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Pictures: First Methodist Church; Present Methodist Church

THE METHODIST CHURCH OF STANWOOD

       On January 20, 1869 an itinerant Methodist preacher presided over a gathering of early settlers who were gathered in the home of W. A. Allen, whose house was the first one to be completed in the newly incorporated town of Stanwood. The name of this preacher has long been forgotten, but what transpired at this meeting makes the date and place historically significant, for this was the beginning of Stanwood’s Methodist church, the first religious organization to be started within the town’s boundaries. The little group of people who listened to the itinerant preacher became the charter members of the congregation. Incidentally, the house in which the meeting took place is now the home of Mrs. Cora Mitchell.

       The charter members were as follows: N. N. Erskine, James Erskine, Clement Hart, Betsy Hart, C. W. Simmons, John Wade, Fannie Wade, Susan Aires, J. D. Inerson, Mary Inerson, Frank Walters, Rebecca Wilkins, John F. Davidson, John White, Washington Rigby, William Sturdevant and Mr. and Mrs. William Rigby,

       By June of that year (1869) the attendance at the services of the new congregation had increased enough to require larger quarters. The meeting place was changed to the newly completed hardware store, and a little later to the second floor of the Chicago and Northwestern depot, a building that still stands, in altered form. The congregation was under the care of the Methodist minister stationed at Clarence, a Rev. W. W. Allen—not related to the owner of the house in which the organizational meeting had taken place.

       Early in 1869 the founders of the town, William C. and S. H. Maley, had donated to the congregation the lots of the present Methodist church site. On these lots by the end of that year the first church building had been erected and it was dedicated that autumn. The total cost of this structure was $500. It was a simple two-story building put up with the idea that when the congregation could afford a better one, this first one would be moved and converted into a parsonage. For several years the upper story of this “church” was used as Stanwood’s public school. The Stanwood Independent School District paid rent for it at the rate of $4.00 per month.

       In 1870 the Stanwood Methodist church was made a part of the Tipton Circuit, which included also the Red Oak Methodist and Bethel Methodist Churches. All of these congregations were served by the Tipton minister, at a salary of $700 per year, with no expense account allowed! The quarterly conference minutes of 1870 show that the Stanwood church had a membership of twenty-three and contributed $81.75 that year.

       Two years later, in 1882, the Circuit had been changed to the Stanwood Circuit, as the Tipton Methodists wished to have a minister who could give all of his time to their church. It is interesting to note in the records that the Cornell College student who served Stanwood, Red Oak, and Bethel that year received a farewell gift of $130 in gold pieces. The presentation was made in the Red Oak church with a speech by Captain W. T. Rigby.

       It was about 1885 that the Ladies Aid became an integral part of the church. The wife of the Rev. William Cobb is remembered as a most efficient leader of the organization, probably its first president. This organization, now known as the Women’s Society for Christian Service, has helped in many ways to promote the spiritual, social and economic welfare of the church.

       By 1889 the growing congregation felt the need of a larger house of worship. Plans were made for a new church and the old one was moved across the street and converted into a parsonage. In December 1889 the new church was dedicated by presiding elder Crippen. The parsonage made from the first church building still stands, having served as a private home for many years. At present it is the home of the Raymond Klemme family.

       In 1892 lots were bought for a new parsonage, a half block south and one block west of the church. The first pastor to occupy this house was the Rev. E. R. Leamon. It was he and his wife who organized the Epworth League, about 1893. All of the Methodist pastors from that time until 1967 lived in this parsonage. At this time the house was sold because the Stanwood church did not need it any longer. One pastor was assigned to serve both the Stanwood and Mechanicsville Methodist churches and the pastor used the Mechanicsville parsonage.

       The expanding organizational life of the Stanwood church was again calling for more room by 1914. Accordingly, a new church was built and was dedicated on March 28, 1915, replacing the one of 1889.

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       The church and community celebrated the 80th anniversary of the organization of the Stanwood Methodist church with appropriate services on June 5, 1949. As this is being written, plans are under way for the observance of the centennial of the church.

       In 1957 a custodian home was built at the rear of the church lot. The original site was enlarged by 85 feet of additional land in 1966.

       For one hundred years our church has been served by a succession of devoted ministers who with their wives have all contributed toward the building of a strong church, and through the church toward a better community.