United Methodist Church Humboldt, Iowa

The Humboldt United Methodism traces its history to the early circuit-riding preachers who came to Dakota City in the early 1860's. The Methodist Episcopal Church was duly organized with the first minister appointed to this charge, the Dakota City church in 1866. Thus we have the distinction of being the oldest church congregation in our community.

As the pioneer villages of Dakota City and Springvale (now Humboldt) grew, the joint Methodist work was under the leadership of the following Methodist ministers: Seymour Snyder, D. M. Beams, J. R. Horswell,

D. R. Latham, J. E. Rowen, J. P. Coleman, and Rufus Fancher.

The first edifice erected was a parsonage during the pastorate of D. R. Latham in 1870-71. The first church building was built in 1874 under the ministry of J. E. Rowen.

The Methodist Episcopal Church Society was organized in Humboldt proper in November of 1880 under the direction of Layman David Shellenberger. The Humboldt Church was officially organized in 1881 under the ministerial leadership of Rev. S. C. Bascom. This new congregation met in Harkness Hall located over the building on the corner of Taft and Sumner and was served by the clergyman appointed to the Dakota City church until 1892. Humboldt continued to grow and the separate work in Dakota City continued until 1895. The Dakota City church building was then moved to Arnold in 1906.

When the facilities of Harkness Hall were no longer available, the Humboldt Methodist services were held on Sunday afternoons in the Baptist church building. Trustees of the Humboldt church first met on April 17, 1882, under the leadership of Rev. J. G. Henderson.

Ministers serving the next ten years were: J. W. McCoy, H. J. Grace, W. A. Black, Marcus Delano, E. M. Glasgow, and C. F. Kirk. In 1895 Rev. A. E. Slessor was appointed pastor in charge of the Humboldt Methodist Episcopal Church and a relatively new church building awaited him.

The construction of the first Humboldt Methodist Church building was largely due to the efforts of the Rev. George Foster, a retired minister from New York Conference. Lovingly he was called, "Grandpa Foster." Though blind, he assisted the pastors here until his death in 1902 which came when he was 92. He helped raise the funds for the first building, a frame structure which was located on a site north of the present church building. It was built in 1888 at a cost of $2,500. J. F. Black was the pastor. The congregation soon outgrew the building and it was moved to a new site by the rural Danish Baptist congregation to 5th Avenue.

Parsonage families were first housed in a rented parsonage, which stood where the present church sanctuary is located. In 1896 during the pastorate of Rev. S. R. Beatty a parsonage was built at 306 N. First. During the ministry of W. 0. Tompkins in 1910 the parsonage was partially destroyed by fire. At that time it was remodeled.

Ministers serving the congregation following Rev. Beatty were: R. M. Kiernam, Jesse Cole, P. C. Money, A. G. Bennett, F. B. Stafford, w. 0. Tompkins, W. E. Blackstock and H. W. L. Mahood.

Robert L. Stuart was appointed in 1915. The present church sanctuary was built during his ministry. On Feb. 26, 1917 the following resolution was offered by Mr. Floyd Goodrich; "Resolved that this quarterly conference regularly assembled, authorize committees for the inauguration of a financial campaign, looking toward the construction of a new church building." There were 24 present and 24 affirmative votes were cast. Across the list of officers and committees of the church for the year 1917-18 is this inscription: "What we ought to do in Humboldt, we can do and we will do!" The church was erected at the cost of $45,000 and was dedicated on Jan. 26, 1919. Bishop Charles Bayard Mitchell presided.

After the departure of Rev. Stuart, Rev. T. B. Collins was appointed to Humboldt. The work continued to grow. Rev. Charles Richards came in 1924 to be followed by Rev. J. J. Share in 1926.

In 1929 during the pastorate of Rev. Share the present organ was purchased and the Chancel of the church was remodeled. During his ministry the 50th anniversary was celebrated and a local church history was written by Mr. Share.

Rev. H. M. Burns came in 1934. The "Little Parsonage" was built in 1938. It was to be used by ministers who needed a home during their years of retirement. The first couple to occupy the home was Rev. and Mrs. Richards, then Dr. and Mrs. J. J. Davies and a displaced Latvian ministerial couple, Rev. and Mrs. Fritz Springis. In 1960 the house was sold and moved for expansion.

Rev. W. L. Breaw followed Rev. Burns in 1940. Unification had just taken place with the three branches of American Methodism forming one church. The word Episcopal was dropped from our official title. We became the Methodist Church of Humboldt.

Carillonic Bells were purchased in 1946 in memory of those who gave their lives and in honor of those who served our nation during World War II.

The church grew with the pastorate of Rev. C. R. Buckwalter who came in 1946. The overhead dividing partition was raised to accommodate a growing congregation. An educational unit was built on the north side of the sanctuary providing assembly rooms and 12 classrooms. The addition was dedicated in April of 1952. The decision to build a new parsonage was soon made with ground breaking on May 17, 1953.

This period began also to mark a more intense mission outreach with the special mission support of a missionary couple. The Fosters of Korea were first adopted. Then came the Riggs and currently the Gene Matthews family.

The Rev. Frank 0. Johnson family was the first to dwell in the new parsonage at 311 1st Ave. N. when they moved into the completed home in December of 1953. A new church entrance was started in the spring of 1957. Rev. Johnson left the following June. Dedication of the completed entrance was held Sept. 21, 1958 under the ministry of Rev. Fred M. Schultz.

The Donahue property, located on the northwest corner of the block was purchased in 1963. Rev. Ron Swedberg came as our first appointed assistant pastor in January 1964. Rev. and Mrs. S. H. Hammer, a retired Methodist minister, moved to Humboldt in 1966 serving as a minister of visitation until 1975. The associate parsonage home in due time was sold to make room for the new unit in the late 1960's.

Dr. W. M. Kildal came in 1966. The Pinney property on the northeast corner was purchased in September of 1966. It is currently being used as housing for our custodians and family.

In May of 1967 the congregation voted to build the Education Unit and Fellowship Hall. Groundbreaking ceremonies were Sept. 10, 1967, and consecration services in May of 1969. During the ministry of Rev. Kildal the radio ministry was begun.

Once again we were involved in a name change with the Uniting Conference in April of 1968. Merging with the former Evangelical United Brethren Churches of America we became the Humboldt United Methodist Church.

Dr. Ralph Kitterman came to us in 1972. Dedication services for the new unit and Morehouse Fellowship Hall were held April 29, 1973. Our second associate minister, Rev. Marvin Weidner, was appointed in 1975. The Hammer property at 401 3rd St. North was purchased to provide housing for the Weidner family.

Our heritage has been rich. Thomas Carlyle wrote: "The history of the world is the biography of great men." The history of a church is the elongated shadow of God's people, lay and clergy, who have let the spirit and life of the Christ, be alive within them. Humboldt Methodism has been blessed with some outstanding lay leadership.

The Royal Prayer Chapel is a witness to an outstanding leader of youth in this community and in the national church. Humboldt youth under the leadership of Royal Bennett, a lay worker in this church, designed and furbished this special prayer chapel. It was completed in September 1961. One month later Mr. Bennett lost his life and the room was dedicated in his memory. Morehouse Hall and the Morehouse Memorial Fund are living memorials of a couple that gave much to our church and community, Albert and Pearl Morehouse.

From a small number of charter members in 1866 whose names included: D. Shellenberger, F. C. Brown, Etta Nickson, Jesse Stott, G. W. Ames, T. S. Kirkpatrick, Phoebe T. Kirkpatrick, George Foster, Anne Foster, Ezekiel and Eliza Grandow, Rufus and Hannah Whittier, and Walter Thomas, we have grown to our present fellowship of over 1,650 members.

The laity have met challenges and performed tasks through the various administrative bodies and fellowship groups within this congregation. This witness has gone out to advance the Kingdom and bring challenge to many sectors of the world. From the homes of Humboldt Methodists have gone a number of youth who have and are serving the church in distinguished fields of leadership as consecrated lay people and clergy persons. From this congregation comes a significant crop of conference and district leadership.

Among those entering the ordained clergy are Joseph Edge, Verne Jensen, Merlin Ackerson, Richard McFarland, Alan Stone, Ron Stone, Merlin Mather and Hugh Stone.

With the birth of the United Methodist Church came a new logo or emblem. United Methodism's symbol is the Cross and Flame. They are ancient symbols of the church dating to the days of Christ and Pentecost. Each evokes images of sacrifice, witness and service. They remind us of the opportunities and obligations of discipleship.

Today we face the challenges of tomorrow in our church fellowship and organizational groups. Christ and His Gospel are calling for increased commitment.

A world cries for ministry and salvation. Recently we have reached out to secure a home and new way of life for our Southeast Asian family, the Louvans. We have experienced participation in the New World Mission. With the aid of Morehouse Funds we are supporting three additional missionary families in world ministry. Special support is going to students from other nations as "well as opportunities for growth among our own. Currently Jim Sayers is serving as a short-term missioner as a US-2 in Kansas. Jon Sayers will be involved in the Christian Park Ministry with the National Parks. A number of our choice younger members are looking at the career ahead of them as serving their fellowmen in creative ways.

Looking into our tomorrows we see the past as prologue. Our legacy demands we press on with creative ventures in worship, service and personal growth opportunities. Spiritual frontiers