Church History

The land on which the Hale First United Methodist Church now stands was deeded to George M. Dewey by the United States Government on May 15, 1854. In time the land was purchased by S. B. Yawger. It was from Mr. Yawger that the founders of the Hale First Methodist Episcopal Church purchased the land in 1901.

Even before this (November 10, 1900) a Ladies Aid was organized. A Rev. Nixon came on horseback from Wilbur each Saturday afternoon. He would stay overnight in a member's home, preach on Sunday, and then return to Wilbur for the evening service there.

On February 7, 1902, the church was incorporated. Eleven persons signed the Articles of Incorporation: Simon and Louise Hetchler; Mr. and Mrs. E. A. Armstrong; Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Staples; Milton Kyes; Alfred, Alison, and Mary Waite; and Addie Waite Scofield [mother of Ira Scofield, Hope Scharer and Ida Cox].

After the church was organized and became part of the Bay City District of the Detroit Conference, the Rev. Clifton W. Scott became pastor. Methodist services were held on alternate Sundays in the Hale Baptist Church until 1904 when the Methodist congregation moved to the Town Hall.

In October 1905, it was voted to build a church on the present site. After much hardship and struggle, a one-room structure was erected. It was dedicated in 1910. In 1919, a vestibule and belfry were added to the building. Soon after, a bell was purchased and installed. In 1922 an annex was added to the east side of the church building.

The mortgage on the annex was burned in 1930 and a Jubilee Celebration was held in 1936. Later the church ceiling was lowered and Dr. Pellowe presented a beautiful, large picture of Jesus walking among the clouds. The picture was placed in the front of the church.

It was on June 23, 1940, that the first wedding was held in the church. Joined in marriage by Rev. Watkins were Ira Scofield and Esther Tottingham.

In 1943, Rev. Roland Brooks was appointed pastor. His instructions were to close the church. Instead he was here until 1951. During these years the interior of the church was redecorated, a new oil furnace was installed (taking the place of the old coal stoves) and cement walks were installed. Mrs. Elmon Bills donated American and Christian flags for the sanctuary.

Rev. Wesley Dafoe served the church from 1951 to 1955. During this time new pews were purchased.

In February 1952, the church celebrated its 50th Anniversary. As part of the celebration a building fund was established for the purpose of erecting a more adequate building in the future.

During the pastorate of Rev. R. R. Terwilliger (1955-57) stained glass windows were installed as memorials in the church. (These same windows are in our sanctuary today.) Plans were made for the building of an educational unit. The men of the church cut logs on government land and sawed them into lumber under the supervision of Andrew Matthews. The lumber was piled and allowed to age several years before being taken to Kenneth Salisbury's mill in Hale and planed down.

Under the pastorates of Rev. Dwight Lawson (1957-1960) and Rev. Cleon Abbott (1960-1963) work bees were held for the new educational unit. The unit was built west of, and separate from, the sanctuary. A few Sunday School classes were held there in 1961, even before the floors were laid. (This unit is basically our present Fellowship Hall.)

Rev. Arthur R. Parkin came in 1963. During his pastorate the educational unit was paid for and a contractor was hired to build a new sanctuary and add four classrooms to the educational unit. The ground-breaking for the new structure was held on May 23, 1965. Worship services were held in the educational unit while the old building was demolished and the new one constructed. By October, 1965, the new sanctuary was completed. It was consecrated on January 9, 1966.

Following a one-year pastorate by Rev. Henry Powell (1972-73), the Rev. Willis Braun was appointed as pastor. At this time the Hale church became a one-point charge (separate from Whittemore) and the Jack Johnson home on West Main Street was purchased as a parsonage.

In October, 1977, the 75th Anniversary of the church was celebrated. Still more room was needed for Sunday School classes, fellowship and increased kitchen space so in October, 1978, ground was broken to enlarge the educational unit on the west. A total of 2304 square feet was added. Much volunteer labor was used to complete the interior in 1979-80.

Rev. Theodore Hastings served the church from 1979 to 1985. It was during this time that the Fellowship Hall was carpeted. During the pastorate of Rev. Willard King (1985-1987) land adjacent to the southwest side of the church property was purchased. This allowed the establishment of a larger and much needed parking area.

From 1988-1993, the Rev. William Donahue was our pastor. During this time a building project provided a lounge/classroom on the north side of the sanctuary and two new offices and remodeled bathrooms on the south side.

Our present pastor, Rev. G. Patrick England, has been with us since June, 1993. We continue to grow in numbers and spirit under his leadership. In 2002, we purchased parcels of land to the west and south of our present building that will allow for future expansion. Also in 2002, we celebrated our 100th anniversary with a variety of programs, displays and the publishing of a Centennial Book. As our second century proceeds, we continue to serve Hale and the surrounding communities in the love and fellowship of Christian ministry.