IAGenWeb Project - Allamakee co. Church records
updated 01/22/2012


Forest Mills U.B. Church
Franklin township



Forest Mills church & schoolhouse

Forest Mills church & schoolhouse
undated


~scan of original photo postcard contributed by Marcia Harris

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The Forest Mills church was built in the community of Forest Mills in the latter part of the 19th century. That building, including its bell tower, still stands and is used. In 1969, an addition was built on the front of it. The community got its name from a sawmill built in 1854 by William Werhan one half mile north of where the church is. It was run by water power and in 1865 was expanded to include a grain mill. Werhan also became justice of the peace and had his office for that near the mill. A blacksmith shop was also operated near the mill and a grocery store was across the street from the church. Werhan sawed the wood for construction of the church completed in 1899, the charge for which was $88.23. The schoolhouse stands next to the church.

The first pastor was Rev. J.I. Dickensheets. The church originally was United Brethren and upon that denomination's merger, became an Evangelical United Brethren Church. Now it is a United Methodist Church, served since September, 1983 by Verdon Swenson.

Werhan deeded to the church land for a park, which is still maintained by the church and popular throughout the area. The mill was closed in 1932. Lloyd Clark owns the farm where the mill once was and still has in his office the "pigeon hole mail boxes" once used in the Forest Mills Post Office.

~Postville Herald, Feb 20, 1985
~transcribed by S. Ferrall
~note: this article was accompanied by a re-print of the photo that appears above

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