Spencer
Iowa
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Grace United Methodist Church
Our History
The first Methodist meeting in the Spencer area was on November 3, 1867. Circuit pastors served it.
On September 1871 Rev. Charles Winter, the first resident pastor, was installed. Services were held in the schoolhouse, the only frame building in the village, which was located on West Fourth Street..
1879 Church 2.jpg (26930 bytes)In 1873 a 30 x 45 ft. frame house of worship was built on the corner of East 2nd and Mill St.. Pledges were made to cover the indebtedness, but due to a plague of grasshoppers the pledges could not be paid in full. Because of this, the building was sold at a Sheriff's sale. However, the next year the trustees made a loan and paid the bills so the building could again be used for services.
On February of 1877 this building burned to the ground. Other Iowa churches came to their aid to help rebuild. Until it could be rebuilt, the church rented a vacant store building on the west side of Main Street between Third and Fourth. The organ had been saved and was used in this building.
In 1879 another church 30 x 50-ft. was built on the site of the present church. In 1881 a 16 x 24-ft. parsonage was built. This church building was sold for $800 when more room was needed.
The next structure was of brick and was completed in 1907 at the same1907 Church.jpg (64391 bytes) location. It was 61 x 93-ft. and had a Sanctuary and balcony with a seating capacity of 800. It was named "Grace Methodist Espicopal Church. The Gethsemane window cost $1000. A new organ was donated. A short time later a tunnel connected the Lincoln Boys Club, located directly south of the church.
When the membership of the church reached 1700 a new building was necessary for the Christian Education work. In 1958 construction was begun for a new building west of the church. It has 29,000 square feet and three GUMC Ed Unit 1958.jpg (22844 bytes)floors housing classrooms, Fellowship Hall and stage, the Chapel, Fireside Room, Wesley Room, nursery, kitchen, numerous storerooms and restrooms. The lower floor has a large youth room with a kitchenette as well as many classrooms and restrooms.
The present church building was begun in May 1967 and completed in 1968. It has an 8600 sq. foot Sanctuary which seats 640 people with an additional 65 seats in the choir loft. The 2580 sq. foot Narthex adjoins the Gathered to Worship.JPG (27928 bytes)Sanctuary, has additional seating room for 300 and includes the library, offices and the Gethsemane lighted memorial window. The 112 foot bell tower rings bellGUMC 111.jpg (14896 bytes) music at noon. An elevator was installed when the second floor Bentena Room was added in 1992 which makes the second floor and basement handicapped accessible. The Bentena Room has its own kitchen and seats 125.
The first Methodist meeting in the Spencer area was on November 3, 1867. Circuit pastors served it.
On September 1871 Rev. Charles Winter, the first resident pastor, was installed. Services were held in the schoolhouse, the only frame building in the village, which was located on West Fourth Street..
1879 Church 2.jpg (26930 bytes)In 1873 a 30 x 45 ft. frame house of worship was built on the corner of East 2nd and Mill St.. Pledges were made to cover the indebtedness, but due to a plague of grasshoppers the pledges could not be paid in full. Because of this, the building was sold at a Sheriff's sale. However, the next year the trustees made a loan and paid the bills so the building could again be used for services.
On February of 1877 this building burned to the ground. Other Iowa churches came to their aid to help rebuild. Until it could be rebuilt, the church rented a vacant store building on the west side of Main Street between Third and Fourth. The organ had been saved and was used in this building.
In 1879 another church 30 x 50-ft. was built on the site of the present church. In 1881 a 16 x 24-ft. parsonage was built. This church building was sold for $800 when more room was needed.
The next structure was of brick and was completed in 1907 at the same1907 Church.jpg (64391 bytes) location. It was 61 x 93-ft. and had a Sanctuary and balcony with a seating capacity of 800. It was named "Grace Methodist Espicopal Church. The Gethsemane window cost $1000. A new organ was donated. A short time later a tunnel connected the Lincoln Boys Club, located directly south of the church.
When the membership of the church reached 1700 a new building was necessary for the Christian Education work. In 1958 construction was begun for a new building west of the church. It has 29,000 square feet and three GUMC Ed Unit 1958.jpg (22844 bytes)floors housing classrooms, Fellowship Hall and stage, the Chapel, Fireside Room, Wesley Room, nursery, kitchen, numerous storerooms and restrooms. The lower floor has a large youth room with a kitchenette as well as many classrooms and restrooms.
The present church building was begun in May 1967 and completed in 1968. It has an 8600 sq. foot Sanctuary which seats 640 people with an additional 65 seats in the choir loft. The 2580 sq. foot Narthex adjoins the Gathered to Worship.JPG (27928 bytes)Sanctuary, has additional seating room for 300 and includes the library, offices and the Gethsemane lighted memorial window. The 112 foot bell tower rings bellGUMC 111.jpg (14896 bytes) music at noon. An elevator was installed when the second floor Bentena Room was added in 1992 which makes the second floor and basement handicapped accessible. The Bentena Room has its own kitchen and seats 125.