 1958 – 1960

Earl Kennedy * 1960 – 1967

Leroy Barnhart 1967 – 1968

Hughie G. Orsborn * 1968

John Osborne * 1969 – 1976

Harry Sayre * 1976

James W. Hamilton * 1976 – 1977

Charles Schwab * 1977

Sharon L. Schwab * 1977 – 1981+

Weddings at McKee Chapel

Wedding Date Pastor

Madeline Irwin an dGeorge Englehart Aug 29, 1941 Rev. W.E. Baker

Judson L. Campbell and Hilda Goldinger Aug 15, 1944 Rev. W.E. Baker

J. Clifford Patton and Lulu may Flick Sept 2, 1944 Rev. W.E. Baker

Wesley W. Edwards and Jenny White June 11, 1956 Rev. H.L. Henthorne

Ted Walker and Mary Ann Double July 21, 1962 Rev. Earl L. Kennedy

Michael D. Lindsay and Villia D. Zema Feb 5, 1966 Rev. Earl L. Kennedy

Joseph Chupka, Jr. and Lucinda D. Langham Mar. 25, 1967 Rev. Earl L. Kennedy

Richard O. Barkand nd Lauretta Ferguson May 24, 1968 Rev. Leroy Barnhart

Fred Balsor Clark and Linka Pash June 20, 1970 Rev. John Osborne

John Chupka and Linda Jewart Feb 6, 1971 Rev. John Osborne

Wayne Caldwell and Marcia A. (Rice) Frantz Aug. 27, 1971 Rev. John Osborne

Robert Walker and Judy Phipps Sept. 11, 1971 Rev. Glenn Kohlhepp

Kenneth Caldwell and Dianna Walker Nov. 20, 1971 Rev. Glenn Kohlhepp

Wendell D. Campbell and Pamela L. Barnhart Dec. 18, 1971 Rev. John Osborne

Frank P. Kennedy and Martha K. Snyder Dec. 18, 1971 Rev. John Osborne

Raymond E. Ganoe and E. Nadine Campbell June 24, 1973 Rev. Harry Sayre

David E. Craig and Audrey A. Parker June 22, 1974 Rev. James Hamilton

Clifford G. Noel and Joyce F. Irwin July 20, 1976 Rev. James Hamilton

Richard C. Walker, Jr. and Betty Dillaman July 25, 1981 Rev. Sharon L. Schwab

History of McKee Chapel Church

1857 Oct. 9 church organized at a building on Peter Graff farm.

Methodist Episcopal and English Lutheran combined.

Charter Members: John Cupp, Mrs. John Cupp, Lydia Fennell, Margaret Fennell, Peter Fennell, Sr., Peter Fennell, Jr., Joseph Milligan, Mrs. Joseph Milligan, Elizabeth Reagart, Ann Sipe, Helena Sipe, John Sipe, Sr., John Sipe, Jr., Margaret Sipe.

Pastors: Venable, Wilkinson, Rhodes, Tibbets, Scott, Hughes.

1861 Civil War, society dwindled

1869 Building sold to Thomas Dipner to use as a granary

1870 Peter Fennell organized a Sunday School to meet in old Brady School house. Discontinued when someone broke in and burnt supplies.

1880 Peter Fennell invited Parks McKee to preach an outdoor revival at Gospel Corners. (Fenelton four corners) Parks McKee assisted by David Cupps

1881 Chapel re-organized, Parks McKee first Pastor. Building deeded to the church by Thomas Dipner, Oct. 9, McKee Chapel Methodist Episcopal Church dedicated with 25-40 charter members

1882 Peter Fennell organized Sunday School at McKee Chapel. Salt barrel remained in church as conversation piece for several years.

1906 Willard Ross fell asleep during a Children’s Day Program and his family went off without him, and had to return to him.

1915 Janitor paid $1.00 per month.

1937 Church re-roofed and chimney rebuilt.

1938 Janitor paid $2.00 per month.

1939 Dec. 31 Sunday School interrupted by fire around the stove pipe. Fire put out by Clifford and Earl Miller with snow.

1940 Feb. 28 Electric power installed.

July 6 – 13 60^th Anniversary services. Speakers: Senator Jacob W. Carr, Rev. R.C. Ehrheart, Rev. C.L. Cusick, Rev. Parker W. Large, Rev. Earl Baker.

July 11 – Final Service by oil lamps. Mrs. Eva Young extinguished the first lamp. After the service the oil lamps were removed forever.

1947 Church foundation rebuilt

1954 New Outside Toilets rebuilt.

1956 75^th Anniversary services. Chairs and piano purchased

1958 Purchased 80 song books, more land from Mr. Vance, and pews from White Chapel. Church basement built. Janitor paid $15.00 per month.

1960 Vestibule and inside stairway built.

1961 Outside bulletin board installed. Roof repairs. Janitor paid $30.00 per month.

Aug 20 – 80^th Anniversary Homecoming with Rev. Alfred Caldwell speaking. The Choir: Sarah (Young) Sweeney, Minnie (Goldinger) O’Brock, Ellen (Goldinger) Hohn, Mary Belle (Ross) Irwin sang “Beautiful Garden of Prayer” and “Blest Be The Tie That Binds.” 150 present.

1962 Communion table purchased.

1964 Parking lot enlarged. Chairs for the nursery, altar cloth, and communion cloth were purchased.

1970 “God’s Busy Hands” Hobby Club meetings

1973 Nativity set, Pew Bible, and new organ purchased.

1976 Church carpet installed and new piano purchased.

1977 Cross for above the altar purchased. Lynn Walker and Allen Shay served as first acolytes.

1878 Newsletter started for the charge by Joan Claypool, Craigsville U.M.

First Mother – Daughter Banquet held.

Cabinet for the vestibule built by Richard Walker, Jr.

1979 Chimney rebuilt.

New altar clothes made by Peg Boyle, Beth Flick and Esther Miller.

Baptismal font built by Richard Walker, Jr.

1981 100^th Anniversary preparation throughout the year.

Sept 27 Centennial Celebration with Bishop James Ault speaking.

Others Who Have Actively Participated Photographs

Oliver and Mary (Emahiser) Anthony

John Barnhart

Larry and Lisa Bell

Mr. And Mrs. Leo Boyle

Jake and Kathryn (Young) Brose

Ken and Diane Caldwell and family

Mr. And Mrs. Hardee Calwell

Donald and Leo (Emahiser) Cline and family

Wesley and Jenny Edwards

Wilda Edwards

Bill Emahiser and family

Ron and Barb Emahiser and family

Mike Emminger family

Mike and Julia Emminger

Henry and Rosa Fennell and family

Velma Fennell

Lula Flick

Orville Flick

Hilda Goldinger

Homer, Danny Goldinger

Leona Greenert

Marie Greenwood

Dale and Elenora Hayes

George and Catherine Hayes

Wallace and Ella Holmes

Dale and Joan Hershberg and family

Warren and Mary Belle Irwin and family

Fred and Violet (Milligan) Klingersmith

Verdie McDonald

John and Mary McLaughlin and family

John McMillin and family

Chalmer and Jean Maley

George and Betty Matsik and family

Orrie and Florence Mattern

Clifford Miller

Lela Miller

Albert and Blanche Milligan

Ellis Milligan and five generations

Walter and Minnie O’Brock

Herb Ray

James and Mary Ray

James Ray family

Perry Ray

Jay and Ruby Ripper

Willard and Ruth Ross

Carney and Bessie Snodgrass

Thomas, Susie, Gladys Snodgrass

John Turner

Laura, Miles and Margaret Turner

Miles and Mildred Turner

Miles and Sandy Turner

William and Laura Turner and son

Charles Walker family

Gary Walker

Gary Walker, Jr.

Joanne Walker

Julia Walker

Sheli Walker

Ruth Weigle

Margaret Young

Altes, Nancy

Anderson, David & Kathy & family

Anderson, Robert & Alice

Barnhart, Barry & Joyce & family

Barnhart, Carol

Barnhart, Ronald

Barkand, Richard & Laurette & family

Bellis, Jeffrey & Terri & family

Bembem, Robert & Vickie & family

Bish, Robert & Martha, Joe Bowser

Boyle, Ray & Peg & family

Brown, Paul & Ellen & family

Caldwell, Dorothy

Caldwell, Wayne & Marcia & family

Campbell, Wendell & Pam & family

Chupka, Betty

Daubenspeck, Bruce & Jeanne

Double, William & Alice

Emahiser, Henry & Iva, Cleo Boyle

Emahiser, Leland & Margie & family

Englehart, Frank & Marie, Nellie McGregor

Ferguson, Garth & Linda & family

Flickj, Abram & Sally & family

Flick, Barbara

Flick, Bud & Beth & family

Flick, Carrie

Flick, Dave & Jean & family

Flick, David

Flick, May

Freeman, William & Karen & family

Freiters, Jane

Goldinger, Lawrence family

Griffiths, William & Linda & family

Gross, Frank & Linda & family

Hilliard, Hazel

Hindman, Carl & Laura

Hohn, Everett & Phyllis & family

Hohn, Richard & Diane & family

Holliday, Melvin & Katherine & family

Irwin, Bradley, Marry Jo

Irwin, James & Joan & family

Irwin, Mary B.

Jackson, Albert

Karenbauer, Alice

Kennedy, Earl & Joyce

Kennedy, Frank & Martha & family

Kijowski, Keith & Janet & family

Konyha, William & Margaret

Krause, Dorothy

Lipscomb, Kenneth & Ruby & family

McCrea, Harold & Verdie

Miller, Dale & Alice

Miller, Donald & Janet

Miller, Ralph & Esther

Milligan, Blanche

Morrow, Edith

Morrow, Paul & Lillie

Peters, Michael & Kandy & family

Peters, Naomi

Ray, George

Schwab, Rev. Sharon

Sedwick, George & Bernice

Shanafelt, Helen

Shaner, Madelyn

Shay, Gary & Gerry & family

Shay, Irene

Slagel, Rev. Arnold & Violet

Snyder, Margaret

Snyder, Margaret & family

Swigart, William & Margaret

Tatters, Mark & Cindy

Tatters, Roy & Sandy

Tatters, Tia

Tatters, Vivian & family

Truitt, Bessie

Turner, David

Turner, Ella

Turner, James, Sr. & Mary

Turner, James, Sr. & Mary & family

Turner, James & Dorothy & family

Turner, John

Turner, Richard

Turner, Shirley

Turner, Tom

Turner, William

Walker, Charles & Julia

Walker, Delphin & Mary

Walker, Delphin & Mary & family

Walker, Donna

Walker, James & Marsha & family

Walker, Kevin

Walker, Richard Sr., & Lois & family

Walker, Robert & Judy & family

Walker, Ted & Mary Ann & family

Walker, Randy

Weaver, Paul

Wiles, Gene & Laura & family

Williams, Larry & Linda & family

Williams, Sadie

Young, Norman, Sr., & Madeline & family

Young, Norman, Jr.

We are grateful for the privilege given us to prepare this directory. We will welcome inquires from your friends from other churches, locally, and throughout the nation concerning preparation of a directory. PICTORIAL CHURCH DIRECTORIES OF AMERICA, INC. 1706 Washington Ave.; St. Louis, Missouri 63103

J1CC 3/81 Printed in U.S.A.

Transcriber’s Notes:

The booklet contains various photographs of both the interior and exterior of the church. All of these photos appear to have been taken at the same, probably when the booklet was published in 1981. There do not appear to be any historic photos of the church structure from its earlier days.

Photographs of church members as indicated throughout the transcription will be scanned and emailed upon request.

There are a few known errors in the identification of photographs in the booklet. For instance, the photograph of Rev. John & Elizabeth Osborne is identified as the Rev. Hughie Orsborn and family and vice versa. The photograph of Paul & Lillie Morrow is identified as Naomi Peters and vice versa. These errors were relatively easy to spot because the names, or number of names for the picture did not match up with the individuals in the photograph. Other errors may exist that would be found only by a person who knew the individuals personally.

** We have been told that none of the tombstones from the McKee’s Chapel cemetery exist any longer. Over the years, the stones have either disintegrated or have fallen victim to vandals. When warmer weather finds its way to western Pennsylvania, we plan to investigate this cemetery further to find the truth of the matter.

Introduction

Charter Members * Indicates photo is included in booklet

McKee Chapel Pastors * Indicates photo is included in booklet

Pittsburgh Conference – Allegheny District

Methodist Protestant and Methodist Episcopal merge The Methodist Church 1939

Erie Conference and Pittsburgh Coonference merge The Methodist Church 1962

E.U.B. and Methodist merge The United Methodist Church 1970

Graves at McKee Chapel

Members Who Entered the Ministry

50 Year Members

Weddings at McKee Chapel

Wedding Date Pastor

History of McKee Chapel Church

Others Who Have Actively Participated Photographs

Members of the McKees Chapel Church – Portrait section of booklet