Community United Methodist Church 150 year anniversary

COMMUNITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Celebrating 150 years of service

Glorifying God Encouraging One Another Sharing Jesus

Published by Southern Lakes Newspapers LLC 2019

1869 to 2019

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COMMUNITY UNITED METHODIST 150TH ANNIVERSARY

A history of Waterford and the Community United Methodist Church

by Barb Finney CHURCH MEMBER

n 1833 this area of the country was ceded to the United States government by the treaty of 1833 with the Potawatomi and other Indian tribes. By the terms of the treaty the Indians were to remain in possession of this land until 1836.

In the fall of 1836 two white men, Levi Barnes and his son-in-law, Samuel Chapman, came on horseback from the east and made claim to the greater part of what is now Waterford. They were so pleased with the area that they decided to make it their home. They returned east, packed up their families and headed for their new home.

The town was named Waterford because of the convenience of fording the river in the area. Mr. Barnes’ land, which was almost wholly on the east side of the river, amounted to about 600 acres. For some of it he paid 10 shillings an acre and for some the magnificent sum of 12 cents an acre. It is difficult for us to even imagine getting land for such a price.

Levi Barnes was the first “preacher” or exhorter, as they were called in those days. Worship services were held in the homes. In 1845 a little red brick school was built and that is where two church services were held each Sunday. The Congregational Church used the school in the morning and the Methodists in the afternoon.

In 1859 the members of the Congregational Church built a beautiful stone church on the site where the Waterford Union High School now stands. The Methodists continued to meet in the red brick school. As time went by the attendance at the Methodist Church died out and no religious services were held.

I

God had another plan. He sent a Christian school teacher to the public school and he reorganized the Methodist Sunday School in the rooms of his school building. He then invited a friend, W. W. Painter, to come and preach.

In the fall of 1869, Rev. Painter was appointed to the Waterford circuit and came to Waterford to live.

He was our very first official minister. He lived in the parlor of the Edward Groat home and this is where he held his first prayer meeting. There were four people in attendance.

As the group grew they moved to the new grade school which had been built in 1868. The group continued to grow and it was forced to find a new home. The Congregational Church, which was built in 1859, invited them to use its facilities.

The Great Revival In the winter of 1869 and 1870 “The Great Revival” was held in the basement of the Congregational Church and as it states in the history books, “a gracious revival started and spread, resulting in the greatest religious awakening the town and community had ever known.

“There was an outpouring of God’s spirit in the winter of 1869 and 1870 and the changes wrought at the time in the hearts and homes off the community were amazing.”

In the history documents it states that “among the converts were men about town who were not interested in the things of the soul who did an about face and began again at this time. Enemies became friends. The home lives of many were completely changed.”

See HISTORY, Page 7

SUBMITTED PHOTO Community Church 150th Anniversary

Community United Methodist Church began as the English Methodist Episcopal Church in Waterford (seen here). The church merged with the German Methodist Church in Waterford in 1923.

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COMMUNITY UNITED METHODIST 150TH ANNIVERSARY

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“

I believe God is calling this church to something much greater.”

– The Rev. Bill Busch

TRACY OUELLETTE Community Church 150th Anniversary

Marianne Davidson preaches Aug. 4 at Community United Methodist Church.

Davidson is part of the church’s preaching team and the church council chair-

person. Pastor Bill Busch is encouraging congregation members to step up to preach as the regional ministry at the church expands.

Community Church – today and beyond

By Tracy Ouellette EDITOR

discover their purpose in life.

And we do that by opening our doors and our hearts and inviting everyone into our family.”

Community United Methodist Church takes its name seriously. From the earliest days, the congregation The mission has reached out to the

Community Church’s community and been an active mission statement is simple – member of Waterford.

Glorify God, Encourage One “We’ve been part of the Another, Share Jesus – which community from the very start, are the three tasks Jesus set his one of the first churches here. followers on: We share the same history,”

“Love the Lord your God said the Rev. Bill Busch, senior with all your heart and with pastor at Community Church.

Rev. Bill Busch all your soul and with all your That community focus is strength and with all your mind; and, Love what keeps the 150-year-old church relevant your neighbor as yourself.” (Luke 10:27 in 2019.

“We’re here for all those fun activities like NIV) and “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name VBS, or if someone wants to get married, or of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy needs to lay a loved one to rest, or just needs Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19 NIV) some assistance from the food panty. We’re Busch said the only way to accomplish just here for what people need,” Busch said. the mission is to connect with people, “I remember when Pastor Garcia was whether it’s during a time of trial or here, everyone in the community, from the jubilation. farmers to the police dispatch, knew they “One of the things that is different from could call him in an emergency and he and other churches, including the ones I’ve the church would respond,” Busch added. served at, is the incredible sense of family Building relationships is how the church we have here,” Busch said. “It’s not that it accomplishes its purpose – to make disciples doesn’t exist elsewhere, because it does, of Christ. but here, at Community, there is a sense of “That’s why we’re here,” Busch said. “To acceptance, of belonging and of family that is bring people the Good News and help them

really different than other churches.”

The future As the church celebrates its sesquicentennial in 2019 it is transitioning into a larger, regional ministry. Last year, the church added Servant Community Church in Sullivan to its ministry plan and on July 1, 2019, St. James United Methodist Church in East Troy was the newest church to join the church’s regional ministry.

The churches in the regional ministry operate as independent churches, under the Community Church umbrella. Resources, the preaching team and some staff are shared.

The East Troy and Waterford churches are also coordinating sermon series.

“When I first came back here in 2016, I asked people how they viewed this church and they consistently told me we were a

See TODAYS CHURCH, Page 6

Community United Methodist Church 150th Anniversary • 1869 to 2019 A publication of Southern Lakes Newspapers LLC 1102 Ann St. Delavan, WI 53115 (262) 728-3411

EDITOR:..........................................Tracy Ouellette PAGE DESIGNER:.............................. Jen DeGroot CREATIVE/PRODUCTION DIRECTOR:......................................... Heidi Schulz ADVERTISING DIRECTOR:........Vicki Vanderwerff For advertising opportunities in our publications, call (262) 725-7701, ext. 134.

On the cover: Community United Methodist Church is at 455 S. Jefferson St. in Waterford. The original church was built on Main Street, where the building still stands. The historical photo on the cover is from the files of the late Ruth Albee, a church member. The modern photo was taken by Tracy Ouellette.

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COMMUNITY UNITED METHODIST 150TH ANNIVERSARY

Over the years

Clockwise from right: Gail Biesiadny (from left) narrates “The Long Story Short” as Glenn Langusch, Rob Podeszwa and Debbie Moore act the scene out during the 2007 Vacation Bible School; the church hosts its annual corn roast in August 2017; Brad Willis (left) and Don Gauger burn the mortgage on the new church in 2012; and the United Methodist cross is hung on the new church in 1995.

SUBMITTED PHOTOS Community Church 150th Anniversary

COMMUNITY UNITED METHODIST 150TH ANNIVERSARY

Over the years

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Counterclockwise from left: The nativity is acted out by the church’s drama ministry for the 2011 Christmas Eve services; Pastor Bill Busch gets his head shaved by his daughter, Kelsey Marshall, at 2017 VBS family party after losing the boys vs. the girls contest to raise money for missions that year; long-time church member Fay Tichy and the late Mac McGinnis entertain the crowd at the 1994 groundbreaking for the new church; the church promotes VBS 2013 with a float in the Fourth of July parade; and teens at the 2003 youth lock-in help set up for the annual VBS at the church.

SUBMITTED PHOTOS Community Church 150th Anniversary

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COMMUNITY UNITED METHODIST 150TH ANNIVERSARY

The heart of worship

Community Church offers a contemporary style

By Tracy Ouellette EDITOR

More than 20 years ago, a contemporary style of worship was chosen for the second service on Sunday mornings and a surprising thing happened.

“When I first started coming here we had one service traditional and one contemporary and no one was coming to the traditional one anymore so we went all contemporary,” said Joel Bragg, who plays the keys on the church’s praise band.

Tricia Kelley, who has been the worship director at the church for the last five years, said it’s unusual for a Methodist Church to worship in a contemporary style.

“It’s not unheard of, but we’re a bit different,” Kelley said.

“I’ve been a Methodist for more than 20 years and in all the churches I’ve been in, it’s been more traditional music. There was one where we tried a modern praise band, but it didn’t go over well,” praise band guitarist Dave Smith said.

“But this fits us,” Kelley said. “One of the most special things about this church is the chemistry and the music is such a part of that.”

Praise band drummer Julian Bragg, Joel’s teenage son, said the relaxed, casual atmosphere draws people in as soon as they walk in the doors.

“There’s a social chemistry where everyone knows each other and even if you’re new, you feel connected right away.

It’s just easy and very welcoming,” Julian said.

Kelley said that what people sometimes don’t realize is that the music at a Sunday service is just part of worship.

“People often say ‘worship’ to refer to the music, but it’s so much more than that. It’s all encompassing. God is always at the center and we make the pieces of the service revolve around him just like we are supposed to do when we leave this building,” Kelley said.

She added that the praise band is very intentional about choosing songs to enhance the message each week.

“We’re not about trying to force in that new song you just heard on the radio,” Kelley said. “We treasure the hymns as much as the newer songs and we want the music we choose to tie into what’s being

• Today’s church

TRACY OUELLETTE Community Church 150th Anniversary

Community United Methodist Church worship director Tricia Kelley leads the praise band at practice Aug. 1. On the keyboard is long-time church member Joel Bragg. His son, Julian Bragg, plays the drums and Dave Smith, who has been a member for about six years, is on the guitar.

preached that day.”

Kelley said Community Church, as a whole, is a musical community.

“There is a large core of people here that it speaks to,” she said. “It moves them greatly.”

It’s not a performance One of the things the praise band members want people to know is that they’re not up there “performing” on Sunday mornings.

“Even though we’re up there, center stage, we’re not playing to a crowd. We’re worshiping and as an extension, leading worship,” Kelley said.

“We’re not ego driven,” Smith added.

“We do practice and we prepare the best we can, but then you have to let God take over.”

Many of the Community praise band members say when they joined the band, they were years out of practice.

Except for Julian, who’s been on the praise band since junior high.

“I was 13 when I started, it was a little intimidating to be in front of everyone I knew, but it’s something I’ve gotten used to and it’s become a blessing,” Julian said.

His dad said when he joined the band he hadn’t played in years.

“I came to tryouts, which we had back

then, and the only song I really remembered was the Charlie Brown song, so I got up there and played that and all of a sudden they rest of the band joined in,” Joel said.

“After that, I really had to get to work.

Kelley said the praise band is always looking for musicians, singers and people to run the visuals and soundboard. You don’t have to be a member of the church to be on the praise band. Contact Kelley at the church office if interested, you won’t regret it, she said.

“We have so much fun. Sometimes I just step back and realize that this is my job and I get paid to do what I love every week!”

want to bring back the ‘village’ that I hear people 20 to 30 years older than me talk about.”

Richmond said things have become fragmented in today’s world, even at church.

“How come Bible study isn’t somewhere parents bring their children?

Don’t we want our kids seeing us studying God’s word? Isn’t it our responsibility to teach them this is important? I want to give families a place where they can worship, study, fellowship together,” Richmond said.

“We’re an extended family and we need to care for each other. As long as I’ve been here, this is a place where hurting people come and I wouldn’t want to be a church that wasn’t like that,” she continued.

“The heart of this church has always

been its passion for people. We’re not perfect, but when people walk in these doors, they feel the difference,” Busch said.

(Continued from page 3)

‘regional ministry’ and drew members from a wide area. This is a continuation of that,” Busch said.

The regional ministry looks to the changing landscape and growing diversity in Waterford and surrounding communities as it builds.

“Can we get ready for the change that is coming and can we do things to properly minister to the community that’s evolving around us? I think we can,” Busch said.

“If a church doesn’t change and it loses its connection with the community, it dies off.

This is my seventh church and this church, by far, has the most potential, perhaps the greatest potential, to really make an impact in the community as things change.

Building families With the expanded ministry and the congregation at Community growing, the

church is building on its family ministry to serve everyone, of any age.

“We’re looking at the whole family,” Busch said. “I believe God is calling this church to something much greater. If we are going to be a church that’s effective, we need to reach out to all ages and races, and become a vibrant place of worship.”

Christian Education Director Krystal Richmond said one of the goals for the church is to provide a place for families to be together as a whole unit.

“More and more, I see parents pulled away from kids, with school, sports, etc. We want to be a place for families to find respite from that and just be together,” Richmond said. “I just took my elementary-age kids on a mission trip and it was great! I want to give people chances to do that and more with their families. I

Come to the picnic Community United Methodist Church, at 455 S. Jefferson St., will host its 150th Anniversary Celebration Sunday, Aug. 18.

The event begins with the 10:30 a.m. worship service; this will be the only service that day.

After church lets out, all are invited for a corn roast and picnic.

The church will have historical photos and documents on display during the celebration for anyone who wants to learn more about the “community’s” church.

Editor Tracy Ouellette is a member of Community United Methodist Church.

COMMUNITY UNITED METHODIST 150TH ANNIVERSARY

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Waterford’s Methodist pastors over the years English Church 1869 William Painter 1870 Sabin Halsey 1873 Mr. Griswold 1881 E.B. Launsberg 1886 T.H. Cadman 1887 Walter Hall 1891 Charles Baldock 1894 Mr. Hepp 1895 William W. Wilson 1899 Clarence Week 1902 Samuel Olson 1905 John Perry 1908 Francis Pratt 1911 John Ellis 1912 John Neff 1913 Jason Sizer 1914 Rich Manaton 1919 H.S.Martin 1920 H.B. Chase 1921 Ernest Kistler

Paul Mayer 1922 Paul Schilpp 1923 William Kurtz 1927 Mark Chamberlain 1928 Carl Hagen 1930 William Riggs 1933 H.S. Witherbee 1936 D.L. Wandschneider 1941 Elmer Shepherd 1953 Rich Miller

Thoburn Enge 1955 William Foster 1960 John Bowden

Kristap Caune 1966 Leslie Simon 1967 Jerry Eckert

Harvey Rakow

• History

Rev. William Kurtz 1923-26

Rev. William P. Riggs 1930-33

Rev. D.L. Wandshneider 1936-40

Rev. Elmer Shepherd 1941-52

Rev. William Foster 1955-60

Rev. Kristap Caune 1960-65

Rev. Leslie Simon 1966-67

Rev. Harvey Rakow 1967-70

Rev. Peter N. Garcia 1970-84

Rev. Clarence Cheever 1984-2000

Rev. Russ Frees Jr. 2000-10

Rev. Markus Wegenast 2010-14

Rev. Scott McMurray 2014-16

Rev. Bill Busch 2016-Present

1970 1984 2000 2010 2014 2016

Peter Nelson Garcia Clarence Cheever Russ Frees, Jr. Markus Wegenast Scott McMurray William “Bill” Busch

The following pastors served in the church but the dates of their tenure are unknown: Mr. Bettle, John Cook, C.F.

McGraba, William Mellott, Thomas Peep, Andrew Porter and William J. Wilson.

German Church 1870 1913 1919 1922 1923

Jacob Schaefer William Wiese Theodore Staiger Paul Schilpp William Kurtz

The following pastors served in the church but the dates of their tenure are unknown: William Roegge, Albert Berg, F.T. Bohl, John Brier, Charles Hedler Sr., Henry Lemuke, John Rinder, Chris Neitzel, William Elske, C.F. Schellhase, Conrad Eberhart, Charles Hedler Jr. and Mr. Meixner.

(Continued from page 2)

This was the beginning of the English Methodist Episcopal Church or what is today, Community United Methodist Church.

Unification Around this same time a German Methodist Church was being formed in Waterford. A stranger approached a Mr. F.C. Wallman, a local businessman, and inquired if there were a German Methodist Church in the area. Hearing there was none, he offered his services as a minister if a suitable place to hold services could be obtained.

This group was another to use the little brick school as a place of worship. By this time there had been German settlers come into the area. Among these early German settlers were the Noll family and the Mitsch family.

In 1870 the conference sent the Rev. Jacob Schaefer to be the first official German Methodist minister. The two ministers worked side by side holding meetings. In 1868 the Germans decided to build their own church on land donated to them at the corner of Main and Racine Streets.

Much of the carpentry work on the new church was done by local citizens and members of the church.

Two years later the English Methodist Church bought land on Main Street and built its own building. It was dedicated on Dec. 28, 1878.

As the years went on the two Methodist churches cooperated with each other and held joint meetings and events, enjoying a good Christian relationship.

In 1923 the conference appointed

Rev. Paul Schilpp as joint pastor for both churches. This was possible because Pastor Schilpp could speak German.

In 1923 the German church was torn down and the materials were used to remodel and repair the English church building. The unification was complete and the name was changed to the Community Methodist Episcopal Church of Waterford.

This building was used until the construction of the new facility in 1995.

Breaking ground In April of 1994 we broke ground for our new church building here at 455 S. Jefferson Street. Prior to that there had been much soul searching and planning.

A local resident of Waterford approached Dr. Steve Dirks and told him that he knew of some land that we could obtain at a good price. This is the information that started the whole journey.

There seemed to be endless meetings for our building committee and its chairperson, Marvin Joray. Pastor Cheever, Mike Uebele and many others worked many hours clearing the land of brush and debris.

In June of 1994 work on the building was started. Most of the work on the building was done by volunteers and members of the congregation. Excitement filled the air as we received weekly updates at our worship services.

In December 1994 the old church building was deconsecrated and sold to become an antique store. The cross and flame on the front of our new building was a donation from Harold Stelzner, a member of the congregation.

On Jan. 1, 1995, our first worship service

SUBMITTED PHOTO Community Church 150th Anniversary

Steve Dirks burns the mortgage on the old church as then pastor, the Rev. Clarence Cheever, looks on.

in the new building was held in the narthex.

It was a bitterly cold January morning but we worshiped wrapped up in our warm winter coats and God’s love.

On April 23, 1995, the new building was consecrated and, although all the work wasn’t completely done, we carried on and completed new jobs as the money and labor were available.

Many of the tables on the altar were made by our master carpenter, Norman Keeker. His woodworking talent can be seen throughout the building. Many other church members have contributed their talents to our building and to its upkeep.

Within a few short years the generosity of our congregation and the blessings of God enabled us to pay off the mortgage way

before its due date. God has truly blessed us.

As we celebrate our 150th year as a Methodist Church we pray that we can be a beacon in our community and to anyone who desires to know the Lord and wants to know God’s pure and everlasting love.

Our ‘Old Rugged Cross’ In 1973 a member of our congregation, Joseph Schoedel, designed and constructed the beautiful cross that now graces the altar of our church. He used beams, donated by Lorine Austin, another church member, from a 125-year-old barn to form the cross.

He also built a table to hold a guest registry.

The work stands as a memorial to Joe, who died in a tragic automobile accident in 1976.

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