West Liberty History 1838-1938

Source: One Hundred Years of History
* Commemorating a Century of Progress in the West Liberty Community * WEST LIBERTY, IOWA
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH

The first church edifice in the present town of West Liberty was erected in 1859 on East Third street. The lot was purchased by Alexander Miller, December 10, 1859, for the sum of $125.00. The trustees at this time were S. Alger, V. Woods, Dan Crane, Andrew Rasley and John P. Phillips.

The present church building had its beginning with the purchase of the lot on the corner of Spencer and Fifth streets. This lot was purchased July 1, 1873 for $550.00 from W. C. Evans, guardian of the Winslow heirs. George P.Shipman was notary.

The building of the church was begun under the pastorate of the Rev. J. S. Rankin. The cornerstone was laid Monday morning, July 4th, 1874 by the Rev. Rankin. An unusual feature was that the architect was a Methodist preacher, Rev. J. R. Reasoner, at that time pastor of the Methodist church at New London. This pastor, Rev. Reasoner, personally made the plaster moulding over the nave choir and pulpit. It required over a year to erect the building. The brick used were made by I. C. Nichols and laid by Jack Tucker both of West Liberty. It was dedicated free of debt August 8th, 1875. The addition of the Sunday school rooms and the basement in which the primary department is housed was added during the pastorate of the Rev. Joe R. Hanley. This addition was made possible through the generosity of Mrs. Ward.

The bell was placed in the church largely through the effort of R. G. Lewis who owned a dry goods store on the location where Howard Simpson's store now stands. The lighting system was at first a set of kerosene lamps. The present system was made possible by a donation by Aaron Brown and sister, years later. The heating system consisted of old fashioned stoves with the stove pipes through the roof, which often smoked when the wind was wrong. The organ and choir loft were added as a gift from Mrs. Ward during the pastorate of Rev. J. A. Boatman. From time to time additional improvements of various kinds including cement walks, interior decoration, etc., have been added. The last important improvement was made in the year 1937 when the interior of the church was completely redecorated and the organ repaired at a total expense of about $1700.

Before a building was erected for the membership, West Liberty was a part of the Iowa Mission of which Peter Cartwright was presiding Elder. Afterward West Liberty was made a part of the Iowa City Circuit and the first quarterly meeting was held by Rev. B. Reed, July 9, 1841. In the year 1844 the Iowa Conference was organized at Iowa City.

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