Church Records and History

Before 1900 the major religious groups in Pennsylvania were the Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian, Reformed, Episcopal, and Roman Catholic churches. These and other minority groups including the German Lutheran, German Reformed, and German Pietist groups of Brethren (Dunkard) and Mennonites settled in Somerset county.

Many denominations house their records in central repositories. You can write to any of the following church repositories to obtain a complete listing of their records.

Other Church related information:

• Somerset County Churches - current listing of Houses of Worship in Somerset County
• Church Websites - information including some history and genealogical resources.

See also Township pages for individual transcribed church records.

Church History

Below is a brief excerpt of some of the major churches and their beliefs. For more information please visit the church websites page.

• Amish-Mennonite Church
  
• Brethren Church
• Baptist Church
• Church of God
• Methodist Church
• German Reformed Church
• Lutheran Church
• Prebyterian Church
• Roman Catholic Church