Slayton, MN - United Methodist Church

The history of Methodism in Slayton is closely interwoven with Methodism in Murray County. As early as 1870, small groups of Methodist pioneers met in groves and homes near Lake Shetek. Rural schools were also used for church and Union Sunday School meetings. Baptisms were often performed at Lake Shetek or the Des Moines River. Meetings were held as pastoral circuit riders passed through en route to other points. In 1878 Reverend W. F. Stockdill was appointed to serve this area. He traveled between Currie, Slayton, Lake Wilson, and Woodstock. In 1881 Slayton became a railroad station, and the Slayton Depot then became a convenient place for church and Sunday School. One quarterly conference was held at the depot, with two children being baptized at that session. At that time there were sixty-one members and six probationers, with a Sunday School enrollment of sixty-one. Reverend W. Henning served as minister, receiving a salary of $450.00 per year. In 1880, $4.50 was sent to conference. The Protestant Episcopal Chapel was erected in 1882. The Methodist Sunday School was merged with the Union Sunday School and met for a period in the Chapel. During this time three couples: Mr. And Mrs. James Taylor, Mr. And Mrs. S. O. Mores, and Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Force, were making efforts to secure funds to build a Methodist Church in Slayton. They were finally successful and the building was begun in 1883, “the year.” The sanctuary was completed later, with a dedication service being held May 15, 1886. The first church was used until 1919 when the present church was built. That first church still stands and is used as a dwelling. The first parsonage directly east of the first church was purchased in 1885. In 1892 it was torn down and a new parsonage was built for about $1,800. For many years it was known as “the best parsonage in the Marshall District.” It still stands and is also used as a dwelling. Reverend Lindberg was the first to live in the parsonage on Broadway Avenue, which was purchased in 1951. By 1915 the church was enjoying a real boom! “The Sunday School numbered 100, the Eqworth League was doing splendid work, and the Ladies Aid was working untiringly.” The old church was fast becoming too small. During the pastorate of Reverend H. H. Gower, the decision was reached at a dinner party at the home of Mr. And Mrs. D. V. Reed, (parents of Herbert and Ray Reed) to build a new church. Besides the Reeds, Alfred Terry, J. K. Campbell, and B. I. Weld, were among the prime movers in this enterprise. In May 1919 ground was broken, and in 1920 the new church was dedicated by Bishop Charles Bayard Mitchell, assisted by Pastor Seager. In October of 1927, the Methodist Church of Lake Wilson (then twenty years old) joined the Slayton Methodist Church making it a two-point charge. Reverand Roy J. Potter was the pastor at the time. This was a very difficult time for the Slayton Church. The financial condition was at a low ebb. Payments and interest on the new church were hard to meet. The Penny Share Plan was started and did count up to a surprising total. The church was deeply indebted to Reverend Roy J. Potter for the way in which he gave himself to the task of helping put the church back on its feet in addition to all his numerous pastoral duties. Through the efforts of devoted pastors who succeeded him and a determined congregation and friends, “Victory Sunday” was finally reached on October 31, 1943. A mortgage burning ceremony was held. Many changes and improvements have come about over the past 125 years. To simplify this history, a few of the major project included: •1946-A new furnace was installed the church. •1948-The church was fully incorporated as a religious corporation with its new name hereafter to be “The first Methodist Church of Slayton.” •1949-The church sanctuary was redecorated and rededicated. •1951-The Dr. R. F. Pierson home on Broadway Avenue was purchased for the parsonage and a new Baldwin Organ was purchased for the church. •1955-A new and much needed study was added to the parsonage. •1958-The church’s kitchen was remodeled. •1960-Extensive remodeling and redecorating was done in the Sunday School section of the church. Three fine new classrooms were made in the balcony area. •1962-The sanctuary was redecorated and library shelves were built by Arie Kluis. The church library was started with the first books being purchased as a memorial. This was also the year the church discovered that it stilled owed $5,000.00 to the Mission and Church Extension Board in Philadelphia on an old loan for the church. This debt was paid in full within a few years. •1963-the 85th anniversary was celebrated. An all day observance was held with Bishop T. Otto Nall, District Superintendent Dr. John Gresham, and Reverend Marvin Andros leading the worship. A lighted bulletin board was erected in front the the church. New carpeting was installed in the sanctuary at a cost of $615.00. •1965-A new roof was put on the church at a cost of $2,302.00, and new red hymnals were purchased. •1966-A cement floor was laid in Wesley Hall. •1973-The ladies’ restroom was completely remodeled. The men’s restroom was also redone at a later time. •1974-New art glass windows were installed in the church. The cost was approximately $9,000.00 given by memorials and love gifts. A beautiful reredos was erected as a memorial by Arie Kluis. Memorials were also given for a new carpet in the sanctuary and the choir loft. Carpet was also laid in Wesley Hall and some work was done in the kitchen. The parsonage on Broadway Avenue was sold for $13,000.00. •1976-A committee was again named to solve a problem of a church parsonage. A lot was bought on Spruce Avenue, and after looking at used homes a decision was made to build a new one. •1977-The new parsonage was built and dedicated at 3050 Spruce Avenue. The cost was divided between Lake Wilson (35 percent) and Slayton (65 percent) charges. •1978-the centennial anniversary was celebrated. An all day observance was held with Reverend Russel Lindsay leading the worship. As the church grew from its humble beginning, so did its various organizations. Organizations such as ladies aid, youth groups, church school, and couples groups. The Ladies Aid Society was organized and from the beginning became “the right hand support of the church.” In 1940 the Ladies Aid was given the unionization of the Methodist and Evangelical United Brethren or U.M.W. as it is now known. An organized youth group had its beginning in 1890. The first group was called the Epworth League. This name lasted for many years, but with reorganization in 1939, the youth began talking about a new name. Six names were submitted to every church in the United States. The name Methodist Youth Fellowship was the number one choice of all groups. Since the church union in 1968, it became known as United Methodist youth Federation (UMYF). The first Sunday School groups met in the same kind of places church services were held. In 1884 T. D. Quaintance organized the Methodist Sunday School in the new Slayton church During Reverend Ackerman’s pastorate, a young married group called the “Friendly Forum” was organized. They met once a month in the homes. When this group disbanded, there was no married group until the 3 Ms (The Merry Married Methodists) was organized. The 3 Ms was organized by Reverend Gebhard.