Jasper County, Iowa

Historical Record of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Newton, Iowa, 1939

The earliest record of Methodism in Newton was in 1846 when the Rev. Strange Brooks was assigned to include the Newton class meeting with his five other classes. On July 4, 1848, the Newton Methodist Episcopal Church was established and the records show that it was called the "Newton Mission". At this meeting a small group of people listened to the first Methodist sermon ever preached in Newton, the Rev. T. B. Hewitt being the preacher. A class was organized with Willis Green as leader. Charter members were Willis Green, Sarah A. Green, Rebecca Green, John Franklin, Elizabeth Franklin, Jackson Smith, Mrs. Jackson Smith and Lavina Bennett. In the fall of the same year 1848, the Rev. New was appointed to this charge and while Newton was a Mission the following ministers had charge of the work: T. New, Strange Brooks, William T. Mann, R. Swearenger, John Parker and J. B. Hyles.

The early days at Newton were times of trial. In 1848 at one quarterly meeting, when Brother New was pastor, there being no wheat flour in town, he was compelled to use corn bread at the Sacrament. In 1851 the preacher was supported almost altogether by one man, a Brother Shipley, and that year the class was credited with only $1.65 contributed to ministerial support.

For years the Society met at the homes of the members, with an occasional outdoor meeting, or in rooms before occupied for business purposes, until in 1854 when a room was rented in a building one block west of the northwest corner of the public square. This was the first public meeting house in Newton and the Methodists were very proud of the same. The upholstering was of the very best possible to be wrought with a first class buzz-saw and nothing but sound slabs was thought of in the seating of the room. The first parsonage was erected in 1853 and was a splendid two room log structure with a fireplace for a cookstove and a latch string for a door knob. Newton was organized into a Station with seventy three members in 1855 and in November, 1856 the congregation was worshiping in its own church building, which was located at the corner of what is now East Third Street South and South Second Avenue East. The Building was a frame structure, thirty by forty feet, costing about $2000.00. In November 1855, the Sunday School was organized and in 1859 the pastor's report says, "Our Sunday School is doing well and has an average attendance of about eighty." In 1860 two ushers were chosen to seat the congregation when necessary. Also in 1860 the congregation purchased a melodeon which did not meet the requirements and in 1864 an organ was purchased and a singing master hired for $25.00 for six months to teach the congregation to sing. A young musician was hired to pay the organ in 1864. In 1862, the church being loyal to the Union during the Civil War, released their pastor, the Rev. S. Hestwood, to serve as a chaplain in the 40th Iowa Regiment and the congregation asked to have him returned after his discharge from the army.

In 1863 or 1864 the church was somewhat enlarged but there is little said about it in the records but at a meeting in October, 1864, "It was moved that the trustees be requested to secure money to furnish weights for the windows in the new part of the church, so that the sash can be let down from the top, conveniently."

In September, 1863, the Annual Conference was held in Newton, Bishop Edward R. Ames presiding.

The records show that in 1871 the official Board passed the following resolution, "loved that while we are in session we confine our remarks strictly to the business of the meeting and not talk on any subject but the one under consideration."

In 1872 the "Mite Society", now known as the Ladies Aid Society, was organized.

In 1872 a new church was talked of and plans were drawn for a brick building which was not built and ready for dedication until 1882. This church was located on the site where the present First Lutheran Church now stands, at the corner of North Third Avenue East and East Third Street North and cost about $10,000.00. Bishop William X. Ninde had charge of the dedication services.

However, on November 2, 1885 at 2 o'clock A.M., the church was destroyed by fire, not even a hymn book being saved. That very afternoon plans were made for rebuilding and a new church was commenced at once. It was almost a duplicate of the burned building and was erected on the same site. The following is taken from the records: "A year ago on the second Sabbath in November, the new Methodist Church building was destroyed by fire, and it was thought appropriate that the second Sabbath in November, 1886 should be set apart as Dedication Day for the new church that rose so rapidly, Phoenix-like, from the ashes. Accordingly, Dr.Emory Miller of Des Moines, preached to a crowded house from Daniel 12:3, after which the chairman of the building committee made a brief statement of the financial condition and called for $300.00 to clear the Society from debt. In a few minutes $305.80 was pledged, the Doxology sung and the building formally dedicated to the worship of Almighty God. In the evening Dr. Miller again preached to a crowded house on the subject of "Faith". Taken altogether the day was one long to be remembered by the Methodist Church of Newton as a red letter day".

Newton entertained the Annual Conference in 1887 and again in 1901, Bishop M. Merrill presiding over both sessions.

In 1888 the Oxford League was organized, which soon adopted the constitution of the Epworth League and became a chapter of that body.

Great spiritual revivals have marked the life of this church. In 1896 under the eloquence of Dr. C. V. Cowan, who was his own evangelist, the increase in church attendance and membership was so great that additional space was required, and committees were appointed to raise funds to enlarge the church. This addition was ready for use that fall and was dedicated by Bishop John H. Vincent.

In 1908 this church joined with four other churches in a union tabernacle meeting. Dr. W. P. Stoddard was the pastor. In 1912 a similar tabernacle meeting was held during the pastorate of Dr. W. H. Perdew. Since then, each pastorate has had its outstanding spiritual awakening. These great union meetings have not been the only evidences of unity among the churches of the community. The Methodist group helped in financing the African Methodist Episcopal Church and in 1920 a motion was passed to invite the German Methodist Episcopal Church to affiliate.

The Annual Conference held in Newton in 1912 was especially noteworthy since it celebrated the twenty fifth anniversary of the reception on trial of the presiding bishop, Edwin H. Hughes, he having been received at the session here in 1887. In 1937 Bishop Hughes celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of this occasion by again presiding at the conference session in Newton.

The congregation having outgrown their church, in 1913 during the pastorate of Dr. H. Perdew, plans were made and the present church building, at the corner of East Second Street North and North Second Avenue East, was erected at a cost of $85,000.00. This church was dedicated on January 31, 1915, during the pastorate of Dr. Frank B. Day. Bishop William A. Quayle presided at the dedication services, speaking on the subject, "Get Under the Load and Lift It".

In 1923 the Annual Conference again held its session in Newton, Bishop Homer Stuntz presiding.

Since the Newton Church became a Station in 1855, the following ministers have been appointed to serve it: 1855-1856, D. H. Petefish, Fort Des Moines District; 1857-1858, E. M. H. Fleming, Des Moines District; 1859, M. Carrier (Oskaloosa District until 1867); 1860, A. Shaffer, Supply; 1861-1862, S. Hestwood; 1863, the Rev. Hestwood being a chaplain in the army, the church was left to be supplied; 1864-1865, C. Shaw; 1866, J. H. Winans; 1867-1868, J. C. Brown (Newton District in 1867 and until 1873); 1869, John Haynes; 1870-1872, Charles B. Clark; 1873-1874, I. N. Busby (Oskaloosa District continuously until the merger of the Iowa and Des Moines Conferences in 1932); 1875-1876, C. P. Reynolds; 1877, R. L. Schriener; 1878-1879, Frank W. Evans; 1880-1882, W. G. Thorn; 1883-1884, R. A. Carnine; 1885, J. A. Boatman; 1886, T. G. Barton; 1887-1888, I. O. Kemble; 1889, E. L. Schreiner; 1890-1891, W. T. Lewis; 1892-1894, E. C. Brooks; 1895-1898, C. V. Cowan; 1899-1901, John C. Willits; 1902, G. W. Tuttle; 1903 to December 1905, J. W. Hackley; in December 1905 O. S. Baker came in exchange and finished the year and also served for 1906; 1907-1908, W. P. Stoddard; 1909-1913, W. H. Perdew; 1914-1915, Frank E. Day; 1916 to April, 1920 W. H. Heppe; April, 1920 to January, 1924, Charles B. Hankins; in the early spring of 1924 Robert Lee Stuart became pastor and served until April, 1929, when Charles Wentworth succeeded him and he continued as pastor until November, 1931 when Leslie B. Logan came and he has served continuously up to the present time.

Under the efficient leadership of these consecrated men, this church has grown from its small beginning of seventy three members in 1855 to an organization of more than sixteen hundred members. The Sunday School now has an enrollment of fourteen hundred persons with an average attendance of more than six hundred, being the largest Sunday School in the Omaha Area. Two Epworth Leagues, the Young People's and the High Leagues, now take care of the needs of the young people. There are two thriving missionary societies with their young people's work and the little "Mite Society" is now an active Ladies Aid Society.

The recounting of the events in the history of a church can tell little of its influence in the life of the community or its still greater influence in the lives of its members. The First Methodist Episcopal Church of Newton, Iowa, still stands, as its has from its earliest beginning, for the sole purpose of advancing the kingdom of God among men.

Written by the Membership and Records Committee:

Mrs. W. R. Cooper, Chairman
Mrs. W. H. Cramer
Mrs. Gerald Higdon
Mrs. George T. Pomeroy
Tay Horn

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