LESLIE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH HISTORY

The Leslie United Methodist church was founded by Rev. William Schreck in the summer of 1842. Rev. Schreck was sent into the territory by the Illinois conference of German Methodist Episcopal Churches to preach.

The Hermann mission was formed, after Rev. Schreck had established four churches in the area. The circuit included all of Gasconade County and most of Franklin County. William Schreck was appointed as the first pastor.

ORIGINAL CIRCUIT

This first building was located approximately a mile north-west of the present location. Charter members of the congregation were Henry Kamfer; William, Frank and Frederick Horstman, Diedrich Voss, Henry Aufenkamper and Kaspter Sitterman and their families. The other points in the original circuit were Senate Grove (then known as Meyers Chapel), Berger Congregation and the Hermann District Church. The name of the church was changed to Zions Methodist Church when the stone church building was erected. This was done to avoid confussion with another church in the area that was named St. John's.

In 1850 the Hermann mission circuit was divided and a pastor was sent to the church to live. The church was then in the Union Circuit. At that time there were 57 members, mostly from Leslie. Services were held in the log church until 1860 when plans were made for the present stone church.

Land for the new church was purchased in May 1861, from Mr. and Mrs. William Beaker. The church as erected under the supervision of Henry Wesel, a Hanoverian stonecutter and masion. The stone church was built with a cash expenditure of $850.00 and donations of material and labor. The pastors salary was $80 cash, free board and horse feed.

The stone for the building came from near Noser's Mill and was transported to the church site by sleds and wagons.

The old log church building was relocated to a new site and used as a German schoolhouse for many years.

The west wing of the stone parsonage located next to the church was erected at the same time as the church. The east wing was added in 1874. The barn was added during that time period.

In 1899, the walls were raised on the church, the ceiling arched and a tower and spire were erected.

In 1907, members of the church pledged money to purchase a pipe organ for the church. The organ was purchased and installed in 1908. It is still in the church and used on a regular basis. It is tuned yearly in the fall.

In 1925, saw the end of the German speaking services, when it was decreed that all services in the German Methodist Episcopal Church were to be held in English. During the early years of the 1900's a parsonage was erected to the south of the old stone parsonage.

In the summer of 1936, the church and parsonage found out they would have the opportunity to receive lights from the Segelhorst brothers. Within a month, the church had collected $80.35 for the project. The bill was for $116.60. Additional donations were raised, bringing the total collected to $154.35. With the excess funds, the church had repairs done to the steeple and the picnic area was wired for lights.

In the 1940's the church received two substantial endowments. With these the church was able to add a new oil heating system.

In the 1950's the church installed hot and cold running water; the interior was redecorated and celotex wallboard was added. New pews and a pulpit were purchased. The church and parsonage heating was changed to gas heat.

The name of the church was changed by a decree of incorporation to United Methodist Church of Leslie, Missouri in 1969.

During the 1960's and 70"s improvements continued to be done to the church. In 1971-72 an education building and dining hall were added.

In 1986, a new brick parsonage was built on an adjoining lot. When the new parsonage was completed the parsonage built in the 1900's was torn down. The old stone parsonage erected in the 1860's still remains.

In 1996 the interior of the sanctuary was remolded. The changes included a slight vaulting of the ceiling, new walls and millwork, new carpeting, new lighting fixtures including indirect fluoresent lighting and new pew cushions. Memorial gifts were given which included; candlelighters, pew Bibles, brass offering plates and a sanctury clock. The total cost of the renovation was $136,797.67.