Bentleyville: Founding, Churches and Bowling

Bentleyville offers several specific ways to explore its history: the announcement of the town’s founding, its historical connection to Pigeon Creek, churches from different eras, and a surviving residence. Bentleyville Lanes adds a recreational option. When planning your trip, you can decide whether local history, religious heritage or bowling will shape your stay.

The town’s founding and historical connections

On March 4, 1816, Sheshbazzar Bentley Jr. announced the founding of “Bentleysville.” The land on which Bentleyville was founded lay along Pigeon Creek. The creek is therefore part of the town’s founding history. Sheshbazzar Bentley’s original home still stands at 607–613 Main St., although its appearance has changed somewhat. Together, the announcement, the founding land and the house offer three different ways to explore the town’s origins: a dated event, its historical setting and a surviving building associated with its founder.

Bentleyville is also listed in Washington County as a location in the National Road Heritage Corridor. This designation places local history within a regional historical context. It offers a broader perspective than the founding date or a single house, placing Bentleyville in a wider historical setting.

Church history in several stages

The Bentleyville Presbyterian Church was originally founded in the early 1860s as the Cumberland Presbyterian Church by Reverend J. C. Momyer. Saint Luke in Bentleyville was founded in 1903; the completed church building was consecrated on February 15, 1909. At Saint Luke, the two dates mark different milestones: the founding of the church and, later, the consecration of the completed building. Taken together, the details show several stages in Bentleyville’s church history, not a single shared founding date.

The Bentleyville U M Church is fully accessible. Step-free access, whether mechanical or via ramps, covers the sanctuary, fellowship hall, educational areas and restrooms. For travelers who consider accessibility when planning, the areas covered are clearly specified.

Saint Luke Church remains open and serves the new parish. As this status may change, check in advance whether a visit is possible on your planned date.

History and recreation in your itinerary

The 2026 Washington County Visitor Guide lists Bentleyville Lanes as a bowling alley at 1220 Main St., Bentleyville, PA 15314. This adds a different kind of recreational activity to the town’s history and church heritage. If bowling is an important part of your stay, check the current opening hours for your planned visit.

When choosing a vacation rental, it’s worth considering whether you mainly want to explore history or also plan to go bowling.

Explore more destinations

Explore more destinations: Coal Center, Canonsburg, Washington

Back to the main travel overview: Washington.