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In 1896 J.W. Walters and J.W. Miller began a
meeting in a tent, located in what is now known as the downtown Minburn
Park. After a few evenings Mr. Walters called to his aid his son-in-law
and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Harrington. At this time one person in
Minburn had membership in a Church of Christ, Mrs. J.J. Osborne, whose
membership was with the Sugar Grove church, five miles south of town.
Her daughter, Mrs. O.W. Gottshalk, as a girl of 15, was the first
organist of the church. She began playing the organ at the tent meetings
and she served faithfully for many years.
During a four weeks' meeting approximately 50 persons placed their
membership with the church. On October 7, 1897, the church was organized
with Brother Harrington as the pastor. They purchased a lot and started
to raise funds to build a church. The church wasbuilt just west of the
present property, with most of the work being done by members. After the
church was built, there was no bell, so Mrs. William Kimrey, better
known as Jennie, and Mrs. J.J. Osborne, with horse and buggy solicited
the countryside for funds with which to purchase the beautifully toned
bell - the bell which still hangs in the belfry and which has called the
faithful to worship for the past 70 years.
The church was dedicated in December, 1897. Soon after the dedication, a
Ladies Aid Society was formed. The ladies met in the church for awhile,
then in the homes until they were able to rent a building which stood on
the property where Merle Mitchell's house now stands. At the close of
World War I, in order to take care of an increasing membership, the
church building, consisting of the main auditorium, was moved to the
corner lot. Then the basement and the Endeavor Room were added. At this
time the beautiful stained glass windows were installed, all of them in
memory of departed loved ones.
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The Presbyterian Church was organized in August,
1869, in a log school house two miles south of the town site, by Rev.
Wm. Campbell. The original members were William Luellen, Eliza Luellen,
Lizzie Luellen, Ruth D. Rogers, J.M. Porterfield, Clara Porterfield, and
Wm. McFarland.
Pastors who served the church included: Rev. H. Kellogg, Jr., Rev.
George K. Smith, Rev. Wm. Reed, Rev. P.H. Jacobs, and Rev. W.H. Goodison.
In 1871, a church building 28' x 42' was erected, which would seat 175
persons. It was located near the present Henry west home. After 1878,
the church had only occasional services, but continued to maintain a
Sabbath School. The building was later moved to the J. Lloyd Wenger farm
where it is used as a barn.
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 One
hundred years ago, in 1869, Rev. John Hestwood of Adel organized a small
class consisting of Rhoda A. Hill, Minnie J. Knowles, Abbie Baker and M
J. Newby. They met in a school house near the present site of the town.
In 1870 the first meeting under the name of the Minburn Methodist
Episcopal Church was held with Rev. I. Mershon as pastor. When later
that year the town was laid out, the meeting place moved to the village.
In 1871, Rev. Christie Smith became pastor of the
Perry circuit, which included Minburn, and on October 6, the windy day
of the Chicago fire, preached his first sermon here. Rev. Daniel Lament
became pastor in 1873.
In 1874 the Minburn Circuit was formed with Rev. J.R. Osborne as pastor.
He was followed by Rev. Berry F. Shetterley in 1875, and by Rev. Wm.
Abraham in 1876.
In 1877, the group erected its own chapel, 30x40, seating about 225
persons, at a cost of $1,400. The largest individual gift was $60. This
building was dedicated in February of 1878.
In September, 1878, Rev. Christie Smith returned to find a membership of
fifty-three and to see the debt on the church paid off in 1880.
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The succeeding pastors were as follows:
Rev. Adam Kern, 1880-1881
Rev. Wm. Abraham, 1881-1882 - the first minister to live at Minburn.
Rev. Jacob G. Little, 1883-1884,
Rev. David O. Stuart, 1885-1886,
Rev. Wm. F. Mark, 1886-1887,
Rev. James E. Nicol, 1887, 1888,
Rev. Artemus Brown, 1888-1889,
Rev. Charles W. Anderson, 1889-1892, father of Paul Anderson.
Rev. Frank B. Dunn, 1892-93,
Rev. Olin F Weeks, 1894-1896,
Rev. S.T. Weaver, 1897.
Rev. Fred T. Stevenson, 1898-1899. During his pastorate the Ladies' Aid
Society was formally organized, Feb. 22, 1899.
Rev. Carl Brown, 1900-1903.
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 In
1903 Rev. D.M. Houghtellin came as pastor. In August, 1904, The Women's
Foreign Missionary society was organized by a Mrs. Dew, who was brought
here by the pastor. Early presidents included Mrs. Sue Grossman, Mrs.
Olive Slocum, Mrs. Bert Galsberry, Mrs. Pearl Fox, Mrs. Cresswell, Mrs.
J.M. Burket, Mrs. Gladys Shirley, Mrs. Jessie Hill, and Mrs. Gladys
Taylor.
In 1904-1906 Rev. Andrew Hancox served. On June 10, 1905, a movement was
started for a new parsonage. With the beginning of the new conference
year, 1906, the new parsonage, still in use, was occupied.
During 1906-1907 Rev. Edwin S. McCartney served the charge.
During the pastorate of Rev. J.J. Varley, 1902-1912, an intensive
improvement campaign was launched.
Rev. Wm. Manning served during 1912-1914. During the Pastorate of Rev.
Abram F. Conrey, 1914-1916, Hawkins Chapel, northeast of town, was
disbanded and sold.
Rev. James Scott Willmarth served during the years 1914-1916, and was
followed by Rev. A.W. Armstrong, Rev. Charles K. Koehler served
1919-1921. Rev. Albert B. Adams served 1921-1923. Rev. James Young was
here in 1923-1924.
Rev. Virgil Henderson served five years. During his years here the
church basement was enlarged and remodeled and a new entrance to the
basement was made on the south side.
Rev. Raoul R. Moser served here 1939-1930. Rev. Paul M McDade was here
for six years, 1930-1936. He was noted for ability as a student and
preacher. Rev. Eugene Alexander, 1936-1938, saw the celebration of the
Sixtieth Anniversary of the Church.
Rev. Treverton Warren came to Minburn in 1938 and remained here four and
one-half years until March, 1943, when he went to Keosauqua. During the
first part of this period, the Methodist Episcopal (M.E.) Church went
out of existence, and the new Methodist Church was formed from three
Methodist bodies. Thus the Minburn M.E. Church became the Minburn
Methodist Church. The Women's Society of Christian Service replaced the
missionary societies and Ladies' Aid.
Rev. Ernest B. Stewart was pastor 1943-1945. During this time the
parsonage was insulated.
In June, 1945, Rev. Robert A. McBlain arrived. Changing from the
educational field, this was his first pastorate. Seven months later, on
January 13, 1946, shortly after the morning service, fire broke out in
the furnace room, and a few hours later only a pile of smoldering ruins
remained.
The choir robes, three hymnals and a chair were all that were saved.
That same night the Official Board met at the parsonage and laid plans
to continue services and to rebuild. Services were held in the school
building, thanks to the fine cooperation of the school
authorities and of Luther Slaughter, school custodian.
 On
May 23, 1948, the cornerstone of new "Temple of the Lord" was laid with
Dr. E.M. Buehler, District Superintendent, bringing the message.
On March 13, 1949, the first services were held
in the new building, using the Fellowship Hall for church services as
well as Sunday School. Rev. McBlain preached the first sermon in the new
building.
On Palm Sunday, April 10, the first baptisms were administered in the
new church. Harriet Ann Hunter, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Hunter,
and Harold Paul Thompson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Verle Thompson.
On August 2, the first funeral, that of John West, was held in the new
church.
On August 14, the first wedding was held in the new building, uniting
our own Mary Louise Shaw in marriage to Dr. Harve R. Varner of LaJunta,
Colo.
Taken from a history written by Esther Hill Brueck
Rev. McBlain served from 1945 to 1950.
David W. Ash 1950-1953. During his time here major remodeling was done
on the parsonage. A hardwood floor was laid, the bath and kitchen were
both remodeled. Also while he was here the Evening Circle of the
W.S.C.S. were formed.
John C Prath, 1955-Jan, 1959.
Clarence M. Morrison, Jan, 1959-1963. While he was here the basement was
remodeled and a new ceiling installed.
Richard C. Quinlan, 1963-1968. During this time, in 1964, the New
Methodist Hymnal was issued and put into use in our church.
John C. Thomas, Dallas Center, was supply pastor from Jan. 1, 1968 to
June, 1968.
Aldreth V. Weigel, present pastor.
In 1968 at Dallas, Texas, the Methodist and the Evangelical United
Brethren Churches united nationally at a Historic Conference. This year,
1969, in June, the Iowa Conferences will unite, and at that time,
Minburn will become a member of the Perry District, instead of the Boone
District as it has been called for many years.
At the time of the uniting of these two denominations, the new name
chosen was The United Methodist Church.
In 1968 the name of the women's orgainzation was also changed and is now
known as the Women's Society of Christian Service. The 1969 officers of
ths group are President, Mabel Hill; Vice-president, Edna Shirley,
Secretary, Norma Crumley; Treasurer, Helen Fox.
The 1969 officers of the Evening Circle are: President, Jackie Snyder;
Vice-President, Jane Knowles; Secretary-Treasurer, Karen Wimer.
The Minburn United Methodist Church also is proud to be considered the
home Church of Rev. Arthur L. Hill, who was ordained as an Elder in the
South Iowa Conference in 1967, and received his first appointment to
Woodbine at that time. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Hill.
(History of past 21 years written by Ruth Croft)
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