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GREETING'S IN
CHRIST! The Church has an astounding history, dating back to the heyday of the copper mining era in this outstanding area. We have detailed as accurately as possible the major events which took place in the Church during this time period. Also read the long listing of our Pastors and Lay People, who served faithfully these many years. But, where would our Church be without the dedication and hard work of our United Methodist Women, the "backbone" and inspiration of our Faith. The listing of our 50 year members will attest to that. Another milestone was reached in 1998, with the celebration of our 100th Anniversary, including some reflections from our past and present Pastor's, members and friends. The Church building is pretty much the same as constructed, and we are striving to maintain it in this fashion. We hope you can visit the Laurium United Methodist church this year. You can find us on our location map in Upper Michigan. Our thanks go to the following (and to those names we may have omitted), for the information used in creating this Web page.
This page is dedicated to those many faithful servants of God whom have worshiped in this Church in the past, to those who celebrate God's blessings in the present, and to those who will come here to seek HIS peace and comfort in the years to come. |
| For further information, please write: |
LUMC, PO Box 665, Laurium, MI 49913 |
Greetings to all our friends of the Laurium United Methodist Church
| These are exciting days around our Church! Celebrating 100
years of Christian Service is a grand accomplishment, and we are so excited to be able to
share our rememberances and joy with you! On this Web page, we have assembled some of the
memories we have of our Church; names, dates and important events---- all the things which
serve to make the Church what it is. But even more, we hope you can "read between the
lines" to see how the years unfold a tale of love and devotion for a savior, Jesus
our Christ! How He has blessed us with devoted leadership over the years. How we have
found joy and fulfillment through ministries and missions in His name. How we have
received a legacy from 100 great years that points us toward our next years! Our past legacy includes our beautiful building and the rich heritage of our Church and area. Our present gifts include many avenues of worship, fellowship, compassion and service. Our future hope is in Jesus and our willingness to be his ambassadors. We welcome you to our caring and exciting Church and invite your participation with us during the new century. |
| Our membership records indicate that the following ten names have been on rolls for fifty years or more. All ten have been active members of the Laurium Church, thus we have decided to pay tribute to them here! |
Mrs. Charlotte (Truan) Crothers (D)
March 31, 1929
Mrs. Myrtle (Inch) Ewen (D)
Sept 3, 1916
Mr. Thomas Kevern (D)
April 20, 1920
Mrs. Thurza (James) Mathes (D)
April 16, 1922
Mrs. Beatrice (Teddy) Meneguzzo
March 31, 1929
Mrs. Ann (Berriman) Michetti
July 31, 1910
Miss Marion Moyle (D)
March 31, 1929
Mrs. Lucinda (Dower) Pentecost (D)
July 31, 1910
Mrs. Esther (Skewes) Rosemergy
April 17, 1927
Mrs. Mae (Berriman) Taylor
March 31, 1929
Dates indicate inception of Church membership
The women of the Church have been
working together since the Church was organized. Their purpose being to aid the Church in matters religious, financial and social. U.M.W. records from 1937 to the present give a partial list of W.S.C.S./U.M.W. presidents, including Mrs. William Paull, Mrs. Peter Berriman, Mrs. William Crothers, Esther Rosemergy, Ann Michetti, Leona Sibilsky, Velma Bedord, Hilda Gluyas, and Thurza Mathes. We apoligize for any omissions and ask that they be brought to our attention. Recognition should be given to all the women in whatever capacity they serve! |
| The facts related herein have been gathered from old
Church records and other sources. We hope they will bring memories to the older folk and
information to others. During the summer of 1892-93, the Rev. Henry E. Wolfe, pastor of the Calumet M.E. Church, occasionally came to Laurium, bringing with him a man who played a cornet. Together with the late Frank Williams, they conducted services from a wagon at what is now the corner of Third and Hecla Streets. In 1898, a Sunday School was organized and held it's first meetings on the third floor of the Post Office building, which was also used as a lodge hall. This building was later known as the Stephens building. which burned after a gas explosion. It was located on the north end of what is known as the "Quality Parking Lot." In September 1898, the Rev. H.A. Leeson was appointed as the first pastor. (He passed away in 1964 at the age of 92). At that time, the Laurium charge had no membership, no organization and not a dollar's worth of property. On his arrival, the Munro Hall was rented and regular services were begun. This building was also located on Hecla Street, next to what was later to become the "Quality Super Valu" food market. On Sunday, October 16, 1898, a society was formed consisting of 42 members, who were enrolled as Charter Members. Included in this list were such names as Champion, Burgan, Taylor, Ellis, Odgers, Duame, Wilcox, Paull, Bray, White, Curnow, Bennetts, Goninan, Skewes and Sleep. By December 31, 1898, Church membership totaled 70 and Sunday School membership totaled 253. The Pastor's salary was $75 per month. R.H. Champion was S.S. Superintendent and E. Daume was the Church treasurer. In 1899, the services were transferred to the Laurium Town Hall which was just completed. Services were held their for two and one half years. The fire department was located downstairs as it is now, but the fire trucks were pulled by horses which were also stabled downstairs. In November 1899, lots were purchased for Church construction from an Italian whom had returned to Italy, mostly through the efforts of N.S. Bray and the Italian Consul, then located in Calumet. Price was $2000. On June 8, 1902, the corner stone for the new Church was laid. The address was delivered by Rev. Coombes, District Superintendent C.M. Thompson and others. The plans were drawn by W.D. Butterfield of Detroit; the estimate was $25,000. The committee decided to build by day work. A.H. Ryckman was appointed building superintendent, and the cost was reduced to $11,000. Obstacles arose however; the banks wouldn't loan the money, and the trustees were hesitant about signing notes for the needed amount. Eventually, Captain Vivian of Houghton, Michigan loaned the Church $10,000 on easy terms. On Sunday, October 19, 1902, four years after the society was organized, the building was dedicated. Dr. J.H. Potts, editor of the "MICHIGAN CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE" , preached the sermon. |
| The fund raising campaign was conducted by Joseph Powell
of Buffalo, N.Y. Cash and pledges of $13,500 were secured to cover the entire
indebtedness. The blackboard upon which the names of the donors were entered still exists
in the Church basement. That year, a report showed 155 Church members and 400 Sunday School members. Rev. Leeson was pastor for five years and by the end of his pastorate, there was 252 Church members, 10 probationary members and 548 in the Sunday School. The property was worth $20,000 and an indebtedness of $9000 still existed. Rev. W.E. Marvin was the pastor from 1903-1908. During that time period, a new pipe organ was installed, a gift from Mrs. C.E. Moyle. (This organ is still in place today but not functional) The parsonage was also erected and occupied on November 6, 1906. At the end of his pastorate, the Church had 352 members, 20 probationers and 552 in Sunday School. |
Cordially Invites Strangers and
Visitors SUNDAY SERVICES Men's Classes 9:00 A.M. SERVICES DURING WEEK Epworth League for Young People
Monday Evening 7:30 P.M. Rev. A. B. Sutcliffe, Pastor Seats are free. Courteous, Attentive
Ushers. The PASTOR and MEMBERS want to meet and welcome YOU. |
---- From a Church flyer, c. 1913-1918 ----- |
| During Rev. W.M. Ward's pastorate, 1908-1913, the trustees
were authorized to enlarge the Church. The contract was awarded to N.S. Bray. The south
wing was erected and the tower was moved from the center of the Church to a place above
the south entrance. Upon completion, the Church with it's new wing and three galleries,
could seat 1000 people, which it frequently did during the Sunday evening service. The
cost of the remodeling, including a new heating plant, was near $10,000. In 1968, because
of it's unsafe condition, it was necessary to remove the tower. Because of the unhealthy and unhappy conditions in the early twenties, many people were forced to leave our much loved "Copper Country". The Laurium Church, as well as others, lost so many members that a void existed which has never been filled. Many changes and adjustments had to be made, and this has been done as required. The first M.E. Church of Laurium became the First Methodist Church in 1939; the result of the uniting of the Methodist Episcopal Churches, North and South, with the Methodist Protestant Church. In 1968, it became the First United Methodist Church; the result of the merger of the Methodist Church with the Evangelical United Brethren (E.U.B.) Church. Our loyal members and supporters have carried on through the years. They tell us we cannot live in the past, but must look forward to the future. That which we are doing! |
Through the years, the Laurium Church has been served by 28 pastors.
PASTORS
1898 --- PRESENT
| H. Addis Leeson | 1898-1903 |
| William E. Marvin | 1903-1908 |
| William M. Ward | 1908-1911 |
| M. H. Eldred | 1911-1913 |
| Aaron Baux Sutcliffe | 1913-1918 |
| Lewis Keast | 1918-1923 |
| Harry Ernest Smith | 1923-1924 |
| Aaron Mitchell | 1924-1928 |
| George G. Hicks | 1928-1931 |
| Herbert Carroll Cooley | 1931-1934 |
| John J. Pacey | 1934-1944 |
| Milton M. Bank | 1944-1945 |
| Dean W. Parker | 1945-1947 |
| Harold A. Nessel | 1947-1951 |
| Harold W. Diehl | 1951-1955 |
| John N. Grenfell Sr. | 1956-1960 |
| N. Ralph Guilliat | 1960-1965 |
| W. Edward Tillitz | 1965-1967 |
| J. Harold Wallis | 1967-1969 |
| Alan W. DeGraw | 1969-1972 |
| James E. Tuttle | 1972-1975 |
| Harold J. Slater | 1975-1978 |
| R. Wayne Hutson | 1978-1983 |
| Dennis N. Paulson | 1983-1987 |
| Pamela J. Scott | 1987-1989 |
| Jack E. Johnston | 1989-1992 |
| Mary L. Rose | 1992-1994 |
| Christine Bohnsack | 1994-2000 |
| Rick Brown | 2000- |
| Bob White | 2000- |
MEMBERS WHO BECAME MISSIONARIES OR MINISTERS
| James Paull (Local Preacher) |
| Alan Larsen |
| Daniel Rosemergy |
| James Rule |
| Yvonne Lander (Salvation Army) |
LAY LEADERS, PAST and PRESENT
| Silas Rosemergy | 1960-1967 |
| William Crothers | 1973-1975 |
| Lloyd Lander | 1975 |
| John Scott | 1977-1981 |
| Silas Rosemergy | 1981-1986 |
| Mark Thomas | 1983-1984 |
| Church Cornerstone Laid | June 8, 1902 |
| Dedication of Church Building | October 19, 1902 |
| Construction of Parsonage | 1906 |
| Parsonage First Occupied | November 6, 1906 |
| Completion of South Wing and Remodeling | 1909 |
| Church Tower Removed | 1968 |
| Celebration of 85th Anniversary | July 9-10, 1983 |
| New Main Heating Plant Installed | 1994 |
| Celebration of 100th Anniversary | June 27-28, 1998 |
Other Major Events Since 1975
| 1979: A new furnace and heating system
was installed, primarily to heat the Fellowship Hall and Sunday School in the Church
basement. Since then, worship services have been held in the Fellowship Hall from January
to Palm Sunday to conserve on fuel costs. |
| 1980: 100 new folding chairs were
purchased for the Fellowship Hall, in memory of William Crothers (Lay Leader and S.S.
Superintendent) and Athalyn Nelson (S.S. Superintendent and long-time choir member) |
| 1981: Mrs. Ada Rowe donated her beautiful
electric organ to our Church to replace the large and original pipe organ which had been
in disrepair for some time. Repair costs for it would be beyond the scope of our Church. |
| 1982: Mrs. Thurza Mathes was honored for
her 50 years of service as a teacher in the Sunday School. Her class presented her with a
Bible, and the Sunday School gave her a handsome inscribed pendant. |
| 2000: The Keweenaw Parish was formed in
June and the Laurium Methodist Church was realigned with the Calumet Methodist Church,
Mohawk Methodist Church and the Lake Linden Methodist Church forming a four-point charge.
Pastor Bob White and Pastor Rick Brown are leading the newly formed parish. |
When I was asked to
speak about our Church |
| ---Ann Michetti |
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last updated : 11/19/04
