In the little town of Metz, six miles west of Newton, are a handful of honest, provident, God-fearing people who have shown what can be done when heart, mind and hands work together for the same object.

At the close of some protracted meetings held there last winter it was clearly seen as a fact that the town needed a church building if the religious work should be carried on successfully.

The leaders talked with Rev. N.G. Thomas of this city, who had led the meetings, and with his encouragement, began canvassing and talking with others to see what could be done. Before long they said: “We will build a church,” and from that moment work began and never once was the thought expressed by any one that the new building would not be erected at once.

Money was contributed willing and plentifully and today they have a church building which is a credit to the Christian workers in that community and the Baptist society that built it.

When the beautiful, little house was dedicated Sunday, June 4, nobody had to beg for money to pay off this or that debt. The people who wanted it had opened their pocket books and supplied the money necessary for all expenses in building, finishing and furnishing it and so haven’t they more than one good reason to be proud of their house of worship?

The main room, 38 x 40 feet, is entered by two doors from a good sized front vestibule and there is another door to the pulpit which leads outside while six large windows, with chipped glass panes and finished with Venetian shades furnish light and ventilation.

The walls are white and the woodwork a golden finish. On the aisles are runners from the vestibule to the pulpit and a beautiful rug covers the latter. On the platform is a handsome library table and chairs which give the room a home-like look and this homey appearance is enhanced by a fine piano near the platform back of which are chairs for the choir.

The room is seated with one hundred and twenty opera chairs but when extra chairs are brought in an audience of two hundred can be comfortably seated.

A well-constructed basement is ready for a furnace which will be put in before the winter season.

Although the Baptist society at Metz is very young, not a year old, it is a live one and Rev. Thomas of this city should have much credit for its existence and its wonderful development and life. He pleased them with his sermons and advice. He encouraged them and helped them arrange and carry out their plans. The people of Metz realized that he was in earnest, that he was a fine organizer and gladly accepted his assistance.

He preaches there every Sunday afternoon at 3 o’clock, Sabbath school is held an hour before the church service and B.Y.P.U., is at 8 p.m.

The following are members of the church board: George Hitchler,William H. Brock, C. E. Emmack, Elmer Emmack, and Herbert Tharp.

Miss Edith Cannon is president of the young people’s society and Herbert Tharp is the Sunday school superintendent.

New Metz Church Will Be Dedicated on Sunday Next

Baptist Place of Worship Near Metz, Recently Completed Will Be Dedicated With Impressive Ceremonies - Next Sabbath Day

Dr. S. C. WILCOX WILL DELIVER THE DEDICATION ADDRESS

A Dream of Metz Baptists Has at Last Been Realized - New Structure is Credit of Community

A new Baptist church which was recently completed at Metz will be dedicated next Sabbath day with appropriate services. On Saturday evening preceding the dedication services there will be a brief meeting at the church led by Dr. S. C. Wilcox, a secretary of the Iowa Baptist convention and the dedication services on Sabbath morning will also be delivered by Dr. Wilcox. In the morning the service will be led by Dr. ? Williams, secretary of foreign missions of the north convention. After there will be a big basket dinner at the church and everyone is invited.

The completion of the church ed? the dream of the Baptists in the Metz neighborhood has been realized. For many years the church people of the community has seen and felt the need for a place of worship and completion of the same has been a cause of much rejoicing. The new structure will meet the ample needs of the church goers and is certainly a credit to the community. ~ Newton Daily News, May 30, 1911.

Return to History of Metz Page

Organize Sunday School At Metz

Metz, July 14. -- Special to the Daily News -- Sunday school was organized here some time ago and is held at 10:00 o'clock at the church every Sunday morning.

Mrs. Perry Hoyt is superintendent, with Mrs. Elmer Emmack as assistant superintendent, Anna May Snook as secretary, Maxine Emmack as pianist, Delmar Emmack as librarian, Mrs. Ella Emmack as teacher of the Sunshine class and Mrs. Carrie Clement as teacher of the primary class. Permanent teachers for other classes have not been chosen as yet. ~ The Newton Daily News, July 14, 1933.

My earliest recollections of the church was going to an evening meeting where Miss Sarah Bakker, a missionary to Africa, spoke. I was amazed at the stories she told and the slides she showed of the African people. It was the first time I had seen people with a skin color other than white, so seeing these people who wore very little clothing fascinated me. Miss Bakker came every few years and I remember going to her programs each time she was home. I always wanted to be a missionary based on her stories of the good things she did for people.

I don't remember if we had Sunday School when I was really little, but later we did. We never missed a Sunday and I received seven or eight years on my Sunday School pin for perfect attendance.

I remember more about Sunday School when I was in my teens. My Aunt Wilma Lane directed a small choir that I sang in, even though I can't hold a tune. But together we must have done OK. Oh yes, and when I played a trombone solo, it must have been frightening. But the nice thing about a community church is that people are accepting no matter how good or bad you sound.

When I was in high school we often taught the younger kids in Sunday School and almost always helped with the Bible School, Easter and Christmas programs. There are a couple of cute stories I will remember forever.

A favorite memory is of my brother's class when they were in preschool or perhaps kindergarten. It was a class of almost all boys. My friend Joyce Murray was their teacher, bless her soul, and they were singing Jingle Bells for the Christmas program. The only problem was they wouldn't quit singing. Finally Joyce had to just go up to the stage and get them all down. We still talk about that one at family get togethers.

Another story on my brother, who is ten years younger than me, is his first year at Bible School. When my mom asked him what he learned at Bible School, he said, "I have cinnamon, you have cinnamon, we all have cinnamon." My mom couldn't figure out what in the world he was talking about. We finally realized it was his version of "I have sinned, you have sinned, we all have sinned."

Another cute story is with Linda Rasmussen, my cousin's daughter and the apple of our eye. She was a very smart little girl and one day she was saying a piece or singing, when a train went by. The trains are very loud because the Rock Island line is just at the bottom of the hill. As soon as she heard the train, Linda stopped and said in a very grown up voice, "I'll wait until the train goes through." Because she was so young, we all thought that was quite astute of her and found it quite cute.

There are lots of other memories, but these are the ones I remember most fondly. And then, of course, there were the church dinners. Oh well, that's another story.