Morrisdale in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
St. Severin Old Log Church
Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, August 24, 2018
1. St. Severin Old Log Church Marker
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list.
Location. 41° 1.882′ N, 78° 6.507′ W. Marker is in Morrisdale, Pennsylvania, in Clearfield County. It is on Kylertown-Drifting Highway (Pennsylvania Route 53) 0.4 miles north of Sylvan Grove Road, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Morrisdale PA 16858, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Pennsylvania Wilds. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Mid-Atlantic, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Miller's Landing (approx. 3 miles away); Ames Field (approx. 4.1 miles away); War Memorial (approx. 4.9 miles away); Karthaus Furnace (approx. 6.2 miles away); Frenchville (approx. 7.7 miles away); Discover Elk Scenic Drive (approx. 8.1 miles away); Keystone Shortway (approx. 8.1 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 8.4 miles away).
Regarding St. Severin Old Log Church. National Register Statement of Significance:
St. Severin's Old Log Church was built by German Catholic settlers who had immigrated to the
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The original parishioners consisted of thirty-five families, the "first family" being that of Severin Nebel (Neabel, Neable). According to belief, Nebel was a prominent Alsatian immigrant, and the church was named for his namesake, St. Severin, believed to be Romain Severin of Bordeaux, Bishop of Cologne.
Also located on the church property are the ruins of a rectory and a cemetery, blessed on July 26, 1852, which contains the graves of many of the original settlers. The property was conveyed to the Benedictine Society of Westmoreland County in 1855. In 1864, the title was passed to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Erie. The church served until about 1880 when a larger church was erected nearby.
Architecturally, the church is one of the few remaining early log structures in northcentral Pennsylvania.
Also see . . . St. Severin Old Log Church National Register Nomination Form. (Submitted on January 22, 2025, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, August 24, 2018
2. St. Severin Old Log Church
Credits. This page was last revised on January 22, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 23, 2020, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 805 times since then and 83 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 23, 2020, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
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