History of Berks County - Centre Township
The following is reproduced from the 1876 Atlas of Berks County, Pennsylvania
Centre was originally comprised within the territory of the adjacent townships of Bern and Upper Bern, it being formed out of the northern part of the former and the southern part of the latter. It is bounded on the north by Upper Bern, on the east by the Schuylkill river, which separates it from Perry and Ontelaunee; on the south by Bern and Penn, and on the west by Penn. The township is symmetrical in form, being six miles square, containing thirty-six square miles, and more than twenty thousand acres of land. The surface is somewhat uneven, but it is well watered by the Schuylkill river and its tributaries, of which the principal ones are the Irish and Plum creeks. These streams afford several excellent water privileges, some of which are improved. The soil of this township is of medium quality, and is cultivated by industrious and generally thrifty farmers.
Two small villages contribute to the desirableness of Centre township as a residence. Centreville in the extreme south, and Centreport in the north. The business which is transacted in these villages is not however of any great amount.
As in most of the rural townships, the increase of its population has been slow. By the several census returns, it appears that the number of people in the township in 1840 was 1,216; in 1860, 1,392 ; in 1870, 1,529.
The people generally adhere to the Lutheran and Reformed faith of their German ancestors. Bellman's church is occupied in common by both branches of these great German Protest communions.