Shen UMC to celebrate 100th anniversary of current church

Its always fun and exciting to celebrate an anniversary, including the 100th anniversary of the Shenandoah United Methodist Church building.

In honor of this occasion, Methodist church members are hosting a celebration event on Sunday, Oct. 28. Bishop Julius Calvin Trimble will be preaching at the worship service at 9:30 a.m., where area churches are invited to celebrate with them and hear Trimble preach. Following the service, pancakes and sausage will be served in Fellowship Hall.

The Methodist Church has a long history in Shenandoah. It was in 1870 when Reverend Samuel Farlow conducted the first Methodist service on Dec. 25 in the CB&Q Railroad Depot.

Because of a growing number of parishioners, Reverend B.F. Chrissman laid the groundwork and headed up the fundraising for the current facility, at the corner of Church Street and West Thomas Avenue. This would be the third, and final structure on this same site for church services.

Construction on the current church began in 1910 and was completed two years later in October 1912. Once completed, the buildings estimated value was $55,000 and the land $10,000.

An article in the Sentinel Post, dated June 28, 1910 discusses how the old church quickly came down while being demolished.

It was a surprise that it could be done so quickly. In four days it was completely demolished and the ground cleared for excavation, the paper read.

Within the 100 years the building has stood, there has been an upgrade or two, including a remodeled sanctuary that began in January 1970.

In 2010, church members and the community celebrated the 100th anniversary of opening the cornerstone. The celebration on Oct. 28 promises to be just as joyous.

Trimble is the resident Bishop Iowa area, The United Methodist Church. He was born and raised in Chicago, and answered the call to the ministry at the age of 16. Trimble then attended Eureka College in Illinois and transferred to Illinois State University where he earned a degree in Sociology. He then earned a Masters in Divinity at Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary and a Doctorate on Ministry from Ashland Theological Seminary.

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Shen UMC to celebrate 100th anniversary of current church