Before the church was built, the first Bible School was organized by Rev. R. A. Shaw and held in a school, probably one of the Arcadia Twin schools. In 1902, after worshipping in the old schoolhouse, a group of Methodist Christians decided to build a church of their own. In September, subscriptions were taken. Members, family, and friends gave their gifts of money, time, materials, and labor.
1902: The Building Is Built
On October 30, Lot # 11 of Block #1 was purchased for $1.00 from the Starke Land and Lumber Co., and construction began. A. H. Stockman razed his barn and hauled the lumber to the site in a wheelbarrow. By December the building was completed. The total cost for materials was $1,376.
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The building was dedicated as the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Arcadia in June 1903. Myles Swinger laid the cornerstone. The first pastor of the new church was Rev. L. D. Youngblood, who served from 1902-03. Worship services were held Sunday mornings and evenings with a prayer service on Wednesday nights. |
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The Methodist Church
Neighborhood |
Trustees of the day included Albert H. Stockman, George Hull, August Kehl, and Luther L. Finch. Other familiar families from those days were John and Bertha Bradley, the Hosea Cadys', T. S. Argue, H. E. Gilbert, Bob Bradley, Olivia Matteson, Amelia Hangfus, Mrs. Stephen Weidman, L. G. Bradford, George Huntington, C. Mathison, R. L. Gilbert, D. Lumley, and William Welch.
1911: The Parsonage Is Built
On October 30, 1911, the church trustees -- Stockman, Kehl, H. Wilson, and Peter Shira -- met with Pastor E. W. Wood to begin plans for the construction of a parsonage. Two committees were appointed: One, to study the new parsonages at Watervale and at Pierport. Another, to obtain a lot in Arcadia.
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By March 1912, the trustees decided to build the new parsonage on Fourth Street adjacent to the church. More gifts of money and materials plus the labor of many volunteers resulted in the successful completion of the parsonage. Rev. Wood was credited with over 100 days of labor. |
1926: The Church Mortgage Is Paid
In 1926, during the pastorate of William Paulson, the mortgage that had been taken out to build the church was finally paid and burned in a special service. That was truly a day of thanksgiving for the Arcadia congregation.
1927: Shared Pastor, The Parsonage Is Sold
By 1927, Arcadia was put on the Frankfort Charge , which meant Arcadia shared pastors with Bear Lake, Pleasanton, Elberta, Pierport, and Frankfort. As the pastor no longer resided in Arcadia, the parsonage was sold and the proceeds were set aside for church repairs. In 1943 the Arcadia Church was reassigned to the Bear Lake Charge and remains there still today.
1949: The Basement Addition Is Completed
Into the 1940's, the congregation needed more space for Sunday School and other special events. Rev. Runyan and the Youth Fellowship earned the first funds to be used. With their money in hand plus the remainder from the sale of the parsonage, planning began for a basement addition.
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At first, only the annex, stairs, and coal bin were constructed. Many thought the rest could not be done, but the Women's Society of Christian Service (W.S.C.S.) got busy. After numerous church suppers, bake sales, rummage sales, and rug and quilt sales, the funds grew, and in December 1948 Leo Tondu, a local builder, was hired to complete the basement construction. It was finished in early 1949 at a cost of $1,525. |
The Church Today:
100 Years of Serving the Community
The United Methodist Church of Arcadia continues to be a vital force in the community and beyond.
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"Our
church is a community of faith. We love our church, this community, and
our Pastor Mark Anderson and his family. We face the future with the
supreme confidence that only comes from an abiding faith in God and his
son, Jesus Christ."
-- Event Pamphlet: "Arcadia United Methodist Church: Centennial Celebration 1902-2002." September 29, 2002. Arcadia, Michigan. |
Arcadia 1902
Commemorative window in the church at 4th and Division in Arcadia,
Michigan