IADECATU-L Archives

Archiver > IADECATU > 2003-11 > 1067909496


From: "Nancee\(McMurtrey\)Seifert" <>
Subject: [IADECATU] 'A CENTURY OF MEMORIES OF VAN WERT, IOWA -- l880-l980'. (Part 8)
Date: Mon, 3 Nov 2003 20:32:45 -0500


'A CENTURY OF MEMORIES'
OF VAN WERT, IOWA
l880 - l980
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

METHODIST CHURCH

The following information has been taken primarily from the History Sketch of the Methodist Episcopal Church printed for the Dedication Day on March 22, l9l4. The
reason it is for the most part copied directly from this book was because it included any and all information we could gather in the years prior to l956 and then some besides. Obviously, it was impossible to include word for word everything contained in the book but we have done our best to include all facts and figures.

Later information has been obtained from church records and newspaper clippings and word of mouth. The Methodist Church of Van Wert was organized, as nearly as we can ascertain, in the year of l856. For some time previous to this, services were held in town by ministers of whatever denomination perchanced to come by. In those pioneer days, all were heard most gladly. Probably the fact that the Methodist Ministers itinerated so largely led to them being first on this field.

The following is a list as complete as we can make it of the charter members of the church: James Blair, Louise Blair, Carlos Clark, Mrs. Carlos Clark, Nathan Perdue, Mary Perdue, Newton Spencer, Lucinda Jane Spencer, William Warner, and Lovina Warner. Within a few years after the organization was effected, the dream of those faithful few was realized in a substantial church building. This building was erected amid sacrifice and joy in l858. The site chosen for the church was just a little way south of the railroad on the west side of what is now Main Street, there being no railroad there at this time. Before its completion the little body of worshipers gathered for service in the old school building. The material used in the construction of the church was principally native lumber. Everybody seemed anxious for a church and so all hands contributed to its erection. Some hauled logs to the sawmill and had them sawed into 2x4's and other heavy building material; some h!
auled walnut logs and had them sawed for siding, while others made shingles. The work of construction as well as the material was chiefly donated. It is reported the Rev. Talmage, then pastor of the little congregation, donated much work. To understand the intensity of the enthusiasm we need only to be reminded that this faithful expounder of the word and pounder of the nail had only one arm and hand yet he drove the nails with accuracy and speed. In that early day of toil, sacrifice and want, we would expect that the furnishings of the church would be rather crude to our modern ideas. A donation of shingles kept the roof from being unfinished. For three years the walls were unplastered. The seats were of heavy planks laid across dry goods boxes. It was for ten or a dozen years before these were replaced by the carefully prepared walnut seats. A highly prized historic relic is found in these old walnut seats made in the sixties (one was secured and placed in the bas!
ement of the l9l4 church for safekeeping). The church was more perfect in durability than comfort. The Reverend William Brown did the casing of the building in l863. The founding fathers of the church were poor people come west to get a start in life. They brought Methodism because they loved the church and Methodism loved the poor. There were few farmers here then who had more than five to ten acres of prairie sod broken. Considering all things they did marvelously well to build at all. For their sacrifices we owe much, and to their labors of love, we ascribe the beginnings of Methodism here.

The following pastors have served the church, as near as can be ascertained in the order given:

Mr. Talmage, l856
George Bennett
J.M. Baker, l866-l870
J.W. Anderson
W.S. Hooker, l870-l873
C.A. Gates, l873-l874
W.H. Witter, l874-l875
J.T. Hughes, l875-l876
A. Hancox, l876-l877
K.H. Burleigh, l887-l879
W. Bretton, l879-l880
D.O. Stuart, l880-l882
W.W. Danner, l882-l883
C. Huuver, l883-l884
L.P. Newland, l884-l886
C.D. Fewcett, l886-l887
E.E. Willey, l887-l888

For many years the church realized a good growth, and this growth so increased that it was found necessary in l888 to build a larger and more commodious building. Through the foresight of the Rev. Seth Samson, a local elder, the present site was obtained. Mr. Samson found that these lots could be purchased for the reasonable amount of $70.00. He consulted with the Board and he was advised to buy the lots. This he did by paying for them by himself, and leaving his purchase with the members to reimburse him as they saw fit. In the final accounting, the church paid about one-half the total amount and Rev. Samson paid the balance. Rev. Samson also built the first Methodist Parsonage.

The lot and house owned by the church at this time was sold for $l50. For years, the building was used as a store building, and it was burned during the west side fire in September l908.

During these two years the church membership rented the upper room of the public school building and they held regular services there. Within two years, the building was provided for an erected. It was dedicated Nov. 11, l888, by the venerable presiding elder, Rev. W.C. Martin. The total cost of the property, including the lots was $l,7l9.25. It was at the time of this signal victory that Rev. Samson wrote in the subscription book, "To God be all the Praise."

The building thus dedicated in l888 was of the following dimensions: 28 feet by 45 feet. Some years later an eight-foot alcove, located back of the pulpit, was built on the north end. For twenty-six years this church building served the need of the congregation. During these years the Van Wert congregation had been associated with the following circuits: Decatur City, Hopeville, Green Bay and Weldon. In l897 the Rev. F.P. Sigler organized the Van Wert Circuit, which was composed of Van Wert, Lacelle and Fairview. Lacelle was later dropped from the circuit and Fairview and Van Wert then supported a minister.

To Be Continued . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pages 36-39
Contributed, Courtesy of Larry McElwee
Dodge City, Kansas



This thread: