AUGUST 20, 1856 ~ AUGUST 20, 1956
To WRITE a history of any organization is difficult, but to write a brief
history of a church is even more difficult. One can capture the physical
development hut it is impossible to put into words the spirit that has moti-
vated pcople to build a house of worship and to maintain it to the glory of
God, through years of unity, peace, turmoil and strife.
The history of MaIden M. E. Church dates hack to about the middle of
1835, when MaIden was counted a Mission District of Methodist Episcopal
Church.
The first formal class meeting was organized August 20, t856 by
Reverent Forest who was then pastor of the Dover charge. The first sermon was preached in an upper room of the Old Tavern housc, then owned
by Brother Ralph Wetherell. Later this was the residence of Squire Owens.
The meetings continued to be held in this upper room for several Sun-
days and were later held in the upper part of Mr. Wetherell's shop which
was afterward used by Squire Owens as a barn. Soon Mr. 'Wetherell bought
a one-room house in the east part of town, later known as the "Torn Lother
House;" and it was here that Reverend Forest organized the first formal
class. This class consisted of seven members, Mr. and Mrs. Wetherell, Mr.
and Mrs. J. M. Leach, Mrs. Elizabeth Sutton, Albert Thomas and a Mr.
Gates. Mr. Wetherell was chosen as class leader, the only officer, he acted
as leader for two years and during this time the membership increased to
about eighty persons.
Class meetings were held In the one-room house, which was aiso used
for a school, until a school house was built. This building served as a church
until the original building was built in 1867.
When the decision was made to build a church the Trustees appointed
were: J. M. Leach, W. B. Adams, and John S. Lathrop. W. B. Adams and
James Martin were appointed a build.ng committee, Mr. Edwin Bass, Sr.,
donated the two lots where the parsonage now stands fnr the church site;
however, it was decided to huild the church on the north side of the tracks.
The site was then bought from Smith and Stacy.
Soon thereafter work was begun and subscriptions for the new church
reached $2,000.00 by the end of Summer. The corner stone, which was on
the northeast corner, was laid the last of August by the Trustees with the
pastor, Rev. Fay, officiating.
A great day to remember was December 11, 1867, at this time the new
church was dedicated. Rev. Tukesbury, then head of the Methodist Book
Concern, Chicago, was the guest speaker at the service. During the service
$4,000.00 was raised to finish the paying of the debt. Rev. Fay was the
preacher for the first year. Rev. Clipperfield followcd him and it was during
Rev. Clipperfield's pastorate that the first great revival was held.
It would be interesting to digress just a bit and record some persona!
interest materials from a document which was written anti read' by Mrs.
Orlivia Lathrop Mitchess for the 50th anniversary. Our history would not
be complete without mentioning the big festival which was held in Novem-
her, 1867, and was one of the great events in the history of the building of
the church. It was held just before it was seated or painted.
The supper was served in the basement, Al! stood up to eat. The solicit-
mg committee was: Mr. and Mrs. Fred Sutton (East of town), Mr. and
Mrs. Free Rackley (North of town), Mrs, John Knox and Mrs. Orlivia
Mitchell (West of town) We took everything that was given us, from the
live chicken to a sack of corn. Our light wagon was certainly loaded. What
we could not use for the supper we sold and everywhere we solicited we
invited them to attend the festival. By the crowd I should judge most of the
people accepted the invitation and they brought well filled baskets, etc.
MaIden M.E. Church continued to grow and in 1837 under the Pastor
B. A. Dickens the present parsonage was built and Rev. Dickens
moved in, November of that year.
On January 13, 1922, tragedy struck. The church was destroyed by fire,
but this did not alter the spirit of this young church. Under the leadership
of Rev. A. E. Asliton, they responded willingly. Plans were made to build a
new church, The people rallied behind their building committee: Mr. Charles
Myers (Chairman), and Mr, Harry F. Morrison. On July 13, 1922, a new
building was begun. Mr. Arthur Laughlin was in charge of the foundation
work. The corner stone was laid by Rev. A. E. Ashton at the Southeast Cor-
ner of the new foundation (Building) . In the sealed metal cylinder in the
corner stone the following were placed:
1. A list of full membership of the church
2. The full Sunday School roll
3. The roll of the mertibers of the Epworth League
4. The roll of Trustees, Stewards, Quarterly Conference members
5. A copy ol:
(a) The Chicago Tribune
(b) The Northwestern Christian Advocate
(c) The Bureau County Republican
6. Two silver dollars dAted ~922, donated by Mrs. G. F. johnson and
Robert and Evelyn Mailonee.
7. A penny dated 1867 the year the original church building was
erected.
8. A short historical sketch of the church.
The new building was dedicated on May 6, 1923. Rev. Aubrey S. Moore,
then of Dixon, Illinois, was the speaker. This was a great day with many
visiting ministers of Bureau Counfy' participating in the program. Rev.
Thomas K. Gale, the District Superintendent, made the dedication and music
was furnished by the MaIden Young People's choir.
In 1929 under the Leadership of Reverend G. F. Knight and with the
loyal support of the members of the church, the final debt was paid. On
May 12, 1929 a special service was held; it was found the debt could be
paid; therefore, the minister burned the note and the ashes were carried out
the door with great rejoicing.
There have been Irany changes in Maiden Methodist Church as the
years have passed. The church has been redecorated four times since being
constructed, tile last time being 1955. Some changes have been made in the
chancel area; many beautiful gifts have been presented to the beauty of the
worship program. In the 100 years of its earnest and zealous pastors. The
present membership is 157 members and the church is valued at $40,000.
There are many people in our community who have no church home.
In the next hundred years we will trust that Cod will guide us as he has in
the past and that MaIden Methodist Church will retrain a spiritual light in
our fast changing world.