Grace Methodist Church
221 2nd Street East
B Ave East and 2nd St. East
Napoleon, Logan County, North Dakota 58561
221 2nd Street East
B Ave East and 2nd St. East
Napoleon, Logan County, North Dakota 58561
Official founding and first Quarterly Conference held in 1889. First Methodist Church built in Napoleon in 1904.
In 1929 the first Church was sold and the foundation of our present Church building begun at a cost of $5,000. Mr. Erick Oman was one of the leaders in this movement.
The Church is of Modern design, built of brick with redwood beams inlaid at the front peak, at a cost of $25,000.00. The building committee was: P.J. Wentz, Chmn. Fred Hammond, who has the distinction of having assisted in building the basement Church, and on this committee, and seeing the Church 'above ground' 26 years later; Rudolph Hochhalter, who had been Church treasurer for more than 25 years and is now deceased; George Jackson and Robert Sand. Structural plans were approved March 15, 1955, and the first Services were held August 14th with Consecration Services September 4, 1955.
Information - back of Grace Methodist Church Napoleon, North Dakota 1889-1955 plate
In 1929 the first Church was sold and the foundation of our present Church building begun at a cost of $5,000. Mr. Erick Oman was one of the leaders in this movement.
The Church is of Modern design, built of brick with redwood beams inlaid at the front peak, at a cost of $25,000.00. The building committee was: P.J. Wentz, Chmn. Fred Hammond, who has the distinction of having assisted in building the basement Church, and on this committee, and seeing the Church 'above ground' 26 years later; Rudolph Hochhalter, who had been Church treasurer for more than 25 years and is now deceased; George Jackson and Robert Sand. Structural plans were approved March 15, 1955, and the first Services were held August 14th with Consecration Services September 4, 1955.
Information - back of Grace Methodist Church Napoleon, North Dakota 1889-1955 plate
The Methodist Church was the first church to be established in Napoleon. Although the church was not built until 1905, 28 Compiled by: Allen E. Konrad Churches – Logan County, North Dakota many earlier mentions of it may be found. The Homestead, in its first issue, informs us that the Rev. Bibbe from Fargo, preached here on May 30, 1886. In the early years there was no church building and services were held in the schoolhouse or the homes. Sunday school was irregular during the severe winter months. The first Methodist minister to preach here regularly was probably the Rev. J.L. Sizer, who came from Ashley, in the 1880's. Next was Rev. A.T. Stowers who came from Ashley in 1896 to preach, while the Rev. A.T. Bishop held services from 1896 to 1898, coming here from Steele. According to Mrs. Cora Bryant, the first resident pastor was the Rev. Mr. Lane, who resided in Napoleon in the winter of 1899. The ladies fitted up a room in the schoolhouse for church services and Sunday school. The Homestead states Mrs. Hilliard, Miss Foster and Mrs. Geo. A. Bryant as the ladies who did the work. Napoleon is first mentioned in the Conference minutes in 1889, when A.J. Kinkade is listed as the pastor for the 'Winchester-Napoleon' charge. However, the minutes do not again mention Napoleon until 1889 when we learn that Barddock-Mapoleon charge is to be supplied (does not say by whom) and in 1890 the minutes inform us that this charge had 23 members that year, had three baptisms and had 47 members in the Sunday school. The Henry Mersdorf family, who homesteaded northeast of town in 1886, played an influential part in establishing the Methodist Church. Mrs. Bryant states that they were the only Methodists in the county when they first came here. It was thru his efforts that preachers came in to preach in the schoolhouse; and his efforts, as Sunday school superintendent, that kept the church in the minds of the people even when a preacher was not available. The Rev. F.H. Farrand supplied the charge in 1900, coming from Wishek by team, often in a blizzard. Mrs. Bryant tells of one such time, when no one thought he would be up, but when word got around that he had come, almost everyone in town attended services that night. The church building was begun in 1903 and dedicated in 1904. Mr. Herman Hardt was the contractor. The church was built at the west end of Main Avenue. This church provided a convenient location for community programs. In those early days the schoolhouse was a block northeast of the present schoolhouse, and the courthouse was about three blocks east of that school. Thus, it was that on cold winter days the Methodist church was often used for public programs. For many years the Methodist Sunday school program was the only one rendered here at Christmas time. Pastors who served here during these years included: Sizer, Kinkade, Stowers, Bishop, Lane, Farrand, Page, Smith, Wood, McPeek, Burce, Benson, Kinder, Rice, Lewis, Green, Dickinson, Pearson, Locker. The church progressed nicely, and in 1929 the church building was sold to the Lutherans with the idea of building a new church. Active in our church at that time were the Erick Omans, the Fred Hammonds, the O.K. Starkeys and others. Lots were bought and a basement was built at a cost of $5,000.00. Mr. Hammond and Mr. Starkey brought teams to help excavate the basement. This was to be used temporarily until a new church could be erected on it. A parsonage was purchased for $5,000. Things didn't work out exactly as planned, and the new building was not erected until nearly 30 years later, when in 1954 action was finally taken, with the consecration of the new church in 1955. Mr. Fred Hammond, who had been on the basement building committee was also one to help plan the new church. P.J. Wentz was the building director, and he and his wife worked faithfully to keep it running smoothly for the contractor's work. A parsonage was also built in 1952. Pastors serving here from 1929 on are: McClure, Kinzler, Miller, Lindstrom, Brooks, MacTavish, Huntley, Morrison, Shafer, Coleman, Roe and McKirdy. From the 23 members that were first reported in 1900, the Church has now 81 members. A few of the family names first found on the records remain even today.
Information - Napoleon, ND – 75th Anniversary 1884-1959 (pages 128-129).
Information - Napoleon, ND – 75th Anniversary 1884-1959 (pages 128-129).
Napoleon – Evangelical United Brethren Church
Upon the death of Rev. C.H. Moritz in November of 1963 the Evangelical United Brethren Church of Napoleon was served by Rev. James Pomeroy, who at that time was the pastor of the Grace Methodist Church of Napoleon. Rev. Pomeroy served both churches until May of 1967 at which time Rev. Jerry Wickre was appointed to serve both parishes with services held in each church. Eventually this arrangement led to the uniting of the two congregations as it was about this time that the national conferences of the Methodist and United Brethren churches were making the final plans for the two churches to merge nationwide. In July of 1967 merger of the Methodists and United Brethren churches to create the largest American Protestant Church was approved by the necessary two-thirds vote in annual conference. Effective Sunday, Nov. 19, 1967, the members of the Grace Methodist and E.U.B. churches of Napoleon were united in worship with services held in the E.U.B. church, 221 East 2nd St. The two congregations voted to change the name of Salem United Methodist Church. This name change was made in view of the general churches uniting. The national merger was consummated at a uniting conference of the two denominations in April 1968. The former Grace Methodist Church was sold to St. Matthews Lutheran Church May 25, 1969. After this sale the congregation began making plans for a new parsonage. In May 1973 a building permit was obtained from the city and construction for the new parsonage began. Upon completion of the new parsonage which was ready for occupancy by Rev. and Mrs. Charles McDowell by the end of 1973, the former Grace Methodist parsonage was also sold. The new parsonage is located at 312 East Fourth Street and was dedicated at a special service September 12, 1976. Pastors serving this church since 1968 were Rev. Jerry Wickre, Rev. Charles McDowell and presently, Rev. Gideon Eberhart. · Community History Source: Napoleon, ND – 125th Anniversary – Celebrating Our Heritage, 1884-2009, p.91. At the time of its dedication on October 21, 1956 the Salem United Methodist Church was known as the Salem Evangelical United Brethren Church. In 1967 the Napoleon Salem Evangelical United Church and Grace Methodist Church merged into one church. Since the Salem Evangelical United Brethren Church had the larger building, it was chosen as their place for worship. The present United Methodist parsonage was built in 1976. A record of ministers serving the parish since the original dedication: Rev. C.M. Bergland (1907-1912) Rev. Leon Kuch (1957-1958) Rev. G.H. Moritz (1958-1963); Rev. James Pomeroy (1964-1967); Rev. Jerry Wickre (1967-1972); Rev. Charles McDowell (1972-1979); Rev. Gideon Eberhart (1979-1984); Rev. Robert Logan (1984-1989); Rev. Steve Olson (1989-1995); Rev. Keith Rice (1995-1997); Rev. Heisel (1997-1998); Rev. Marty Toepke-Floyd (1997-1998); Rev. Ronn Wilke (1998 2005); Rev. Grant Piehl (2005-2008); Rev. Marty Toepke-Floyd (2008-present).
Information - Napoleon, ND -- Centennial 1884-1994, p.244. [The history is a continuation of the Napoleon, ND – 75th Anniversary 1884-1959 book as quoted under Napoleon – Evangelical United Brethren Church]
Upon the death of Rev. C.H. Moritz in November of 1963 the Evangelical United Brethren Church of Napoleon was served by Rev. James Pomeroy, who at that time was the pastor of the Grace Methodist Church of Napoleon. Rev. Pomeroy served both churches until May of 1967 at which time Rev. Jerry Wickre was appointed to serve both parishes with services held in each church. Eventually this arrangement led to the uniting of the two congregations as it was about this time that the national conferences of the Methodist and United Brethren churches were making the final plans for the two churches to merge nationwide. In July of 1967 merger of the Methodists and United Brethren churches to create the largest American Protestant Church was approved by the necessary two-thirds vote in annual conference. Effective Sunday, Nov. 19, 1967, the members of the Grace Methodist and E.U.B. churches of Napoleon were united in worship with services held in the E.U.B. church, 221 East 2nd St. The two congregations voted to change the name of Salem United Methodist Church. This name change was made in view of the general churches uniting. The national merger was consummated at a uniting conference of the two denominations in April 1968. The former Grace Methodist Church was sold to St. Matthews Lutheran Church May 25, 1969. After this sale the congregation began making plans for a new parsonage. In May 1973 a building permit was obtained from the city and construction for the new parsonage began. Upon completion of the new parsonage which was ready for occupancy by Rev. and Mrs. Charles McDowell by the end of 1973, the former Grace Methodist parsonage was also sold. The new parsonage is located at 312 East Fourth Street and was dedicated at a special service September 12, 1976. Pastors serving this church since 1968 were Rev. Jerry Wickre, Rev. Charles McDowell and presently, Rev. Gideon Eberhart. · Community History Source: Napoleon, ND – 125th Anniversary – Celebrating Our Heritage, 1884-2009, p.91. At the time of its dedication on October 21, 1956 the Salem United Methodist Church was known as the Salem Evangelical United Brethren Church. In 1967 the Napoleon Salem Evangelical United Church and Grace Methodist Church merged into one church. Since the Salem Evangelical United Brethren Church had the larger building, it was chosen as their place for worship. The present United Methodist parsonage was built in 1976. A record of ministers serving the parish since the original dedication: Rev. C.M. Bergland (1907-1912) Rev. Leon Kuch (1957-1958) Rev. G.H. Moritz (1958-1963); Rev. James Pomeroy (1964-1967); Rev. Jerry Wickre (1967-1972); Rev. Charles McDowell (1972-1979); Rev. Gideon Eberhart (1979-1984); Rev. Robert Logan (1984-1989); Rev. Steve Olson (1989-1995); Rev. Keith Rice (1995-1997); Rev. Heisel (1997-1998); Rev. Marty Toepke-Floyd (1997-1998); Rev. Ronn Wilke (1998 2005); Rev. Grant Piehl (2005-2008); Rev. Marty Toepke-Floyd (2008-present).
Information - Napoleon, ND -- Centennial 1884-1994, p.244. [The history is a continuation of the Napoleon, ND – 75th Anniversary 1884-1959 book as quoted under Napoleon – Evangelical United Brethren Church]
At the time of its dedication on October 21, 1956, the Salem United Methodist Church was known as the Salem Evangelical United Brethren Church. In 1967 the Napoleon Salem Evangelical United Church and Grace Methodist Church merged into one church. Since the Salem Evangelical United Brethren Church had the larger building, it was chosen as their place for worship. The present United Methodist parsonage was built in 1976. A record of ministers serving the parish since the original dedication: Rev. C.M. Bergland (1907-1912) Rev. Leon Kuch (1957-1958) Rev. G.H. Moritz (1958-1963); Rev. James Pomeroy (1964-1967); Rev. Jerry Wickre (1967-1972); Rev. Charles McDowell (1972-1979); Rev. Gideon Eberhart (1979-1984); Rev. Robert Logan (1984-1989); Rev. Steve Olson (1989-1995); Rev. Keith Rice (1995-1997); Rev. Heisel (1997-1998); Rev. Marty Toepke-Floyd (1997-1998); Rev. Ronn Wilke (1998 2005); Rev. Grant Piehl (2005-2008); Rev. Marty Toepke-Floyd (2008-present).
Information - Napoleon, ND – 125th Anniversary – Celebrating Our Heritage, 1884-2009 (page 91).
Information - Napoleon, ND – 125th Anniversary – Celebrating Our Heritage, 1884-2009 (page 91).