Welcome
History
The history of Methodism in Cherokee began with a pioneer circuit rider. O.S. Wright, his wife, and 18-month old daughter crossed the Little Sioux river on a small ferryboat near the old white mill on August 18, 1858. Wright preached his first sermon in Cherokee at the home of Mr. Holbrook. He organized the first Methodist Class of six members in 1866 at a cabin four miles north of Cherokee. While he lived south of Cherokee, in Pilot Township, his circuit extended from Smithland to Spirit Lake and he made his rounds by ox team or on foot.
Although people were constantly coming and going, there were few permanent settlers and the census of 1865 showed only 20 persons in the county. With rumors of the coming of the railroad, a rush of settlers arrived.
In the autumn of 1870, Rev. G.M. Binks was appointed pastor at Cherokee. As a result of his work, the first quarterly meeting was held in the McClain Hotel on January 20, 1871, and the church was organized. Several lots were purchased on the site of the present church, and in the fall of 1871, a frame structure 24 feet by 40 feet by 14 feet high was built at a cost of $1,199.00, and dedicated free of debt. This was the first church in Cherokee and served as a place of worship for other denominations as well as the Methodists. On its Board of Trustees were an Episcopalian and a Congregationalist. After ten more years of growth in town and church, it became necessary to provide larger quarters. Under the pastorate of Robert Smylie, the frame church was sold and on its site, a brick church was built and dedicated in 1889. The Conference records of that year showed a membership of 175 at Cherokee with a Sunday School enrollment of 150.
In 1913, with a membership of 363 and a Sunday School roll of 322, it again became necessary to enlarge. Additional lots, adjoining the original, were purchased and under the able pastoral leadership of F. S. Jory, the present church was built and dedicated on February 21, 1915.
Subsequent changes include the remodeling of the chancel during the pastorate of Rev. J.A. Farnham in 1942, the construction of the west entrance in 1952, and the closing of the north entrance and the remodeling of the sanctuary in 1954, under the pastorate of Rev. J.E. Feller. Rev. and Mrs. Feller moved into their new parsonage home at 506 North Roosevelt Ave. in July 1956.
By congregational vote, the name of the church was changed from “First Methodist Church” to “St. Paul’s Methodist Church” in 1947.
The erection of an Educational Building was another milestone in the history of St. Paul’s Methodist Church. The Official Board, fully aware of the crowded conditions in the Church School and the limitations of some of the church facilities, initiated this project in January 1958. There had been serious talk of such a project since 1955.
The Headley Building, which adjoined the church property on the east, was purchased and this building, along with the former parsonage, which stood adjacent to the church on the east, were dismantled.
The generosity and loyalty of church members and friends was evident throughout the next years, as the Educational Building passed from the planning and building stages to final completion in the summer of 1962.
A special service for the Consecration of the Educational Building was held on Sunday afternoon, September 16, 1962. Dr. Victor V. Schuldt, who had arrived in Cherokee the preceding summer, was joined at that service by Dr. J.E. Feller, who had preceded him as Pastor of St. Paul’s Methodist Church.
On June 30, 1963, dedication services were held for a beautiful, new Memorial Chapel near the narthex. This room, which was part of the original church structure, was made available when the new Education Building was completed. Architects Associated, which built the Educational Building, created the original design for this small Chapel. A bright red carpet serves as a striking contrast to the blonde chapel furniture and paneling. This chapel was built and furnished as a memorial to Paul Hoyt.
Another memorial gift, a mosaic mural depicting Christ the Teacher, with the words from Matthew 12:29 “Learn from me” as the theme of the work, was installed on the curved ceramic tile wall in the entrance of the Educational Building. The piece was planned to show Christ the Teacher as the central figure, holding a book, with two children standing beside him. Behind him, in elliptical outline, is the world, and also in outline, a city skyline and a country scene are pictured. The cross and star are worked in the outline and complete the design. The work is done in metal and mosaic — the outline being of hand-hammered steel and the solid area in Italian glass. An artist and sculptor, Mr. Herman Becker from Omaha, Nebraska, designed and made this mural, which was dedicated on April 18, 1965 as a memorial to Lester Ary.
Our church became St. Paul’s United Methodist Church on May 23, 1968, with the unification of the Methodist and Evangelical United Brethren Churches.
The renovation of the church sanctuary was completed during 1971 — our centennial year. This project, long overdue, had been postponed until the Education Building was completed and dedicated and the urgent need for a new organ was met.
The renovation project was completed in less than three months, beginning on Feb. 8, and culminating with the first service held in the newly redecorated sanctuary on Palm Sunday, April 4, 1971. A community-wide open house was held in the afternoon.
A service of dedication for memorial and special gifts for the sanctuary was held Sunday, October 24, 1971, with Bishop James S. Thomas presiding and preaching during the worship service. A dinner and program followed.
The Centennial Room, formerly the choir room, was completely redecorated and refurbished by that time, highlighting many of the historical aspects of the church.
