Asbury United Methodist Church
Last updated 03 Jan 2024
The source of this article was a church brochure printed for the dedication of the new church, Dec. 30, 1956, and transcribed by a Volunteer.
HISTORY OF ASBURY METHODIST CHURCH
In an early day a Methodist congregation was formed at Wassonville. Then in 1854 as Daytonville had supplanted Wassonville as a community center, a Methodist church was built there on the location known as the "Old Nichols Home" where the Homer Wenger home now is. In 1879 the town of Wellman was established and two years later the church building was moved from Daytonville to Wellman and was located on the lot now occupied by The Glider and Canott garage. About ten years later Rev. Armacost dreamed of a new church for his congregation and drew plans for it and started to raise the necessary funds. There was considerable disagreement about where the proposed church should be located but it was finally decided to build it on "The hill" outside the city limits. The only residence near this location was the farm home of Mr. Wellman. Mr. and Mrs. E. F. Smith donated the land on which the church would be built, which is our present site.
When the cornerstone was laid it is recorded that "one hundred fifty dollars was raised to purchase the seats for the church." Dedication services were held January 3, 1892 with Presiding Elder Kimble of Muscatine preaching the sermon of the day. The Wellman Advance stated "The New Church is a model in every way and Wellman may be proud of it." The work of the church was aided by The Ladies Aid Society (now the Woman's Society of Christian Service), the Church School, Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary Societies (now part of the W. S. C. S.), the Epworth and Junior Leagues (now the Methodist Youth Fellowship), and the old time class meeting which is now just a memory.
As time passed many improvements were made in the building. The basement was enlarged to make a kitchen and dining room, which was also used for class rooms. Then as the congregation grew this building seemed inadequate and the idea, which was the beginning of the new church, developed in the hearts and minds of some of the far-seeing members. They felt there was a definite need for a new house of worship for the congregation, which would meet the requirements of a growing membership, especially in the church school.
Accordingly, a fund raising campaign was planned and a Joash Day service held on June 6, 1943. A biblical pageant based on Chapter 11 of II Kings was presented and at the conclusion, the congregation marched around the chest at the altar and deposited $4,000 in cash and pledges. This was a great beginning for the Building Fund and it grew steadily. On October 29, 1944, the second Joash Service was held, with Bishop Brashares as the special speaker and the District Superintendent, the Rev. L. L. Weis, attending, and $2,500 was added to the Fund. On June 10, 1947 at a Men's Brotherhood Meeting $27,275 was pledged, making a total in the Building Fund of $42,000, so that the possibility of a new church building seemed assured.
The following committee was selected to make plans--Ellery Foster, Toppan Johnson, Mrs. L. C. Miller, Carl Anderson, Mrs. Stanley Eash, Mrs. Keith Adams, John D. Miller, Ora Gingerich and T. Reagan Adams. After visiting several churches and meeting with their respective committees, they submitted tentative ideas to Architect O. H. Thorsen of Waterloo, who prepared the final plans which were voted on and accepted by the congregation.
On September 7, 1949, the ground breaking ceremony was performed and excavation began. The following March the contract for the completion of the building was made with the Roy K. Bey Construction Company of Cedar Rapids and work was soon started.
The Cornerstone was laid at an appropriate ceremony on June 4, 1950, and the first church service was held in the new building on July 29, 1951, the Rev. Don Bissinger preaching the sermon. This service was held in the Fellowship Hall in the basement, since the sanctuary was not completed.
The new building, which was erected just north of the old church, is of Gothic style and made of Bedford limestone. The sanctuary, which will seat about three hundred and fifty, has pews of red oak. The interior finishing is of the same material. One of the most beautiful features is the altar furniture which was made by a local man, the Rev. George Miller. In the spring of 1951 Schulmerich Carillonic Bells were installed. These were sponsored by the Mary and Martha Class and dedicated to all mothers on Mother's Day, May 13, 1951.
The Consecration service November 4, 1951 was an important occasion, denoting the realization of a dream. Through the prayerful efforts of the congregation and all the friends of the church, this dream had become a reality. Bishop Charles Brashares and Superintendent Lauren Thomas were present for the consecration service.
In the five years since that time the usefulness of the church has more than justified all the effort that went into its planning and construction. Truly it is a vital living force in the Wellman Community. In August 1956 an Artist Model, Conn Electric Memorial Organ was installed and dedicated on November 4 of this year.
Today, December 30th, 1956, is Dedication Day for the Asbury Methodist Church and on this day we not only dedicate the church building to its sacred purpose, but the heart of each member of the congregation for renewed effort in the service of God.