History

The parish church of St. Thomas in the village of Morgantown was established by the will of Thomas Morgan, an immigrant from Caernarvon, Wales, who died here in 1741. The first church opened in 1765, was a small stone building located about a half mile south of the present site. It was served by the Rev. Thomas Barton, a missionary priest of the Church of England, who preached his first sermon here on August 4, 1765. The church out grew its quarters and was rebuilt on land donated by Thomas Morgan's son Jacob. A school was established open to all children no matter their church affiliation. The school originally met in the church building. In 1872 a separate stone schoolhouse was built, which today provides space for our parish office and a meeting room. In 1834, with the passage of the Public School Act, Caernarvon Township took over the operation of the school. They continued to meet in the building until 1906. The church was rebuilt and enlarged in 1824 and 1862. On May 28, 1918, lightening struck the church, setting it on fire. For the next few years the congregation met in the old schoolhouse. Funds were raised by William B. Plank and the church was reopened for worship on July 19, 1923. A large Fellowship Hall was built in 1993, to provide for Christian Education classes and various social and community activities, such as church suppers, AA, dancing classes, Weight Watchers and Overeaters Anonymous. The Morgantown Odd Fellows also meet in the old school house.