The History of Wesley Chapel
As the pioneers moved westward through Ohio and into Indiana in the early 1800's, they built homes, businesses, and churches. Religion was an important part of their life.
Wesley Chapel was the first place of worship in Eel River Township. Wesley Chapel Methodist Episcopal Church of Churubusco was organized during the spring of 1837.
The first church was built at the corner of Shoaf Road and Johnson Road. In 1843, a log hewn house was constructed opposite the current structure. Services were held in this building until 1866.
In 1865, the current sanctuary building was constructed. The building was forty by sixty feet and cost $2500.00. The church was dedicated on February 18, 1866.
During 1900-01, the church was remodeled with two aisles becoming one and the belfry with bell were added. The church was rededicated on February 17, 1901.
During the spring of 1927, the basement was dug with the kitchen, dining room, and furnace room being constructed.
As the Wesley Chapel Sunday School grew in numbers, the church was enlarged again during 1952-55. The balcony, four classrooms, a cloak room, and a storage room were added. A new roof and exterior painting concluded the work. Humorously, some time during this time period the restrooms were built inside the church and the outhouse out back was removed! A few of the Gray-Hairs in the church still remember the run out back!
In 1963, the sanctuary was rebuilt with new carpeting laid and new furniture added.
In 1989, the church purchased 7.3 acres of property immediately west of the church during an auction. In 1995, the pavilion was built for picnics and other church functions.
During 1998-99, a new keyboard was purchased and a new sound system was installed.
2001
The expansion of Fellowship of Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church
In 2003 the congregation of Wesley Chapel had a vision to enlarge the church by adding a fellowship hall.
Two nurseries were
added with kid-sized restroom fixtures for the children. Two full-sized
restrooms equipped for the disabled to use were added. Each restroom was
equipped with a shower. A new office for Pastor Larry was added to the right of
the main entrance into the church. A enormous kitchen was built with two
of each appliance.
Numerous class and meeting rooms were built on the south side of the open area
of the Fellowship Hall. The Junior and Senior youth took over the old Fellowship
Hall
in the basement. A stairway lift serves physically challenged youth.
The addition of the new Fellowship Hall came in a different way than most congregations would handle a 7000 square-foot building project. A friend of the church offered to give the new steel building and erect it for us. Our benefactor said we could finish any way we could. We could hire a construction company to complete the exterior/interior work, or we could do the work ourselves. The latter was the way we chose.
We had soil hauled
in preparation for the new building. Our "crew" drove bulldozers and tractors
pulling soil compactors. Two contractors in the congregation used their
laser equipment to level the soil in preparation for the building and the
concrete floor. The building was erected and turned over to the congregation for
their work on the building.
Pastor Larry had been a contractor and handled much of the building permit
work, while two contractors from our church along with others help design the
interior.
The septic system was enlarged and upgraded to serve the larger building. Drywall was hung by our folks with only the taping and mudding left to an outside contractor. While this work continued mostly on Saturdays, the ladies of the church prepared lunch for the workers. One of our heating and air-conditioning members oversaw the installation of that equipment. Our electrical and plumbing members provided their work and so did our brick mason.
While this work went on an outside crew reroofed the original building. Piece by piece the construction of the new Fellowship Hall and renovations to the original church came together. Rose Ann, our pastor's wife and their son, Mike, laid the ceramic tile in the foyer and halls. Everyone helped from moving lumber to being helpers for the carpenters. The little kids helped by sweeping the floors and picking up trash.
By now you're thinking this is an Amish barn-raising or something near that. I won't mention we do have a hitchin' post out back by the pavilion. Come out and take a look!
The new Fellowship Hall was dedicated in November of 2005. Two years after construction had begun.
The Present