Blockton & Redding U. Methodist Churchs, 1987

KAIL, KINTON

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 5/12/2010 at 17:39:46

Mount Ayr Record-News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Thursday, May 29, 1987

Blockton Methodist Church
to close after 88 years

The Blockton United Methodist Church doors will be closed and their members will merge with the church at Redding. This decision was made following a Blockton's church conference May 10 and a Redding's May 18.

The cornerstone on the Blockton church indicates it was placed there in 1899 and since that time the church has been a vital part ofthe community life. However, members of the Blockton UMC, after a long, hard struggle with declining membership and an aging building, voted to discontinue life as an organized congregation.

Sunday, May 31, was the last day of regular morning worship in the Blockton building. The church wa part of a Mount Ayr Larger Parish organization in affiliation with Redding, Middle Fork and Mount Ayr churches and has been served most recently by pastors Rev. Ed KAIL and Rev. Doris KINTON (part-time basis).

An inventory of church property will soon be made, and plans formulated for disposition of the building and its contents. Current members are deciding whether or not to join in the merger with Redding, or to join other churches wih which they might have connections.

United Methodists in the Blockton community will continue to be served by the Mount Ayr Larger Parish pastoral staff. Current United Methodist Women's programs and Bible studies will be continued, Rev. KAIL said.

Event marks closing
On Sunday, June 14, a celebration will be held marking the closing and merger. A potluck supper will be at the Blockton church at 6 p.m. for members and friends of the Blockton and Redding churches. Afterwards there will be a 7 p.m. worship service recalling God's goodness in the past.

Then a procession from Blockton to Redding will be held and worship will continue in the Redding church ansticipating God's faithfulness in the future, Rev. KAIL said.

Newspaper clipping courtesy of Mount Ayr Depot Museum

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, May of 2010

Ringgold Documents maintained by Tony Mercer.
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