Grace United Methodist Church History

The written history of the Grace United Methodist Church, published in 1993, is quite lengthy and may be obtained by contacting Grace United Methodist Church, 312 W. Washington St., 47348, 765/348-2801 and requesting it in either book or digital form. The book is complete and the digital form covers the first 24 pages of the book and describes the overall history of the church in general.

History

1993 marked the 150th anniversary of the Grace United Methodist Church in Hartford City, Indiana. It is not known when or by whom the first Methodist sermon was preached in Blackford County but it is known that in 1831, the Missionary Mission was formed and a preaching place was established at or near the site of Hartford City. It was thought that the first place of worship in Hartford City was in a building situated on the east side of Monroe Street, between Washington and Water Streets. After a few years the name was changed to the Marion Mission and the Hartford City class was one of the preaching places.

In 1843, Hartford City was made head of the circuit and from that point forward we can trace the history of the Methodist Church in Hartford City. At that time the conference was held late in the summer, or early fall. For 12 years no minister served a longer term than one year. The ministers who served for the first 10 years, in the order of their service, were as follows: Robert Burns, E.W. Sweet, Freeman Farnsworth, Cornelius Swant, J.T. Robe, Wade Posey, George W. Bowers, John H. Bruce, Daniel F. Straight and John H. Hull.

In 1843 the Methodists erected their first church in Hartford City. This structure was used as a place of worship for about five years but the congregation had grown so that the log structure could no longer meet the needs of the people. It was decided to build a larger and more convenient church.

At the conference of 1843, when Hartford City circuit was formed, Francis M. Richmond was appointed minister for the circuit. He was reappointed the following year, thus breaking the record of the mission. The territory of this circuit embraced practically the entire county of Blackford with preaching places in the adjoining counties of Delaware, Grant and Wells, ranging from Montpelier and Alexander's (Asbury) on the north, to Olive Branch, on the Mississinewa River on the south.

A more modern brick structure was built in 1847 on High Street between main Street and the first alley to the south, directly across from the courthouse. It served the society as a meeting house for 31 years, and was then sold and afterward destroyed by fire.

In 1878, the Methodist congregation grew and a larger church was needed. The third Methodist Church was constructed at the corner of Washington and Walnut Streets, now the site of Rick Cooper's used car lot. In June 1879, this church building was dedicated by Rev. Abijah Marine with E.M. Baker serving as pastor.

During the following years Methodism in Hartford City continued to grow. During the pastorate of Rev.L.A. Beeks, who had completed his second year in 1896, there were about 200 accessions to the church. The Sunday School had a membership of more than 300.

Again in 1896, under the pastorate of L.A. Beeks, the congregation and Sunday School were outgrowing their quarters and the need for more room and better facilities became necessary. The entire building was reconstructed and enlarged with a new roof, Sunday School and Social Rooms. A new pipe organ powered by water was also installed. At this time the entire lot was covered by the church building.

This church served the Methodist congregation well until 1926, when membership grew from about 500 to more than 1000 and new facilities were needed. After much thought and planning, it was decided, in the spring of 1926, to erect the fourth Methodist Church in Hartford City at the northeast corner of Cherry and Washington Streets.

Grace Methodist Church, at its present location, was erected in 1926 under the pastorates of Rev. L.W. Kemper and dedicated on Sunday, December 11, 1927.

In 1968, under the pastorates of Rev. John Paul Jones, Grace Church underwent a major reconstruction. Building improvements included the repairing and modernization of the pipe organ, remodeling of the chancel area, complete rewiring for electrical service throughout the building, new lighting in the sanctuary and the narthex, remodeling of the walls in the balcony area, redecoration of the sanctuary and narthex, refinishing of pews, new carpeting on the first floor and balcony aisles, complete revamping of the drainage system around the church, complete remodeling of the kitchen area and adequate garbage disposal, and a new heating plant. The cost of this program was $167,635.00.

Improvements followed including hand bells in 1980 and 1983, sanctuary air conditioning in 1982, a parking lot in 1987, roofing in 1989, and fellowship hall air conditioning in 1989.

A listing of pastors serving the church and many stories of leaders in the church can be found in the aforementioned resources available from the church.