Until churches were built the people held Sunday School and all religious services in the waiting room of the depot, the bank parlor, or wherever a room large enough could be had.

In 1882 both the Methodist and Christian people united their efforts and built the Methodist Episcopal Church at a cost of $2,000.00. It was a substantial frame structure painted white. It was dedicated in August of the same year by PRESIDENT PARK of Simpson College, Indianola, Iowa. REV. D.O. STEWART was the first pastor of the new church.

In 1906 the Methodists remodeled and enlarged their church, putting in a full basement and building a belfry and spire.

The Christian Church people decided after a time that they were strong enough in number and financially to build their own church, so the Methodist people returned the help given them earlier. The church was completed in January 1886 and dedicated in May 1886 by L.L. CARPENTER. The church cost $2,400.00. In 1902 an annex was built to the structure for the young peoples' meetings.

Copied by Nancee (McMurtrey) Seifert

Leon Reporter
Leon, Decatur County, Iowa
Thursday, December 6, 1900

The Ladies' Guild assisted by the young ladies will give an orange social at the M.E. Church next Tuesday evening, Dec. 11. The program will consist of music and biographical sketches arranged in the form of a contest. At the door each gentleman will receive a rose containing the name of the lady who will assist him in guessing the sketches. Branches of artificial oranges will be given to the successful contestants. All who wish to join the contest are requested to bring pencil and paper. Admission 15 cents, including light refreshments, children under ten years of age, 10 cents. The following is the program:

Copied by Nancee (McMurtrey) Seifert
"With permission from the Leon Journal Reporter"
January 14, 2003