St. Severin Old Log Church

     

St. Severin Old Log Church

     

     Along Route 53 in Clearfield County, there is a small log church that sits back behind a cemetery. St. Severin Church was originally built in 1851 and accommodated 20-30 parishioners. The church is made of logs on a stone foundation with a gable roof and steeple. The Bishop of Pittsburgh, Michael O’Conner, originally dedicated the church in September of 1851. The church remained in use until 1880 when the church grew to small for the growing town of Cooper’s Settlement and a new church was built in what are now the woods around the Old Log Church. That church was later torn down and a stone church was built that is still in use today. The St. Severin Old Log Church was registered under the National Register of Historical Places in 1975.

      St. Severin Old Log Church was a quick stop on another adventure a friend and mine were on that day. It was very peaceful sitting at the back of the cemetery with the woods surrounding it. The inside of the church is well maintained with a plaque that gives some light to the history of the building. Pews line the main floor and the second floor has a few pews as well. Originally the building had a potbelly stove to warm it but is long since gone. Please be respectful of this site if you wish to visit.

Denny's Beer Barrel Pub

     After a great trip to the former town of Helvita PA, My friend Brian and I were looking to grab some food along the way back home. After plugging restaurants into my phone application the first one to pop up was Denny's Beer Barrel Pub. I instantly remembered reading about this restaurant online and was quick to suggest it. I began to tell Brian about the enormous burgers, challenges, and seemingly endless ways they prepare hamburgers. Like any American food loving guys we both instantly agreed to try these “legendary” burgers.

      The restaurant got its start in 1977 and soon became a local hit. To attract more consumers, the restaurant started to expand on their menu and offered giant burgers which are now the hallmark of Denny's Beer Barrel Pub. In the late 1990's the restaurant started to add 2 pound, 3 pound, 6 pound, and even a 15 pound “Beer Barrel Belly Buster” which claimed the Guinness world record for largest burger. Denny's has gained popularity in Pennsylvania and has been featured on a few TV Networks.

      The Pub is on the corner of Daisy St. in Clearfield PA. The first welcome as you arrive is a huge sign that couldn't be missed from the road in the shape of a burger. Once inside, the walls are covered with photos of attempts at the burger challenges. As we made our way into the Pub, we were greeted by staff and took our seat by the bar. Before we were able to talk about our most recent exploration, the bartender got our drink orders and provided menus. We received out food timely even-though the place was busy and had a wait at the door. The atmosphere was much like any little hometown pub with great food. We left full for a fair price and definitely wanted to come back with a group to tackle the 2lb-15lb huge hamburgers they have to offer.

Helvetia - Another mining ghost town

     Helvetia was once a company town in Brady township in Clearfield PA. The land was purchased by a wealthy banker from new york in the early 1890s. The town was made to house the 50+ workers in the near by coal mines. The company town at one time had all the infrastructure of towns today including: a church, school, general store and even a power plant to generate electricity for the mines and town. R&P took last ownership of the town and mines, and in the late 1950's the mines were officially closed. Unfortunately like many coal mining towns, new forms of energy and better opportunities lead to a steady decline in population in the town of Helevita. Now a few buildings stand and are privately owned and maintained such as the general store. A sign and a memorial to the town still exists on the old towns boundaries along the road.

      Arriving to the former town one is greeted by an ominous site of the old power plant. The buildings shell still stands behind the man-made lake that was used to generate power. Once on foot we set out towards the lake and power plant. Along the dirt paths a few remnants of sidewalks and stairs leading into long-gone doorways can be seen. Once at the lake, we met up with a local that was fishing and gave us a little direction to the power plant, as well as, other points of interest to check out. Along the way we came across remains of train cars and rails. Coal seemed to litter the top soil. We finally made it to the old power house which is now covered in vines and trees that block most of the building from the ground entrance. Once inside, much of the area was empty. On the first floor we found old coal shoots and various pipes still intact. The 2^nd floor seemed to be sturdy so we ventured up the crumbling staircase. Once we reached the 2^nd floor, grass and small plants

were growing from the floor. A crane still hung above from the roof on a rail system.

      Besides the old power plant, not much was left to explore. The old mines had been filled in. By using old photographs and current satellite images we could not find any other old structures. There are a few ways to get to the power plant, we unknowingly took the longer way. However, we could spot more of the remnants along the way. I would recommend going to see this place in early spring or late fall when its easier to get through the dense wooded areas. To get to this ghost town, just head east from Luthersburg on Helvita Road and keep an eye out for the power plant in the distance.