Local churches plan holiday "Church Walk"

MENDOTA Five Mendota churches will open their doors and share their unique holiday dcor with the public during the areas first ever Church Walk on Sunday, Dec. 28. The public is invited to attend this free holiday event for an up-close look at the way each church has been decorated for the holidays. Participating churches include First United Methodist Church, Holy Cross Church, First Presbyterian Church, Zion United Methodist Church and St. Johns Lutheran Church.

Sponsored by the Mendota Area Ministerial Association, the Church Walk is a chance for everyone to experience the dcor, both old and new, as well as the unique architecture and stained glass that graces each of these historic Mendota churches.

Rev. Michael Morrell, pastor of First United Methodist, said he was approached with the idea for a Church Walk last year but it did not materialize. This year, he decided to do something about it. We often dont get inside other churches to see their festive garb, he explained. This is a chance for the public and other congregations to enjoy each others churches over the holidays.

Greeters will be stationed at each of the five churches from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 28 to welcome visitors and answer any questions they may have. Refreshments will be served at First United Methodist. There is no charge to attend but donations will be accepted and given to the Mendota Area Christian Food Pantry.

History

The history of Mendotas religious congregations goes back nearly as far as the town itself. All five of the participating churches were founded by 1862, although some underwent name changes over the years. Likewise, their church buildings were replaced through the years as their congregations grew larger.

The oldest church building still in use is First Presbyterian Church, 1003 5th St. The congregation organized in 1855 and the following year, they began holding services in a frame building at the present location. In 1857, the wooden church burned to the ground. When the elders voted to rebuild, they decided to build with a material that would not burn and chose Sioux Falls Jasper Granite. Construction of the present building was completed in December 1898. Additions to the church were made in 1959 and 2007, the latter using surplus Jasper Granite stones to match the original exterior.

Two years after construction of First Presbyterian was completed, the current Zion United Methodist Church was built at 808 Jefferson St. where it stands today. Organized in 1867, the congregations first church was built in 1868 and named Zion Evangelical Church. The new building, constructed in 1900, was needed to accommodate their growing numbers. In 1946, the Evangelical Church joined with the United Brethren and the local church was renamed Zion Evangelical United Brethren Church. Then in 1968, when Evangelical United Brethren and the Methodist church joined as the United Methodist church, the name became Zion United Methodist.

From 1859 until 1931, Mendota was home to two Catholic parishes, St. Marys for English speaking Catholics and Holy Cross for those who spoke German. However, in 1931 the bishop decided the two parishes should merge at the Holy Cross location, 1010 Jefferson St. and Father Leo J. Wissing was appointed pastor. At that time the original Holy Cross Church, built in 1864, was dismantled and construction of the current church began in 1932. The cornerstone of Tudor Gothic style church building was laid in 1934 and the church was dedicated in 1935. The rectory was added in 1956.

The oldest of Mendotas congregations, First Methodist Church, goes all the way back to 1856 when the Methodist Sunday school was organized and plans were made for a church building. The original Methodist church building was completed in 1860 and served the congregation until 1962 when the newly constructed building at 100 E. Sixth St. was dedicated. In 1968, church members voted to change the name to First United Methodist Church.

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Local churches plan holiday "Church Walk"