A HISTORY OF THE CHURCH…
Before 1887 a group of Methodists worshiped in the Baptist Church, one of two church buildings in the town of Breckenridge. On June 3, 1887, the First Methodist Church was organized. Two lots were purchased for $250 on North Fifth Street at Mendenhall Avenue, where Bremer Bank is now located, and the first wood frame church was completed and dedicated November 13, 1887.
The Sunday School was organized in 1887 as well, and the church has ever since tried to maintain a strong Christian Education program. Organization of a Ladies Aid Society, now United Methodist Women, was also begun that year, and that group has repeatedly initiated projects and rescued the church financially and otherwise over the decades. In later years a Methodist Men’s Club was organized, and numerous prayer and study groups and Committees have served the church in many ways.
The first quarterly Church Conference was held in February 1888 and various officers were elected. Our large bronze bell was presented in 1898 by the church’s Young People’s Society, now United Methodist Youth Fellowship, which had been organized some years earlier. That same bell has been used in all three churches of the congregation, and is now located in our free-standing bell tower built with stell beams from the red brick church.
In 1903 a third adjacent lot was purchased and a parsonage added.
Since the earliest years music has played an important role in the church, from the old portable pump organ (used in all three churches), our first piano, and the very first choir, to the various choral and instrumental groups and individuals who came later. Some of these, both of short duration and long term, included senior choir (now Sanctuary Choir), junior choir, children’s choir (now Sunday School classes through sixth grade), brass choir, a two-church handbell choir, a youth group (now Praise Band), and organists, pianists, and directors.
After 39 years, the original building had become inadequate, and it was torn down and construction of the large red brick church was begun on the same
downtown location in 1926. The new church was consecrated November 10, 1929, and served the congregation for 45 years. The last service there was held in July 1974, and an auction of unneeded furnishings, fixtures, and equipment was held.
In the meantime, in January of 1967, the congregation had purchased the present real estate of 3 ½ acres for us in the indefinite future.
The present parsonage was built in 1956, after the old one was moved off and sold. It was moved to its present site in 1974 and the detached garage built soon afterward. Groundbreaking for the present church building occurred in April of 1974. The cornerstone and Wesley Hall capstone from the former church are now set under the present bell tower. We worshiped in the Masonic Temple, now the Wilkin County Historical Building, for six months until the new
church was ready.
On January 27, 1975, we moved into our new church, and the first services were held February 2. The Consecration was held in March 1975 and the Dedication Service in October of 1991. Our mortgage had been paid in February 1991, four years early because of special gifts. (According to the Discipline of the United Methodist Church, a church building is not dedicated until it is free of debt.)
We celebrated our centennial in 1987 with series of events, capped by a special service held September 27 of that year.
Since 1975, we have added an outer entry, and in addition to the organ which was new then, a grand piano, choir robes, and various other furnishings. In the ensuing and more recent years, the Usual maintenance and a variety of improvements have taken place, some of which included a new roof, residing all three buildings, resurfacing the parking lot (more than once), new sidewalks and a driveway to the front door, renovations of the parsonage, some window replacement, air conditioning, re-carpeting, painting, and more landscaping, as well as additional equipment and furnishings.
The fall bazaar, an annual event for more than 40 years, continues to provide some financial support to the church. During the flood of 1997 and its aftermath, the church served as a distribution point for emergency supplies and established the “Lend a Helping Hand” program. Beginning in 1995, a Christmas cantata
has been presented each year for the community. A portion of the church is rented to Migrant Health and Legal Services each summer since 1998. Since 2005, our church has hosted the Twin Town ecumenical Lenten breakfasts/services. Many community organizations have held, and continue to hold, meetings or activities in the “friendly home” of a congregation striving to continue the unity of spirit and commitment of our founders.
We give thanks to God for all the people of this church: members, constituents, officers, and those serving/giving in innumerable ways (time, talents, prayer,
monetary gifts, and more). Much is owed to the pastors and those who have preceded us, and to all of us who now serve this church. As our 125th anniversary approaches, may we have a meaningful and devoted continuation of that “Endless Line of Splendor.”
[Compiled & Written by Lola Patnoude. Sources: previously-written histories, church newsletters, pastors’ reports, and her memory.]
Before 1887 a group of Methodists worshiped in the Baptist Church, one of two church buildings in the town of Breckenridge. On June 3, 1887, the First Methodist Church was organized. Two lots were purchased for $250 on North Fifth Street at Mendenhall Avenue, where Bremer Bank is now located, and the first wood frame church was completed and dedicated November 13, 1887.
The Sunday School was organized in 1887 as well, and the church has ever since tried to maintain a strong Christian Education program. Organization of a Ladies Aid Society, now United Methodist Women, was also begun that year, and that group has repeatedly initiated projects and rescued the church financially and otherwise over the decades. In later years a Methodist Men’s Club was organized, and numerous prayer and study groups and Committees have served the church in many ways.
The first quarterly Church Conference was held in February 1888 and various officers were elected. Our large bronze bell was presented in 1898 by the church’s Young People’s Society, now United Methodist Youth Fellowship, which had been organized some years earlier. That same bell has been used in all three churches of the congregation, and is now located in our free-standing bell tower built with stell beams from the red brick church.
In 1903 a third adjacent lot was purchased and a parsonage added.
Since the earliest years music has played an important role in the church, from the old portable pump organ (used in all three churches), our first piano, and the very first choir, to the various choral and instrumental groups and individuals who came later. Some of these, both of short duration and long term, included senior choir (now Sanctuary Choir), junior choir, children’s choir (now Sunday School classes through sixth grade), brass choir, a two-church handbell choir, a youth group (now Praise Band), and organists, pianists, and directors.
After 39 years, the original building had become inadequate, and it was torn down and construction of the large red brick church was begun on the same
downtown location in 1926. The new church was consecrated November 10, 1929, and served the congregation for 45 years. The last service there was held in July 1974, and an auction of unneeded furnishings, fixtures, and equipment was held.
In the meantime, in January of 1967, the congregation had purchased the present real estate of 3 ½ acres for us in the indefinite future.
The present parsonage was built in 1956, after the old one was moved off and sold. It was moved to its present site in 1974 and the detached garage built soon afterward. Groundbreaking for the present church building occurred in April of 1974. The cornerstone and Wesley Hall capstone from the former church are now set under the present bell tower. We worshiped in the Masonic Temple, now the Wilkin County Historical Building, for six months until the new
church was ready.
On January 27, 1975, we moved into our new church, and the first services were held February 2. The Consecration was held in March 1975 and the Dedication Service in October of 1991. Our mortgage had been paid in February 1991, four years early because of special gifts. (According to the Discipline of the United Methodist Church, a church building is not dedicated until it is free of debt.)
We celebrated our centennial in 1987 with series of events, capped by a special service held September 27 of that year.
Since 1975, we have added an outer entry, and in addition to the organ which was new then, a grand piano, choir robes, and various other furnishings. In the ensuing and more recent years, the Usual maintenance and a variety of improvements have taken place, some of which included a new roof, residing all three buildings, resurfacing the parking lot (more than once), new sidewalks and a driveway to the front door, renovations of the parsonage, some window replacement, air conditioning, re-carpeting, painting, and more landscaping, as well as additional equipment and furnishings.
The fall bazaar, an annual event for more than 40 years, continues to provide some financial support to the church. During the flood of 1997 and its aftermath, the church served as a distribution point for emergency supplies and established the “Lend a Helping Hand” program. Beginning in 1995, a Christmas cantata
has been presented each year for the community. A portion of the church is rented to Migrant Health and Legal Services each summer since 1998. Since 2005, our church has hosted the Twin Town ecumenical Lenten breakfasts/services. Many community organizations have held, and continue to hold, meetings or activities in the “friendly home” of a congregation striving to continue the unity of spirit and commitment of our founders.
We give thanks to God for all the people of this church: members, constituents, officers, and those serving/giving in innumerable ways (time, talents, prayer,
monetary gifts, and more). Much is owed to the pastors and those who have preceded us, and to all of us who now serve this church. As our 125th anniversary approaches, may we have a meaningful and devoted continuation of that “Endless Line of Splendor.”
[Compiled & Written by Lola Patnoude. Sources: previously-written histories, church newsletters, pastors’ reports, and her memory.]