Chapter 16
-- Compiled by the Cumberland Women's Club
and Published by the Cumberland Advocate
1874-1974
(used by permission of the Cumberland Advocate)
Donated by Linda Mott
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A Historical Review of the United Methodist Church
In the beginning this church was known as the Methodist Episcopal; in 1939 the Methodist Church, and in 1970 the United Methodist Church.
There were no religious institutions in Cumberland during its infancy, but occasionally a Methodist preacher would visit and conduct services. In warm weather the meetings were held in the open air and in winter in one of the log cabins.
The real beginning of Methodism was in June, 1880, when Reverend J.H. McManus of the Summer Circuit organized a class which met every two weeks in the "Temple of Honor" hall. In 1882 the first religious edifice was built on the present site at a cost of $1,425. It was dedicated in 1883 and made a separate charge. It had a membership of 193, but in 1886 and 1892 when Shell Lake and Turtle Lake were detached, it dropped to 86.
The Ten Charter members were R.H. Clothier, Jane Clothier, George Constance, Emeline Foster, Mary J. Hodgkins, Dr. W.B. Hopkins, Kate Hopkins, David Ingle, Fanny Marsh and Susan Pardee. Trustees and Lay Speakers were George Constance, W.B. Hopkins, David Ingle, Issac Ball, A.H. Kellerman and J.H. Miller.
In 1920 important evangelistic meetings were held as union services in the church with conference evangelists in charge. This raised the membership to 200, and resulted in increased membership for other churches in the area as well.
The parsonage was built sometime between 1884 and 1887 at a cost of $444 and occupied the corner lot next to the church, but was later moved across the street.
The church building was remodeled in 1892 and 1893 at a cost of $1100 and again in 1925 at a cost of $8,375.
In 1930 the Methodists celebrated the Fiftieth Anniversary of the founding of the church. The Ladies Aid served a banquet to a large congregation, including a delegation from McKinley. Some of the people who took part are: W.M. Fuller (toastmaster), Mrs. F.W. Miller (Ladies Aid), Mrs. R.F. Hopkins (song leader), Mr. and Mrs. A.H. Kellerman (longest membership), Mrs. Irvin Talbot (at the piano), Reverend Chatterson and Reverend Fleet (on Reflections), Mrs. F.L. Lampson (on "A Forward Look"), Mrs. Emil Huser (Superintendent of Sunday School), Miss Carrie Hodgkins (Missionary Society) and Mrs. Frank Lundmark's history of the McKinley church was read. The celebration culminated with the Sunday morning service when Bishop Charles Locke spoke.
Besides their regular program the Ladies Aid became known nationwide for their quilt making. One was presented to the President's wife, Mrs. Calvin Coolidge. The quilting frame was always set up in the Miller home. In the succeeding years, this organization became known as the "Woman's Society of Christian Service", and presently the "United Methodist Women."
The Sunday School was an active organization, also. The fondly remembered Sunday School picnic at Huser's grove gradually evolved in to the annual all-church picnic at the local park. The Epworth League is now the Methodist Youth Fellowship. The Junior and Senior Choirs have added much to the church services. Their cantatas will be long remembered.
Extensive remodeling was completed on the church in the forties and fifties, and in the sixties a new parsonage was added. Many of the furnishings were given through the Memorial Fund.
As we plan out our new church, we are not forgetting the pioneers who have carried us thus far along.
Ministers of the church are 1880--J.H. McManus, 1883--M.J. Robinson, 1884--George W. Smith, 1887--George W. Empty, 1888--L.A. Willsey, 1891--Howard Robinson, 1892--F.H. Harvey, 1895--E.A. McKinney, 1897--E.H. McKenzie, 1898--F.H. Hoffman, 1899--Charles Towne, 1901--F.H. Harvey, 1915--Harold Gee, 1919--J.T. Kneen, 1922--D.H. Fleet, 1927--Paul White, 1930--Elmer Cooper, 1932--W.H. Penn, 1936--Guy Nelson, 1939--J.E. Kundert, 1941--W. Wilson, 1944--S.E. Bushendorf, 1948--C.W. Langdon, 1955--Arvid Morey, 1962--Fay Johnson, and 1968--Lloyd Mauer.
Sunday School Superintendents were Mrs. Gertie Dague, Mrs. Emil Huser, Mrs. Bill McMan, Mrs. Lee Hines, Mrs. F.W. Miller, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Lampson, Mrs. A.H. Miller, Mrs. E.E. Hopkins, Mrs. Frank Luciano, Mrs. Henry Rose, Mrs. S.O. Lund, Mrs. Sam Hines, Mrs. Norman Oslund, Mrs. Roy Siglar, Mrs. Foster Bridger, Mr. and Mrs. Lee Dosch, Mrs. Dick Johnson, Mrs. Milton Dennis, Mr. and Mrs. Dudley Williamson, Mr. and Mrs. Sherwin Palmer, Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Woodward and Mr. Leonard Amundson.
Financial secretaries were Mr. Fred Miller, Mr. Henry Rose (17 years), Mr. Norman Oslund (25 years), and Mr. Michael Leahy.
Choir directors were Mrs. H.S. Comstock, Dr. F.S. Waite, Mrs. R.E. Hopkins, Mrs. Fred Moser (25 years), Mrs. John Miller, and Mrs. Lloyd Snyder (Jr. Choir).
Organists were Eleanor
Miller, Lila Benjamin, Mrs.
Irvin Talbot (36 years) and Mrs. James King.
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