Wednesday, May 31, 2017

Clarinda, IA First United Methodist Church History fom 1853 to 1949

On May 18th I posted History of Clarinda, Iowa First United Methodist Church, which 
was history from 1949 to 2003. Here is from that 2003 history starting 1853 and up to 
 1949 by John and Anna Woolson 
   
                        The 2003 History of Our Church

First United Methodist Church Clarinda, Iowa
  Introduction
 From June 2002 to June 2003 the Clarinda United Methodist Church has celebrated a 150 year anniversary.  This historic information has been prepared by the 150th Anniversary Committee for the congregation not as a newly written history, but as a compilation of what has been written in the past from many sources.  Much of the research was completed by Doris Tritsch prior to her illness and death.  While the research is not complete enough for a written history, it is far too valuable to be lost.  To make the information available to the community, a written copy will be placed in the church office, in the public library, and in the Nodaway Valley Historic Museum.  Individuals may request a copy for purchase.  A computer disc is provided in order that information may be added in the future.  The research information also will be placed in the church office.  We dedicate this work to Doris Tritsch and to those church members of the past who have contributed to the history of the church, as well as to those whose lives have been enriched by our church through the years.In order to trace history as clearly as possible, the information is provided in a chronological accounting of the pastorate of each preacher.  Information was first compiled in a history written by Rev. C.W. Blodgett to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the church.  The information was brought forward in 1905, in 1909 for the Page County History, in the early 1920s, and again in 1983 at the time the 100th anniversary of the church structure was celebrated.  References are confusing since so many of the earlier histories and news clippings have also been cited in later accountings.
The 150th Anniversary Committee: Doris Tristch, Chair; Chari Bix, Lois Braymen, Leland and Bonnie Brown, Merrill Cagley, Mary Cahill, Wally and Bonita Paige, Ruth Richardson, John and Anna Woolson
 Meet the Methodists
This information served as the Introduction to the history compiled in 1953 as a part of the celebration of the church’s first 100 years.
As impossible as it is to write the biography of a man without knowing something of his ancestry and childhood, so is it to write of a church or denomination without knowing the environment from which it sprang and developed.
On Wednesday, May 24, 1738, John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, while attending a Moravian prayer meeting in Aldersgate Street, London, felt his heart strangely warmed “and the peace of complete fellowship with God fell upon him.”  That peace that “fell upon him” proved to be the center of infinite calm in a tornado of forces released to fight the corruption and misery of England at that time, and to reach on through the following centuries in ever-widening circles of spiritual influence, both in the old world and the new.
The first national church organization in our new nation was “The Christmas Conference,” held in the Lovely Lane Chapel in Baltimore, from December 24, 1784 to January 3, 1785.  It was attended by more than fifty Methodist preachers representing 18,000 church members.  During this assembly, Asbury was ordained as a deacon in the new church, on the following day as an elder, and on the next day was elected superintendent by the Conference.  It was in the same year, 1785 that Peter Cartwright was born in Amherst County, Virginia.  He became the godfather of Iowa Methodism.  In 1833, when presiding over the meeting of the Illinois Conference, he sent Barton Randle to preach at the Dubuque lead mines.  In 1834, he sent Barton H. Cartwright, possibly a cousin, to organize a Methodist class at Burlington, Iowa.  It was from this latter community that the first Methodist appointment was made to southwestern Iowa.
The vigorous vision of the pioneers accepted the difficult miles across the State as a challenge through which to express the reality of God’s love.  One wonders if even those of greatest faith could visualize that reality, which had found expression during the century, in three Methodist hospitals, five Methodist colleges, 637 charges, 432 ministers, and a total membership of 290,000.  Approximately one-tenth of Iowa’s population belongs to the Methodist Church. 
The challenge to the Church today is to re-vitalize the faith of that membership.  This vision will be realized to the extent that John Wesley’s final comment is revered:  “The best of all is, God is with us.”
At the session of the Iowa conference of 1850 held at Burlington, Iowa, the Bishops thought best to send a minister to the Mormon settlement of Kanesville to look after the interest of the Kingdom in that community and the whole of southwestern Iowa.  Kanesville was the beginning of what is now Council Bluffs.  This was the first Methodist appointment in this part of the state.  The Rev. William Simpson was the man sent, then a young man in his course of study.  He was a typical frontier preacher, perhaps deficient in the arts and sciences, but he knew the Lord and the heart of the frontier folks.  It is said of him that he failed in grammar in his course of study, and when exhorted by the committee to give more attention to this study, exclaimed, “Brethern, I don’t like to study grammar.  It doesn’t make my soul happy.”  The Mormons hated, respected and feared him.  He was a courageous preacher of the Gospel.  He founded a Methodist society in a Council Bluffs hard by the gambling houses on the side of the bluffs in a building made of cottonwood logs, built by the congregation itself.  It was known as “old cottonwood” and was the beginning of the Broadway church.  He preached in Kanesville, and had oversight of adjacent territory including Mills, Fremont and Page Counties.
1853 ­Samuel Farlow       Samuel Farlow was born November 3, 1825 in Union County Indiana.  He became a member of the Methodist Church when he was sixteen.  By 1847 he had been licensed as a preacher and assigned to the Iowa Conference.  He married Isabelle Mason and came to Page County in 1852.  
He first was assigned to the Page-Taylor Mission and delivered a sermon on Nov. 2, 1852 at the home of Alexander Davis’ (five miles SE of Clarinda on the forks of the Nodaway).  It was here that the first Methodist society in Page County had been organized by Uncle Billy Rector, a circuit rider covering Fremont and Page counties. The first organization was the Clarinda and Montgomery board of trustees of the M.E. church, Iowa Conference, organized on March 15, 1853: Isaac VanArsdol, Edward Long, H.H. Litzenberg, George Miller, Elijah Miller, Edward Keeler, Dave C. Ribble, &Thomas Owen.  The church body was officially incorporated on March 18, 1857.
There was no “Clarinda” at that time.  Rev. Farlow preached the first sermon to be given at the Clarinda site in June, 1853 in the “shanty” he was living in then.  The text for that sermon was 2 Cor. 5:1-3.  “For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands eternal in the Heavens.  For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon our house, which is from Heaven.  If so that being clothed, we shall not be found naked.” 
The “shanty” was described as 14 feet by 16 feet and was set where the Loranz home was later built.  The building was moved to the west side of the square and used as the first court house for a short time as well as housing Mrs. Farlow’s school.         
 In a letter that had been written to C. A. Lisle that is quoted in the Page County History (2) Rev. Farlow recalled that in the early wilderness of the county “Scarcely anything was raised for a living. . . The first desolate cabin I moved into was about one mile from Alexander Davis’ home, on a hillside facing the East Nodaway .  It was surrounded with weeds, weeds, weeds.  O, my! How wild it looked there!  Some few of the good folks agreed to come and repair the house the next day.  That first night a severe snow storm fell and we were fully snowed under, as the clapboards on the roof were all apart, no good to keep out the snow.  The chinking between the logs was mostly gone and the chimney down to the ground, making a large opening where it once stood.  Surely, we were in a bad fix.  To add to our discomfiture, the promised assistance was not on hand the next morning.  So we left the cabin and went up to Alexander Davis’, about one mile away.  There Philip Bank, the son of Mr. Davis’ wife, said to me, he had a cabin about one-half mile from there in a partial state of completion.  The walls were up ready for the rafters but no floor, no chimney, and no door.  I accepted the offer and went to work on the cabin with vigor, Peter Baker assisting me.  We made it quite comfortable and this cabin became the first parsonage in Page County . . .”
 The letter continues, “My wife this winter 1852-53, taught school in this cabin, being the first school taught in Page county.  In the spring of 1853 I was compelled to give up my cabin and Mr. Hulbert offered me a box house and agreed to move it to an eight dollar lot of mine on the town plat of Clarinda, if my wife would teach school.  To this proposition my wife gave her consent and Mr. Hulbert hitched his five yoke of oxen to the structure and started for town two miles away, and got within about three rods of the crossing at the south line of the town plot, when the oxen became so exhausted they refused to go any further.  There the house was permitted to stand about ten days and Mrs. Farlow taught school while there.  The oxen being rested, they were again hitched to the house and easily pulled it to its resting place, on my lot which was a little ways north of James Hawley’s store.  We did not, however, live in the house while it was being transported.  In this house I preached my first sermon in Clarinda—in the summer of 1853.  From that time until August of the same year Clarinda was under my jurisdiction.  In August myself and family were all laid low in our box house by malarial fever and were for some time absolutely helpless.  There wasn’t a person came to see us, had no one to cook for us or bring us a drop of water.  Finally Peter Bowler discovered our condition and conveyed us, sick as we were, to his home at Shambaugh’s Mills, where he had three cabins.  He placed us in one of them, while in the adjoining one was Josh Brown, dealing out whiskey.  We could hear him yell out: ‘Come up boys, come up, and take some “black-strap.”’  Many a one did and O! O!! O!!! how they would howl in there and use bad talk!.”
 He continues, “. . . I was not able to attend conference but the bishop appointed me to the Sidney circuit, where I remained two years, but O at the close of my second year, my dear wife lingered with a fatal illness seven weeks and died, leaving me with two children.”
 Isabelle died of malaria.  Sometime later he married Arebelia Ribble.  Rev Farlow died in Indianola, Iowa , November 25, 1906.  His obituary states, “It will be remembered by all who attended the Methodist Semi centennial celebration last spring that Mr. Farlow took a very prominent part in the reminiscences at that time and made a very remarkable address before the Methodist people assembled at that time.  He was one of the real pioneers of Methodism and of this part of the state. . . He was recognized as standing out as the last of a class of men who were prominent in the affairs of this section fifty years ago, and his stalwart individuality will be remembered now with especial force by all who heard him at that time.”
 Rev. Farlow was also the first pastor of the Shenandoah Methodist Church.
 1853-1854 John W. Anderson    In 1854 the church met in a log school house on the property of Dr. Lewellen near 16th and Garfield.  Rev. Anderson had grown up with Rev. Farlow in eastern Iowa.  They entered the conference together.  Rev. Farlow said that they both graduated from the same college— Brush College or Grass Seminary, whichever term preferred. (6)
 The story of women in the church begins here.  Rev. Anderson organized the first membership class with “four devout Methodist Women”.  In the history written in 1909 by Rev. Blodgett in speaking of this membership states, “Yes, it was Mary first at the sepulcher of our Lord.  It was Mary who stood on Golgotha and it was Barbara Heck who, laying her hand on Philip Embery in 1766 said, ‘Phillip, you must preach for us or we will all go to hell.’  The first member of the great Methodism of this continent was a woman and it seems befitting that this church should be consecrated and her first altar sanctified by a woman’s voice and prayers.”   Rev. Blodget described Rev. Anderson as “a conscientious Christian. . .plain and unostentatious”.
 1854-55 Richard Mulhollen   Rev. Richard Mulholen served the church in 1854 and 1855.  During this time the church was blessed with a good revival, and according to an accounting in Rev. St. Claire’s 1896 history, “some of her best members”.  In 1855 the first Methodist Sunday School was organized.

1855-57 William Howbert   Rev. William Howbert was appointed in 1855 and again in 1856 when Rev. Farlow served as his colleague.  The two ministers were responsible for serving Page, Taylor and Adams counties.  Services were held in the court house.  In the 1909 accounting, (6) Rev. Blodgett states, “. . . many a good jury passed judgment on Jesus Christ and his preachers and, like Pilate, found no fault, but unlike Pilate, were willing to become his followers.”  One of the followers, John H. Merritt was converted and became a minister in both the Northern New York and Colorado conferences.  This is the first documentation of a church member being called into full time church service.
 During Howbert’s pastorate, the first church building was erected.  The structure was located at 17th and Washington (where Trinity Presbyterian Church is now located) and was constructed at a cost of $1,000.  The first parsonage was also constructed on the site later occupied by the Van Sandt home.
 Blodgett in discussing the construction says, “It was hard work then and yet the congregation rejoiced over it and shouted in it, and if there had been phonographs hid in the walls good Brethren friends might occasionally hear shouting.  Those were the days of shouting.  These are the days of probably not less work and prayer and might be the days of more work and prayer if the shouts had not all been shouted.”        
1857-58 Thomas Wallace   Rev. Thomas Wallace was appointed in 1857 to serve Page county, a part of Taylor, and one appointment in Montgomery County.  His ministry was described as “blessed by God”, although he said, “I do not remember many incidents of the ministry of that year.”  Rev. Wallace remained in Page County for 17 years.  The History of Page County (6) says that “it is not an exaggeration to say that he followed to the grave one-half of all who died.  Rev. Wallace was the champion in the marriage field.  For about five hundred couples he said the word that made them one in the eyes of the law.  Universally beloved and respected, the people of Page County felt that he made but one mistake and that was in packing up his goods, tying his chickens and moving to Mills County.”
 1858-59 Rev. Cole   Rev. Cole served but a brief period of time (perhaps only a month or so).  The only accounting of his ministry is that he “left for other fields”.
1858-59 Rev. W. S. Peterson   Rev. Peterson “took up the work where he found it” and finished the one-year circuit. 
1859-61 Charles Woolsey   The troubled years preceding the Civil War were years of almost constant revival under the pastorate of Rev. Woolsey. (6)  Other classes were formed in Page County. (6)  While little is recorded about Rev Woolsey, he died in Brooklyn in 1869 at the age of 65 “full of years and a ripened experience, going to the home of God’s elect above.”  At the time the history of the church’s first 25 years was written, his widow resided in Osceola.

1861-62 Jeremiah T. Hughes (T.J. in some sources)   Rev. Hughes was a relative of the bishop and remained in Clarinda one year.  The circuit was cut down.  In the words of Rev. Blodgett at the time of the 25th anniversary of the church, “The hive had swarmed.  Rev. Hughes had three appointments—Clarinda, Tarkio and the Davis schoolhouse.  There were good revivals at all these points.  Rev. Hughes says among his standbys (preachers know what that word means) were Brothers Van Arsdol, Hinchman, N.B. Moore, Wallace and others.  The large maple trees in front of the old parsonage were planted by Rev. Hughes.  They were young and tender, he strong and valiant.  They are now large and strong.  He after years of the hardest work is enjoying the sad lot of many a preacher—after having exhausted physical ability waiting for the better times that never come.  Over all these western prairies, this brother journeyed—preaching, praying, visiting the sick, and laying foundations.  It is the shame of Methodism that she turns these weary and worn itinerants out, out to subsist for themselves, like old horses, or die.” (6)  Rev. Hughes’ declining years were spent in Conway where he died.
 1862-63 Benjamin Shinn   In 1863 a “new and commodious church was commenced” in the area of 16th and Washington corner. The cost of construction was $6,000.  The lumber was hauled by teams from Ottumwa and Brother Moore reportedly “carried the hod and mixed the mortar for the foundation.”
 At that time the annual conference had fifty-six preachers and a lay membership of just over seven thousand.  This was the first conference held in Clarinda.  The church was not completed in time to accommodate the fifth session of the conference, so the conference meeting and the Sabbath services were held in Father Ribble’s grove.
 At the time of the 25th anniversary of the church, Rev. Blodgett quotes Brother Shinn as having said, “Through the faithful labors of the earnest band of workers we were blessed as a church with a good degree of spiritual prosperity.  Some were converted who now tread the shining shore, and others still live faithful members of the church militant.”  Brother Shinn was described as being “yet in the prime of life and . . . living in Afton.”  The writer went on to say, “there are still many evidences of his efficient pastorate in this charge, and a warm place in many hearts for himself and good wife.”
1864 William McKendrie McCain    While he is listed in all sources, Rev. McCain must have remained in the pastorate but a short time and then moved on to Sioux City.  There is no report in the conference minutes of his pastorate, although the membership is listed as 190.
 1864-65 Dougal (or Dugald) Thompson   Rev. Thompson remained in Clarinda only one year.  However, during that time the church building was completed and dedicated free of debt.  At the time of the dedication, a $2,000 debt loomed against the building.  Brother Thompson says, “How to raise this was a puzzling question, but we got Frank Evans to come and dedicate it, and when the debt was to be lifted Bros. Hickman, Moore, Van Arsdol, Weidner and others of the saints and the outside saints and sinners that would make good saints, put their shoulders to the load and off went the debt.  We were a happy people that day.”  He continues, “The Clarinda charge was then, as it always has been and is now one of the most progressive charges in the conference, especially noted for its Sunday school work and its promptness in supporting all benevolences.  My salary that year was paid in full.”  Rev. Thompson moved on to the Norwalk circuit.
 During his pastorate another event occurred that enriched the church.  In the 1922 church directory Rev. J.M. Williams writes, “It was during this period (1865-66) that the Lord sent a sweet singer by the name of (Thomas) Tomlinson from Yorkshire, England, to Clarinda.  He was a Methodist and sang his way into the heart of the church.  He was the founder of the Tomlinson family that has ever since been closely identified with the music and worship of the church.”
 During the 1927 homecoming, C.N. Tomlinson gave a talk about the history of the church and its music. (15)  He speaks of the church dedicated in 1864 and the choir of that time.  “The first choir was a chorus choir.  The organ was placed in front of the pulpit, the choir occupying the two front seats facing the preacher.  The choir members were Mr. And Mrs. G.W. Burns, Mr. And Mrs. D.C. Chamberlain, Mr. And Mrs. Thomas Chamberlain, Mr. Harrell and Miss Mary VanArsdol, the last named being the only living member of the choir (in 1927). . .  Her services were so much in demand that she sang in both the Presbyterian and Methodist choirs after her marriage to Willis Woods, going with her husband to the Presbyterian church.  No doubt there were others in that first choir, but I have not been able to obtain their names.  I do not presume that there were more than 400 residents in our beautiful Clarinda at that time, so you see how loyal were the early citizens to the advantages and privileges of music, thus setting an example for those who followed, and they did follow until it became an honor to belong to the Methodist Episcopal choir.”
 He continued, “Shortly after this, in 1866, my father and family arrived to make this their home.  Also about this time W.A. Frazier and family arrived, Mrs. Frazier soon becoming organist.  Being musical, my father (Mr. Tomlinson) was soon made one of the choir and were he less deserving, my sense of modesty would forbid my saying what I will say—that he contributed very largely to the efficiency of the choir.  He was a wonderful singer.  His voice was singularly sweet as well as strong.  He was very generous with his music, never refusing to sing at a funeral or a musical, whether convenient or not.    He had a personality about him that would drive the words of the song into your mind and heart in such a way that was not readily forgotten.  This was the beginning of a choir that later on not only gained a local name, but got a reputation over the state as being one of the finest and most capable choirs in Iowa.  Many traveling men made it a point to spend Sunday in Clarinda so that they could hear it morning and evening.”
 1866 Rev. Bartells   There was no minister for a time.  Later in 1866 a Rev. Bartells was appointed.  Little is known of his pastorate.
1867-69 Ami Hagen Shafer   In 1867 many came into the church including the Hon. and Mrs. W. P. Hepburn. (1)  The second parsonage was constructed. “The church continued to grow, souls were converted and the society generally built up.  Rev. Shafer was well liked and to this day (1909) the influence of his efficient labors is felt.”


1869-71 C. C. Mabee  It had been supposed that the church was debt free; however Rev. Mabee discovered that there existed a debt of $1,800.  This was paid off during his pastorate.  The present bell cost $150 and was hung in that church in 1869.  In the Page County History, “Rev. Mabee says a faithful attendance upon all the means of grace and a careful attention to the financial interests of the charge, indicated a spiritual and loyal membership.  The Sunday school was well officered and there was a large per cent of adult scholars in attendance, a number of whom became deeply interested in their personal salvation and were led to Christ the following winter.”
 It was during his pastorate that the Temperance movement was inaugurated.  Rev. Mabee says: “I shall not deem it out of place to state that the great temperance movement of the Missouri slope was inaugurated here in the Methodist Episcopal church during the first year of my pastorate.  An article from the pen of one of the sisters published in the paper and followed the succeeding Sabbath by a discourse in the morning and platform addresses in the afternoon and evening, continued for a number of evenings in succession, so brought the subject before the people and awakened such an interest that we called to our assistance some of the best temperance lecturers in the country—Mrs. Beavers, Mrs. Fletcher, and Dr. Ross, of Illinois—who gave us a course on the subject.  The good work was carried forward, so that in a short time no license was granted to sell distilled liquors in Clarinda.” (6)  About fifty joined the church in his two years.  His salary was supplemented by “handsome donations”.  Rev. Mabee says, “I cherish the recollection of the two years spent in Clarinda, and keep in my heart a warm place for those dear friends and fellow workers in the gospel.”  Dr. Mabee resided in Lenox at the time of the 25th church anniversary.
 1871-1873 Artemius Brown   Artemis Brown was described as “the jolliest and most humorous man that this church has ever had.”  His presence was described as a “tonic” and in 1921 some of the older members still remembered his gift of humor.  He and his family came to Clarinda in 1871 at the time Chicago was burning.  It was said that “he was terribly frightened, but he soon got over the fright and went right manfully to work.” (18) His wife was the daughter of the 9th District Congressional representative Hon. W.R. Green.  He says that “his pastorate was free from spiritual chills or fevers of marked virulence.  Some were converted, some died, some went to heaven and some apostatized.”  He preached to large audiences
 “On his 50th birthday . . . the church fixed him up with a great coat—a coat most of wool, and while it did not make him look sheepish it did good service in keeping his body warm.”  During his pastorate the kitchen was built on to the parsonage and the railroad reached Clarinda. 
 Rev. Brown delivered one of his “happy sermons” at the 25th anniversary of the founding of the church in 1878.
1873-75 Jacob Meek Holmes    Rev. Holmes’ pastorate was described as a time when he “walked in and out among the people as a prophet of God.  This cultured minister appealed to a class of people that had not been reached heretofore.  His ministry meant much to the solidifying and the spiritualizing of the church. . . His ministry was blessed of God.  His life was pure, gentle, and many will be the stars to deck his crown that he has already received at the hands of the Master.”
 The Woman’s Foreign Missionary Society, Clarinda Auxiliary was organized March 6, 1873 with 6 members listed:  Mrs. Holmes, Mrs. Isaac Van Arsdol, Mrs. Tomlinson, Mrs. Dunlap, Mrs. Hepburn and Miss Josie Berry (who married Prof. J.A. Wood and attended the Golden Anniversary in March 1919).
 His son, Rev. E.M. Holmes was at Simpson College and later became the presiding elder of the Des Moines district.                      
1875-76  J. A. Wilson  Rev. Wilson was particularly gifted as a pastor and his pulpit efforts attracted congregations.   The church held a year of successful revival meetings. (7)  When he left Clarinda “the church and congregation expressed their appreciation and love in the largest donation ever given a pastor in the charge.”
1876-79 Phineas Franklin Bresee          At the annual conference in Red Oak during the autumn of 1876—Bishop Foster appointed Dr. Bresee to serve as the presiding elder.  The Bishop wanted to appoint him as presiding elder of the Council Bluffs District, but Dr. Breese objected strenuously since he did not feel called to the eldership.  Late in the session a committee of influential Clarindans came to the conference to secure Dr. Bresee’s appointment to Clarinda.  The Methodist church in Clarinda was reported to be a remarkable congregation.  Its congregation included a number of “brilliant and cultured families, and some men of considerable wealth”.  Among the members were former congressman William P. Hepburn  and the attorney William McPherrin.  Mr. McPherrin died in California at the home of Dr. Bresee years later.  The Bresee’s were in Clarinda for three years.  His salary was $1,500 per year. 
According to the biography, “Upon arrival of Dr. Bresee in the city, his brethren proposed that he should not say anything about money, or have anything to do with finances, but should merely draw his salary monthly from the bank.  He complied with the request for the first year, after which he found that it was necessary for the pastor to devote some attention to the finances of the church, not on his own account, but for the good of the work.” 
 It was unusual for a pastor to serve three terms.  On September 12, 1878, the editor of the local Democrat reported that “Rev. Bresee went up to conference last week and exhibited a belt full of the scalps of sinners that he had captured during the past two years, and the Bishop returned him for another year to give him a chance to take in those who have escaped in the past.  So, to all bare hearted sinners, we wish to say that you will have to look out.”
 The return to Clarinda was not popular with all Clarinda residents.  On November 11, 1878, N.B. Moore had printed a letter he had written to the Presiding Elder of the Corning District, Des Moines Conference.  In this letter he withdrew his family’s membership from the local church.
 And, on August 7, 1879 John A. Snodgrass challenged him to a public debate upon “what is true spiritualism and what spiritualists generally believe.”  The Herald editors generally supported Rev. Breese.  The Democrat editors did not.
 “The Methodist Episcopal church at Clarinda was characterized by great singing ability.  It was said to have the best choir, the best double quartet, and the finest chorus in the state of Iowa.  Great musical conventions were held in the city, and the Methodist church was always at the forefront of these gatherings.  While it is possible that these musical accomplishments did not hinder the work, it is certainly true that they did not help it to any great extent along spiritual lines.”
 “At Clarinda Dr. Bresee began to introduce the modern gospel songs which he had used so effectively at Red Oak. . . The people were grand singers and sang the old hymns in a delightful manner.  The only peculiarity that characterized their singing. . . was manifested at the prayer meeting. . . After a season of prayer, and just as the people were rising, they would begin to hunt a hymn, and the pianist would commence to get ready.  In a little while they would announce the number, and would commence to sing.  This little peculiarity was objectionable to Dr. Bresee, as tending to cut off the whole tide of spiritual life, and he met the situation in a way that characteristic of the man.  As soon as he rose from his knees he would begin to sing a hymn.  He was incapable of striking the tune, but he would do his best, and Mrs. Bresee, or some other good singer, would take up the tune, and they would carry it along.  Dr. Bresee stated that he considered it quite probable that this method of beginning a hymn was somewhat humiliating to the people, for he noticed that in a very short time they learned to sing without hesitation or preparation at the end of a season of prayer.”
 The parsonage was enlarged to accommodate the Bresee family. “In 1879 he went to Creston, a railroad town. . . All the churches there were weak, but the Methodist church was especially so.  Upon the arrival of Dr. Bresee and his family at Creston, on a rainy day, nobody came to meet them.  After stopping at the hotel one day, they cleaned the parsonage, had their things brought in, and began the work.”       
The church was small.  “Brother Bresee started the work with his usual earnestness and zeal in the cause of the Lord.  As a result, the people came, and God began to pour out His spirit, and crowd the little place clear out to the sidewalk.”  A “Revival for the first time attracted the railway men, who made rather a unique congregation.  They would remain until the time came for them to get on their engines, when they would leave the church.  If somebody whom they did not like got up to preach, they would also leave the church.”  The pastorate was successful. 
 From Creston Dr. Breese moved to Council Bluffs and then to Los Angeles, CA where he served several pastorates.  Dr. Breese carried on a continuing debate within his pastorates regarding Holiness.  He played a pivotal role in the Holiness movement that resulted in the formation of the Nazarene Churchin Los Angeles in 1895. 
 Though controversial, “Bresee was a man of the times. . . he struggled over the issue of slavery.  He favored women’s rights and forged ahead in the 1890s, ensuring that women would have full equality in the Church of the Nazarene.  He recognized the personal and social evils of alcohol, although he was too sanguine, perhaps, about the ultimate success of prohibition.  He consorted with the nabobs of the Gilded Age and found them wanting.  He was a pastor to an emerging middle class.  Bresee was attuned spiritually to many of the deep human currents at the turn of the century.  He understood the growing concern of religious thinkers to counter the mechanistic, reductionist skepticism that was an acid to Christian belief.  He countered reductionism by preaching on the Spirit that gives life and hope.  He used creeds and forms but placed his emphasis on the life-giving Spirit at work in human lives and history.  When Bresee preached, deep called out to deep.”
 The revival held in 1876 while Rev. Phineas Franklin Breese was pastor appears to be the largest of the early revivals.  It was reported that “The sledge hammer blows, saints and sinners and sin received, the telling talks in favor of temperance, the rich and racy delineations of character will in all time to come linger in this city.”  Rev. Breese later founded the Nazarene Church.
 At the time of the 25th church anniversary, in 1878, W.A. Frazier was presented a gold watch for having served as organist for 14 years.
1879-80 William Spearing Hooker   Rev. W.S. Hooker was born January 29, 1834, near Portsmouth, England.  He was converted September 29, 1847, and united with the Wesleyan Methodist Church.  In 1855 he was licensed to preach by Rev. Thomas H. Squance. . . the only survivor of the party of seven young ministers taken to India by Dr. Coke in 1813.  Rev. Hooker was married to Miss Sarah Humphreys, in 1861, who shared the toils and labors, the joys and success of a Methodist preacher’s life until August 6, 1886, when she passed to her reward. . . Rev. Hooker . . . joined the Des Moines Conference in 1870.  Since then he has been stationed at Decatur City, College Springs, Shenandoah, Villisca, Wesley Church in Des Moines, Clarinda, Indianola and Creston.” (2)  At end of his first year in Clarinda he became presiding elder of Council Bluffs district.
 “Rev. Hooker had an enviable reputation as a pastor and preacher and kept the church in complete working order he found it.  For several years there had been a mission school near the depot. . . During Rev. Hooker’s pastorate a comfortable chapel, the outgrowth of this Sunday school, was built for at a cost of about five hundred dollars.  Large collections were reported at conference and some increase of membership.”
1880-81 Charles Wesley Blodgett (Dr.)   Dr. Blodgett was the pastor at the time the church celebrated its twenty-fifth anniversary.  It is his history of the church that appears in the 1909 History of Page County.  In 1896 it was said that “his pastorate was characteristic of the man.  Energetic, able and successful, he is still a noted minister in our Methodism.”  “He was a man of unique personality, and later occupied some of the greatest pulpits of Methodism.”
 Dr. Blodgett prefaced his record by writing, “What Methodism is in the capital of the state, it will be to a certain extent in Iowa; what it is and has been and is yet to be in Clarinda, it will be in Page county.  I have found it extremely difficult to trace back the history of this church.  From far and near has come what little I shall be able to tell you of our church in the quarter of a century of its existence.”(4)          
 Rev. Blodgett’s history of the first twenty-five years was printed in the paper in 1882.  “At these altars have been converted hundreds, some of whom are in the ministry, prominent among whom is Rev. W.T. Smith, presiding elder of the Atlantic district.  This choir of this church has always been remarkable for its sweetness of song and evangelical spirit.  The organist W.A. Frazier, has for fourteen years been in his place.  The Sunday school is now and has always been well officered and is an efficient arm of the church.  The Women’s foreign Missionary Society, organized during Rev. A. Brown’s pastorate, is still in active operation and with tireless zeal of helping the women on foreign lands to come within God’s glorious lights.  It is impossible to tell of the number of marriages solemnized by former pastors and persons baptized, but they will run up to many hundreds.  The total contributions during these years will not fall far short of $40,000.  There have been doubtless troubles and divisions, but they like the vices of the dead are forgotten, while the virtues are remembered.  Many of the members of this church and of the homes represented in the church have in a quarter of a century gone to join the host immortal and the church triumphant above, and yet some are here tonight, who, in the days of the early past bowed at these altars, but they are few, yet out of the record of the past come the noble example of the saintly women and men whose voices are no longer heard within their walls, and whose footsteps will be heard no more forever, bidding this church onward to greater deeds of doing and work of love.”
 He continues, “Between the sister churches of this city and this (church) have always been genial fellowship.  It thinks the past will say, for this society, malice toward none, and charity for all.  In the fall of 1880, Rev. C.W. Blodgett entered upon the work.  Today the church is in a position to do more than ever before, with social and spiritual power, let there come a consecration to God and truth, and the future will be bright with the glory the master had—‘that of doing good’.
 The twenty-fifth anniversary was quite a celebration.  On Tuesday evening Rev. Blodgett preached.   On Wednesday evening, Rev. Artemis Brown of Leon preached to a large audience and greeted his old friends.  On Thursday evening, Rev. E.M. Holmes, son of Rev. J.M. Holmes (deceased) preached.  While only 21 years of age and preaching in his boyhood home town, it was reported that the sermon “was in every way creditable.”  He was assisted by Rev. Mabee.
 By Friday morning many of the old pastors were present and the real celebration began.  There were 625 people counted in attendance.  “The exercises were opened with a magnificent anthem by the choir.  This choir noted for its sweetness of song and perfect blending of voices never did better than during the entire services of the anniversary.”
 Hon. W.P. Hepburn in his “unique and eloquent manner presented to the church the silver communion set. . .”
 “Thos. Tomlinson presented in behalf of the church, a gold watch to W.A. Frazier who for 14 years had been at his post as organist, and afterwards came the social.  Everybody was glad to see everybody, and everybody was happy.
 On Saturday afternoon the old pastors were with their good wives sumptuously fed at the parsonage.  On Saturday evening, Rev. W.S. Hooker presided, the sketch of the church history was read.
 On Sabbath morning Rev. P.F. Bresee occupied the pulpit of the church. . .Rev. C.C. Mabee preached at the Presbyterian church in the morning, and Rev. Artemis Brown at the U.P. church in the morning and the Presbyterian church in the evening.”
 At this time the church had 300 full time members.  Rev. Blodgett eventually served a pastor of the Methodist church in Alleghany , Pennsylvania , one of the “great churches of Methodism”.
1881-83  Benjamin F. W. Cozier   Rev. Cozier had been the presiding elder of the old Corning district. Rev. Blodgett describes his successor Rev. Cozier as “a man of fine executive ability.  During all the years of the history of this church and of this conference the author of this sketch feels free to affirm that no more efficient and harder working elder has ever been appointed than Brother Cozier.”
 Rev. Cozier first stated the need for a larger building in his report to the board on October 16, 1881.  “Toward a gracious revival of religion and a might enlargement of the church I shall daily pray and labor.  I suggest that all concerned immediately begin to think and plan for a new church, an improvement urgently needed.  I think this year money seems to be so abundant and the enthusiasm so decided in our town that the auspicious hour has most certainly arrived for the first steps in such an enterprise.” 
Under his leadership, in1882 the present church construction began.  The building would seat 700 and was to be constructed at a cost $15,000. (14) It was described as “built of solid brick masonry. It is a fine structure and is in a charming spot with a good basement that serves for lecture room, classroom, parlors for receptions, and business meetings.”
 “The entire building is heated by steam, is lighted by gas and is neatly carpeted and furnished in modern style of church architecture. The audience room is provided with nicely cushioned pews and the lecture room with easy chairs.
 “The belfry contains a 500-pound bell, costing $150. (An 1892 clipping tells that Henry Loranz rang the same church bell that he had rung 40 years before in Illinois. “This building was not dedicated and fully completed until January 1888.”
 “All money shared have been put up by this time, but there are men in all churches who expect to get to the better world on 15 cents and get a front seat and the best robe and harp and then they will growl because their wigs and crown do not fit.”
 “The Methodists will hold services in the Opera House until their church is completed.”   On June 8, 1882 Cornerstone laid by Rev. Cozier and trustees and building committee.  Young people “expect to cool the multitude” with ice cream, lemonade and a lunch counter at the county fair.
The “Topmost” spire added Nov. 13, 1882, 120 feet from the ground, highest point in the city.
 The present church is this 1883 structure remodeled many times.  The old church and lot were sold to Elijah Beal for $6,000 and the land where the church is located was purchased for $2,000.  A contract was awarded to N.A. Olson to build a new church for $9,600, with the 260,000 brick that they had already purchased to be furnished by the trustees.  
 The church was completed and in use, but not dedicated until the debt was paid off in 1889.  The Page County History  gives a good description of the building.  “The present magnificent edifice was erected in 1882, at a cost of $15,000.  It has a seating capacity of nearly 700 and is built of solid brick masonry.  It is a fine structure and is in a charming spot.  A good basement serves for lecture room, class room, parlors for receptions and business meetings.  The entire building is heated by steam, is lighted by gas and is neatly carpeted and furnished in modern style of church architecture.  The audience room is provided with nicely cushioned pews and the lecture room with easy chairs.  The belfry contains a 500 pound bell, costing $150.  The building was not dedicated and fully completed until January, 1888.”
 The Democrat reported regularly on the church construction.   January 12, 1882:  “The new Methodist Church Building is now certain to be built and all will be pleased to know this, as it is something much needed.  The money is not all raised, but enough in sight to set the managers to work in earnest.  All money shared have been put up by this time, but there are men in all churches who expect to get to the better world on 15 cents and get a front seat and the best robe ad harp and then they will growl because their wigs ad crown do not fit.  There are a few of these kickers and as time goes on they will get warm under the collar ad do their duty, a better church will be got then if management is not done in a slovenly way.”
 March 9, 1882:  “For some time our Methodist Brethren have been looking at plans and churches which they thought would suit them, but failed to find just what they wanted. 
 They ordered our townsman N.A. Olston to get up a plan and submit it to the building committee.  He went to work and got up plans and they have been approved ad the church will be built after them.
 We will give an outline of the building, so that our people can have some idea of it.  The size of the building on the ground will be 54 feet by 76 feet.  Built in the shape of a cross with 2 towers in front, a large one and a small one.  The basement lecture room will be 33 feet by 49 feet.  There will be 2 parlors, each 18 feet by 20 feet, and connected by sliding doors.  A cloak room, 9 feet by 9 feet, a kitchen, 8 feet by 10 feet and a boiler room 8 feet by 20 feet.  All in the basement story.
 The ceiling in the basement will be 12 feet high.  There will be 2 entrances, one in each transept.  The entrance to the audience room will be from the front and go in straight with wide stairs and stone steps on the outside.  The auditorium will be 48 feet by 50 feet, study room 12 feet by 13 feet, gallery 14 feet by 38 feet, rostrum 10 feet by 33 ½ feet, height of ceiling 28 feet.  The seating capacity of the church will be 500 persons.
 The main tower from the grade line will be 116 feet high.  The building will be of brick trimmed with stone in the Gothic style of architecture.  When completed it will be an edifice that will for years to come stand as a monument of the enterprise of the church.  We are proud to know that Clarinda has an architect that is not excelled by any who can get up plans and specifications that equal those of the best architects of the great cities.  The church when completed will cost about $15,000 dollars.”
 April 6, 1882:  “The old Methodist Church is being taken down.  The Methodist’s will hold services in the Opera House until their church is completed.”
 May 4, 1882:  “Excavating is being done for the church.”
 May 18, 1882:  “Brick was brought to the site for the new Methodist Episcopal Church.”
 June 8, 1882:  “Friday at 5:30 p.m., the cornerstone of the Methodist Episcopal Church will be laid by Rev. Cosier and Trustees and Building Committee.  The ceremonies will be interesting and all are invited to be present and witness it.”
 June 13, 1882:  “The young people of the Methodist Episcopal Church have an eye to business.  They have undertaken to raise $500.00 for furnishing the new church and they will do it too.  Mrs. Hinchman, their President, is full of push and energy.  They expect to cool the multitude at the county fair with ice cream, lemonade and also run a lunch counter all in connection with the Methodist ‘boarding house’.”
 June 15, 1882: “On Friday afternoon last, the corner stone of the new Methodist Episcopal Church was laid without any display of trumpets, as is usually the case on such important occasions.  There was a large number of people on the ground and the ceremony, as laid down by the Methodist Episcopal Church was carried out to the letter, Rev. Cozier being the conductor.
 As to the building itself, a good description of that was published in the Democrat some time ago and of course we refrain from making any mention of that at this time.
 After signing and reading of a portion of scripture, Rev. Malcom offered up a prayer.
 Bro. Bresee, who had been telegraphed for and was present, then came forward and delivered an address in his usual easy and eloquent manner, but we are not stupid enough to attempt a synopsis of it.
 Rev. D.C. Wilson then made some appropriate remarks and congratulated his Methodist friends on their good fortune at being able to erect so fine an edifice to worship in and hoped it would not be many years until his people would be able to build themselves a better church building.
 Rev. Tucker, at the request of Br. Cozier, then appeared and talked in a very pleasant vein.  He remarked that he was a short man, and as it was getting late he would make a short talk.  He said, from what had been said, and from those present, it was almost impossible to detect that it was the laying of a corner stone for a Methodist Church  That in years gone by, especially at the laying of a Baptist Church corner stone, this would not have been the case, as much would have been said about water—DEEP WATER.
 After this Br. Cozier deposited in the box a Bible, a Methodist Hymn book, a Methodist Discipline, a historical sketch of the church, list of subscribers to the church, a sketch of the history and incorporation of the church, a copy of the Democrat, Herald and Star, a list of county officers, Westminister SS Lesson Leaf “THE TRANSFIGURATION”.
 Champ Ballard, the tinner, who had made the box, was on hand and soldered it up.
 A.G. Dixion, had prepared the stone by engraving the figures “1882” on its face and chiseling a hole for reception of the box.  After the box had been properly sealed, Br. Cozier deposited it in the hole, in the stone and then pronounced the Benediction.
 Just at this time O.H. Park photographed the stone and the crowd surrounding it, and if Br. Bailey’s beautiful face does not appear in that picture, it will be on account of his unbelief of ungodliness.  Mr. Dixion placed some slate over the box and cemented it nicely and thus ended the ceremonies and the crowd dispersed, glad to see the work progressing so finely and hoping to see it finished without accident or hindrance.”
 It was noted in the Page County History that “the subscription to the building was supplemented by the sum of five hundred and sixty dollars cash, placed at the disposal of the board of trustees, by the Young People’s Aid Society, for the purpose of purchasing the gas fixtures.”
 November 13, 1882:  “The new Methodist Episcopal Church is to be heated with steam, lighted with gas, have a pipe organ and cushioned and glided, grandly, beautiful.  A matter of pride; pride to the membership and pride to the young city that can point to this splendid church . . .”
 November 20, 1882:  “The topmost of the Methodist Episcopal Church spire was put up today, 120 feet from the ground.  This is the highest point in the city.  It is said that from the top of the scaffolding, Creston can be seen with a field glass.”
 From the Iowa Conference Archives at Mount Pleasant, Iowa we learn that “The Des Moines Annual Conference with Bishop Matthew Simpson presiding was held at the First Methodist Church, Clarinda, Iowa, September 12, 1883. . .” 
 The Page County History tells us that Bishop Matthew Simpson was the Methodist Bishop who was invited to give the national eulogy at the funeral of Abraham Lincoln.
 The 1922 directory said of the church that “it was a mansion in those days.”  The membership at the time was 335.
 Ruth Tritsch provided a copy of her grandparent’s marriage certificate which was signed by Rev. Cozier in 1883.
1883-85 Thomas McKendree Stuart   Rev. Stuart was born in 1843 near Williamsburg , PA and died on April 3, 1911 in Council Bluffs  His father was a farmer and a teacher and finally a preacher in West Virginia.  During the Civil War Rev. Stuart enlisted in a West Virginia company.  He was admitted on trial to the Iowa Conference at Osceola in 1865.  While preaching he attended Simpson College.  In 1888 he was granted a doctor of divinity degree from Little Rock University.
 He served many churches: Monroe, DeSoto, Chariton, Afton, Clarinda, presiding elder of the Corning district, Broadway in Council Bluffs, Grace Church in Des Moines, Centenary in Beatrice, NE, Harlan, Glidden and Dunlap.
 His writings include “Divine Inspiration” and “The Errors of Campbellism”.  His obituary said “He was a diligent and faithful student of the Bible and of men; a thinker of deep thoughts. . . His power in debate was marvelous. . . he feared no foe. . . and could smile in the presence of his foeman’s defeat with a peculiar sunny sweetness which gave charm to his combativeness. . . His love of music, of literature, of life, were to be noted.  What an art was his in the consecration and administration of our ritual in the sacramental services, his like has never been witnessed in our Iowa churches.”
 Locally he was remembered “as a scholarly, faithful preacher and pastor, and left a large circle of friends.”(3)
1885-87  Henry H. O’Neal (O’Neil)  The 100 year historical sketch says that Rev. O’Neal’s “strong pulpit deliverances are still remembered by the older members.”   It was during his pastorate in 1885 that a new parsonage was built next to new church that was quite a mansion for those days.
Blodgett says that, “with the present equipment of the church and modern facilities of the parsonage, the Clarinda charge is one of the best equipped in the Des Moines conference.”  The membership at that time was reported as 335.
1887-88 William Fox Burke   Little is known about Rev. Burke’s pastorate except that due to failing health, he had to give up the work at end of year.   He is remembered as a faithful, conscientious Christian.
1913-17 Abram S. Woodard   Rev. Woodard came to Clarinda in 1913.  It was during his pastorate that the present beautiful structure was erected.  “The old building was used in the reconstruction, which gives us a property now that could not be duplicated at present prices for $60,000”.  
It is believed that the interior of the sanctuary was remodeled at the same time.

The active congregational groups included Epworth League, Junior League, Ladies Aid, Woman’s Foreign Mission Society, Woman’s Home Mission Society, Woman’s Home Missionary Society Reading Circle , Queen Esther Society and Kings Heralds.  Charles Lankert was the chorister and Mrs. Anna Lucas was the organist.

In 1915 C.E. Hoskinson organized Boy Scout Troop 1.

It was also reported (17) that “the largest ingathering into the church occurred during this pastorate, following the Lowry Union Meetings, that shook the whole community.”

In February, 2003 letter his son, John H. Woodard, sent the picture that was taken sometime after he retired at the age of 72.  In the letter he tells that Rev. Woodard, “. . .had been District Superintendent of the Bloomington , Indiana district from 1938 to 1944, then went to 1st Church, Columbus , Indiana until his retirement.  He was born in 1877 and died in 1975 before his birthday that year so he was 97. . . You’ll note he was born one year after our country’s centennial and died one year before its bicentennial. . .” 

It is interesting to note that in 2003 the Clarinda church and some other churches served by Rev. Woodard received a bequest of $5,000 from his estate.  The local funds will be used to replace the doors of the educational unit.
1917-19  Rev. Myron Milton Cable   In a historical sketch of 1922 it is reported that “These were the years of the world war, and he did splendid service cooperating with all patriotic endeavors. . . The church is now one of the leading charges in the Des Moines conference.  It has a membership of 850, and is progressive along all lines.  It went over the top in the Centenary drive during the pastorate of Rev. M.M. Cable with a grand total of about $30,000 for the five year period of missionary enterprises.  The Sunday school is well organized, and all departments and auxiliaries of the church are flourishing.  A splendid spirit pervades.”

During this time worship music was provided by a paid quartet.  In a 1927 interview, C.N. Tomlinson speaks of “the Big 4 Quartet, consisting of Thomas Tomlinson, Watt Webster, C.R. Vance and Warren Hurlbut.  They sang so well together that it was a treat to hear them. . . With all due respect to our good and efficient quartet choir, I for one, wish the young people of today would take the opportunity, and esteem it a privilege . . . to develop their individual musical talents as well as obtain mastery of themselves and thus become a public asset as well as one of importance, leaving out all thought of pecuniary gain which sooner or later comes to those who have ambition coupled with ability.”

It was in 1918 that Mrs. Roy (Maude) Collins began the Builders Class of High School girls that she taught for 41 years.

1919-22 James Michael Williams    In 1919 Rev. Williams, who had just been released from army service, was appointed pastor.  In his third year (1921) he wrote a historical sketch of the church.  He said of his own pastorate, “We will just mention two items included in the present pastorate.  One is the reception of a large number of new members in 1921 following the Harper meetings, and the other is the improvements and modernizing of the parsonage in 1922 by the Ladies’ Aid Society of the church.

According to the Page County Democrat, Rev. Williams might have underestimated the impact on the community that the revivals created:
 Culminating in a mighty sweep with services on Sunday declared by all to be among the most wonderful in the religious history of Clarinda, the union evangelistic effort being conducted in Clarinda by the Business Men’s Gospel Team of Fairfield had five hundred and eighteen converts to its credit at the close of Sunday’s tremendous effort.  This week the campaign has centered upon its final phase with the added momentum of these new converts—far more than half adults—working hard to bring in their friends, and with members of the Christian churches awakened and working as rarely laymen work in the cause of religion.  Sunday will see the close of the six week’s work, and after a two weeks’ rest the Gospel team will go to Ames, while the Christian churches of the city will endeavor to conserve the wealth of new material and the awakened spirit of their own membership which these meetings have aroused.
 To accommodate the meetings, a “big shed” was constructed.  At the close of the sessions, the lumber was sold with the exception of the trusses for the seats which were shipped on to Ames.
 Led by A.K.Harper, a manufacturer described as the “hard hitting, plain speaking, fiery leader of the party”, the Fairfield group included a grocery man, a high school principal, a department store owner, an elevator man, a dentist and a good-natured “big Swede” singer.
 There was concern that the road conditions had prevented some of the farmers from attending until Saturday night.  One of the most impressive scenes was on “working man’s night” when a group of miners came wearing white caps with their lights burning brightly.  These lights would have been candles or oil burning lamps affixed to their caps.  The hymn of the evening “Let the Lower Lights Be Burning” was reported to have been sung lustily.
 Meetings were held in the schools with students.  There were many sessions for businessmen and even one session for women.  Prayer meetings were held in homes.  A local gospel team was formed at the last meeting in the “big shed” tabernacle to continue the local effort.  The churches planned special services the following week to receive new members according to the preference expressed.  On February 27, 1921, there were more than 90 baptisms in just our own Methodist Church.
 1922-27 Alfred T. Bishop, DD   Rev. Bishop joined the North Dakota Conference and served churches in Steele, Oakes and Church’s Ferry.  Prior to his Clarinda assignment he served Iowa churches in Calamus, Grand Mound, Miles, Sheffield, Tama, Iowa Falls, Vinton, Marion, Osage and Perry.
During the pastorate of Dr. Bishop, the church continued to thrive. In 1924, the entrance lobby, stairways and walls to the main auditorium and the Gallery ad Belfry were all redone.  The woodwork was varnished, the plastering repaired and even the crossbeams refinished.
Church organizations continued to grow in number—Epworth League, Queen Esther Circle, Junior Queen Esther Circle, Home Guards, Mother’s Jewels, Standard Bearers, King’s Herald’s, Junior Standard Bearers, Light Bearers, Ladies Aid Society, Woman’s Home Mission Society, and Woman’s Foreign Mission Society were all functioning with elected officers and monthly or more frequent meetings.
 The Boy Scout work was being reorganized under the direction of a committee from the churches and the Community Club.  C.E. Hoskinson was leader of the Methodist troupe. Dr. and Mrs. Bishop were active with the youth groups.  In 1924 they attended a Family Institute held in Mills County facilities in Glenwood. 
 Sunday school classes were regularly invited to their teacher’s home for a social time.  June Logan recalls a party in the upstairs apartment of her teacher Mrs. Freeman.
 In 1927 the church sponsored a “Home-coming” for past and present church members.  The event was a method of raising funds from the church and also a time of renewal of past friendships. The letter of invitation sent out on March 16, 1927 reads in part,
Dear Fellow Methodists:

            Does the word “Home-coming” appeal to you?  We hope so.  We mean that it shall.  We want to help enjoy a Home-coming with you.  A Standard Dictionary defines home-coming as, “A coming home or the festivities attendant on the reception of an important personage on his return; as, they all made merry at the homecoming.

            While we may not have any important personage return to us for our homecoming, and yet who knows and we will hope that there may be more than one such join us, we do want you to join us in not only anticipation but in the realization of the home-coming of sentiments and heart stirrings and recollections of days gone by and of friends whose memories we revere and hold sacred and who mingled with us and worked with us in former years.  Then too we want in addition to all of those thoughts and sentiments an aroused interest and feeling of fellowship for each and all of us who are now on the membership rolls of our beloved church and who are left the heritage, duty, and privilege of “carrying on.”. . .

            If you have friends who were formerly members here with us, we hope you will either write them and enclose a copy of this letter to them, or another letter which the Committee is getting out and invite them to join us in our Home-coming.  Our Pastor and the Official Board hope to have some of the former pastors and friends here for the evening of March 30th to enjoy the festivities with us.  It would be fine to have some letters to read at that time from non-resident friends who cannot be here and we hope to have some of these.  Make this your Home-coming and do your part to create not only funds but fellowship.”

Rev. Bishop was known for working well with other denominations and spent a good deal of time visiting the sick and the troubled.  After his Clarinda pastorate, Rev. Bishop served churches in Valley Junction and Grand Junction.  He retired in 1935.
1927-31 David Shenton   David J. Shenton was born in Coin in 1897 and was appointed to the Clarinda church in 1927.  Prior to Clarinda he had served appointments with the Perry Circuit in Russell, Blockton, Allerton, Shelby, Audubon, and Winterset.  He left the Clarinda pastorate to become district superintendent of the Council Bluffs district and was then appointed to a church in Jefferson. 
 At the time of Rev. Shenton’s pastorate, there were 847 church members.  He received an average of 29 members per year during his ministry.
 During his pastorate a Men’s Brotherhood was organized.  In 1928 Dr. Shenton asked the ladies to divide into four groups, stating that the social problem was the outstanding problem of the church.  They divided into the SE division with 23 members, NE with 24 members and the NW and SW totaling 94 in all.
 Sometime during the 20s the choir was reorganized and took over the work of the paid quartet that had been providing worship music.
 Alice Owen remembers that her father, W.C. Lehman, was janitor for a time and she felt really important when she got to ring the bell to call everyone to the church.
 Mildred Bean recalls a wood stove in Fellowship Hall where the fireplace is now.  There was a huge furnace down the steps in the furnace room.  The fires had to be built and the ashes removed.  Her father, W.C. Lehman, paid her to help.  She deposited the money she earned and had written a check for a new winter coat just the day before the bank closed. 
Dan and June Logan remember that Rev. Shenton was an intellectual and very “Bible smart”, but he was sometimes hard for young children to follow.  Ruth Woolson Laning was a flower girl at his daughter’s wedding and got to “throw pebbles”.  His sermons are remembered as being rather long, lasting until 12:30 or even 1:00.  His sermons were called “deeply spiritual and high in their educational value.”  He married Russell and Mary Price and had been the minister in Russell’s home church in Winterset.
1931-1937  Warren H. Meredith   Rev. Meredith’s first pastorate was Carlisle in 1917.  Other appointments included Manning, Greenfield, Guthrie Center and Atlantic  Rev. Meredith came to Clarinda in 1931.  He is remembered as being quiet and scholarly. 
 Upon the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the church in 1983, his son, Gordon D. “Rick” Meredith wrote a letter to the congregation that is worthy of quoting:

Dear Pastor,

My father would have been 100 years old this month if he was living.  As it was he made it to age 91 before passing on in Atlantic in 1974.

Thus in his memory and honor I would like the enclosed $100 to go for flowers on the altar for 3-4 Sundays, and in memory of my mother also who was always totally involved in the work of the church.

. . . He pastored several southwest Iowa county seats, was D.S. at Council Bluffs, a prime developer of the pastors’ pension fund and active on the board at Simpson College.  He never totally said but I always thought he liked the Clarinda charge most of all the work he did for the Lord.

He and my mother spent their sunset years at Heritage House in Atlantic and both are buried there.  She lived to age 85 so you can see their years of service together were many.

I ran across the enclosed print recently and it brought back memories of about 1935 when the sanctuary was remodeled.  It was a big project for its day about $35,000 I think.  I learned  much about church construction—some of which I still use as chairman of the improvements committee of my church down here.

To me Clarinda was the real role model of Middle America at its best.  I hope the present generation appreciates what they have there.

I was age 8-14 in that period and I can recall events there much plainer than when I was in HS at Council Bluffs , which I never liked nearly so much because of its bigness.  We had most everyting at Clarinda which a kid would want.  Not much money, a depression in session, but the finest fresh food on the table and events going on all the time.

The church had activities most every day.  Boy Scout Troup 203 sponsored by the church was one of the best.  George Woolson from the Herald was Sunday school superintendent and scoutmaster.  I recall once we had a jamboree of scouts at Shenandoah.  Jack Swisher and I were bragging over the soup his mother made for the Lion patrol but Bob Williams came begging for a hot dish and I gave him some soup and his Panthers edged out our Lions overall something like 848 to 842.  The soup did it. . .

Please express my sincere and best wishes to some of the old timers from the 1930s.

Bob Caswell remembers some rousing monopoly games in the parsonage with Meredith’s sons. 
Rev. Meredith carried on an annual Crusaders  with Christ campaign during Lent.  Each Sunday service provided a special opportunity to develop both morning and evening services around a theme.  One year it was a “Program of the Loyalty Crusade”.  The special services included Roll Call Day, “The Call to Loyalty” (Women’s Night with music by the women’s chorus and Dr. Nira Kilise-Grounds speaking); Family Day, “The Way to Loyalty” (Men’s Night with music by a men’s chorus); A Stewardship Service, “The Fruits of Loyalty” (a Service of Practical Religion with Dr. Sukov of the State Hospital speaking on ‘Religion in Human Relations’); Neighbors Day, “The Influence of Loyalty” (a Brotherhood Service for All Faiths); Symphony Day, “The Glory of Loyalty” (Old Hymn Night); The Challenge to Loyalty (Esther Guild Service pageant and special music); Palm Sunday Services, “The Pledge of Loyalty” (Laymen’s Night); and Easter Triumph, “The Incentive to Loyalty” (with a young people’s service and pageant).
 In the Pastor’s Report of 1935 we learn that “I have done the work as a pastor in the homes of the people with increasing pleasure; and, I like to think, with increasing efficiency.  I have visited the sick, cheered the dying, and given such comfort as I could to the sorrowing.  I have conducted twenty funerals, ten of which were members of this church.  With the remarkable fine work of Mr. William Markle, we have placed in the homes of our people one hundred and seventeen Northwestern Christian Advocates. . . We are using the fine little booklet ‘The Upper Room’ in some 40 homes, with good success.
 That year he had received 39 by profession of faith, 37 by transfer, baptized 44 people, and solemnized 26 weddings.  With the Clarinda Ministerial Alliance he had participated in union activities.  The alliance had fostered and incorporated as a non profit the Tinker House Community Work on East Garfield in its work for mothers and children.  Rev. Meredith served on the board of directors of the Page County Social Service and did special case work..  He served as Chaplain at the State Hospital.
In order to save coal and light, the prayer meetings and other meetings were held at the parsonage along with some of the Sunday School classes.  The contributions to the different benevolences were at a high point.
During his ministry the church was remodeled.  The altar equipment was set up and a new organ and echo organ were installed.  It was reported that “his patience and kindness at a time when there was so much difference of opinion within committees was providential and thus kept God’s way first.”
The new organ was housed in three large tone chambers—the Echo organ in the southeast corner of the balcony, the Great and Swell organs in two large rooms back of the reredos and grille back of the altar.  The slow and cumbersome tracker action was replaced with an electric action.  The entire organ is operated from    a three-manual Austin console.  The high excellence of the organ was attributed to the chairman of the music committee, Claude Annan; and to the great skill of its builder Mr. C.F. Dunn.  Mr. Dunn was called a pipe organ architect.  He was also a graduate musician and an accomplished organist.  He made “a most valuable contribution to the rebuilding program . . . and built the organ without financial gain to himself.”
 At the time of the organ dedication, a document called The Christian Symbolism of Our Sanctuary was included in the program.  That document states in part:

One of the greatest authorities on worship says, “A sanctuary is not a mere auditorium, but an appropriate place of worship.  In design and appearance, therefore, it should be dignified and beautiful, an expression of true art.”  To best “worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness” demands an environment suggestive of holiness.  For a church, like a sacrament, should be “an outward and visible sign of an inward grace.”. . .
 After speaking in depth about the early Methodists who were denied beautiful surroundings for worship, the writer describes our sanctuary (many of the symbols are still present):
In a concert hall, it is expected that the singers are to be arrayed in banked formation, so all can be seen.  In the sanctuary, however, the choir use their voices for another purpose, and their seating is consequently differently arranged.  Instead of being exhibited, they sit inconspicuously on a low platform in parallel seats facing each other across the chancel. . .

Approached by the central aisle leading up to the altar symbolizing the Holy of Holies the open chancel rail symbolizes the right of every man, whomsoever he may be, rich or poor, learned or unlearned, young or old, to approach the Highest and the Holiest without any human intermediary, be he minister, priest or bishop.  Truly ‘tis the symbol of the Magna Charta of religious liberty.

The three steps by which we rise from the common level of the church to the higher level of the altar of our God, may symbolize the three conditions that God lays down for entrance to His fellowship—repentance, belief, and self-dedication.

The design seen in various forms in the pew ends, the altar, the reredos, the organ-grill, the pulpit, lectern, and the lanterns, is the trefoil or clover design adapted to the Gothic.  It symbolizes the “Three-In-One,” the Trinity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

In the border of the grill above the altar may be seen what seems to be circles with the letter “s” within.  This is a very ancient Oriental design called the “Monad.”  It dates back at least to 3000 B.C., and probably originated in Persia, the home of the Wise Men “who made long journey to lay their gifts at the feet of the Babe of Bethlehem.”  It represents “The Great Infinite,” that which is without beginning or end, the Creator of all things, and before whom all should bow and “worship in spirit and in truth.”

The “seven-branched candlesticks” set in the Gothic niches on either side of the altar, were made in Palestine and imported to this country.  Their design was given to Moses on the mount by inspiration as recorded Exodus 25:31-40.  Such a candlestick of gold was placed in the Holy of Holies in the ancient tabernacle, later in Solomon’s temple, and copies of it were undoubtedly seen in the synagogue at Nazareth by the boy Jesus.  Today it is the common heritage of Jews and Christians of all faiths.

In the circular window in the east gable is found the figure of the anchor, symbolical of the surety of our faith in God, and the final triumphs of righteousness, which is “an anchor sure and steadfast and which entereth into that which is within the veil.”  Heb. 6:19

In the opposite window is the crown, the emblem of the reward that awaits the true and faithful servant of his Lord who hath borne the cross lived the life of faithfulness.

Memorials and Gifts

 The altar, reredos and grill in memory of Mr. A.T. Clark by Mrs. Clark
 Pulpit by Dr. Charles Collier in memory of Dr. Carrie Butler Collier
 Lectern by Mr. John Sullivan in honor of Dr. Charles Collier
 Baptismal font by Mrs. J.M. Williams in memory of pastor Rev. J.M. Williams
 Altar rail by Charles and William Sinn in honor of Mr. And Mrs. George Sinn
 Illuminated altar cross by Harry Jones in memory of Mrs. Annie M. Jones
 The seven-handed candlestick in the west niche in memory of M.W. Whittaker
 The seven-handed candlestick in the east niche by Mrs. Max Mayer
 The Estey Echo organ is a gift of Mr. And Mrs. Claude Annan and Mr. And Mrs. C.E. Hoskinson.
Following his Clarinda appointment, Rev. Meredith became the Council Bluffs District Superintendent.  In addition to being a Field Representative for the Reserve Pension Fund he served churches in Chariton, Ankeny and Woodward.  He retired in 1956 and passed away in 1975.
1937-1940      W. Frank Lister   Dr. Lister had a tremendous energy and ability to accomplish work for God’s kingdom.  Because of his wisdom and sacrifice he was able to inspire many.  It was under his leadership that the First Methodist Men’s organization was formalized.  Dr. Lister’s Iowa churches included Lacona, Patterson, Milo , Madrid , Greenfield and Des Moines  He left to become district superintendent of the Ottumwa district of the Iowa-Des Moines Conference.
 During this pastorate the three Methodist Churches—Methodist Protestant, Methodist Episcopal South, and Methodist Episcopal—were united in Kansas City in 1939.
 The Woman’s Societies of Christian Service (W.S.C.S.) was organized in 1940.  Mrs. Lafe (Helen) Boman was the first president followed by Mrs. George (Lucile) Woolson. This consolidation united the Ladies Aid, and the Woman’s Foreign Mission and the Woman’s Home Mission.  Dolores Bellairs recalls thinking that Helen Bowman was one of the saints of the church.  The grand piano in the church sanctuary was given in her memory.  Several parishioners remember that it was Mrs. Bowman who always said, “you cannot retire from the Lord’s work.  Do the best you can, that’s all the Lord requires of you.”
 Methodist Youth Fellowship (MYF) was also organized and supplanted the former youth groups of the church.
 The Hi-den Sunday School Class taught by Bill Markle and later George Woolson was very popular for high school boys.  Many 2003 church members recall Mr. Markle’s willingness to discuss morality issues.  The class gained national recognition and headlines when they accurately predicted (a year in advance) the date World War II would start.
Bill Markle is also remembered by those who were in the church at that time for having his own “Amen” corner at services.  He always wore a lapel full of award pins.  Once when he had publicly lost his temper he discussed with the class how wrong he had been and told the boys that “the devil had beguiled him.”  
 Youth activities were popular.  This continued to include social gatherings at the homes of the adults who were in charge of the classes like the one shown in the following picture, a gathering of junior high boys at the Markle home.
 The directory included a list of businesses that were owned by Methodists or family members of Methodists with the advice that, “These folk have contributed for the publication of this directory and since they are   our church family we recommend that you patronize them whenever possible.”
 Ruth Woolson Laning recalls his kindness and taking the time to talk to her when her brother Paul died.
 The church remodeling was completed during this time.  The men had not budgeted enough for the remodeling, so the women of the church fed the Kiwanis Club for months in order to pay for the new kitchen. 
 Rev. Lister started children’s sermons in what he called the “junior message”. 
He married Dan and June Logan.
 Following his Clarinda pastorate, Rev. Lister became Superintendent of the Ottumwa District and then served churches in Boone and Bloomfield.  He retired in 1957
 1940-45 Charles R. Rowe   Rev. Rowe first joined a Methodist Conference in Kentucky.  In Iowa his church appointments included Exline, Douds, Chillicothe, Burlington and Grinnell.  Rev. Rowe came to Clarinda in 1940.  In his first quarterly conference report (October, 1940) he records the family’s arrival:
 . . . Since we arrived here rather late on Saturday, we were given a nice room at the Linderman Hotel over Saturday night and Sunday.  Then, our moving expenses were paid.  The ladies under the direction of Mrs. Lafe Boman, helped organize things in the parsonage. 
 A hearty reception was given the parsonage family.  We like Clarinda.  We like the parsonage.  We like the newly decorated church.  It is a beautiful, worshipful structure.  Most of all we like the people.  They are just grand! . . .
 We are looking forward . . . We must go deeper spiritually, then go on to widen our influence as a church. . .
 Our suggested goal is a 10% increase in all of our church organizations this year.  This includes the Church School, Worship Service, Epworth League, W.S.C.S., and Men’s Club. .
At that point of his ministry Rev. Rowe had already made 50 calls, preached 3 funerals, married one couple and preached 7 sermons.  One of today’s parishioners recalls that he wore a long-tailed coat while preaching and often read poetry as a part of his sermons.
An Honor Roll of boys serving in the army indicated the War Period which made church work difficult.  Both Mr. And Mrs. Rowe are remembered as being kind and sympathetic.  His sermons were filled with sympathetic understanding of life’s problems.
The choir sometimes combined youth and adults.
 In 1940 the charter meeting of the Woman’s Society for Christian Service and the Wesleyan Service Guild were held.
Under his leadership and that of the Presbyterian deacon, the youth of the church and the Presbyterian youth participated in the “University of Life” each Sunday evening.  There were talks, lessons, refreshments and games.  The young people got to do folk dances, but were careful to call them folk games in order to avoid criticism.
 During Rev. Rowe’s ministry the Builders Class celebrated their 25th Anniversary with Rev. Rowe as their guest speaker.
 Rev. Rowe married Bob and Norma Caswell.     
The congregation became quite attached to the Rowe family before they moved to Utah.  They were saddened to hear in 1946 that their daughter Margaret died of burns suffered when a grass skirt caught fire while she was playing.
 1945-49 Warren W. Bentzinger, DD
 Prior to coming to Clarinda, Rev. Bentzinger served churches in Kingston, Burlington , Winfield, Winterset, Mt.Ayr, Dallas Center, Grand Junction and Brooklyn .  Rev. Bentzinger is remembered as being stoic and strictly business.  He was regarded as a perfect Christian gentleman.
 Under his leadership the church made financial gifts to the New Delhi Church in India through the Certificates of Sharing program of the conference.  The conference Ministers Pension Fund and the Crusade for Christ were completed.
 In May of 1946 he reported to the conference some of his priority goals were increasing the attendance at church school, additional funds for relief, and evangelism.  It was during his ministry that the Lacour Evangelistic Crusade was first brought to Clarinda by the Ministerial Alliance. 
 Outreach was important to Rev. Bentzinger.  He reported that “Outstanding in my experience this year has been the opportunity for me to meet a total number of 147 Junior and Senior High School youth each week in Bible Classes at school.  I confess that I consider this one of the greatest, if not the greatest contact that is afforded me as your pastor.  How effective these contacts have been, we cannot always tell, but I feel we as a church are greatly indebted to the local School officials for their permission to insert religious instruction into the regular weekly school schedule and buildings.”  Youth activities and the “University of Life” were also priorities in his ministry.
 He preached regularly at the state hospital and was active in supporting many local organizations.  In addition he had conducted 171 get-acquainted visits, 99 visits to the sick, and 77 visits to new people in town that year.  He had officiated at 17 weddings, 24 funerals, 4 communion services, and 26 baptisms.
 Rev. Bentzinger had a beautiful bass voice and sang “Old Man River” in the Lions’ Club minstrel show.  When he was criticized for that participation he countered that this was the only opportunity for him to see some of his parishioners except on Christmas and Easter.
 The choir loft was redecorated and beautiful large velvet drapes hung in the chancel.  The heating plant was overhauled and a new oil burner installed in the church and the parsonage.  The pastor’s office was opened in the church and a part time church secretary was hired. 
 Youth activities were strong.  Some of today’s church members remember George Woolson taking his Sunday School group to the woods where they swung on saplings and came back to the church for chocolate waffles.  At one Sunday School party Mrs. Bayes held for her class, Paul Owen fell off a pony and broke his arm.
 There was an MYF sub-district and rural young people came in for MYF.  Young people were expected to attend the revivals and slumber parties after them were often held.  Parents would pick their young people up on Sunday morning so that they could attend church as a family.
 Opening exercises for Sunday School were important.  Fred Fisher and George Woolson led the singing.  Norman Wynn recalls that it was during opening exercises in 1947 that he gave Wanda a Valentine card and locket.
 Temperance activities were on going.  At one event sponsored by the WCTU, Nellie Eastman set up a smoking machine in Fellowhip Hall to capture the nicotine in a vial.  This was injected into a sparrow to show the deadly effect of nicotine.  One member recalls hearing that one in seven social drinkers become an alcoholic and that none of those unfortunate souls intended that to happen.
 After the Clarinda assignment Dr. Bentzinger became chaplain at the Iowa City Hospital and Oakdale Sanitarium in Iowa City.







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