Himmel's Church Covered Bridge

About Himmel's Church Covered Bridge

Himmel's Church Covered Bridge, also known as Rebuck Covered Bridge, is without a doubt the most unique covered bridge in Pennsylvania. This 43-foot Multiple Kingpost Truss bridge is the only candy-striped covered bridge in the state, featuring distinctive red and white striped paint that makes it immediately recognizable. Built in 1874, the bridge crosses Schwaben Creek in a beautiful valley setting.

History of Himmel's Church Covered Bridge

The bridge was constructed in 1874 and takes its name from Himmel's Church, located nearby in the community. It is also commonly referred to as Rebuck Covered Bridge after the village of Rebuck in Washington Township where it is located. The bridge's distinctive candy-striped paint scheme makes it one of the most photographed covered bridges in Pennsylvania. The bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979 and remains an important part of the local community.

Architecture and Design

Himmel's Church Covered Bridge uses a Multiple Kingpost Truss design, one of the oldest and simplest truss styles used in covered bridge construction. At 43 feet in length, it is the shortest covered bridge in Northumberland County. The bridge's most distinctive feature is its candy-striped red and white paint, which is unique among Pennsylvania's 209 historic covered bridges. The colorful paint scheme adds a festive touch to this already charming structure.

Visiting Himmel's Church Covered Bridge

The bridge is located in the village of Rebuck in Washington Township, at the edge of a small community park featuring baseball fields and a playground. The area is a beautiful valley surrounded by rolling hills, and visitors may notice several nearby Amish farms. While there is no parking lot directly next to the bridge, the park area makes pulling off to the side of the road very easy. This is the southernmost covered bridge in Northumberland County.