Looking back on the past 150 years of Centenary's history, it is difficult to separate Centenary's history from the history of Methodism in America.

Methodism in America traces its history to the year 1766 when a group of Irish Wesleyan Immigrants organized a small Methodist class in New York City. A hundred years later in 1866, when Methodism in America was celebrating its centennial, the Methodists in Black Creek, changed to Weatherly in 1848, built their first church. Since the building of the Weatherly Methodist Church occurred during the centennial celebration of Methodism in America, it seemed very fitting to name the church "Centenary" Methodist Episcopal Church.Those first one hundred years of Methodism in America saw that small group of Irish Wesleyan Immigrants of 1766 grow from a small class to a group large enough to build their first church in New York City just two years later in 1768. This was the John's Street Church. Methodism continued to grow in number and structure in America and eventually began to send missionaries into the surrounding area of Weatherly.The growth of Methodism continued in America. In 1769 the first ministers sent by John Wesley arrived in America, and just a few years later in 1773, 10 ministers were to hold their first conference in Philadelphia. Eleven years later in 1784 at the Christmas Conference in Baltimore the Methodist Episcopal Church was formed.Because of coal mining in surrounding communities along with the growth of the railroad industry in and through Weatherly, this community began to grow rapidly. Because of this growth, Weatherly itself became the objective of missionaries and Circuit Riders. It is believed that "Father" Moister (As he was called) may have preached in Weatherly as early as 1836. At that time there were only a handful of homes in Weatherly.In 1848 the name was changed from Black Creek to Weatherly.The Methodists in Weatherly probably met in homes to worship until 1841. Up to 1853 they worshipped in the school house. In 1853 a church was built, which served not only the Methodist but also other denominations as well. Then in 1866 the Methodist followers were sufficiently strong in Weatherly, and under the leadership of their pastor, the Rev. Emory T. Swartz, they built their own church and named it "Centenary" Methodist Episcopal Church. (The word Episcopal was dropped in1939.) In 1889 the church built a parsonage on Second and Fell streets.This wooden structure church of 1866 on Carbon Street served the congregation for 85 years. The last use for the church was April 16, 1950, and the next day workers began to tear it down. A new brick structure would soon begin. The Rev. James Dendler was pastor at the time.On Friday, June 30, 1950, the cornerstone was laid for the new church. The church cost $65,000 and the structure contained an estimated 32,000 bricks.It was necessary to finance $33,000 of the total cost for the church.During the construction of the new church building, Sunday school and worship were conducted in the former Tung-Sol Plant cafeteria. In addition, many organizations and committees met in homes of the members.The opening services for the new Centenary Methodist Church were held during the entire week of June 10-17, 1951, with the first worship service on Sunday, June 10. During the time of Centenary's history it shared as a two point charge with the Beaver Meadows Methodist Church, which was eventually discontinued, and also with the White Haven Methodist Church until each church was able to support their own minister. More recently, Centenary shared a minister with Park United Methodist Church in Freeland until it also was discontinued in June 2016.Because of the mortgage held on the new church by Traders Bank & Trust Co. of Hazleton, they could not dedicate the new structure until all indebtedness was paid off. This occurred by November 1959 and the dedication service to celebrate and consecrate the church to the glory of God was held.During the 50th anniversary of Centenary on June 10, 2001, members were proud to celebrate this 50th anniversary date and also dedicate their new organ. At a cost of $31,900 the new organ cost about one half the cost of the entire church, $64,000, just 50 years earlier. But the new organ still serves the congregation well as we celebrate our 150th anniversary.When the original wooden church was torn down in 1950, the organ that was donated by Mrs. C.M. Schwab was moved to St. Matthew's Church in Packer Township, where it is still in use. Also, the bell which rang in the old wooden structure is still rung today in our present church to call people to worship.Since the first church was built in 1866 until the present time, 48 different ministers have served at Centenary.