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Penns Valley Charge of the UMC

Penns Valley Charge of the UMC

For the transformation of the world, we study God's Word in context to be equipped to live Jesus' Way.

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Watch Online

History of Trinity Woodward UMC

Woodward Grace Evangelical Church dedicated in 1895

The Woodward Class formed in 1806 following the second great revival on the Northumberland Circuit.  The first presiding elder was Martin Carothers.  In June 1854 a plot of ground was purchased from Daniel and Priscilla Wise for $20 and shortly thereafter a frame church was erected.  Before that time, preaching services were held in the Wise, Fox, Mark and Hennig homes and in the old schoolhouse north of the village.

View of the Woodward Grace Church looking up the mountain
Trinity Woodward UMC today

In 1871 a fire burned down the building and all records pertaining to it, but the class nobly set themselves to rebuilding immediately. This congregation known as St. John’s worshiped here until the division in the denomination when another congregation, Woodward Grace United Evangelical (photo), was formed, building dedicated in 1895.  Woodward St. John’s was served by their pastor as part of the Rebersburg Charge.  Grace remained part of the Millheim charge.  The denominational split was healed in 1922 and in 1929 the two congregations came together, meeting in the Grace Church.  On Nov. 3, 1957 “Grace” changed its name to “Trinity” and  dedicated its facility purchased a year before, formerly a three-room public-school house renovated to add an entrance and steeple, which continues to serve worshippers today.

District Day: Congregational Care is December 5 from 9am to 2pm at Woodycrest UMC in State College. Click to sign up.

Worship & More

  • October 25, 2026 – Rethink Whatever Is of Good Repute
  • October 18, 2026 – Homecoming with Guest Speaker Pastor Jim Parker
  • October 11, 2026 – Rethink What is Lovely
  • Join Our Zoom Advent Book Study starting Nov. 30th

8:30am Trinity

https://youtu.be/6mLAjS8J4Qo

9:45am St. James

https://youtu.be/PDEcs_59nuE

11am Sprucetown

https://youtu.be/7B1CXr5TEzQ

Pastor Theresa Heiser
Read Pastor's eNotes

District Superintendent:
Rev. Dr. Michelle Bodle

Our Bishop:
Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez

Our Connections:
Mountain Valley District
Susquehanna Annual Conference
Northeastern Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church
General Conference of the United Methodist Church

Most Recent Posts:

  • October 25, 2026 – Rethink Whatever Is of Good Repute
  • October 18, 2026 – Homecoming with Guest Speaker Pastor Jim Parker
  • October 11, 2026 – Rethink What is Lovely
  • Join Our Zoom Advent Book Study starting Nov. 30th
  • eNote From the Pastor’s Desk: A Congregation That Cares

Theresa M. Heiser, Pastor

Meet the Pastor
Read the Pastor’s eNotes

Listen to the most recent message anytime at 814-422-6238.

The Penns Valley Charge is
part of the Penns Valley Cluster,
State College District,
Susquehanna Annual Conference,
Northeast Jurisdiction of the UMC

Superintendent: Rev. Brenda Leigey
Bishops: Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi
and Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball

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