Charlie Dammeier; Lee Hutchins; John Hitcher; Bob
Hitchler; Carl Clement. 1951. When it comes to church work at Metz, it’s really a
community affair. The Metz Community church, built in 1911, was the end
result of action by all the folks in that area, and now 40
years later, the building needs expanding, so they’re
all turning out to help again. Under the guidance of their pastor, Rev. John Kain, a
pre-medical student at the State University of Iowa, the men
of the church are putting in a basement to house the
church’s Sunday school while the women turn out every
noon to serve them lunch. Up until now, the church had no basement to speak of
just a small excavation of the furnace. Now
they’re putting a full concrete block basement under
the building and plan to install a new oil furnace. Members of the church say that holding all the Sunday
school classes in the auditorium was not satisfactory, and
that the added space in the basement should relieve the
confusion resulting from their being overcrowded. The addition to the Community church will be put in at a
minimum cost. With labor donated and most of the materials
supplied at reduced prices, the total cost, including
furnace, will be only $1,200. Church spokesmen said that no
special fund-raising activities have been used, and all the
money is coming from pledges. Working until midnight some nights the men expected to
have the new basement completed in about two more weeks.
Then they’ll hold a dedication ceremony for the new
addition. Meanwhile, church and Sunday school are being held
in the school next door. Members of the financial committee are Petty Hoyt, John
Hitchler and George Selbher. The pastor, Rev. John Kain, is living in the Metz
community while work is gong on. When school starts at Iowa
University again this fall, he plans to drive to Metz each
Sunday to conduct services. Rev. Kain, a graduate of the
Omaha Bible Institute, says that when he finishes at Iowa
University, he plans to continue his preaching and combine
it with medicine as a medical missionary to India.~ Newton
Daily News, September, 1951. Dedication services for the recently constructed basement
of the Metz Community church were held all-day Sunday.
Following dedication services, conducted in the church
auditorium at two o’clock in the afternoon, Rev. John
L. Patten, president of the Omaha Bible Institute, gave the
address. During the dedication services, 12 members present at the
1911 dedication of the church building gave a brief summary
of the events of 40 years ago. Prior to the dedication
ceremonies, Margaret Reynolds, head of the missionary
department of the Omaha Bible Institute, spoke at morning
services. A basket dinner was served at noon to approximately 150
persons. Special music was provided throughout the day by
musicians from the Bible Institute. Local talent also
presented musical numbers; the local pastor, Rev. Johnnie
Kain, and wife, sang two selections and Mrs. Kain joined
Marilyn Sample and Faith Baty in presenting trio
selections. During the evening services, Miss H. Nell Malem, dean of
women at the Bible Institute and associate editor of the
school’s publication, was the principal speaker. Two members of the Institute quartet, Jim Wright and
Johnny Jordan, spoke at the young people’s meeting. ~
Newton Daily News October 14, 1951
of ‘Community’ Work
At Service Sunday.
If you have old photos of stories of Metz, please send to Marvelyn Lane Adams at mladams@js-adams.com.
I will be glad to give you credit for the submission. Thanks.
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