A BRIEF HISTORY

The Methodist Church in Shirland was formed in March 1838. It was organized by Stephen P. Taylor, a lay preacher who resided in what is now Harrison. Meetings were held in private homes for Sunday worship and prayer meetings during the week. It was a common sight in those times to see ox teams driven long distances to these services.

Methodism owes its great growth during this period to the pioneering-spirit of the Circuit Riders., John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist Church, was a traveling 'preacher-and rode horse back thousands of miles as he preached from place to place. Scores of Methodist preachers in America followed his example.

Shirland had its first circuit preaching in 1840. A minister was assigned to preach to the circuit of eight churches, and preaching services were held only about once a month in each church. The churches in the circuit included Shirland, Owen, Harrison, Burritt, Durand, Laona, Pecatonica, and Winnebago. The first Sunday school was organized the following year in a spare room of a double log house.

In the religious revival of 1842 and 1843, which swept the country from Chicago to the Mississippi River, the Shirland church was strongly established. Scores of people were converted, and a class of forty joined the church on one day.

For many years, Shirland was a part of-the Medina circuit.. It was made up of four churches-Shirland, Harrison, Laona and Durand (which was formerly called Medina) and preaching services were held every two weeks. It later became a two-point charge with Harrison; later with the Meridian church, and since 1905 with the Owen Center church.

In the spring of 1869, it was decided that the church should build its first house of worship. It was dedicated debt-free December 9, 1869 at a cost of about $2500. The present parsonage was also obtained in the same year. In 1894, an addition was made to the building to accommodate the Sunday School and Epworth League.

On Saturday night, August 4, 1906, lightning struck the church building and it burned to the ground. Although the fire struck at 10 P.M., the town people gathered so quickly that most of the furnishings were saved. The pews in our sanctuary, and the lectern and chairs in our basement were saved from the fire and are still in use.

Money was soon raised to build a new church on the same site at a cost of about $5,000. The present church building was dedicated July 21, 1907. An addition for Sunday School use was completed in 1959, and present attendances on Sundays and in the Vacation Church School indicate that further expansion may become necessary. Our Church must diligently continue to provide the program and facilities to meet the religious needs of our community.