IAGENWeb ~ Cerro Gordo Co. ~ United Methodist Church, Meservey IA

UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
810 First Street, Meservey, Iowa

Sometime between 1890 and 1896, Meservey's first Methodist Church began holding services. On May 11, 1896, Articles of Incorporation were drawn for the building of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Meservey. This church was dedicated on October 25, 1896 by Rev. D. M. YETTER and C. E. ANDERSON was pastor.

Between 1900 and 1920, the Methodist Church had a difficult time financially. It came to the point where the conference did not send them a minister. They decided to hold their services in the afternoon. Rev. J. M. HOWDESHELL came from another town to preach to the congregation.

The Methodist Church continued to held afternoon services for a time before closing the church. The building was sold to I. B. HULSEBUS who converted it into a residence.

The Methodist Church united with the Evangelical United Brethren Church, forming the United Methodist Church in 1961.

Dedication Services were held June 19, 1977 and celebration of the 200th birthday of Sunday School was on November 16, 1980.

Ministers were:

Rev. C. E. ANDERSON 1896	Rev. Joseph F. FRANKLIN (1897-1900)	Rev. A. H. MAYNARD (1900-02)
Rev. F. C. FARR (1902-03)	Rev. J. C. SHIRK (1903-04)	Rev. J. W. OGEN (1904-05)
Rev. E. E. RORICK (1905-06)	Rev. J. M. HOWDESHELL (1906- )	Rev. G. Clive COOK (1961-70)
Rev. W. Ray THOMPSON (1970-76)	Rev. John ROSENBERGER (1967-79)	Rev. Ken KIRK (1979-83)
Rev. Doug DeGRAW (April-June 1983)	Rev. Brian SULLIVAN (1983-85)	Rev. Richard DUNN (1985- )

SOURCES: meserve.org/stories.htm

GUE, Benjamin F. "Stillman T. MESERVEY." History of Iowa From the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the Twentieth Century Vol. 4. p. 189. Century History Co. New York. 1903.

Compilation Submission by Sharon R. Becker, November of 2013