Wesleyville Borough - Big in Community Spirit

Situated in the far upper-northwestern part of the Commonwealth in Erie County, lies the Borough of Wesleyville.

A small urban community, Wesleyville Borough sits next to the 4th largest city in Pennsylvania, Erie. The borough is located just south of Lake Erie, a lake that is special for being!the shallowest, warmest, and most biologically productive of the Great Lakes, boasting world-class walleye "shing, supplying drinking water for millions, hosting popular islands like Put-in-Bay, and having numerous shipwrecks, all while its waters feed Niagara Falls, making it crucial for hydroelectric power.

The borough was named after John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, which is re#ecting in the area’s strong religious roots. By the 1840s, a Methodists church was established. During the 1860s, taverns and blacksmith shops popped up.

Frank Henry,!a notable "gure in the mid-1800s, was involved with the Underground Railroad, operating from his farm (whose house still stands), and later serving as a light keeper at Presque Isle.!A conductor of the  Underground Railroad in the 1850s, Henry used the belfry of the Wesleyville Methodist Episcopal Church to harbor slaves, redirecting them either down to the water’s edge and across Lake Erie, or to points east in upstate New York.

The Borough of Wesleyville was o$cially incorporated in 1912, and over time, it developed as a distinct community within the greater Erie area, known for its residential character. Wesleyville’s adordable housing and well-established neighborhoods make it an ideal choice for families looking to settle down, with numerous parks and playgrounds available for recreation.

On their Facebook page, www.facebook.com/wesleyvillegov/ the staff at the borough do a great job in keeping the residents up to date with events, fundraisers, Christmas tree sales, pancake breakfasts, and much more.

The community spirit is alive and well in Wesleyville Borough.