For over 100 years, the old United Methodist church stood on the corner of Bridge Street and Ambassador Boulevard, but on November 29 the building was torn down.

This has been an emotional time for those who belong to the church and feel a connection with the history.

“The community posted on ‘What’s Happening in St. Francis’ web site that it was sad that they were tearing down such a historical building,” said current St. Francis United Methodist Church leader Sandy Golyer, “but it didn’t meet the criteria for saving it because the person who bought it added a pole barn to the back of it.”

Construction for the original church started in 1891 and the church officially opened on January 6, 1892. As church membership grew, they soon outgrew the building and the church was auctioned off in 1961 for $2,000.

“The Methodist story in the St. Francis/Oak Grove area dates back to the arrival of the area’s first settlers: H.E. Seelye in 1855, Jacob Emmans in 1866, and Henry Leathers in 1883,” according to the St. Francis United Methodist Church website.

A new location was chosen for this church that would be sufficient for the rising population it would be serving. Locals began putting together a building committee in order to raise money for the new church in 1963. Money was raised through pledges, hard work and dedication to a cause that brought people together.

Construction for the new church officially started in August 1968 and the church opened its doors just in 1969 and still operates right across the street from St. Francis Elementary School.

“When I drove by and saw that the building was torn down I was shocked,” said Glenn Morehouse Olson who was a longtime member of the congregation. “I had known that there was talk about this building being taken down but I never fully believed it would happen. The church had such a vital history to our town so when I saw the empty lot I couldn’t help but cry. I truly felt a connection with this building as a landmark in our community.”

According to former pastor Kevin Coder the people at the church were sad, but they knew what bad shape he building was in. He talked to the demolition crew about saving the steeple, but they would have charged too much to move it and there would have been more expense to restore it. It has caused a lot of conversation.

“We are planning a service on June 30th, 2019 to celebrate that we have been in the present church for 50 years and we will share the past at that time,” he said.

The original building may no longer be there, but the sense of community and worship lives on in the newer location.

For more information visit https://sfunitedmethodistchurch.com