05/23/2026
Churches have always been a big part of the Melvin community and the history of their development was a big part of the previous anniversary celebrations
The first part of my post this week is history from the records of the Golden Anniversary (50 years in 1951). The second part is taken from the 75th Anniversary Celebration, including more individual coverage of recent events of the Churches of Melvin.
(*From the 1951 comemoration)
"The first church in Melvin was the German Reformed church and it was built in 1901. It was located where the First Reformed church is now standing. The first church services ever held in Melvin were held here. The funeral service for Mrs. George McElroy was this first service and it was conducted by a minister from out of town. Rev. Denekas became the minister of this church. He came to Melvin as a bachelor but soon went back to Illinois and brought back a bride. Many of you will remember the good times enjoyed in their home. You will recall. too. the sings that were held on Sunday evenings in this church. Most of the early residents of Melvin attended German Bible school here and also attended the hymn singing evenings in this early German Reformed
church. This church was struck by lightning and burned down. The First Reformed church was later built in 1921 and is still standing on this same
location.
The Methodists held their first Sunday School in the Schlicht & Scherzer building. In 1904, as soon as the school house was built this Sunday School was moved to the second story and became a Union Sunday School. Many boys and girls of early Melvin will remember going here together Ella Graves was the secretary and both Bessie Shirk and Ella Graves played the organ. Mrs. G Romey was very active in this early Methodist group and acted as superintendent for many years. Fred Clark was the janitor and he donated his services to his church. On November 20, 1910 twenty one people of Melvin and the vicinity united to form the Methodist Episcopal Church and in 1911 as it became evident a larger room was needed to hold the growing congregation it was decided to organize a committee to solicit funds to erect a building of their own. John A. Smith, Al Todd. W V. Wilcox. George A. Romey and Leonard P Gontjes were appointed on this building committee. The actual building began in June when five men of Melvin broke the soil with their spades and plows for this new church. Much of the work was donated throughout the following months and on December 17, 1911 the present (in 1950) Methodist church was ready for dedication. It has grown in membership and fellowship throughout the years and well attended services are held here each Sunday.
The first Lutheran church of Melvin was a country church and it was located iust south of the Melvin cemetery. As far back as 1902 the question of moving this country church to Melvin, now that the railroad had come through town, was brought before the congregation but it was voted down. The present Ladies Aid of the Lutheran church was organized here in 1904. It was in 1905 when Rev. F. Kern was the pastor, that after much discussion it was decided to move the country Lutheran church to town. The partition that divided the church from the parsonage was removed to make room for the growing congregation in Melvin. It was in the year 1909 that it was decided to build a parsonage for the pastor. Rev, Timmke was the pastor at this time.
The building committee for the parsonage was Fred Bauman, Henry Pohlman Sr., and Fred Year Sr. The cost of the parsonage was $1,600. In 1914 the Ladies Aid, under the leadership of Rev Alberts. decided to secure funds in order to raise the wooden church and put a basement under it. This was done to make more room for the Sunday School and for social actitivities. The congregation continued to grow and in 1926 it voted to build a new brick structure, which is the present Lutheran church. Rev. Goeken, Ben Pauls and Tom Benz were elected on a fund raising committee and after $14,130 was secured the actual building began. Rev. Goeken, Fred Bauman, Jerry Graves Jr., and John G. Benz were the members of the building committee for the large undertaking. The cornerstone was laid on June 27, 1926 by Rev. G. Goeken and the completed building was dedicated on the following October 17, 1926. The Lutheran church, too, along with the Methodist church and the First Reformed church of Melvin has continued to grow throughout the years in number and in fellowship with God and man."
(*From the 1976 commemoration)
"FIRST REFORMED CHURCH
After lightning had struck the Germar Reformed church and it had burned to the ground the congregation decided it was too small to undertake building a new church. They deeded the property to the Reformed Church of America which had been organized since 1915 and had been meeting in other churches and buildings in town. Rev. F. Van Eerden served as chairman of the building committee and church architect. They secured an organ from the Newkirk Reformed church and they used windows that had been in the First Reformed church of Sheldon. Rev. Van Eerden. who was the minister at the time of the dedication in March of 1921. left the following year. At special services in December of 1945 the mortgage was burned. During the years that followed. new furnaces were installed in both the church and the parsonage. Several building projects were completed during the ministry of
Rev. John Smith. Included were pews, purchased from the Sheldon church, a new garage at the parsonage, a tile floor in the church, extensive remodeling and enlarging at the parsonage in 1958 and 1960. The parking strip was blacktopped
in July of 1964. The members of the congregation were extremely happy in January of 1965 when they became self-supporting for the first time
their history. They installed a new organ in 1971 and in 1972 they remodeled the kitchen and put a roof on the church. The church was redecorated in 1975.
Rev. G. Docter, presently serving this charge, came in 1971.
AMERICAN LUTHERAN CHURCH
By the early 1950's, because of growth
projected growth, the congregation decided to build a new bruck church. At the same meeting they voted to build a parsonage although the church construction to be paid for before construction on the parsonage could be started. The plans included using the existing church as an education therefore the new brick church was to be wing, constructed adjacent to it. Glen Woodrich was the pastor and served on the building committee which was headed by Kenneth Graves. Others on the committee were George Schultz, Andy Knock, Simon Brandt, and Tom Benz. The cornerstone in the new church was laid July 21, 1957 and it was dedicated June 15, 1958. During the period of construction, services had been held in the community building. The congregation and Pastor Adix witnessed the burning of the mortgage at the Thanksgiving service in November of 1967 Construction on the parsonage was begun in 1968 and it was dedicated the following year. Alfred Graves served as chairman of the building committee. He was assisted by Lloyd Ahrenstorff Wayne Remme, Glen Strubbe, and Robert Reinke. A new electric organ was installed in March of 1974. The present insured value of the entire church property is $377.000 and since the church is debt-free. the members are experienc- ing a growing zeal to help in world missions Pastor Adix. who came to Melvin in May of 1967, continues as their pastor.
THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
The white wood frame church building erected in 1910-11. across the street from the school served the congregation well for a number of years. But as time went by, with the membership increasing. it became evident that a new building congregation voted to was needed. In 1957 the build a new church and elected the following building board: Ovey Vaala, chairman; Arnold Stradinger, treasurer; Beaulah Schaffer, financial secretary; Clarence Schaffer, Eileen Winkel, Marie Ford, Grace Graves and Hilda Benz. Lots for a new building site were purchased from Hilda Benz
On May 13. 1960 the congregation met in the old church for the last time. Led by Rev. H. C. Shaffer, a processional from the old building to the new, was followed by the first service in the new church. A Consecration Service was held May 22, 1960 with Bishop Gerald Ensley delivering the address. A total of $90,865 had been spent for the building and furnishings. Of this amoung an indebtedness of $87.275 remained. With the church debt free, a Dedication Service was held January 17, 1965 with Rev. H. D. Bonath and Bishop James S. Thomas presiding.
The brick structure with weathered cross, clearly visible as you approach its Melvin from the east, was made possible through the enterprise and sacrifice of its members and carried on under the leadership of Rev. Paul Hansen.
The three churches continue to play an important part in the life of our community. All have organized groups for all age levels. A noticeable change in the women's groups is a shift from fund raising to study of the scriptures.
An ecumenical spirit among the three churches is growing as evidenced in the following endeavors: "Key 73", with Bible study groups, joint Easter sunrise service, Christmas caroling, youth and young adult group projects, vacation Bible School, World Day of Prayer and other special services.
With emphasis on the spiritual growth and mission of the Christian Church, these three churches stand as a tribute to God and man--reminding us of the importance of faith in our daily living."
Amen!
