History at Garner UMC

The first sparks of German Methodism were generated in 1871 when religious services were held in the home of Sebastian Ell, three miles southeast of Garner, and later at the Court House in Concord. The first church was built in Garner during 1874 at the corner of Eighth and Bush Streets. Garner and Hayfield were assigned the same pastor. The original church was modernized and a parsonage was built prior to World War I. Up to this time the German language had been used in worship but during the hectic war years it was abolished.

English Methodism was also brought to Garner in 1871. Services were held in the old schoolhouse and the pastor was assigned to both the Garner and Britt circuit. A church was built in 1885 on the southwest corner of the intersection of Seventh and State Streets, but, because of rapid growth, the English Methodists were faced with the need for a larger church, so a new one was built on the southeast corner of the intersection of Seventh and State Streets in 1910.

Following the first merger, the Grace Methodist Church building was sold to the German Reformed Congregation and the old English Methodist Church was remodeled, a basement was dug and provisions were made for dining room and a kitchen was well as several class rooms.

Methodism continued to thrive in Garner and within 25 years it had outgrown its building. During the leadership of the Reverend S. Willard Cunningham it was obvious ‘that if Methodism in Garner was to continue to grow and to serve the community, a new building would be needed.

On March 20, 1951, two lots on the northeast corner of the intersection of Maben and Ninth Streets were purchased as a future building site. On March 15, 1954, a Permanent Building Committee was appointed. The committee members were (and all are still living today): Mr C.D. Elling, Chairman; Mr Chet Stille, Mr. Albert Borchers, Mr Carl Bohn, Mrs Edwin Bock, Mrs Loren Abele, and Mrs Paul Henderson.

The building committee remained intact during the construction of both units. On June 13, 1955, the two lots adjoining the original purchase were bought from Dr. Cecil Hamilton, thus giving a full half block upon which to build the new church. Plans for the building were submitted to the congregation and were approved on June 7, 1956. Money was not available to build a church large enough to meet the needs of the future so it was decided that the Educational Wing should be built first. Contracts were let February 27, 1958, for $112,000.00. Ground breaking ceremonies were observed on Palm Sunday, March 30, 1958. The Educational Plant was completed the following May.

Plans to build the sanctuary were started immediately. Contracts for $162,000.00 were let December 20, 1960, and construction was started in March, 1961. The church was consecrated March 4, 1962, by Bishop F. Gerald Ensley.

The Reverend M. Trevor Baskerbville, after having guided the congregation throughout the building program, was transferred to Spirit Lake in June of 1962. A few years later he returned to Mason City as District Superintendent. In June, 1973, he became Assistant to Bishop Thomas but served in this capacity only a few months. Methodists throughout Iowa mourned his untimely death which occurred on August 29, 1973.

Garner Methodists are proud of two members who went into full-time Christian Service.

Miss Florence Prouty graduated from Garner High School in 1926. She became a registered nurse and in 1940 she decided to go into full time Christian work. She was sent to Scarritt College for Christian Workers in Nashville. Here she completed her degree as a Public Health Nurse. Her assignment took her to Chile where she stayed until 1968 most of the time at Sweet Memorial in Santiago. In May, 1960, she was presented the Bernardo O’Higgins Award which is the highest award the Chilean Government can give to a foreign resident in their country for outstanding work with the Chilean people.

The Reverend Wayne R. Gjerde graduated from Garner High School in 1952. He was granted a probationary membership in the North Iowa Methodist Conference in 1960 and was assigned to the Burr Oak church. In 1963 he became pastor of the Greene church and was granted full membership at Conference in 1964. He served Greene until 1971 when he was transferred to Osage.

Christ and Methodism have been served all of these years by many loyal members from the very young to the most aged. Upon this heritage is based the challenges and pledges for the present and future generations to serve Christ and to make Him known to all of His children.

Britt UMC influx, Ventura UMC, others coming together. Bring up-to-date; purchases, build new parsonage. Covid Challenges, Changes Online Worship, etc.