The following information is from:

"The Early History of the South Monterey Methodist Church"

The beginning of the South Monterey Methodist Church was the result of the labors of Rev. Gustav Bertram in 1856. He was a "field worker", or home missionary, as we would probably call him today, who was stationed in Lansing, Michigan from 1855-56. He came to this community seeking out the German families. Following him Rev. Heinrich F. Krill, and Rev. Jacob Krehbiel were stationed in Lansing, 1856-57. They came here and continued the worker of Rev. Bertram. Rev. Krehbiel is credited with organizing the work into a Class with the asistance of Rev. Krill. The Class consisted of the following: Henry Maentz, Christian Renziehausen, August Renziehausen, Adam Knobloch, and Christian Siebrecht(Sebright), their wives and children. The congregation met in the nearby schoolhouse.

Rev. Daniel Neiers succeeded Rev. Krehbiel, and Rev. Krill. Following Rev. Neier were Rev. J. Valentin Jahraus, 186-66, and Rev. Gustav Laas with whom was associated Rev. Henry Maentz, Rev. A. Krummeling, and Rev. William Behrends.

On August 22, 1867 Christian Sebright and his wife, Mary Christine deeded one-quarter acre of land to the trustees of the church on which to build. During the second year of the pastorate of William Conrad Wauas the edifice was completed, and dedicated for Divine worship on November 22, 1868. On the building committee were Christian Renziehausen, Peter Dendel, and August Renziehausen. The building cost $1400, exclusive of much labor volunteered by the members. All of this effort to build the church was the out-growth of a gracious revival.

After the completion of the church, Rev. Henry Maentz was the pastor for three years, 1869-72. He was succeeded by G.C. Herzer in 1872-75, who later was a presiding elder of the district. Rev. Andrew Mayer followed in 1875-77. In 1877, Rev. Carl A. Militzer became the pastor, and was here for three years. At this time, the church had 40 members and a flourishing Sunday school. The Board of Trustees was composed of Christian Renziehausen, Peter Dendel, Claus Buck, Henry Maentz, and August Renziehausen.

Little is known of Rev. John Gommel who served our church from 1880-82. In 1882-84, Rev. William Muller was here. On July 8, 1883 he received Emma Dendel as a member.

Rev. H.F. Krill was recalled to minister a second time from 1884-1888. During his ministry, William Dendel, Fred Dendel, Frank Dendel, Fred and Wilhelmina Brussow, and Caroline Blanz were received as members.

Our next pastor was Rev. William Hemke from 1887-92. Frank Sebright, William and Louise Buck, and Minnie Buck came into the church during this time.

Rev. George Mitter served us from 1892-96. Some remembering singing German songs under him.

Rev. J.J. Link came to us from 1896-1902. He took a bride, Edith Renziehausen, from our congregation. They were married in our church on April 8, 1897. She taught a Sunday-school class of young girls, but Mrs. Lizzie Dendel was instrumental in getting the first English Sunday school classes started.

Rev. Henry Bank, who labored here from 1902-05, is remembered as a friendly preacher. He was followed by Rev. H. Ruckheim, who ministered to us from 1905-07. He is remembered for the revivals he held and for organizing our Ladies Aid Society of about 20 members. (Emma Dendel was one of them). Last of the members to pass on was Sarah Buck in 1972 at the age of 97 years and 4 months. She remembered the church in her will.

REMODELED AND REDEDICATED

The Monterey German M.E. Church was redidicated Sunday, October 13, 1912. The church, which was erected in 1868 by some of the old settlers, underwent a thorough renovation through its rebuilder, Mr. Dave Wesley. The building was raised several feet and a cement basement was put under half of the main building. On the southeast corner and addition was build which permitted a vetibule and spire. The beautiful memorial stained glass windows and the 1400 pound bell were donations.

The services, until about 1908, were exclusively in German. Since, Epworth League, Sunday school, and preaching services were conducted in English with an occasional German service to accommodate the older members of the congregation.

The Quarterly Meeting and Dedication Services were as follows:Sunday school at 9:30 a.m., preaching at 10:30 a.m., followed by the Lord's Supper. Rev. Elias Roser, district superintendent from Detroit administered the Lord's Supper. The rededication service followed; in charge was Rev. E. Roser, and he was addisted by Dr. C.H. Herzler of German Wallace College of Berea, Ohio. These services were conducted in German and English. There was an English service in the evening at 7:00 by Dr. Herzler. On Monday, October 14, there was another service in English. Dr. Herzler delivered a lecture on "Astride in the Battle Through the Holy Land." Rev. R.W. Magdanz was pastor a the time of the rededication.

LATER HISTORY

Rev. F.W. Magdanz served as pastor here from 1907-1913. It was while Rev. Magdanz was here that our church was remodeled extensively and took on the appearance as of today. Several of our older present members recall that they joined the church or were united in marriage by Rev. Magdanz. They also remember the good revival he had.

Rev. Joseph E. Beal pastored here from 1913-1916. He came as a single fellow and took Tressa Kern from this charge for his wife.

Rev. William Jauch was pastor from 1916-1918. Two of the church members George R. Ruehle and Ora B. Dendel were united in marriage by Rev. Jauch and they had faithfully attended and supported the work of this church continuously until their deaths.

Rev. Theodore Lagemann served as pastor from 1918-1923. When one of his laymen needed help with his work, Rev. Lagemann gave his assistance regardless of the type of work. During his time here, there was the "Flu" epidemic. When the snow was too deep to use the horse, he actually walked 4 1/2 miles one way from Hopkins for two consecutive days to call on the ill of this church. Many years abo, Rev. Lagemann went Home to Glory. Mrs. Lagemann lived in Berea, Ohio. She continued to correspond with members here until the 1950's.

Rev. Carl Ertel was pastor from 1923-1926. He devoted considerable time to the children here giving them catechism training. Some members recall that Rev. Ertel gathered up the younger ones and those with longer distances to travel and piled them into his old Ford for the catechism classes which were held part of the time in the church and part of the time in the South Monterey schoolhouse.

Ref. Buchholz served as pastor from 1926-29. This church grew spiritually through the fine revivals that he conducted. Young people made decisions for Christ.

Rev. Fred Schaenzlin pastored here from 1929-33. Again, the church advanced spiritually with good revivals. On one Sunday, he baptized 20 infant and children. Rev. Schaenzlin had a large catechism class of children. Some of our present members attended his catechism class and also attended his membership training class. Rev. Schaenzlin was the last minister here to serve a three church charge: Market Street, Hopkins and Monterey.

Rev. Warren E. Brown served as pastor from 1933-36. He came here a single young man but after a few months married Miss Helen Riggs. Our church then had two ministers. She occasionally very ably supplied for him, and the church enjoyed their outstanding musical talent. They organized a young people's choir and an Epworth League. Under Rev. Brown the merger took place: the German and English Methodist Churches united. Rev. Brown served Hopkins and South Monterey churches only. Prior to this merger, Market Street Methodist wa on the charge also.

Rev. Albert W. Baker was pastor from 1936-37. We remember Rev. Baker as a good, righteous man who walked blamelessly before God.

Rev. (Miss) Olive Knapp ministered from 1937-46 for a total of nine years. Miss Knapp served here longer than any other pastor. She was loved by all. During her long stay here, she was very faithful in her attendance and loyalty to the Hopkins Camp Meeting and all other avenue of soul winning. She was always anxious to see God's Kingdom extended in the hearts and lives of all her friends.

From 1946-50, Rev. George F. Wingard served as pastor. A number in our present congregation were baptized and/or taken into the fellowship of the church during the time Rev. Wingard was with us. He was faithful in presenting the Gospel. During his pastorate, the oil furnace was installed.

Rev. Milford E. Bowen Jr. and his wife labored here from 1950-52. We appreciated the youthful efforts of the Bowens from their friendly handshakes to the prayer services.

Rev. Henry C. Alexander was our pastor from June of 1952 through December of 1952. We remember his forceful delivery behind the sacred desk.

Rev. George Osborne, a retired supply, served from January 1953 to June 1953. Every Sunday, he commuted from his home in Comstock. We appreciated the effort he put forth each Lord's Day to meet with us. His devout life was a real inspiration.

Rev. Everett Shotwell was our pastor from 1953-55. Rev. Shotwell was sincere and we never had reason to doubt his sincerity. He left a challenging testimony. He was indeed a friend to all.

Rev. James Leach served as a pastor here from 1955-56. During his year with us, a restroom was added to the church. Much of the labor was donated and Rev. Leach also helped.

Rev. Donald Cozadd came to us in June 1956. He had the interet of our church on his heart. We knew he wanted the church to move forward for God. Rev. Cozadd truly gave us the Word of God on Sunday and at the Weekly Prayer Meeting. He ministered here until June 1958.

Miss Esther Ruehle, our own church girl, a faithful attendant from infancy, went as a nurse missionary to China in September, 1947. She returned home in October, 1951 from India. As a result of her calling, she left in January, 1957 for Cuba. In January 1959, she went to Brazil and returned in August 1961. Both of her parents, George and Ora Ruehle, had passed on during this time. Esther Ruehle Dysart now lives in Clayton, New Mexico.

SOUTH MONTEREY OBSERVES ONE HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY (1856-1956)

The 100th anniversary of the South Monterey Methodist Hopkins Charge, was celebrated in a simple but lovely worship service.