LOUISA COUNTY, IOWA

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METHODIST CHURCH
Fredonia, Iowa

Transcribed by Jackie Terry, August 12, 2016

       Mrs. Bertha Bliven, in her book, Down Memory Lane in Fredonia, states that as early as 1842 Macaijah Reeder was serving the Grandview Circuit as the first regular preacher. Other early circuit riders included Peter Cartwright, Rev. Micheal See and Rev. Scott, who was the first to hold meetings in Fredonia.

        Rev. Joseph Kirkpatrick was instrumental in starting Methodist churches in Louisa County, coming from the Illinois conference in the year 1844. The first religious services were held in Fredonia in October, 1868, when the Rev. William Posten held services in various places in town.

        The Wapello Republican of December 4, 1869, stated that “the beautiful new church now in the course of construction will be dedicated on the 9th day of January, 1870. The dedicatory sermon will be preached by Rev. R.W. Evans, presiding elder of the Muscatine District.” Mr. Corydon McDaniel was instrumental in getting the church built.

        Records show that $1645 had been subscribed for a Methodist Church building in Fredonia. There were twenty-four names on the list of contributors. The list of expenditures for the church included: Lumber - $300, freight on lumber - $43.50, bricks - $94.50, line - $9.00, freight on lime - $2.50, and deed stamp - $1.50. The new church was completed in 1870, during the pastorate of Rev. O.P. Light.

        Sandy Grove and Cedar Bethel were built about the same time as the Fredonia Church, Mr. Spurgon, an uncle of Vinnie Lowe, donated a bell to each of the tree churches.

        Historical notes show that in August of 1931 a bolt of lightening struck the church and toe some of the boards off the belfry and caused considerable damage.

        Other names in Mrs. Bliven’s book that were associated with the Fredonia church include: June McDaniel, Joseph Gamble, Nellie Gamble Meeker, J.H. Wilson, Mollie Turkington, Mr. E Knott, Cora and Ida Jones, Grace and Allice Lupton, Jim Snyder, Ed Curtis, and Carrie Curtis.

        Other persons remembered as being involved in the church were: Helen and Dorothy Diller, Lois Boyd, Dickie Lukins, Pearl Verrips, Hazel Dwinell, Jerry Van Dyke, Mary Thompson, Helen Wagner and children, Margaret Shimak, Richard and Linda Fuller, Maude Hayes, Janet Allen, Nancy Barbee, Dale Powers and children, Bessie Kauffman, Frank and Carrie Pierson and Bert and Mary Oepping. Other family names included: Swain, Carey, Duncan, Oran, Conklin, Solomon, Snyder, Shellabarger, Buster, Van Auken and Ibbotson.

        During those ninety plus years since the dedication of the Fredonia Methodist Church, it has been a part of various circuits. At its closing in 1968, it was with the Ainsworth United Methodist Church. During te years the list of ministers included the Reverends: Waters, Bevens, Chew, Johnson, Stone, Jessie Walker, Micajah Reeder, M.J. Pusey, Victor A Bloomquist, Reed, Brown, Lloyd Bauer, Sam Bowser, Stanley Kennedy, John B. Pooley, J.D. O’Dell, Parks, Campbell, J.W. Zerbe, Walter A. Samp, George C. Pennington, Lloyd Bauer, Lockhead, and Jerry Richards.

        Services were conducted until 1968 when the church was closed. In October of 1969 Marion Reed submitted the highest bid of $2260 for purchase of the Fredonia Methodist Church and property and it was accepted by the trustees. The church pews were sold to the Church of God in Wapello.

        The church bell was presented to the Columbus Junction United Methodist Church and was erected at the entrance of the church. The bell was placed between two brick pylons, capped with a copper roof. Funds from the Fredonia Church provided for the beginning of the tower construction and it was completed by friends interested in honoring the Fredonia Church. A commemorative plaque was placed on the tower honoring the members of the Fredonia Church.

        On October 18, 1970, the Centennial celebration of the Fredonia Methodist Church was held at the Columbus Junction United Methodist Church. Rev. Jerry Richards, the last minister of the Fredonia Church was the guest speaker. Rev. San Bower was also present.

        Members of the centennial committee were: Mr. and Mrs. John Conklin, Mrs. Arthur Snyder, Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Moran, Mrs. Orville Conklin, Mrs. Richard Clevenger, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Solomon, and Mrs. Willie Boyd.

        In 1971, the church was torn down.

Picture: Fredonia Methodist Church
Front row: Larry Boyd, Nancy Barbee, Patsy Ann Carey, Janet Allen, Betty Lukins, Merry Boyd, Deanna Rae Solomon, Jackie Arlin Oak, Dickie Lee Lukins.
Back row: Dorothy Diller, Lois Boyd, Beaulah Wilson, Agusta Thompson, Mrs. E.M Murphy, Bertha Bliven, Jerry VanDyke, Helen Diller, Stanley Kennedy, minister, at back.

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Picture: A cross removed from the Fredonia Methodist Church is held by Hazel Dwinell, left, a member of the congregation 50 years, and Mr. and Mrs. Bert Oepping. The congregation merged with Columbus Junction Methodist Church and the Fredonia building was sold Tuesday.

Picture: Joyce Snyder’s Sunday school class in Sept 1962 at Fredonia Methodist Church. Front row L-R: Danny Wagner, Ronald Wagner. Middle row L-R: Diane Oak, Lorie Snyder, Denise Oak. Back row L-R: Debby Conklin, Shirley Wagner, Sharon Swain.

Picture: Methodist Church, Fredonia, Iowa 1970 – 1982