ORGANIZATION OF
METHODIST EPISCOPAL SOCIETY OF CEDAR SPRINGS
The Methodist Episcopal Society of Cedar Spring was organized October 6, 1866, under Presiding Elder J. Coggeshall and Orison A. Pierson, Sec'y; B. W. Smith, Preacher in Charge; F. Deitz, Preacher; D. J. Gilbert and J. D. Town, Local Preachers; H. Streeter, KS. Brown, Jos. Clark and W. H. Clark, Stewards: George Jocelyn, Exhorter; E. Jewell, L. Smith, A. Dean, S. Ackley, O. E. Pearson, A. Angell, Leaders. The original members included the following named persons: Bradford Baily Emity Baily Sandford Baily Ebjona Baily Emily Clark Mary Carpenter Sarah Farr Chester Ford Dilla Ford Edward Jewell Sarah A. Jewell Samuel Pangborn Rachael Pangborn Samuel Runches Elizabeth Runches James Rounds Abby Ackert Barton Eddy Marion Eddy Thomas Totten Herkiah Lacy Mary Lacy William Brown S. L. Ackley Evalina Ackley Warren Ackley Fanny P. Fairchild Joel Pangborn Sarah A. Pangborn Mary C. Goldsmith Eliza Hopkins Ida Jewell Charles Farr Lucy A. Brown George Robertson Margareet Boles In 1870 B. Fairchild became a member. The first Trustees of the Church, after the division of the Cedar Springs Circuit, July 17, 1869 were: Edward Jewell Benjamin Fairchild Orison Pearson William H. Clark Bradford Bailey At the same time the M.E. Church of Oakfield and Courtland was organized. During the first years of the organization, services were held in the village school-house. The corner-stone was laid August 17, 1870, during the pastorate of Rev. John Graham. The dedication of the church took place June 7, 1871. Sermons were deliverd by Rev. J. M. Reid of Chicago and Rev. G. B. Jocelyn of Grand Rapids. Rev. A. J. Eldred was the Presiding Elder. The building committee in charge of the construction of the church, comprised Benjamin Fairchild, Edward Jewell and H. M. Rudes. E. P. Hayes was subsequently appointed, Vice H. M. Rudes, resigned. Ref: History of Kent County, Chapman, 1881, pg 1250-1 |