This was built in 1826 as a Methodist Church, replacing the Old Red Church on Pennington-Titusville Road that was torn down in 1826. Later, in 1845, a new Methodist Church was constructed at the current location on the corner of Main and Academy Streets.

"The former church was renovated and became the home of Henry Laning and his family. Laning Avenue was named for Henry Laning. The 1930 census shows Marian Lanning and her family living at 143 South Main Street. At that time, there were still pens of sheep in back of the house. In 1933, Marian became Mrs. Worrall with the marriage held here. Later, this was the home and office of Dr. Stanley Ehrlich." (from Carol Ehrlich)
 
"My parents, bought the house in the mid-1950s from the Lanings. They converted it to a combined dental office and residence, and continued to use the house as such into the 1970s." (from Carol Ehrlich)
 
"The Laning house was sold in 1949 by the Laning family to the Yates family who converted it into a two family house. When Stan and I purchased it from the Yates family in 1955, Mrs. Yates, a widow, was living in one unit. A husband and wife by the name of Johnson lived in the other unit. Mr. Johnson still kept sheep on the back lot at that time." (from Ann Ehrlich)

This appears on the Mercer County map of 1875 as A. S. Lanning (sic). In the I870 US Census, Aaron S. Laning and his wife Rebecca were living in this house, with their children, Elizabeth and Henry Landis Laning.

Later, Henry and May Laning became owners of the house. The 1930 US Census lists Henry and May Laning, with their daughters Dorothy and Marian. Henry's sister also lived in the house.

return to 143 South Main Street
photo taken Sep 22, 2005