Simpson Methodist Church
Milnor, Sargent County, North Dakota
Milnor, Sargent County, North Dakota
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Information on back of Simpson Methodist Church Milnor, North Dakota 1953 Church Plate
Organized September 27, 1885, S.A. Danford, pastor. Sunday School room and kitchen added between 1923-1924, Rev. Gust Book, pastor. Extensive interior improvements in Sanctuary, entrance and steeple 1950-1953. Parsonage purchased 1942. Organizations within congregation: Sunday School, Womens Society of Christian Services, Methodist Brotherhood, Methodist Youth Fellowship. Membership in 1953 - 106. Rev. Ralph Rowe, minister.
Organized September 27, 1885, S.A. Danford, pastor. Sunday School room and kitchen added between 1923-1924, Rev. Gust Book, pastor. Extensive interior improvements in Sanctuary, entrance and steeple 1950-1953. Parsonage purchased 1942. Organizations within congregation: Sunday School, Womens Society of Christian Services, Methodist Brotherhood, Methodist Youth Fellowship. Membership in 1953 - 106. Rev. Ralph Rowe, minister.
MILNOR METHODIST CHURCH HISTORY
The Milnor Methodist Episcopal church now known as Simpson Methodist Church was organized November 28, 1885, two months after the appointment of their first minister Reverend S. A. Danforth. The official members that first year were three stewards and one trustee. Twenty-one members were enrolled in the church book during 1885.
A Sunday school was organized in May 1885 with W. E. Patterson acting as Superintendent. This was a few months before the church organization, and it was this group that felt the need for a church in Milnor.
The Ladies Aid, now known as the Woman's Society of Christian Service, was organized soon after the church and they held their monthly meetings in the various homes. Later, with the addition of a church dining room and kitchen these meetings were conducted there.
The church building consisting of the main sanctuary and located on its original site was completed in 1886. The one room structure consisted of a wide board floor, old fashioned heating stove, jet gas lights and chairs for seating. All social gatherings of the church were held in what was then known as the MCC hall located across the street to the north in the building now occupied by Vernal Warner.
Mr. Frank Robbins, who now resides in Forman and a member of the church there, is the oldest living member recorded, having joined the church here January 6, 1889. Mr. and Mrs. Walter Ketcheson, members since November 1902, still live in this community. Miss Cecelia Cross, a missionary, from our church to Africa from 1914 to 1952 (including furloughs) and now residing in Whittier, California, also joined the church in November 1902.
In 1923 with the help of Reverend Gust Book (a fine carpenter and cabinet maker) and the congregation, a basement was dug, and an addition built on to the church consisting of the present dining room and kitchen. Reverend Book at this time made the pulpit, the three chancel chairs and the large doors between the sanctuary and dining room.
"In 1935 during the time Reverend S. Samuelson was pastor the congregation observed the fiftieth anniversary of the Methodist Church. Several ministers returned for the occasion, and it was one of the highlights of our church years.
On November 4, 1939, a group of men met at the church and with Reverend James A. Sanaker acting as chairman a Brotherhood Club (now known as the Methodist Men’s Club) was formed with B. D. Williams elected president and seventeen charter members enrolled.
Up to the present time under the leadership of our fine ministers of the past and including the very fine leadership of our minister at this time, Reverend Arthur Tees, who came in June I 956, and the help of the congregation, an active Sunday school, Women’s Society of Christian Service, Methodist Men’s Club, Junior and Senior Choirs and Methodist Fellowship group (M.Y.F.) our church has continued to grow both materially and spiritually.
Information - Milnor's 75th Anniversary Community Book: 1883-1958 (page 47&48)
The Milnor Methodist Episcopal church now known as Simpson Methodist Church was organized November 28, 1885, two months after the appointment of their first minister Reverend S. A. Danforth. The official members that first year were three stewards and one trustee. Twenty-one members were enrolled in the church book during 1885.
A Sunday school was organized in May 1885 with W. E. Patterson acting as Superintendent. This was a few months before the church organization, and it was this group that felt the need for a church in Milnor.
The Ladies Aid, now known as the Woman's Society of Christian Service, was organized soon after the church and they held their monthly meetings in the various homes. Later, with the addition of a church dining room and kitchen these meetings were conducted there.
The church building consisting of the main sanctuary and located on its original site was completed in 1886. The one room structure consisted of a wide board floor, old fashioned heating stove, jet gas lights and chairs for seating. All social gatherings of the church were held in what was then known as the MCC hall located across the street to the north in the building now occupied by Vernal Warner.
Mr. Frank Robbins, who now resides in Forman and a member of the church there, is the oldest living member recorded, having joined the church here January 6, 1889. Mr. and Mrs. Walter Ketcheson, members since November 1902, still live in this community. Miss Cecelia Cross, a missionary, from our church to Africa from 1914 to 1952 (including furloughs) and now residing in Whittier, California, also joined the church in November 1902.
In 1923 with the help of Reverend Gust Book (a fine carpenter and cabinet maker) and the congregation, a basement was dug, and an addition built on to the church consisting of the present dining room and kitchen. Reverend Book at this time made the pulpit, the three chancel chairs and the large doors between the sanctuary and dining room.
"In 1935 during the time Reverend S. Samuelson was pastor the congregation observed the fiftieth anniversary of the Methodist Church. Several ministers returned for the occasion, and it was one of the highlights of our church years.
On November 4, 1939, a group of men met at the church and with Reverend James A. Sanaker acting as chairman a Brotherhood Club (now known as the Methodist Men’s Club) was formed with B. D. Williams elected president and seventeen charter members enrolled.
Up to the present time under the leadership of our fine ministers of the past and including the very fine leadership of our minister at this time, Reverend Arthur Tees, who came in June I 956, and the help of the congregation, an active Sunday school, Women’s Society of Christian Service, Methodist Men’s Club, Junior and Senior Choirs and Methodist Fellowship group (M.Y.F.) our church has continued to grow both materially and spiritually.
Information - Milnor's 75th Anniversary Community Book: 1883-1958 (page 47&48)
In May of 1885 a group of concerned Milnor residents organized a Sunday School with WE. Patterson as superintendent. This same group soon realized the need for a church and acted to establish the Milnor Methodist Episcopal Church on November 28th of that same year. Twenty-one members were recorded on the church rolls that year and the first minister was Rev. S.A. Danforth.
A Ladies Aid was organized soon after, and in 1886 a one-room sanctuary was completed where worship services were held. All social gatherings of the church were held across the street in the MCC Hall. In 1923 the congregation, with the assistance of Rev. Gust Book, added a dining room and kitchen to the church and a basement was dug. In 1939 a Brotherhood Club was organized, with Rev. James A. Sanaker acting as chairman. B.D. Williams was elected president.
During 1945 the Presbyterian Church was merged with the Methodist Church and the Presbyterian building was purchased by the members of the Anchor Lodge for their fraternal home.
Members of the church voted in 1959, when Rev. Arthur Tees was minister, to build a new church. Ground was broken Oct. 18, 1959, and the present church was dedicated in the fall of 1961. Pastor Charles McDowell was then the minister. The total cost of the construction was $64,315.
In 1968 the Methodist and the Evangelical United Brethern Church united and became the United Methodist Church.
At this time the church became the Milnor United Methodist Church.
In 1971 the bell tower was constructed with the bell from the old church used.
Under Rev. Collitt's leadership, a new parsonage was constructed in 1973 right next to the church, built by Martinson Construction Co. of Forman, at a cost of $50,000.
Rev. Norman Pearson came, and in the spring of 1977 the parsonage was paid for, and a dedication service was held.
Presently serving the United Methodist Church is Rev. Perry Kimble of Lisbon.
Many members of the church have gone on to serve in other fields: Cilicia Cross went to Angola, Africa as a missionary in 1913 and spent her life there. Very few missionaries were well enough to stay so long but she was there 39 years. John Cross, and later Steve Johnson, went on to become pastors from our church. Mr. and Mrs. Ed Weaver (Conni Cross) went to Tiawan as missionaries in 1979. There are many more in part time Christian work.
Information – 100 Years of Milnor Memories: 1883-1983 (Page 65)
A Ladies Aid was organized soon after, and in 1886 a one-room sanctuary was completed where worship services were held. All social gatherings of the church were held across the street in the MCC Hall. In 1923 the congregation, with the assistance of Rev. Gust Book, added a dining room and kitchen to the church and a basement was dug. In 1939 a Brotherhood Club was organized, with Rev. James A. Sanaker acting as chairman. B.D. Williams was elected president.
During 1945 the Presbyterian Church was merged with the Methodist Church and the Presbyterian building was purchased by the members of the Anchor Lodge for their fraternal home.
Members of the church voted in 1959, when Rev. Arthur Tees was minister, to build a new church. Ground was broken Oct. 18, 1959, and the present church was dedicated in the fall of 1961. Pastor Charles McDowell was then the minister. The total cost of the construction was $64,315.
In 1968 the Methodist and the Evangelical United Brethern Church united and became the United Methodist Church.
At this time the church became the Milnor United Methodist Church.
In 1971 the bell tower was constructed with the bell from the old church used.
Under Rev. Collitt's leadership, a new parsonage was constructed in 1973 right next to the church, built by Martinson Construction Co. of Forman, at a cost of $50,000.
Rev. Norman Pearson came, and in the spring of 1977 the parsonage was paid for, and a dedication service was held.
Presently serving the United Methodist Church is Rev. Perry Kimble of Lisbon.
Many members of the church have gone on to serve in other fields: Cilicia Cross went to Angola, Africa as a missionary in 1913 and spent her life there. Very few missionaries were well enough to stay so long but she was there 39 years. John Cross, and later Steve Johnson, went on to become pastors from our church. Mr. and Mrs. Ed Weaver (Conni Cross) went to Tiawan as missionaries in 1979. There are many more in part time Christian work.
Information – 100 Years of Milnor Memories: 1883-1983 (Page 65)