The very beginning for Methodism in Littlestown was in 1919 when Mrs. Sweeny, first Methodist of Littlestown was converted in Gettysburg.

Centenary Methodist Church of Littlestown dates back to 1827, when the first Methodist class was held here. The members were John McIlvaine, Rachel Sweeny, Jonathan Forrest, Lydia Forrest, catherine Bishop, and Henry Beltman. Littlestown was part of the Gettysburgb circuit, with the Rev. John Bair, presiding elder; the Rev. Samuel Clark, preacher in charge, and the Rev. George Hildt, Junior preacher. Services were held in the United Brethren church.

The first church building was dedicated on Christmas Day, 1845. The Rev. Thomas McMullin was preacher in charge; and the Rev. Thomas H. Switzer, junior preacher. A lot was purchased by John McIlvaine's father for $135, and deeded to his son, who in turn deeded it to the trustees of the church. the building was erected in 1846. The complete cost of the church building including furniture, was $565. In April, 1876, the new church was commenced on the site of the old church building, and in August the corner-stone was placed. It was dedicated September 2, 1877, under the pastorate of the Rev. Owen Hicks. Cost $5000.00 with no encumbrances when dedicated. The parsonage was purchased in 1882. The church building was remolded in 1893 and in 1912. Prior to 1877 the Gettysburg church supplied preachers. In 1976 the circuit was divided. Gettysburg was made a station; and the remainder of the charge, composed of Littlestown, Rock Creek, Fairfield, Chamberians (now Orrtanna), Pleasant Grove, and Fountain Dale was was known as the Littlestown circuit with the Rev. Owen Hicks as Pastor. In 1879 Union Mills, Md was added to the charge, and on O)ctober 24, 1880, the Union Mills church was dedicated. the cost was $1200.00 and it was dedicated free of debit. The Rev. I.N. Moorhead was pastor.

The Rev.Harvey Lundy was pastor in Littlestown in 1882 when the first purchased and renovated. The Rev. J. H. Deible was pastor in 1893 when Centenary church was remodeled, giving it its present external appearance.

In 1899 the charge was again divided, the upper portion being attached to the Rouzerville circuit, and Centenary church and Union Mills constituting the Littlestown charge with the Rev. Joseph Gray, pastor.

On May 31, 1905, the members of the Littlestown charge mourned the sudden loss of their pastor, the Rev. George M. Larned, who died during the night. In 1908, the old parsonage was razed, and the present parsonage built at an approximate cost of $2,500. The Rev. J. W. Long was pastor.On November 24, 1912, Centenary church was re-dedicated. The Rev. W. E. Watkins was pastor. The interior was completely renovated, giving the congregation the beautiful and worshipful church as it now stands. The cost was approximately $1,500, all of which was provided for prior to reopening.

On July 26, 1920, the charge received another great loss and shock when the pastor, the Rev. Hugh Strain, died. His Son, the Rev. Samuel W. Strain, entered the ministry, and continued his father's work as pastor of the church.

In 1925 the Methodist Social Hall was dedicated under the pastorate of the Rev. B. L. Strenger. The cost of the building was approximately $7,800, with the subscriptions being started by gift of $750 from the estate of the late Miss Lizzie Nicks. The balance unpaid at the conference was $3,000. The balance in 1925 was $2,900. The $100 paid that conference tear was through the generosity of Howard Heinz, of the H.J. Heinz Company. A similar gift had been received from Mr. Heinz, Sr., when the parsonage was built in 1933. It was later used as a sewing factory and a bowling alley. ( For more information about the Methodist Hall click here.)

In 1927 the Centennial of Methodism was observed from August 28 to September 4. Speakers during the observance included Dr.W. Watkins, Superintendent, Williamsport district; the Rev. E. B. Davidson, Muncy, PA; Dr. J. Howard Ake, superintendent, Harrisburg district; Dr. John W. Long, President, Williamsport Dickinson seminary; the Rev. B. L. Stenger, Selinsgrove; the Rev. T. M. Stone, Reedsville, Pa.; Dr. E. R. Heckman, Clearfield, Pa.; Dr. A.S. Fasick, York, past district superintendent; the Rev. J. Coultas, Madison, N. J. and Bishop W. F. McDowell, D.D., LL.D. Washington, D.C.

The Centennial committees were: Anniversary committees, J.G. Casner, chairman; M.H. Tagg, Mrs. R.S. Gitt, Miss Louise McGinness, and Mrs. Oliva Crouse, honorary member; Advertisement committee, Mrs. R.S. Gitt, chairman, and Miss Grace Burgoon; Invitation committee, A. Smucker, chairman and Miss Lizzie Crouse; banquet committee, Mrs. Harry Harner, chairman: president of the Ladies Aid society, Music committee, William Hornberger, chairman; Miss Grace Burgoon, Mrs. J. G. Oaster, Jr. and Harry Harner; Decoration committee, R.R. Ruggles, chairman; Leroy Wallick, Herbert Casner, John W. Strain, and Mrs. Verdie Strain.

The Rev. Henry Kiessel was minister at this time. The official board, in addition to the minister, who was president comprised J. G. Casner, Vice-president; M.H. Tagg, treasurer of benevolences and ministerial support; A. Smucker, treasurer of local expense budget; Miss Louise McGinness, treasurer of the Methodist hall; M.H. Tagg, financial secretary; Miss Grace Burgoon, recording secretary; J. Emory Crouse. E.G.C. Forrest, William Hornberger, R.R. Ruggles, E.S. Wallick, Miss Lizzie Crouse, Miss Emma Forrest, and Mrs. R.S. Gitt. J. G. Casner was superintendent of the church school; Miss Louise McGinness, president of the Epworth league, and Mrs. Harry Harner, president of the Ladies' Aid society. A 52-page program booklet was issued for the 1927 Centennial celebration.

Mrs. Rachel Sweeny, known as "Mother Sweeny."" the first Methodist in Littlestown, was born August 19, 1774 and died March 28, 1861. She is buried in Evergreen cemetery, Gettysburg, About 1821 her house had become the home of itinerant preachers, and the first Sunday school of the denomination was organized there. She embraced the religion in Carlisle in 1819. Her Portriat was given to the Centenary church by her daughter, Mrs. Mary A. White, Baltimore, February 1887; and the picture is still preserved by the Littlestown church. The picture of her accompanying this sketch was made from the portrait.

Old records show that the Methodist class in 1842 was composed of John McIlvain, leader Ann Forrest Henrietta Brothers, William McIlvain, Elizabeth Huff, Elizabeth McIlvain, Eliza E. Forrest, Moses McIlvain, Wilhelmina McIlvain, Margret Brothers, Mary Forrest, Evaline Forrest, Mary McIlvain, and John Cullings.

The membership in 1886 was 75. in 1946 it was 140, with 100 in Sunday School. Centenary was known as the Methodist Espiscopal church until 1939, when the Methodist Episcopal church North, the Methodist Episcopal church South, and the Methodist Protestant church united to form the Methodist Church.

Old Newspaper Account

The following account of the celebration of the 51st anniversary of the first dedication of the first Methodist Episcopal church in Littlestown was published in the now defunct "Adams County Independent" on January 2,1897:
"The members and friends of the M.E. church assembled in the church on Christmas morning to celebrate the 51st anniversary of the first dedication of the first M.E. church in Littlestown. There are only four persons living now who were members at that time, and they are John McIlvain, Mariah L. Weikert, Ann Kitzmiller and Hamilton W. Forrest.
The Pastor, the