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Contents
Cornerstone History Project
Introduction
Welcome to the history site for Cornerstone Church in O'Fallon, Missouri. Cornerstone has over 210 years of history. That means it was established when it was still part of the Louisiana Purchase.
This site has been created to collect information about this history. All approved users are welcome to edit and contribute. To become an approved user you will need to register. We look forward to all the contributions.
If you have any questions you can contact John Hodge at hodgehj@gmail.com or the church office at:
Cornerstone United Methodist Church 1151 Tom Ginnever O’Fallon, MO 63366 cornerstone@cornerstoneofallon.org P: 636-379-5334 | F: 636-978-2687 Church Office Hours: M – Th – 8 am to 3:30 pm, Fridays – 8 am to NOON
Meeting Notes
Agenda 26 January 2019
At this meeting we discussed;
* Discuss the project an set some expectations and goals. ** Timeline - In our discussion we did no set a defined time. 9 months to 18 months was discussed. Time will be determined by the research required. ** How do we make this a living document that can be used for 'ministry' - We are giving this some prayerful thought. * Discuss ground rules - Everyone has input, all bring unique talents, all opinions will be respected, debate is expected. * Discuss contributions - We will accept information from anywhere or anyone. Acceptance does not guarantee it will be used. * If time allows we will start on an outline. - We discussed a couple ways to do it. No decision was made. By decade (or period of time) was one discussed
A couple things to think about,
* Book Title Idea's * Project 'focus scripture' idea's (Genesis 1:1a In the beginning)? * Who do we want to write the forward.
It is my intention to use a wiki to collect and organize data. This has several advantages over using a "shared file" or having one person assemble pieces.
1. Everyone can see the most current information anytime. 2. Simplified formatting. If you can type you are good. 3. Multiple people can edit at the same time. 4. 24X7 access. 5. No special software needed. any browser will work.
I did a quick overview of how to edit and have set out instructions on how to get registered and approved to edit. I will provide a class for anyone not comfortable with using a wiki. I think you will be surprised how easy it is once you ate started.
We did not set a date for the next meeting but I am expecting it to be in March. We will have data available by then and will need to review some of the above items.
Next Meeting Agenda
(add notes here)
Getting started on MediaWiki
| [hhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wiki What is a Wiki] | MediaWiki Help - How to edit | Youtube Tutorial - 15 Mins, All should review |
Church History
Note the below outline is only provided as a starting point to enter data. It does Not mean it will be used for the book.
Dedication
Preface
Brief History of Methodism
Early Years (1798-1850)
1850-1900
1900-1950
1950-2000
2000-Present
Appendixes
History of Ministers
1807 Jesse Walker 1807 John Travis 1808 William McKendree Date Unknown -
______ Gray (1st full time paid minister)
E.M. Marvin (preached occasionally)
1861 Tyson Dines 1862 Joseph Pritchett 1867 S.J. Catlin 1868 W.A. Forwater 1869-70 R.G. Loving 1871 O.W. Linn 1873 J. Allen 1874 M.M. Hawkins 1875 Jesse Bird 1876-77 H.P. Bond 1879 W.B. Beagle 1881 R.N.T. Holliday 1881-84 T.H. Newby 1886-88 O.B. Holliday 1889 G.M. Gibson 1890-91 C.A. Shearman 1891-92 James L. Taylor 1892-95 W.H. Lewis 1895-96 H.A. Whiteside 1896-1900 William T. Ready 1899-1903 J.M. Major 1901-02 E.L. Rutledge 1903-05 O.H. Phillips 1905-08 J.H. Sneed 1908-12 C.L. Uht 1912-13 T.M. Patterson 1913-14 J.M. Hornback 1914-16 S.H. Milan 1916-19 B.F. Cline 1919-26 E.W. Raynolds 1926-28 _______ Berry 1928-29 A. Snowden 1929-30 David R. McBee 1930-34 C.O. Ransford 1934-39 George E. Poole 1939-41 A.J. Gearheard 1941-47 Thomas E. Smith 1947-49 Carlton Barton 1949 Charles Miller 1951 Willard Jones 1951-54 Robert L. Mann 1955-56 Kermit Jones 1956-58 John Dinwiddie 1958 J. Smith 1958-62 Paul Schlapbach 1962-64 Samuel Sellers 1964-66 Russell Hawkins 1966-76 Roland A. Boone 1976-79 John van der Graaf 1980 George W. Burgin 1985-90 Richard L. Combs 1990-95 Russell D. Oden 1995- Dr. John R. Ray
Key members
Location History
2001 to the Present
38.822260, -90.670658 Cornerstone United Methodist Church 1151 Tom Ginnever O’Fallon, MO 63366 cornerstone@cornerstoneofallon.org P: 636-379-5334 | F: 636-978-2687
38.807136, -90.703428 Williams Memorial United Methodist Church 307 West Pitman O'Fallon, MO P: 636-379-5334 | F: 636-978-2687
38.808331, -90.702792 214 Church St O'Fallon, MO 63366
1809
38.788057, -90.699045 This church
1808
The first United Methodist Church was built near Peruque Creek. It as a one room building as was round. This church is recorded (where?) as not being a permanent place of worhsip because Peruque Creek often flooded after a heavy rain and the creek could not be crossed.
Fort Zumwalt
Time Line
1739 Methodism founded by John Wesley in England.
1798 The Jacob Zumwalt family moved from Kentucky to the O’Fallon, Missouri area. The Methodists were the first organized religious group in the area. Jacob Zumwalt built a log house in what we know today as Ft. Zumwalt Park. The double fireplace chimney still stands at the home site in the park.
1807 Rev. John Clark led the first church service in Ft. Zumwalt. Later that year, Rev. Jesse Walker administered the first Methodist communion in what we know now as the state of Missouri. At that time the area was part of the Spanish Territory.
1808 The first Methodist Church, a one room log building that was round in shape, was built west of the Missouri River near Peruque Creek. After the church was built they discovered that the area frequently flooded.
1809 The Mt. Zion Society built the second Methodist Church, a log building erected a few yards east of the Zumwalt home. This society was the beginning of our congregation.
1853 A new stone church was built on Mt. Zion Hill, one mile south of O’Fallon on what is now Highway K. Rufus Gamble and his family gave the organ to the church.
1863 A female seminary, Fairview, was founded under the patronage of the Mt. Zion Society and was headed by professor Richard H. Pitman.
1876 Professor Pitman was elected President of Howard Female College.
1878 Professor Pitman built the Woodlawn Female Seminary, considered the best of its kind. It was built on the N.E. corner of what is now Woodlawn and West Terra (the south outer road).
1880 The first Methodist revival was conducted by Rev. J.S. Allen at Mt. Zion. Professor Pitman opened the first organized Sunday school in O’Fallon at the Masonic Hall on Elm St. with an enrollment of 86 children.
1882 The church moved from Mt. Zion hill to the S.E. corner of Church and Wood Streets.
1883 The church was debt-free and was dedicated on August 4, 1883 by Rev. J.H. Pritchett. Rev. Pritchett was the first ordained minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church of O’Fallon. The Women’s Methodist Missionary Society was organized. The first president was Mrs. Pulliam, the minister’s wife.
1885 The “Bell” we ring at the start of our church services was cast in Boston, Massachusetts on March 1, 1885, for the Methodist Episcopal Church.
1892 Professor R.H. Pitman sold Woodlawn School to Mr. Watson and Mr. McCluer. It became affiliated with the Presbyterian denomination.
1908 The building of a new parsonage and extensive church repairs took place during this year.
1909 Mr. John Henry bequeathed $1,000 to the church. The money was used to purchase a new organ.
1948 A new public school building was built on the school grounds on the N.W. corner of School and Pitman Streets.
1953 The public school system consolidated. The church purchased the public school building property (307 W. Pitman) at public auction for $12,500. The last church service was held on Wood Street on July 5, 1953. Rev. Robert Mann was pastor.
1954 The school building property was paid for. It was dedicated by Bishop Holt and Rev. L.M. Starkey on May 30. The Men’s Club was chartered with 22 members.
1958 The church was named Williams Memorial Methodist Church. Miss Marcia Williams, a devoted long-time member of the church invited her brother-in-law, Mr. Johnson, to a Sunday service. He was appalled at having church services in a school building. He donated $10,000 toward the building of a new church with the request that the church be named for the Williams family. The corner stone of the new church building was laid June 29, 1958.
1966 A dedication for the final payment was formally held on November 29, 1966.
1968 Fellowship Hall, an additional 6,000 sq. ft. building for new Sunday school classes, offices and kitchen was constructed.
1977 The property north of the church, “The White House,” became available to the church and was purchased for office space and Sunday school classrooms.
1979 A “Burning of the Mortgage” took place on September 9, 1979. Rev. John Van Der Graaf and District Superintendent Dr. John N. Doggett presided.
1980 A groundbreaking celebration for remodeling the sanctuary (turning it around and connecting it to Fellowship Hall) and building the narthex took place on July 27.
1981 The consecration sermon for the completion of the new facilities was delivered on January 4. Bishop W.T. Handy with Dr. John Doggett, Jr. (district superintendent) and Rev. George W. Burgin assisted with the service.
1982 The Men’s Club holds their first annual “Pig Roast.”
1984 The “school” building was renovated to repair the leaking basement and to create new office space and classroom space.
1988 The first “Heritage Sunday” was celebrated on August 28, 1988 to commemorate our 180th year at Ft. Zumwalt Park with a fried chicken dinner.
1995 The sanctuary was renovated to expand the chancel area, add a new sound system and lights.
1996 A new parsonage was build by the congregation at 405 Coronation Drive in O’Fallon. Prayers, gifts and labor by church members and friends completed the 2,465 sq. ft. home in November. Dr. John Ray and his family were the first parsonage family. After the sale of the old parsonage and with gifts toward the construction, the indebtedness to the church was only $21,000.
1998 A Special Administrative Board Meeting voted to allocate $12,000 designated for future expansion to hire an architectural firm to conduct a feasibility study to best determine how to expand our ministry on the Pitman site or a new location.
1999 A Special Charge Conference conducted by District Superin-tendent Jerry Boehmer in September approved the motion from the Building Committee to approve its recommendations for the general design and construction of a new church building, to purchase 10 acres on Tom Ginnever Ave. and to sell the Pitman site.
2000 Groundbreaking service at the Tom Ginnever site was held in February.
2001 First Service was held in the new building, April 22, the Sunday after Easter. Consecration of building was September 9, Bishop Sherer preached. Church name changed to Cornerstone United Methodist Church.
Reference
Geographic Names Information System (GNIS)
Some History References
| UMC | UMC History Page | South Central Juristiction | Missouri Annual Conference | Methodist Episcopal Church History | Sage Chapel Cemetery | Preacher Jefferson Franklin Sage |
| Wiki Cheatsheet | Missouri history wiki project |
Book Text
Preface
Introduction
Welcome to the "History of Cornerstone". This Church has had a long and rich history spanning over 200 years. At the start of this church Thomas Jefferson was serving his 2nd term as President, we were part of the Louisiana Purchase. A lot has happened since then. This book will attempt to detail what has happened in our church over these years. We will cover ministers, buildings, names, key people and key events.
This book has a companion web site, 'https://cornerstoneofallon.org/history'. The web site will have links to additional information that is not directly related to the our church history but may provide insights to events that may have influenced events in our church. If you have or find additional information to share you my add it it our church history site in the reader contribution area.
We hope you enjoy discovering the rich history of Cornerstone.
The History Team
Personal Stories
While living next door to the church, I had gone down town to the store after dark, and as I walked up the street to our house, I saw this glow coming from the church windows. My first thought was to run over to see what it was, and then decided that if it was a fire, I should call the fire department first. I ran into our house, called the fire department, and within what seemed like seconds the department was there, rolling out their hoses etc. Someone went into the church and came out and informed everyone there was no fire! Paul Schneider had been there that day and had cleaned the front of the new oil furnaces, and the light from the furnace was reflecting on the windows! It really wasn't a lost cause tho'-the firemen always enjoyed a chance to take that firetruck out! At one time, we lived about two blocks from another "early memory"-Miss Marcia Williams. Miss Marcia taught Sunday school faithfully, but she was also a good story teller. We used to walk up to her house and she would tell us stories of the Civil War, and how the soldiers had marched thru this very area! Time marches on! As I sit here trying to decide how to "wrap this up", I'm dismembering other things and other times--when we moved from that little white church, each time we built a new building, each new pastor who came to serve, each new program we embarked on, and I'm asking myself "Is smaller and older better?11 I'm sure it's not, but the vantage point from which it's viewed influences one's decision. Hopefully, some of those children who sang this morning at church will someday look back on their association with this church with as fond memories as I have just done. - Madelyn Bussinger
I remember when: The minister had each person turn and shake hands and say "Good Morning" to the person next to them or in front or back of them. -Pat Mask
1 remember when: A group of people prayed for me in my hours of need. I gratefully appreciated their concern. Thanks to each and everyone. - Violet Andres
I remember when: I came to weddings for my cousins, but held in the Church building before this one. We traveled on Highway 40 to O'Fallon, a winding road, instead of the dual Interstate 70. Then we looked for a certain landmark, so as to know where to turn off to O'Fallon. I think everyone remembers when Roland Boone and Mary retired. The lovely dinner and program for him -so many little memories --working in the kitchen, friends, friends that are here and gone. The time the American Flag was taken from our church property - Seeing the minister pulling grass from between the front steps - The front entrance. No matter what door you came in, it's always like coming home. - Ms. Dorothy Allen Foraker
I remember when: I was quite young and took lessons (piano) from Mrs. Gussie Emonts, I played the piano in the old church building -taking Miss Marcia Williams place when she was not there. The congregation said they enjoyed it very much as I would "jazz" the hymns -put a little life in them. They are so beautiful, guess I felt like rejoicing. This pleased my dear Dad and Mom. -Marie Emge
The Early Years
Methodism began with a man and a movement, having it's or1g1n within the Church of England. The man was John Wesley, a clergy man in the Church of England as was his father before him. His mother, Susanna Wesley, was a woman of zeal, devotion, and strength of character who was perhaps the greatest single human influence in Wes 1 ey 's 1 i f e.
The movement began as a joke when other students accused Wesley of being very methodical in his faith and devotions. The turning point in his life came when, at a prayer meeting in Aldersgate Street, London, on May 24, 1738, he learned what Paul had discovered, that it is not by rules and laws, nor by our own efforts at self-perfection, but by faith in God's mercy as it comes to us in Christ, that we may enter upon life and peace.
From this date on, the Methodist movement spread throughout England, Ireland, and on to the "new" country of the United States.
Methodism in America officially began with the Christmas Conference, which met December 24, 1784 in Baltimore, Maryland, under the leadership of Dr. Coke and some sixty preachers. Some 23 years later, the Methodist church was born in the O'Fallon, Missouri area.
In 1798, "the hard riding, shouting, long raying sons" of John Wesley came to St. Charles County, as well as other parts of Missouri, to conduct religious services in private homes. The first of these circuit riders was the Rev. John Clark who con ducted the first service in the home of Jacob Zunwalt. Tradition .has it that the Rev. Jesse Walker held services within the walls of Fort Zu11Malt in 1807 and administered the first Methodist Com-munion in Missouri to the early Methodist pioneers.
The wine for this communion service was made by Mrs. Jacob Zul'!1Nalt and Mrs. Col. David Bailey, from the juices of wild polk berries sweetened with maple sugar, and for bread they used the crust of cornbread.
In 1808 the first Methodist Church was built near the Peruque Creek. It was a one room log building being round in shape. This church is recorded as not being a permanent place of worship be cause Peruque Creek often flooded after a heavy rain and the church members could not cross the creek. It was soon decided to build a log church near the Zumwalt1s log cabin so in 1809 this church was built. It was a one room log building with a strong stone foundation. This church was called the Zumwalt Church and it was often the setting for Sunday dinners picnic style as the worshippers would often spend all day Sunday at the church.
It was here the first stationary minister, Rev. Gray, was engaged for a salary of sixty-four dollars a year. After two years his salary was raised to a hundred dollars a year. It was at the Zumwalt Church that the Mount Zion Methodist Society was organized by the Rev. John Travis.
As this devout group increased in number it became necessary to build a new church. The Zunwalt Church was later sold to Mr. James Sanford, who moved it to the old Campbell place and con verted it into a school for young men.
The Mount Zion MeV,odist Society located their new church on five acres of land which had been a small part of the original Jacob Zu111t1alt land grant. The deed for this land was dated May 3, 1853. According to records, this land was deeded to the church by a Mr. Heald, a devout Christian who lived near the Fort Zu111t1alt settlement. The new church was called Mt. Zion Church and was located just 1½ miles south of what is now O'Fallon and just to the east of Highway-K.
The following is a description of that church as taken from 11 the St. Charles 11Cosmos-Monitor11 dated May 29, 1942. The new church was substantially built of stone, with a front porch that offred protection from the muddy road for the ladies when they stepped from their saddle horses or carriages. It stood on Mount Zion Hin. At the foot of the hi 11 was a spring. Behind the church stood the ground reserved to bury the dead. Among those who came to this little church were Pitman, Dorsey, Sanford, Ferrell, • Smith, Mccluer, Johnson, Yates, Keithly, and Heald families.
When they entered the building, the congregation divided into two groups, the men taking their places on one side of the aisle, the women joining forces on the other. On either side of the pulpit were placed a few pews at right angles to the regular seats of the congregation. The seat on one side was known as the "mourner's bench" and was used by that member whose weight of sin moved him to public confession. At such times the entire congregation would join in praying for his soul. The opposite bench was the "amen corner" reserved for church elders and visiting pastors who had the privilege of approving the preacher's sentiments with loud "amens". At intervals along the aisle were placed large brown spittoons. To the rear of the church the slave families sat in a balcony.
No organ was used, and indeed, an organ was considered by the older members of the congregation to be an instrument of the devil. A church leader, Tyson Dines, for many years practiced the "lining of hymns" since the congregation were without song books. Finding the proper tone with a pitch pipe, he would sing hymns one line at a time, which the congregation would repeat after him.
The Civil War brought anxious times to this Methodist Episcopal Church in St. Charles County. Some accused the Church of causing this tragic national upheaval. The presiding elder of the St. Charles District, Brother H. B. Spencer, was arrested and banished from the state. During these times, on Sunday mornings, the Rev. Joe Pritchett rode to Mt. Zion and other churches of his circuit with a gun, which he laid across the pulpit. Whether it was be cause of the gun or not, he remained unmolested throughout the war.
After the war and reconstruction period, life went on as usual, or maybe at times a little unusual, as in the case of "the midnight ride of the organ". It seems that Rufus Gamble had given an organ to the church and how to install it with the least friction was a problem of the young folks. A problem soon solved, when a daring group of the younger members made a strange journey to the church one Saturday night at midnight. The next morning at church, one of the conspirators, Sister Carrie Pitman, sat in front of a new organ ready to start the music. Many of the older members attended church again only after great persuasion.
In 1863, a female seminary, known as Fairview, was founded under the patronage of the Mt. Zion Society by Professor Richard H. Pitman. Young ladies from St. Charles and St. Louis Counties at tended this s choo 1 which at one ti me had sixty boa rder.s.
The first Quarterly Conference, of which there is any record, was held at Fairview in 1869, with the primary intent of enhancing the spiritual atmosphere of the church. It had been customary to close Sunday School during the winter months .. A dedicated minister presented this pointed thought, "I oppose the closing of the Sunday Schools even for this limited time unless the devil closes his schools, because the following of Christ should be as industrious as the devil"
In 1878, the Professor had erected the Woodlawn Female Semi nary, just outside O'Fallon which was considered one of the best schools of its kind in the state. Professor Pitman was the prin cipal and he was assisted by three teachers. This school continued until 1900.
Early in 1880, the first Methodist revival was conducted by Rev. J. S. Allen on Mt. Zion. With the zeal of a true missionary, Professor Pitman opened the first organized Sunday School in O'Fallon at the Masonic Hall on Elm Street, with an enrollment of 86 children.
The members of Mt. Zion were faced with a great problem in 1882. The church had been hit by a tornado and was in great need of repairs and, in addition, the membership was growing and a larger church was needed. Some members felt they should build a new church on the same site as they believed a removal would mean spiritual death to their conmunity. Others believed it would best serve the needs of the people if centrally located in the town of O'Fallon. When the day of final decision came, every available member was present. After many heated arguments, pro and con on the question, the vote taken showed a majority of three for removal of the church. But in view of the bitterness of this dissension there was no rejoicing.
The new church was dedicated on August 4th, 1883 by Rev. J. H. Pritchett, who was eminently chosen because as a boy he was a member of the charge at the old Mt. Zion Church and was the first ordained minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church of O'Fallon, Missouri. Soon after the dedication a mistake in addition was discovered that showed a debt of several hundred dollars. A church may not be dedicated except it be debt free, so there was a dark cloud over the new venture that posed a real problem for the congregation. This debt was taken care of with the special assistance and generosity of David Pitman who had made a special request the day the workman arrived to start construction on the new church. He had requested that no profane word be uttered during the erection of the building. As far as is known, his request was honored.
In 1908, a new page was written in the Methodist Episcopal Church history, namely, the building of a parsonage and making extensive church repairs. About 1909, Mr. John Henry bequeathed $1,000.00 to the church. From this a new organ was purchased.
During this time there was another Methodist Church in O'Fallon. It was the Northern Methodist Episcopal Church and its members were the black residents of O'Fallon. Mrs. Mishey Edwards provided information on that church in 1956 as there were no written records. Mrs. Edwards stated, that according to her recollections, the church was about one hundred years old then. She remembered how her mother, her brother and herself, walked to services each Sunday, in all kinds of weather from Dardenne to the church in O'Fallon.
The first Northern Methodist Episcopal Church was a log:building given by Mr. Craven and became know as Craven's Chapel. later, a frame structure was erected next door to the Negro Public School at the foot of Elm Street. The school was later replaced by a newer frame structure in 1935. This school was closed in 1949 and the children were transported by bus to school each day in St. Charles. The school buildinq was sold and converted into a residence and later into a place-of business. The church building no longer stands but at one time the membership of the Northern Methodist Episcopal Church numbered twenty-five people.
Our congregation remained in the church at Church and Wood Streets for seventy years. The building was getting old and had no basement for social functions. In addition, it was poorly heated by two wood stoves and had no indoor plumbing, nor, did it have rooms for Sunday School. The Sunday School classes would meet with eight classes scattered about the one room. Therefore, the congregation felt it necessary to begin looking for new property.
At about this time the schools in the area were consolidated. A new school building was erected and the one that had been used was to be sold. It was built in 1948 of modern brick construction. So, at a public auction, in the spring of 1953, the Public School building, at Pitman and School Streets, was purchased for $12,500. When the bidding began, a speculator upon learning that the Methodist Episcopal Church was bidding withdrew and no one bid against us.
Our last service was held in the church on Church and Wood Streets on July 5, 1953. It was conducted by the Rev. Robert Mann, who was our pastor at that time.
During this period we were without a permanent minister. We shared Rev. Mann with the congregations at Wentzville and Defiance. He made his home in Wentzville as we were presently without a parsonage. Some years earlier the congregation was in the need of funds and the parsonage had been sold, and for some time the ministers either cormiuted or lived in rental property. This condi tion existed until 1958 when our present parsonage was built.
In 1953 the Christian Church came to O'Fallon and needing a place to worship, purchased our building on Church and Wood Streets. They remained in that building until June 1958 when the church was hit by a tornado and destroyed. At this time they donated to our congregation the bell from the steeple that had been cast for us some years earlier.
Our church bell was cast in 1885 for this congregation shortly after the decision was made to move from Mt. Zion to O'Fallon. When the bell arrived, it was installed in the steeple of that building, being lifted by a rope over a pulley, the rope drawn by a horse. This bell now hangs in front of our present Sanctuary.
The congregation began worship in the school building on July 12, 1953 with the idea of building a new sanctuary when funds became available. Additional property was soon obtained when the congregation bought the adjoining property from Mrs. Lillian Barebo. This was the mother of Mrs. Rosella Barebo Moorhead, who along with Mrs. Marie Dixon Emge; Mrs. Errma Blankenship; Mr. Delmar Emge, and Mr. Russell Emge hold the longest membership in our present congregation. This property, which is now our parking lot, had a house which was used for additional Sunday School rooms and MYF activities.
Within a year the school building was paid for and on May 30, 1954 it was dedicated by Bishop Holt and the Rev. L. M. Starkey, District Superintendent and the pastor Rev. Robert Mann. To pay for the church so rapidly took a hard working and devoted congregation. It was at this time the church held a chili supper and bazaar to raise funds and, except for a few years, it has become an annual event.
1958 was another milestone in the life of our church. It was also at this time that we became Williams Memorial Methodist Church. So named because a Mr. Johnson, brother-in-law to Miss Marcia Williams, a devoted member of the congregation, visited this area and was appalled with services being held in a school. He donated $10,000 for the building of a new church with the request the church be named for the Williams family. Mr. and Mrs. John Williams were members of the Mt. Zion congregation and the Methodist tradi tion was carried on by Miss Marcia until her death in 1960. After the death of Miss Marcia, the Williams' property was donated to the church.
Construction of the new Sanctuary with a buff brick front began early in 1958 under the ministry of the Rev. John Dinwiddie and was completed in September of that year. A service of consecration was held September 21, 1958 under the leadership of the Rev. Paul Schlapbach, who had been appointed to the work in June 1958. The corner stone for the church was laid June 29, 1958 which contains the following items: The Holy Bible, The Methodist Hymnal, a com plete list of the membership, a list of official board members and the members of all commissions and committees, a list of officers of the W.S.C.S., Methodist Men, and M.Y.F., a list of officers and teachers of the Sunday School, the O'Fallon Methodist Church history, prepared by Mr. Keithly, Church bulletins showing the progress of the building program, various church letters sent out as a part of the building program, pictures of the building under construction, clippings from the newspapers giving report of the building, and a copy of that week's O'Fallon Community News. Following final payment on its indebtedness, Williams Mem orial Methodist Church was formally dedicated on November 29, 1966. Bishop Eugene M. Frank was assisted in the dedication by the Rev. Gregory K. Poole, District Superintendent, and by the pastor, the Rev. Roland A. Boone. The old school building became known as the educational building and was used to house the Sunday School classes. However, we continued to grow and needed still more space so plans were made for the erection of Fellowship Hall which would contain some 6,000 square feet. The building was completed in 1968 giving additional facilities for class rooms, a social hall, and a kitchen. These facilities served us well, but, again we grew. Some adjoining property became available in 1977 which was purchased for the purpose of housing our office and supplying needed stor age space, freeing up rooms in Fellowship Hall to be used for Sunday School. In 1979, our congregation was totally debt free so on Sept ember 9, 1979, the membership, our minister, the Rev. John van derGraaf, and our District Superintendent, Dr. John N. Doggett, Jr. gathered for the special occasion of 11The Burning of the Mortages11• With the tradition of growing and building we were not debt free for long. Plans were soon underway for a remodeling and expansion project. Just as the ladies were protected from the muddy roads by building a porch at Mt. Zion, we were soon to be protected from the foul weather by joining our Sanctuary to Fellowship Hall. The Ground Breaking Celebration on July 27, 1980 started us on our way. The first spade of earth was lifted by our pastor, the Rev. George W. Burgin, our Program Director, Mrs. Patti Divelbiss, and by the Architect, Mr. Cliff Parmer. The project was to turn the Sanctuary around, create a new entrance, expand seating capacity, install a new heating and air-conditioning system, and build a connecting vestibule at the cost of $195,000. The first service held in the newly remodeled Sanctuary was Thanksgiving Eve 1980. On
