The Methodist Church in Redding was started through the efforts of traveling circuit riders which included Rev. DURFEE, Rev. WYCOFF, Rev. LOVEJOY, Rev. KERN, and Rev. ELLIOTT. Rev. KERN started holding services in 1874 at the Maudling school, located a half a mile south of the present site of the town of Redding. Rev. LOVEJOY succeeded Rev. KERN. In 1877, Rev. G. W. NORRIS assumed the pulpit when the charge was changed to Redding, Rose Hill [later named Middle Fork Methodist Church], Enterprise [Benton], and Shiloh. Later Shiloh was discontinued. Eureka and Fry Chapel were added to the circuit.

The last living charter member of the Redding Methodist Church was D. Burt NORRIS who passed away in 1954. He was the son of Rev. G. W. NORRIS.

Services were moved from Maulding School to the new Brush School. Later, the congregation held services at Badger School which was south of the town of "Old" Redding. With the incorporation of the town of "New" Redding in 1882, the congregation moved into the new schoolhouse which was located on the lot south of the present church site.

The Methodist Church of Redding maintained the Epworth League, an active young people's group.

Reverend JOHNSON was the minister of the church from 1882 to 1884. Disturbed, Rev. JOHNSON said, "This town has business places and many homes, but God has no house here." Rev. JOHNSON organized a building project with church trustees Dwight DERICKSON, D. W. POORE, and William MILLER. H. T. MILLER, George EATON, Bert NORRIS, J. T. CONRAD, and J. W. ADAIR served on the building committee. Carpenters who erected the church building were J. M. CROUCH, J. W. ULLERY, and Stacy NYE from Blockton. Upon completion of the church, the congregation held a great revival.

The church was remodeled in 1902 with a dedication service held on Sunday, December 24th. During this project, a church bell was purchased for $55.00 and an new furnace installed at a cost of $150.00. In 1902, the Ladies Aid Society was organized.

The church was raised and a basement was installed in 1912.

BACK ROW, Left to Right: Grant BROTT, Olin HOFFMAN, Milo SHAFER, Lester STEPHENS, Dean MORRIS, Sanford EASTON
FRONT ROW, Left to Right: Toony STEPHENS, Olin SHAFER, Cleo HARRIS, Lloyd HARRIS

In September of 1922, there were fourteen Sunday School classes. 185 people attended church services.

The Ladies Aid and Missionary Society were reorganized and merged into the Womens Society of Christian Service [present-day United Methodist Women] in 1939. The Boosters, a young women's circle, was organized in 1948.

In 1954, the Methodist Men's group was organized. They sponsored farming projects to raise funds to panel the sanctuary. The Boosters raised funds to put in a cistern and provide water to the kitchen in the basement. A harvest sale was held, raising $1,800 for a new gas heating system.

In 1972, the Mount Ayr Larger Parish was organized with Mount Ayr, Blockton, Redding, Middle Fork churches.

The Redding United Methodist Chuch celebrated its centennial on September 15, 1974. Rev. Ed BOULTON was the special speaker. The church was filled to capacity for both morning and afternoon meetings.

The Methodist Action Club, MAC's, was organized in 1977. The group supports the church with fundraisers and assume reponsibility for Vacation Bible School.

Pastors of the Redding United Methodist Church are:

  Vacation Bible School, 1952

SOURCE: Redding, Iowa: The First Hundred Years: 1882-1982, Pp.36-40.

Written & submitted by Sharon R. Becker, May of 2009; updated September of 2009