United Methodist Church, Mount Ayr

BURRIS, SMITH, HARDAWAY, POOR

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 8/14/2009 at 15:01:50

UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, MOUNT AYR

The Methodist Church, under the pastorate of Adam BURRIS, was the first church building erected in Mount Ayr. It was erected in 1870, located on the site of the present-day Methodist church on West Madison Street. The church was completed in 1871 under the pastorate of W. T. SMITH. The parsonage was built in 1871, a small house on the northwest corner of East Jefferson and North Polk Streets. A new parsonage was built in 1881 west of the church.

With the congregation growing in numbers, there was a need to erect a larger church building. Reverend W. E. HARDAWAY, who came to Mount Ayr in 1907, led the way for the construction of this new church. Razing of the old church began on May 16, 1911, which was completed thirteen days later. The old church was sold for $200 to E. W. POOR. CRAIG and WELCH, contractors from Clarinda, started work on the new church. Excavation for the basment began on June 20, 1911; footings were pours on June 23; the cornerstone was laid on July 31, and the new church was completed on April 16, 1912, at a cost of $26,508.70 which included furnishings. Bishop Joseph F. BERRY was present when the new church was dedicated on April 28, 1912.

The Mount Ayr Methodist Church congregation celebrated their centennial November 29 to December 2nd of 1956.

SOURCE: TERRY, Jack R. A Centennial History of Mount Ayr, Iowa: 1875 - 1975 p. 107. Mount Ayr Record-News Mount Ayr. 1975.

Compilation by Sharon R. Becker, August of 2009

United Methodist Church, Mount Ayr
 

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