“Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors.”
This current motto may have been just as true in 1857 as it is today for the Fremont First United Methodist Church.
Just unwrap history.
In the fall of 1856, the open minded son of a Methodist minister, Eliphaz H. Rogers, arrived from New York. The following spring his younger brother, Lucius H. Rogers, joined him.
Together the brothers formed a Bible class.
There were three other charter members: Mrs. Eliphaz Rogers, Mrs. Mary Flor and Mrs. Wealthy Beebe.
With an open heart and an open door, the Rogers brothers conducted the class in the home of the elder brother, at Military and D Streets in a log cabin. This class was the roots for the church.
Around the same time, a Congregational pastor from Wisconsin, the Rev. Isaac Heaton, arrived in Fremont. His mission - to start up the Congregational Church. What happened next would intertwine the two churches as they continued to grow.
Lucius married the daughter of Heaton. Their daughter, Belle Rogers, was a lifelong member of the Methodist church.
Because of their marriage, the union of the two churches was strong. Members even met in the same log cabin at 8th and C Streets.
The church was served by itinerant ministers at that time. In 1857, a young student from Indiana, the Rev. Jerome Spillman, was assigned to the Fremont area.
“Not every town had a minister. Circuit riders would go from settlement to settlement,” said the Rev. Greg Hall, associate pastor.
"It might take a year to make the circuit,” Hall added.
By 1860, the Court House was home to the growing Methodist Church.
Eventually, a church was built at the edge of Fremont – 8th and Broad.
This building, dedicated in 1869, could house 300 worshippers.
In 1870, the first resident pastor, Joel A. VanAnda, served a congregation of 46.
Just four years later, the membership had grown to 115.
Turning to the future, in the 1880’s the church structure was rotated and expanded.
In 1888, First United Methodist Church opened a campground and a Chautauqua, which included an open air auditorium. Situated on 50 acres at the north end of Nye Avenue, there was also boating and a horse – drawn street car.
There was even an ice cream parlor.
But by the 1890s, the idea of a campground had cooled and the land was sold.
Today the United Methodist Church operates Camp Fontanelle.
1899 ushered in another church remodel at the 8th and Broad location, including a kitchen, dining room and Sunday school rooms.
Take a peek inside the early church.
What was an early church service
like?
“Sometimes it was an all day event with picnics and preaching,” said Hall.
“Around the turn of the century there was more of a revival atmosphere,” Hall explained.
One thing was never present – a piano. Pianos were used in saloons and considered scandalous at the time, noted Hall. And if the building didn’t have an organ, singing was done acappella.
Services were longer, much more of a social event.
“They really looked forward to spending the day,” Hall said.
Chores were completed on Saturday and church members arrived on Sunday morning attired in their finest blacks and whites, Hall added.
The service would be followed by dinner and then – more scripture reading.
“Methodism was the standard for devout Protestantism,” Hall said.
By 1907, the church membership was 582.
The basis for the present church structure was completed in 1922, at a cost of $108,000.
Until 1939, Fremont was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Then at this time, three branches of Methodism merged to form the Methodist Church. In 1968, a merger between the Evangelical United Brethren and the Methodist Church formed the United Methodist Church.
In 1956, church membership was 1,282.
Under the direction of the Rev. Graydon Wilson, the church was again remodeled in 1960.
In 1994, a new addition included a youth room, preschool, multipurpose classroom and elevator.
What will the legacy of the modern church be?
“I have hopes and a vision: I see our church moving forward in a positive direction in regard to membership and living out what God wants us to do,” said the Rev. Ronald Croom, senior pastor.
Croom believes First United Methodist Church will be a positive influence on justice, spiritual direction and community issues – particularly issues that might affect children and youth.
If a time capsule were created today to be opened in another 150 years, what might be included?
Croom suggests a number of things: local, regional and national newspapers and magazines; an annual conference report; and a church directory.
And open your imagination to this.
What might the contemporary service look like in another 100 – 150 years?
“Technology is growing so rapidly,” said Hall. “The internet or wall-sized screens in homes might play a role,” suggested Hall. “It’s hard to imagine. Just as hard to imagine as it was for my great-grandparents,” said Hall. “It will be fun to witness the direction.”
But even in the future, one thing will never change.
“God has always been present and always will be,” said Hall.
To see a list of former pastors click below:
