Centennial Observance -1970 Sunday School - 1885
Early History of the New City United Methodist Church (as read on Centennial Sunday, 1970)
Let us think for a moment on the first four words of Genesis in the Old Testament Scripture -- "In the beginning, God" -- since we know that many times God has used man to accomplish His Divine purposes, would it not be easy for us to see how the Holy Spirit may have guided the hearts and minds of those dedicated men and women, whose efforts first made possible a place of worship here in New City? According to authentic facts and records kept by the late Mr. & Mrs. Charles and Julia (Eldredge) Finley, a plot of land was granted in 1832 by Thomas Willin and wife Polly to trustees of Horse Creek Methodist Church. This plot of land is located on the south end of the original Eldredge 80A, and the abstract names Thomas Westbrook, Henry West and Reuben Short as trustees. No one now living saw this church and nothing more is known of it.
Later, the Methodists held services in a log school-house near the road one fourth mile north of New City in a corner of what was formerly Uncle Tom Spengler's farm. In 1858 a new school house was built one fourth mile west of New City and a short distance south on land now owned by L.T. Carswell. The late Uncle Fremont Haines told of attending church at this site, and he remembered seeing the pile of logs left after the building on the Spengler farm had fallen to ruin.
Ten years later (1868) the old part or west room of the schoolhouse was built across the road from the church and worship services were held there for a time. Being on the Pawnee Circuit, the Reverend Wallace as pastor, plans were begun for a separate church building. Burgess Taintor, of the Universalist belief, solicited funds for the building. James M. Haines and wife, Mrya, deeded to trustees of building, the plot of ground where the church now stands. These trustees were: James H. Rape, John Eldredge, Burgess Taintor, Daniel Rape, Gilbert Hatler, William H. Park, Wesley Haines, Granville Hatler, and Lucius Baney. Peter Rape was the carpenter.
Built as a Union Chapel, but dedicated as a Methodist Church, it was given the name "Grand Prairie Chapel." Reverend Bennett, a minister from Mechanicsburg, preached the dedicatory sermon in 1870. Mr. Taintor secured a man of his belief named Allen to preach once. The church was soon changed to the Bethany charge, comprising also Edinburg and Sharpsburg Churches, with parsonage at Bethany. Pastors were Reverend Keller 1870, Reverend Miller 1872, Reverend Dugan 1875. Reverend Curnutt was sent here in 1877 and stayed 3 years.
The church building at first stood near the center of the lot, only 2 or 3 steps above ground level with 2 doors on the front side and a broad wooden platform connecting them. A board walk extended to the stiles or steps, mounting up and over the high plank fence which enclosed the grounds. The stiles were built sufficiently high as to allow the would be "church goers" to step from a spring wagon or farm wagon on the stiles and thus negotiate the fence. Chairs or boards for extra seats were sometimes used in the wagon carrying the family to church. The building was heated by two wood burning stoves on either side close to the walls. A cluster of several small kerosene lamps on a chandelier, hung from the ceiling while 4 old fashioned bracket lamps were conveniently placed.
Worship services were then held every two weeks in the afternoon and not until 1887-1888 was every-Sunday service conducted. A quarterly meeting was held only once a year. The first church Sunday School was organized April 5th, 1885, according to the original record book bearing the signature of Arthur S. Carswell, Secretary-Treasurer. The first Superintendent was W.H. Boyd. A.B. Carswell was Assistant Superintendent and Fremont Haines, Organist. No quarterlies were used then but the lesson was read form the Bible. Church school was re-organized every spring, being in session during the summer months only. A great Revival was held during Reverend Curnutt's last year and a class of 30 was received into the church.
In 1907, under supervision of Mr. A.B. Carswell, the church building was moved farther south to its present location. The vestibule was built with bell tower and steeple above the bell, the two doors were replaced with one double door, and inclined floor was laid and new windows were put in. After being in the Bethany Circuit through 1907, the church was changed to the Pawnee Circuit in 1908 and to Rochester in 1909. Revenerd Reed was the pastor here in 1910. Reverend T.B. Wright served as pastor through 1911-1912 and Reverend Edwards in 1913. Our records list the complete line of ministers who have served here from 1870 to the present time. For the sake of brevity, not all are being enumerated.
The records show that Thomas Carswell and wife deeded a plot of ground January 31st, 1914 on which to build a church parsonage. Trustees of the building were: A.B. Carswell, Otis Rape, Thomas Spengler, Mary Spengler, N.A. Smith, L.A. Carswell, G.W. Baker, Ed Fox and B.F. Young. The parsonage was completed in the summer of 1914 with Mr. A.B. Carswell as the builder. At a quarterly conference held April 23rd, 1914 action was taken regarding a change of name for the church. Present at this meeting were Reverend Edwards, Pastor, M.W. Colean, Charlie Dozier, Fremont Haines, Otis Rape, Rolla Funderburk, Mary Spengler, Rufus Young, Mrs. A.B. Carswell and A.B. Carswell, Secretary. Motion was made and duly passed to the change the name "Grand Prairie Chapel" to New City M.E. Church.
Following the fall conference, 1914, Reverend J.E. Jupin was sent here and was the first to live in the new parsonage. He was here for three years. During the year 1920, a Delco plant was installed in the church basement, thus improving the lighting system. Reverend A.F. Waters was the minister from 1920 to 1923 and New City became a station in 1922, paying a salary of $1300 per year. The Ladies Aid was organized during Reverend Water's pastorate here. In 1924 Reverend Willard served as pastor and from 1925 to 1927 Reverend Enslow was the minister. Reverend Cruzan came in 1928 and was here 5 years.
In 1929 the church people became increasingly aware of the need for a basement. Many willing hands donated the work and the material cost was paid in cash. A place for community affairs, church socials, and fellowship suppers was thereby provided. A coal furnace was also installed at this time. Reverend Luce, who was the last minister to occupy the parsonage, came here in 1934 and remained until the fall of 1935. Reverend Ward who lived in Auburn, started here in 1935 and served three years. At this time the Conference again changed our church to the Rochester charge. The minister in 1938 was Reverend Spreckelmier and in 1939-40 Reverend Smith served this charge. The Woman's Society was fully organized in 1940. When the R.E.A. came through this area, electric lights replaced the Delco system.
Reverend Henry Day came here in 1941 and under his guiding hand attendance and membership increased, encouraging plans for an additional expansion of the building of the basement. Committees and sub-committees were soon at work but bad weather and lack of material delayed progress. Time and labor were gladly given by church members and others - both men and women. The result - a well planned sanctuary and choir loft, plus two additional rooms for classes and complete interior decoration. The dedication service for the new addition was held Sunday, November 18, 1945. Reverend Day continued with our church for 9 years, through 1950. The Men's Club was organized and membership grew rapidly. When the group re-organized as a Methodist Men's Club, attendance decreased. The organization as such is inactive at the present time.
Conference assigned Reverend H.W. Fisher to our church in 1951. He lived in parsonage at Rochester and devoted much time in calling on those who were ill and other members of his parish. He remained as our spiritual leader for 7 years. In 1960, Conference sent a student minister, Rusby Slinkard, to this charge. He lived in Glemarm and finished schooling at Garrett Theological Seminary, while serving as pastor to Glenarm and New City Churches. He continued through part of 1963 when he moved to Virginia, Illinois.
John McDermand, layman, teacher and licensed exhorter, filled in until Reverend Bassett came January1, 1964. He worked diligently with our congregation and was readily available where and when needed.
Reverend Harold Simpkins became pastor here in June 1965. He worked effectively with the MYF and attended many of their meetings. With the help of Mrs. Simpkins and the Membership Chairman, he revised and brought up to date, the church membership roll.
In June 1967, our church accepted Reverend Edward Ethington who continued a strong program for our youth group and helped to organize the Boy Scouts in our church. He is presently District Executive for Boy Scouts of America.
Our church is currently keeping Reverend Vernon Saldeen quite busy with the usual variety of rural church problems. He came to us in June 1969 and has been asked to continue. He excels in music and voice, thus adding much to the worship services.
We pray that our church, like many other churches of the land, may always stand erect and serene in the midst of respectability - its witness and stewardship and ministry in America's heartland, be commendable. It is the symbol today of the rural struggle to preserve the Christian heritage, which has made our nation what it is - "One Nation Under God."
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Last updated: 05/13/2005 Questions? office@sugarcreek.org