Grace Methodist celebrates 150th anniversary

Grace Methodist Church in Marcus, Iowa is celebrating 150 years in Marcus and the area. 

The history of Grace Methodist Church actually goes back a few years before the first pastor,  G.L.Sutton, came in 1875 which was when the Marcus church was recognized by the Northwest Iowa Conference of the Methodist Church. 

As was common when a new area was developed, it started with forming a Sunday school which was held in homes and at that time itinerant pastors were assigned to a circuit, which included Marcus.  Later services were held in the Pleasant Hill school building 5 miles south of Marcus.  In 1881 a church was built on the north east corner of Pine and Maple at a cost of $2.000.00.  In June of 1885, a devastating wind storm swept through Marcus completely destroying the recently constructed church building.  With dedication and a pioneer spirit, the people built a new church on the corner of Cedar and Maple.

As the town grew, so did the church.   It became evident that more space was needed and in 1900 a new building, located where the Fisch Funeral Home (Earnest-Johnson) now stands on Pine Street, was dedicated.  Some will remember the beautiful stained-glass windows, the sloping floor in the sanctuary and the rolling doors in the Sunday school rooms which could be raised to provide overflow space when needed.   The cost of this land and building was around  $11,000.00.  Soon after it was completed, a new parsonage was built next to it at a cost of $3,000.00.  In 1940 because of the growth and expansion of the church program, more space was needed and a full basement was put under the church.

Until 1949 the name was First Methodist Church but at that time the people voted on proposed names and it became “Grace” Methodist Church.  This building served the needs of the congregation until the need for more space was answered by building the present building at 303 East Fenton Street.  The first service in this church was held on May 7, 1967.  The addition of a multi-purpose area was the answer to, once again, more space being needed to serve the mission of the church.  The Sawyer Center was dedicated in 2016.

Though this is a condensed history of the buildings that have served this congregation, it is the Sunday school, Bible studies, high school and junior high youth groups, men’s and women’s groups, choir and praise band, local and global mission trips, MMCRU prayer team, visitation teams and Cross Training (after school program for lower elementary) that help to fulfill the mission of this church and provide a wide variety of ways for people to be involved and living their faith.

We are celebrating 150 years of serving Christ in the Marcus area.  It will be a special day of worship, celebrating and sharing as we remember what God has done through those years, and rejoicing as we anticipate what the future holds.

We would like to invite all previous members, friends and families to join us for as many of the activities as possible.  The worship service will be at 9:30 a.m.  A light meal will be served in the Sawyer Center following the worship service with an informal program and time of sharing following the meal.  If you will be able to sing in the choir and/or share the noon meal and the informal time of sharing, we would appreciate if you would let us know.  You can respond by going to Grace Methodist Church, Marcus on Facebook, click on the link that takes you to a form and let us know how many will be coming.  We want to have enough music for those participating in the choir and sufficient food for everyone attending.  If you prefer, you can call the church at 712-376-2639 and leave a message or text melinda@marcusgrace.com.  All are welcome!