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Our History |
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Our History |
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 | 1854 - 1859 During the years between 1854 and 1858, only a few years after Hartford was founded, all our preaching was done in a local home. In 1855 the first Stage Route was formed between St Joe, and Paw Paw. We were directly in the middle, so Hartford would now be on the maps. We did not have an official church, so members belonged to either the Keeler or Coloma Circuit. Mr. F. Rowe of Lawrence preached until 1857, when a Pastor named Enoch Campbell was asked to preach in Hartford. Our First Sunday School was organized by Jefferson Dowd, and was taught in the school building that was located where the Catholic church was later built, and now is the Assembly of God Church. Jefferson Dowd left for the Civil War, and Mr. Cenius Engle took over for the next 30 years. |
| 1859 - 1861 During these years, we were bounced between the Keeler and Coloma Circuits. The lead pastor seems to have been from Coloma, and the assistant from Keeler. We had 215 members, 40 officers, and 200 Scholars. Our group was being ministered to by Rev. Evastus Kellogg, and Rev. Hoyt, of the Keeler church. The Head pastor was reported to have received $335.00 for his services. |
| 1861
- 1865 After years of being bounced around, Hartford became it's own charge, and part of the Kalamazoo circuit. Our Pastor was Rev. James Buel. We thought the fight was over, but in 1862 Hartford again became part of the Keeler circuit along with Wayne, Hamilton, and Corwin. We only had a real preacher every other Sunday, but local leaders filled our needs quite well for several years. This was the state of affairs in Hartford in 1863 when Brother George W. Hoag arrived. |
| 1865 - 1868
Rev. Miller The fact that services were held without a permanent pastor did not slow down our congregation. Revival meetings held by a Baptist minister, Rev. Fellows, and William Day led to the decision to build our own church in Hartford. At a meeting on February 6th. 1866, Andrew Bartlett, John G. Van Ostrum, and C. H. Engle were appointed to select a site for the new church. The new church was to be 60 Feet long, and 36 feet wide. Mr. White of Keeler was selected to construct the church, but problems with the steeple kept it from being opened for almost a year. The First Methodist Episcopal Church of Hartford was opened on November 10th. 1866. Services were held twice on Sundays, and the Church was packed for both services. The First Sermon was "Times As Written" Offers were extended to other denominations that might want to use our building when it was not being used. |
| 1868 - 1870 Rev. Bsard |
| 1870 - 1871 Rev. Fowler |
| 1871 - 1872 Rev. Force |
| 1872 - 1873
Rev. Webster During 1872, our Sunday School attendance rose to 238. This mark was not topped until 1904, but never went under 200. |
| 1873 - 1874
Rev. Tanner Hartford Again separated from the Keeler circuit in 1873, but four years later, the conference was at it again, and Hartford joined with Lawrence and became a Lawrence charge for five more years. |
| 1874 - 1875 Rev. Parish |
| 1875 - 1877
Rev. Steele In 1877 the Railroad comes to town, and Hartford gets it's first real shot in the arm. Since our church is only a couple blocks down main street, our membership begins to grow along with the town. Later in 1877 comes the Great Hartford Fire, where 13 buildings, in the business district, are destroyed |
| 1878 - 1880
Rev. Boynton In 1879 the city voted to gravel Main Street, at a cost of $25.00 a block. It was reported that the streets of that time were so sandy, that even buggy traffic was slow going. Our Church Membership reached 170 in 1879. |
| 1880 - 1881 Rev. Bell |
| 1881 - 1884
Rev. L.W. Earl The Methodist church has always been a central part of the community. In 1883 the church was used to host the first Hartford High School graduation ceremony. The Hartford Church became it's own charge for the final time. |
| 1884 - 1885 Rev. Mathews |
| 1885 - 1886 Rev. Parker |
| 1886 - 1888 Rev. W.W. Lamport |
| 1888 - 1890
Rev. W.M. Prouty During 1880 The Methodist Church purchased land, and started the Crystal Springs camp near Dowagiac Michigan. The camp is still in operation today, and is still supported by the United Methodist Church. |
| 1890 - 1891 Rev. Oden |
| 1891 - 1892 Rev. Hawley |
| 1892 - 1897 Rev. H.L. Potter |
| 1897 - 1899 Rev. G.W. Craig |
| 1899 - 1900 Rev. L.C. Draper |
| 1900 - 1904
Rev. G.W. Craig In 1902 the entrance to the church was moved from the center to the west edge, the interior was remodeled, and more pews were added. In 1904 our Sunday School attendance rose to 250. |
| 1904 - 1907
Rev. H.A. Lyon Church membership reached 240 in 1905. In July of 1906 the steeple on the old section of the church was struck by lightning. The steeple, was never replaced, but the bell tower was repaired. |
| 1907 - 1909 Rev. George Killean |
| 1909 - 1911 Rev. H.R.E. Quant |
| 1911 - 1915
Rev. Fred Niles In 1914, we built the first permanent Parsonage for the Church on property just behind the church. The work was mostly done by volunteers, so it took several years to complete. |
| 1915 - 1918
Rev. T. Porter During 1917 the Sunday School attendance reached 353 children, and 365 during 1918. |
| 1918 - 1920
Rev. D.J. Good Church membership reached 259 during these years. |
| 1920 - 1922 Rev. J.H. Rayle |
| 1922 - 1924
Rev. W.H. Irwin In 1923 we added a large, two story wing to the west side of the church, added a new entrance with stairs to the upper floor. The old bell tower was removed, and replaced by a large bell tower over the new entrance. This bell was said to be the loudest in the area, and was used at night to call the volunteer fire fighters during local emergencies. All new wood work was completed in the sanctuary including the pulpit, and choir area. A new furnace was installed under the addition along with all new lighting throughout the church. Our proudest addition was a large stained glass window installed in the front of the church. This beautiful window, entitled "Christ in the Garden" was donated by a member and cost $250.00. This church never had a real address, it was just listed as being on the corner of Main and Church Street, but to many it became know as "The church with the lighted Window". The total cost was $13,700.00 and it was dedicated on February 10th. 1924 by Bishop Henderson after a week of celebration. |
| 1924 - 1926 Rev. R.M. Howard |
| 1926 - 1933 Rev. John Broxholm |
| 1933 - 1936 Rev. W.A. Blanding |
| 1936 - 1937 Rev. F.C. Chamberlin |
| 1937 - 1942
Rev. Thomas Pollard In 1939 The church became known as The First Methodist Church of Hartford. In 1942 Rev. Pollard left our church to become a US Army Chaplin. |
| 1942 - 1946 Rev. Lester Clough |
| 1946 - 1950
Rev. James Rogers In 1946 Rev. Rogers started Cub Scouts in Hartford. |
| 1950 - 1952 Rev. Wesley Oldt |
| 1952 - 1954 Rev. Albert Mandigo |
| 1954 - 1957 Rev. Robert Geiger |
| 1957 - 1960
Rev. Gordon Showers
 In 1959, our church is almost 100 years old, and is starting to show it's age. The furnaces are shot and the building is too small for a growing membership. We began needed expansion and updates in October 1959. As part of the $50,000.00 update, new support beams are to be added in the basement to help support the sanctuary, and social hall floors. February 25th. 1960 FIRE breaks out while welders are working in the basement, and all our plans go up in smoke. Our people are strong, and determined to rebuild, but the Fire Marshal has other plans, the building is condemned. We decide that it is cheaper, and quicker to build new than to tear down and rebuild, so a new site is selected at 425 East Main Street in Hartford, but lots of prayers and money are needed because to keep our mission going for another 100 years, $121,000.00 are needed. During the building of the new church, we hold Sunday services at the old Red Top Restaurant on East street, and Sunday School at the North Elementary School. |
| 1960 - 1965
Rev. C.W. Martin
 May 21st. 1961 we held ground breaking ceremonies for the new church. Local bonds were issued at 5% interest totaling $75,000.00, and were matched by pledges, insurance, and cash on hand. Dedicated in November of 1961, the new building was expansive, for a city of our size, with seating for 250 in the sanctuary, and another 250 in the overflow area. Learning from the fire experience, the new building is almost entirely brick, with a natural exposed beam ceiling. The building includes a nursery, kitchen, and large social hall. During the design process, we attempted to use many salvageable items from our old church. It was like God had planned this all along. All of the Chancel Furniture, the Pulpit, Choir pews, lectern, alter, and baptismal font, were in perfect peace in this new setting. Even the lights from the old church were saved, and over the entrance to the sanctuary rests that large stained glass window from the original building. These items seemed to give a continuity and warmth to the church, that only old wood, and familiar things could manage. During that first service, everyone was in tears, as the choir sang "Surely God is in This Place". |
| 1965 - 1967 Rev. Dale Spoor |
| 1967 - 1972
Rev. Morris Reinhart In April of 1968 The Methodist Church merged with the United Brethren Church, and Became known as The United Methodist Church. |
| 1972 - 1979
Rev. Jean Crabtree On May 18, 1975 we hosted a dedication and Mortgage burning ceremony at the New Church. The Service began at 5:30 PM |
| 1979 - 1987 Rev. John Hice |
| 1987 - 1990 Rev. Dr. David L. Crawford |
| 1990 - 1998
Rev. Gerald L. Selleck On May 13th. 1997 we start planning a 3440 square foot education wing on the east side of the church. This wing would include a Nursery, several classrooms to be used by our Sunday School students, a computer lab, an additional entrance to the facility, and new church offices. The classrooms would also be used by our local High School, for adult education classes, during the week. The estimated cost is $275,000.00. |
| 1998 - 1999 Rev. Richard Powell |
| 1999
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Rev. Ronald Hansen 
 It's (date) 2000, and the new wing is under construction. On (date) 2000 the wing is finished, and It's even better than we imagined. The classrooms are full, and the computer lab has high speed internet access, while 99% of the city is still on dial-up. |
(Notes by Louise Engle, Text by Ray Birmele)
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Hartford
United Methodist Church |
Written by Ray Birmele.
Copyright © 2006 - Hartford United Methodist Church. All rights
reserved.
Revised: March 08, 2006
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