McKean County, Pennsylvania Church Records

List of Churches and Church Parishes in McKean County

 * FamilySearch Places

Databases with Several Denominations

 * 1620-1991 (*) at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images


 * 1708-1985 Pennsylvania, Church and Town Records, 1708-1985 at Historical Society of Pennsylvania – ($), free to members of the society, List of Churches Included; Also available at Ancestry ($)

Some lists of early church members may be found in the Beers' history of McKean County When congregations were too far distant for early county settlers, they would sometimes form a Union Church Society or a Union Sunday School. These groups met as Christian congregations, without being officially recognized by any one sect.

Baptist
Baptists began meeting in McKean County in 1840. The Regular Baptist Church of Bradford was organized in 1852. Additional congregations were in Turtle Point, Annin Township, Smethport, Port Allegany, Norwich (1820-21), and Kane Township. Baptists and Methodists shared the Union Church in Eldred.

Catholic Church
St. Bernard's was the first Catholic congregation established in Bradford. This happened in 1877. Additional churches were St. Mary's in Newell Creek, Eldred, St. Elizabeth's in Smethport, St. Gabriel's in Port Allegany, and Kane township.

Congregational Church
Many town had Congregational congregations. The ministers came from New England towns. Addition congregations were in Port Allegany, and Duke Centre. Methodist Church was organized in the spring of 1880 in Bradford.

Lutheran Church
Mount Jewett had a Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church established in 1888. An additional congregation was in Port Allegany. Three Swedish Lutheran congregations were founded in Kane Township between 1876-1885. Methodist Church was organized in the spring of 1880 in Bradford.

Methodist Church
Methodist Church of Tunuanguant was organized in 1848. The First Methodist Church of Bradford congregation was established in 1878. An African Methodist Church was organized in the spring of 1880 in Bradford. Kendall township established a Methodist congregation in 1881. Additional congregations were in Annin Creek, Smethport, Port Allegany, Liberty Township, Otto Township, Duke Centre, and Kane Township. Baptists and Methodists shared the Union Church in Eldred.

Presbyterian Church
The First Presbyterian Church of Bradford was organized in June, 1879. A second congregation was established in Kendall township in 1885. Additional congregations were in Mount Jewett, Port Allegany,and Kane Township.

Protestant Espiscopal The Protestant Episcopal church (St. Luke's) was formed in Smethport as early as 1842. Addition congregations were in Port Allegany and Otto Township.

Reformed Church
County-wide Database – Multi-denominational