Churches
Guthrie Center 1st Methodist Church History
SERVICE OF DEDICATION
First Methodist Church
Guthrie Center, Iowa
October 8, 1961
The first religious service in Guthrie County was held in the fall of 1851 when twelve people met in the cabin of Benjamin Kunkle, in Jackson Township with the Rev. Michael Hare, a Methodist minister from Des Moines, Iowa, conducting divine worship. In 1852 a Methodist Society was organized in Panora, Iowa, and in 1856, the pastor of that society formed a Methodist group in Guthrie Center as part of the Panora circuit.
In 1861 a Methodist Mission was organized in the County with Guthrie Center as its central point as part of the Lewis District. Rev. J. W. Adair was the pastor with two Sunday schools Guthrie Center and Bear Grove - and five preaching places: Guthrie Center, Bear Grove, Walnut Grove, Tuttle's Grove and Waterloo in Highland Township.
The first Methodist church building in Guthrie Center was begun in 1869 and finished in 1870. It was dedicated January the 8th, 1871. This building was used until 1890 when it was sold to the city and moved to the present sight of the town hall on State Street and was used as a town hall, fire station and library.
On January 24, 1891, the present brick church was dedicated entirely free of debt. Bishop Newman preached the dedicatory sermon and dedicated the building. He was surprised when he was told a little while before he was to preach the sermon that the church was free of debt. He came expecting to have to raise some money as part of his services to the congregation. The Trustees, H. K. Dewey, Ed Dosh, John F. Motz and J. Lyons, reported the cost of the building as approximately $12,000.00. This did not include the labor which members of the church gave in hauling the rock and other help in raising the building. Mr. Anderson, a brother of Mrs. Ed Dosh was the architect, and Mr. John Aldrich was the contractor and builder.
Work on the newly remodeled building got under way on June 16, 1954. The work has included a new addition across the back of north part of the church which gives several more rooms for Sunday school purposes and conference space, a new kitchen with modern equipment, new hot water heating plant, completely new sewage and plumbing system with two new rest rooms, a spacious social hall in the basement, a new Chancel with up-to-date furniture, two new entrances to the building with all the steps inside and only five steps from the street level to the sanctuary by way of the east entrance. The seating has been so arranged as to allow a center aisle leading to the Altar of the church. The building has been newly trimmed with red oak with matching doors upstairs and birch trim and birch doors downstairs. A new lighting and wiring system has been installed with recessed lighting in the sanctuary and fellowship hall. The organ has been located to the left of the chancel in a room prepared for that purpose. The windows in the old part of the basement structure have all been replaced with glass block which not only adds beauty but efficient lighting. Practically every bit of floor space in the building has been laid with battleship linoleum and asphalt tile. The total cost when completely finished will be around $76,000.00 including the architect's fee.
Within the past several years, additional improvements have been done to the church. The sanctuary and chancel have been repainted. The south and east stairways have been covered with a tile flooring. For the worship and enjoyment of the community, outside tower speakers have been placed on the church, so that religious music can be broadcast from the The church office and study have been moved from the parsonage to the northeast room off the chancel. All new office equipment and furniture were purchased, which makes a fine church office for the minister and a place for small church meetings.
Under the leadership of the Junior High and Senior High Fellowships, a fine outside bulletin board has been placed on the southeast corner of the church lawn. The bulletin board is of Bronze and steel construction and is set in a red- face brick frame. Total cost was about $500.00.
On September 21, 1961, the final payment was made for the $76,000 remodeling project started in 1954. The final chapter came when the church board of trustees authorized the last payment of $2,600 to the Board of Home Missions in Philadelphia, PA.
Centennial Committee
Rev. T. Dodder, Chairman, Mrs. Harry Cowden, Secretary, Mrs. Gertie Borkirk, Mrs. J. J. Brabbs, Harry Cowden, Louie Hansen, Mrs. Oscar Heckman, Mrs. Max Knauer, Mrs. John Lee, Dennis Menefee, John Menefee, Mrs. A. E. Miles, John Miller, Raymond Mortensen, Lee Neal, Mrs. Leland Purviance, Mrs. Earl Rhodes, Sam Robinson, Lans Wickland.
Transcribed by Volunteer, August, 2023 from a brochure, Service of Dedication, Oct. 8, 1961.