From Frontier Faith to a Living Ministry
Created and Designed by Mayor Heather Fischer (2021–2025)
Part of the Face in Hole Memory Lane art exhibit for Portland Founder’s Day, funded through Northampton County DCED’s Hotel Tax Grant Program. This piece honors the enduring legacy – where art, history, and faith converge to remind us that the heart of Portland has always been its people and their belief that hope and God can outlast hardship.
Introduction
The Portland Methodist Church stands as one of the earliest and most enduring symbols of organized faith in the Slate Belt region. From its humble beginnings in barns and workshops to its present-day congregation under Refiner’s Fire Ministry, this building has embodied resilience, renewal, and devotion for over 150 years.
Early Methodism in Portland (Early 1800s–1835)
In the early 1800s, Methodist preachers from the Stroudsburg Circuit crossed the Blue Mountain to preach in a small schoolhouse near Dutot’s Gap (Tott’s Gap). Crowds gathered by the hundreds—so many that the building overflowed. Yet opposition quickly arose: trustees barred the Methodists from using the schoolhouse, though other denominations remained welcome.
Undeterred, the faithful met in private homes—first those of Jacob Ott and Joseph Ink, then in Mr. Ink’s barn and finally his workshop. As attendance grew, Ink took it upon himself to buy land, finance the construction of a modest frame chapel, and absorb the remaining debt himself.
That building, dedicated in 1835 as the Mount Bethel Chapel, became the first permanent home for Methodism in the region, led by Rev. Jonas Bissey.
Expansion and Revival (1859–1873)
A sweeping revival in 1859, led by Rev. S. G. Hare, added a hundred new members to the Slateford Society and inspired collaboration among denominations. By 1860, Methodists, Baptists, and Presbyterians jointly erected a “commodious” frame church dedicated that November.
In 1866, the first formal Methodist Worship Society of Portland was founded in the two-room schoolhouse that later became the parsonage. Class leader George W. Lamb and a handful of early members—including the Lamb, Good, and Flint families—formed the spiritual nucleus of Portland’s Methodist community.
That same year, a new Mount Bethel Circuit was organized, linking congregations in Mount Bethel, Portland, and Slateford.
Building the Portland Methodist Episcopal Church (1871–1873)
In 1871, Rev. E. L. Martin became Portland’s first resident minister. Under his leadership, membership climbed from 22 to 125 in a single year.
On January 1, 1872, a building committee—George W. Lamb, William Bowman, John C. Good, Jessiah Paff, Birge Pearson, Peter Frey, and P. H. Armstrong—purchased and secured the deed for a 65 × 220 ft lot.
The cornerstone was laid on July 4, 1872, and by the following spring the church was complete—a handsome 40 × 60 ft frame structure crowned with a spire more than 100 ft tall and a bell installed in 1873 at a cost of $230. The dedication service on June 29, 1873 overflowed with generosity: Rev. Martin requested $500 to finish expenses, and the congregation raised $600.
Overlooking what was then Dill’s Ferry (incorporated as Portland Borough in 1876), the church towered above a thriving community of slate workers, shopkeepers, and river traders.
Challenges and Perseverance (1879–Early 1900s)
By 1879, debt threatened foreclosure, with more than $3,500 outstanding. Under Rev. T. T. Mutchler, a physician-turned-pastor, the congregation rallied; within three years, the church was re-dedicated debt-free, and weekly Sunday services were established.
Throughout the early twentieth century, finances ebbed and flowed. Members organized suppers, “mile-of-pennies” drives, quilting and apron sales, and rented basement space to schools, civic groups, and the Boy Scouts to stay solvent. At times, the church treasury held less than eight dollars, and salaries were cut—but the doors never closed.
Lightning, Legacy, and Renewal (1919–2011)
In 1919, lightning struck the tower, scorching the timber surrounding the bell. The charred wood remains visible today—a tangible reminder of both destruction and deliverance. Despite the damage, the original bell still rings every Sunday, echoing across Portland as it has for more than a century.
Through wars, depressions, and shifting circuits, the church endured, sometimes linked with neighboring congregations, sometimes standing independently—but always serving as a spiritual anchor for the borough.
A New Chapter: Refiner’s Fire Ministry (2012–Present)
In July 2012, Refiner’s Fire Ministry, led by Pastors Phil and Jessica Karasiewicz, chose Portland as its home. A Pentecostal congregation known for its heartfelt worship and community outreach, the ministry began meeting in the old Portland Gymnasium before relocating to the historic Division Street church.
They held a Dedication Service on September 9, 2012, and a Relaunch Service on May 15, 2016, marking a new era of faith and fellowship within the 19th-century walls. Refiner’s Fire has since become known for open-air baptisms and dedications in the Delaware River, youth outreach, and hands-on service to the local community.
Today, the congregation continues to upgrade and preserve the church, honoring its rich heritage while breathing new life into its ministry. Their mission—to love Jesus, His word, and His people—reflects the same spirit of perseverance that defined Portland’s first Methodists nearly two centuries ago. The church was recently renamed “Portland Community Church” and was highlighted for their efforts during the 2025 National Day of Prayer with a Mayoral Proclamation recognizing both the day and the positive impact the church has had on the community.