website watertownhistory.org
ebook History of Watertown, Wisconsin
Methodist Episcopal Church
Same as English ME and
First ME
Fifth and Main
1916 note: Built by Ferdinand Behlke, General Contractor
M. E.
CHURCH HISTORY
(by Rev. Morris L. Eversz)
The first gospel sermon preached in this
region was delivered by a Methodist itinerant, the Rev. H. R. Frink in 1839,
who was appointed as preacher in charge to what was then known as the “Aztalan Circuit” and covered the territory now occupied by
the eastern half of Dane county all of Walworth, Rock and Jefferson counties
and the southern half of Dodge county.
The Rev. C. D. Pillsbury and Jesse Halstead
were appointed to this region the year before but it
is not definitely known whether they ever reached the ford of the Rock river at
Watertown.
As there were no school houses in those
primitive days, Mr. Frink preached in a small log house on the west side of the
river which stood about in the rear of where Stapleton s drug store now [1908]
stands. Mr. Frink and his successors
were kindly received by all classes of people, but no church organization was
really formed until 1844, when the Rev. Stephen Jones organized a Methodist
class composed of the following early settlers:
Mr. and Mrs. Walter Andrews, Mr. and Mrs. Calvin Boughton, Mr. and Mrs. Heber Smith, Mr.
and Mrs. William Dutcher, Mr. and Mrs. Elihu Higgens,
Mr. and Mrs. Albert Cook, Mr. and Mrs. Cheney Adams, Mr. and Mrs. John Bailey,
Mrs. Simon Ford and Mrs. Sands Cook. Of
these Mrs. John Bailey still remains and resides with
her son at 320 North Warren Street.
The first church building was commenced the
same year on the site now occupied and to which the trustees have a clear
title. It was completed the next year
under the pastorate of the Rev. W. G. Miller.
Its original size was 30x40 feet.
In 1872 it was enlarged by adding 36 feet and
a small wing in the rear for parsonage purposes.
In 1907 it was torn down to make way for the
present modern structure which was dedicated on January 26, 1908.
The church has had a varying career with the
changing population. Sometimes flourishing,
ranking with the strongest churches in the conference, and then declining to a
place among the very weakest.
But it has never let go and is now on the road
to prosperity, operating most earnestly in a forward movement.
The church has a fully organized board of
trustees, a board of stewards, a Sunday school, an Epworth league, a ladies aid society and a woman’s home missionary
society. It maintains four public
services on the Sabbath, a weekly prayer meeting, four business meetings during
the month, besides a bible study class and the outlook is hopeful.
The Rev. Morris L. Eversz
is the present pastor, now in his fifth year in the city. Weekly Watertown Leader, November 06, 1908
Cross Reference: Rev. M. Eversz was a pastor at the
Pipersville ME church while serving in Watertown.
c.1840s
-- -- CALVIN BOUGHTON
ACTIVE MEMBER
Calvin
M. Boughton was one of the most active members of the M. E. church
in erecting one of the first church edifices in Wisconsin.
1858
12
09 Donation
Festival given for benefit of Rev. A. C. Huntley WD
1859
01
12 Series of revival meetings held;
preaching every evening by Rev. A. C. Huntley, pastor WTranscript
07
14 ENLARGED CHURCH DEDICATED; PARSONAGE ADDED
Dedication—The enlarged Methodist Episcopal
Church of this city will be dedicated next Saturday. The Rev. W. G. Miller, the Presiding Elder of
this district, Rev J. M. Leihy and Rev. A. C.
Huntley, together with other clergymen from abroad will be present and take
part in the impressive ceremonies.
Services will commence at 10 1/2 A.M. and 7 1/2 P.M. The Methodists have now a large and
commodious house of worship. The
considerable improvements which they have recently made will better accommodate
the large numbers who assemble there to engage in religious exercises. A parsonage has been added to the present
building, which will secure a pleasant and permanent residence for their
minister. WD
1860
08 23 CAMP MEETING—The annual Camp Meeting of
the Milwaukee District, Methodist Episcopal church, commenced a series of
meetings at the Junction of the Milwaukee & Mississippi Railroad and the
Milwaukee, Watertown & Baraboo Valley Railroad on Monday, August 20th, and
will close next Saturday. Arrangements
have been made on the above named railroads to carry
passengers to and from the Camp Meeting during the week at half fare. WD
1861
06 20 SABBATH SCHOOL PIC
NIC
The Annual Pic Nic of the Methodist Episcopal Sunday School will take
place next Friday, the 21st inst. The
party will leave on the morning train of the Milwaukee and Western Railroad,
proceed to Oconomowoc, and on the beautiful and embowered island of La Belle
Lake, spend a day of pleasure, relaxation and
enjoyment, surrounded by all the loveliness that can charm and delight. We wish all a happy day and safe return. WD
12 19 DONATION FESTIVAL
The friends of Rev. O. D. Jones, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal
church of this city, propose to give a Donation Party for his benefit in Cole’s
Hall, this evening. All who feel
disposed to contribute to the support of the Gospel here are cordially invited
to attend. Liberal and intelligent
citizens cannot make a better use of whatever means they have to spare than to
devote them to the support and dissemination of religious truth. The cause of religion is the hope of mankind,
and just in proportion to the dissemination of the sacred teachings of the
Bible will the welfare of all communities be promoted. We regard no appeals to the public more
worthy of favor than those which have for their object the principles and
doctrines of the Savior, and the ministry is the chief instrumentality by which
this beneficent end is accomplished. Let
all who can, lend a helping hand. WD
1862
01 09 RELIGIOUS MEETINGS
A series of religious meetings are now being held at the Methodist
Episcopal church in this city, under the charge of the pastor, Rev. D. O.
Jones. During their progress a deep
interest has been manifested and there is a promise of much good as the
result. WD
1863
03 19 DONATION VISIT
On Tuesday evening, the 24th, a Donation Party will be given in Cole’s
Hall for the benefit of the Rev. Henry Coleman, pastor of the Methodist
Episcopal church at which, we are requested to say, a general attendance is
respectfully solicited.
In a country where religious institutions depend wholly upon
voluntary support, it becomes all who properly appreciate the inestimable blessings
of the Gospel to readily do whatever may be in their power to diffuse more
widely the saving truths of Christianity.
As the ministry is one of the Divinely appointed agencies for the
accomplishment of the great work of salvation throughout the world, we should
gladly give it all the efficacy it can derive from being placed in such a
position as will enable it to devote all its energies to the labors imposed on
it by the Author and Finisher of our Holy Faith. This is our duty and if we fulfill it willingly
and well we shall do so much to advance the sacred
interests of the Redeemer’s kingdom . . .
WD
12 17 CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL
The Superintendent and teachers of the Methodist Episcopal church in
this city have made ample arrangements to give the Sabbath School Scholars
connected with that denomination a Christmas Eve festival. The children belonging to that school always
have a good time on these occasions. It
they don’t enjoy themselves on the Eve of the Nativity of their Savior it will
be their own fault. A Christmas tree
loaded with rewards in the shape of gifts to those who have done well will be
there – and many other things calculated to gratify and delight the good
children. WD
1875
11 24 Thanksgiving
service
1886
1890
12 03 THANKSGIVING SERVICES
A beautiful day was given us for the enjoyment
of Thanksgiving, the atmosphere being clear and bright, with just sufficient
crispiness for outdoor pleasure. The
church services were well attended and most of the business places were closed
for the afternoon and evening.
The
union services at the M. E. church were appropriate to a proper observance of
the day. The sermon by Rev. J. M.
Campbell on "Social wrongs and how to right
them," was timely in its character and set forth many matters well worth
heeding in this day and generation. WR
1900 REV.
HENRY S. FOSTER, Rector
1901
02 13 SETTLEMENT WITH INJURED WORKMAN
The Chicago & Northwestern Railway Company
has made a satisfactory settlement with William Ebert, the workman who was
injured recently at the company’s coal sheds here, Mr. Ebvert
receiving $200 on account of his injuries.
The settlement was effected through the efforts
of Rev. A. M. Bullock, pastor of the M. E. church. WG
1902
01 17 BULLOCK RECEPTION
There
will be a reception in honor of Rev. A. N. Bullock, pastor of the Methodist
[Episcopal] church, on Friday evening, Jan. 17th. The reception will take place at the
parsonage and church, corner of Main and 5th streets. An informal literary and musical program will
be given during the evening; also light refreshments
will be served. No charge for lunch, no
collection will be taken. Anything,
however, that the friends may desire to give will go for the benefit of Mr.
Bullock and family. By order of the
officials of the M. E. church. WG
03 15 CHURCH REDEDICATED
The German
M. E. Episcopal church, corner of North Fifth and Madison streets will be
rededicated next Sunday, Mar. 16. Rev.
William Weber of Milwaukee will preach at 10 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Rev. J. Bletch, of Chicago, will preach in the afternoon at
2:30. Rev. Bletch
was formally a minister at this place.
Special music will be given by both the male and mixed choir at every
meeting. Miss Alma Feldschneider
will also sing a soprano solo in the morning.
Everybody is cordially invited to come and see our pretty church and new
school house, and hear the eloquent sermons which will
be delivered.
03 15 MEMORIAL DAY SERVICES AT M. E. CHURCH
Conformable to usage the members of the G.
A. R. resident here and others attended special Memorial services Sunday
evening. This year the services were
held in the M. E. Church, Rev. A. M. Bullock, assisted by Rev. Wm. Fritzmeier, occupying the pulpit. The church was well filled, a section of the
pews being reserved for the “old boys,” some thirty of whom were present, and a
sturdy group of old Union savers they were too.
The regular church choir was on duty and the rendition of the old army
songs and patriotic odes by the choir and the congregation brought back to
memory the times when as wearer of the Union blue these same Grand Army boys
would sing like songs beside tip smoking rail piles [pipes?] way down in
Dixie. Every music number was an Army
song or national anthem. A song by the
choir and congregation; prayer by Rev. Wm. Fritzmeier;
music; then the address by Rev. A. M. Bullock, a masterpiece of eloquent
thought; patriotic and inspiring, a gem in a becoming setting were the
evening’s program of exercises, and though lacking perhaps something of usual
formality, was most thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated by everyone in
attendance, and by none more than by the veterans themselves.
1907
01 03 PLANS FOR NEW M. E. CHURCH
The congregation of the English M. E. church have had plans drawn for a
new church to be erected of concrete blocks, work upon which will be commenced
early in the spring, the cost of which will be in the
neighborhood of $12,000. WG
08 20 The first
Gospel meeting of the English Methodist church took place last night at the Masonic hall and was very enthusiastic, considering that it
was the first gathering. The meeting had
to be conducted in the Masonic hall, as the tent,
which was to be used for the meetings, had not arrived, but is expected today
and the next revival gathering will take place at the Turner Hall park under
the tent . . . The meeting will be in the Masonic hall
tomorrow night if the tent does not arrive.
WG
12 27 The entire
Chinese population of the city was in attendance at
the services held at the German M. E. church Christmas evening, and HE was very
much interested in the services which were indeed very fine and enjoyed by a
large congregation. WG
Aug An August 1907 article reported that a
resolution was sent to the Chicago conference of the German M. E. church asking
for the return of Rev. Henry Karnopp, who had been
pastor and whose services were “most acceptable to the members of the church”.
1908
DEMOLITION THE FIRST METHODIST CHURCH
Demolition of the old Methodist church located on the corner of Fifth
and Main Streets in 1908. Razed to make
way for the "new" Methodist church, a brick edifice, which stood on
this site until the late 1970s, when it was razed to build a bank, Bank One.
Cross Reference: Old church pews removed
from first church used in first movie theater.
09 25 At the recent conference
of the M. E. church held at Neenah, Rev. M. L. Eversz
of this city was reappointed pastor. WG
Eversz
misspelled as “Everetz”
09 30 Rev. Henry Karnopp has been
reappointed pastor of the German M. E. church in this city. WG
10 09 About 75 of his parishioners tendered Rev. Karnopp,
pastor of the German M. E. church, a surprise at his home last Tuesday
evening. Attorney N. Thauer
delivered a welcoming address on behalf of the congregation,
which was responded to by Rev. Karnopp. Elder C. Berg also delivered an address. The affair was a decidedly pleasant one. WG
1909
01 15 Old fashioned revival meeting in
the Sunday school parlor of the new Methodist church WG
04 09 Methodist Ministers' Assn of the Janesville district
meets in Watertown WG
04 30 New bell hung in the belfry WG
05 14 20th anniversary of Epworth League;
special program WG
09 03 Fourth quarterly conference; Rev. M.
L. Eversz invited to continue for sixth year WG
1910
01 15 Epworth League decided on church
entertainments WG
12 30 REV. EVERSZ RECEIVES GOLD WATCH
At the Christmas tree exercises
last Friday evening at the M. E. church, Rev. M. L. Eversz,
the esteemed pastor of the church, was taken completely by surprise when he was
presented by the men of his congregation with an elegant gold watch and
chain. Mr. Eversz
prizes his gift very much, especially so as it makes him feel that his work as
pastor is appreciated by his flock. WG
1912
01 04 ORGANIZE BOY SCOUT TROOP
A branch of the Boy Scouts of America is being organized in Watertown
under the lead of the Rev. E. J. Matthews, pastor of the M. E. church. A gymnasium will be fitted up in the basement
of the church devoted to athletics and where drills will take place, also
boxing and other manly sports, with the addition of a baseball team during the
summer. Cross country hikes and a scout
camp will also be features of the organization.
The camp will be located on the shores of some lake and will afford the
boys a splendid summer outing. It is
said “a boy has 500 muscles to wiggle with and none to sit still with,” and it
will be the endeavor of the organization to have the boys wiggle their muscles
at the right time and place. WG
10 10 M. E. CHURCH OUT OF DEBT
Recently
the pastor of the M. E. church in this city, Rev. E. J. Matthews, received a
check for $1000 from the presiding elder of the Appleton district, the money
being given the elder by a lady with instructions to use it where he thought
best. Some time ago a Juneau friend gave
$1000 to the M. E. church here and a Watertown friend gave a like amount,
making three very fine donations recently received by the M. E. church. WG
11 28 A CONUNDRUM SUPPER
The
young people of the M. E. church enjoyed a conundrum supper last Friday evening
at the church dining room. The menu was
as follows: WG
An oriental square Napkin
Spring offering Water
Whip tips Wafers
A product of the desert Sandwich
Crystallized nectar Sugar
Cordial cheer Coffee
Cupid’s patrons Pickle
Infant’s delight Milk
Dyspepsia’s forerunner Cake
Cartwheels Doughnuts
1951
02 11 FIRST METHODIST CHURCH NEWLY DECORATED
The auditorium and Sunday school room
of the First Methodist church have just been nicely decorated by Louis E. Schmutzler, painting contractor and decorator of this city,
and on Sunday services on the main floor at the church were conducted for the
first time since the decorations began.
The decorations are very fine and reflected much credit on Mr. Schmutzler, who designed and did the work. WG
c.1938
1940
04 26 NAME CHANGE
Name of the German Methodist church
on N. Fifth at the corner of Madison has been changed to Wesley Methodist. The congregation has 200 members and was
begun in 1869.
1951
11 26 FIRE NEARBY
A wall
and part of the roof of the First Methodist church were scorched by a fire in
the Piper
building.
1955
04 14 TWO
CHUCHES COMBINE
The
congregations of Watertown’s two Methodist churches voted overwhelmingly on
Sunday in separate meetings following the morning worship service to come under
a common pastor beginning in June, with an aim
for eventual union of the two churches.
The possibility of such an arrangement was suggested to the two
congregations last month, after the pastor at Wesley
church, the Rev. J. Ellsworth Kalas,
announced his resignation to his congregation.
The
district superintendent, the Rev. Alvin J. Lindgren, met with the Rev. Carlos
Asher, pastor of the First Methodist Church, and Mr. Kalas,
after which meetings were held with the pastoral relations committees of the
two churches and their respective official boards and quarterly
conferences. In each case it was voted
that the matter should be referred to the individual congregations for an
expression of their opinion.
06 07 The appointment on Sunday of a prominent
Methodist minister, the Rev. William V. Stevens now pastor of Epworth Church at
North Second and West Garfield Avenue, Milwaukee, to become minister of First
Methodist and Wesley
Methodist churches in Watertown, is expected to speed the way for
eventual union of the two Watertown congregations. The Rev. Mr. Stevens will take over here next
Sunday, his appointment having been announced in Racine yesterday at the
closing session of the Wisconsin Conference of the Methodist Church. Announcement that the two Watertown churches
would have a dual pastorate starting this June was made by the Rev. Alvin J.
Lindgren, Watertown district superintendent of the Methodist Church some months
ago. WDT
1956
04 05 The first of two church mergers affecting
four of the city's present Protestant congregations, first announced in the
Times in 1955, will take effect on June 1, 1957, when Watertown will have only
one Methodist church. Announcement of
this date was made here today by the Rev. William V. Stevens, minister of First
Methodist and Wesley
Methodist churches.
The
other merger, which is also scheduled for next year, will involve the First
Congregational church and the First Evangelical and Reformed church. Details on
the merger are still pending. WDT
1962
09 17 Plans for a new city parking lot in the
Main-North Fifth Streets area were suggested at last night's meeting of the
common council by Alderman Herman Gerth. Mr. Gerth told the
council that the old church building of the Watertown Methodist church at North
Fifth and Main Streets is reportedly for sale.
He suggested .that inquiries be made to
determine the asking price and that it be considered for a parking lot. He also asked that the Hilary
G. Riechert [Reichardt] property, directly
north [109 N Fifth] of the church property be checked for possible purchase,
making the entire area available for possible future parking lot purposes. WDT
![Hilary G. Riechert [Reichardt] property](../Images/WHS_006_704.jpg){kind=link}
Cross References:
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1912
in distance
History of Watertown,
Wisconsin