of
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| History of Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume I, 1911, page 338
MUSSERVILLE CHURCH. In 1876, when the south part of the city was growing, reaching the height of itS importance, the need of a Methodist church to accommodate the adherents in that part of town began to be felt, and a class was organized by A. V. Francis. This soon became the leading congregation in what was then known as the Musserville circuit. Some of the charter members are J. E. Hoopes, Mrs. Emily Nichols and John Kendig. The first meetIng house was erected on the present site of the Musserville Methodist Episcopal church in 1876. The church grew and prospered and had gained considerable prominence in February, 1898, at which time the former structure was burned to the ground. Undaunted by this misfortune, the congregation set about immediately to build another place of worship, and it was dedicated and free of debt, July 10, 1898. The Rev. J. C. Kendrick was pastor at this time.
Rev. H. W. Munster, the present pastor, is the eighteenth since 1875. Since 1898 the following pastors have been appointed to the Musserville circuit: C. H. Montgomery, 1898; W. L. Clipp, 1900; E. C. Brooks, 1903; P. M. Conant, 1906; W. B. Ireland, 1908; L. A. Smith, 1909.
In 1908, at the close of the ministerial activities of the Rev. P. M. Conant on the circuit, Musserville and the Island point were placed in a circuit by themselves. This division has proved a good one. The Musserville parsonage was moved from up town to the neighborhood of the church and later the property at 909 Oregon street was purchased for a parsonage. The present pastor is the first to have full possession of the permanent parsonage.
Back to Historical Index Page