LOUISA COUNTY, IOWA

Pg 133
THE FREE METHODIST CHURCH
Morning Sun, Iowa

Transcribed by Beverly Gerdts, August 20, 2016

        The Free Methodist Church of Morning Sun was organized on January 16th, 1881, with 16 charter members, of which two, Mrs. Mary Trask and William Caparoon were still living and residing in the area as recently as 1926 when the News Herald published mini-histories of several local churches. It was started somewhat as a Sunday School class by G. W. Holmes and T. J. Gates. The congregation apparently operated an excellent Sunday school because many of the communities children who had no other church affiliation and many who did can now relate their experiences of attending this well run school.

        The first pastor was J. W. Dake and was followed by a long line of leaders. The church building was built under the pastorate of Rev. W. E. Boger and was dedicated in the fall of 1890 by C. W. Damon of Burlington. This building is still standing in Morning Sun (1992). It was converted to a residence property by George Croson, is now owned by Monte Delzell and occupied by Lorraine Shaw on East Division Street. The parsonage was built in 1893.

        “ The Free Methodist Church, along with others, has had its seasons of prosperity and its seasons of depression. But amidst it all the Lord gave His people grace and courage to go forward and now (1926) with leadership of W. J. Trimble, pastor, and Rev. R. T. Fine, District Elder, we are expecting better days and with the help of the Lord we shall continue to fight sin and stand for all that is right and contend for a four square gospel. We cordially invite you to come and help us hold up the standard of the Man of Calvary and the laws of our country”. The foregoing paragraph was written by William Caparoon for the 1926 article in the News Herald.

Picture: Free Methodist Church

        Mr. John H. Grim was a very active member of the congregation and was also a lay minister and officiated at services and funerals at various times. In the early 1940’s the congregation was under the guidance of Rev. W. T. Ogle. After the dissolution of the Free Methodist Church Rev. Ogle was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church.

        Although this denomination was not as large or well represented as others in this area, there were quite a number of their churches in Iowa and Illinois. Newspaper reports concerning district conferences hosted by the local congregation often spoke of 100 or more delegates in attendance.