Ephrata United Methodist Church celebrates 100 years

Music, banquet, tours and special guests planned

It held its first Sunday school services in the Old School House Church with 38 members, 50 children and five probationiers.

This weekend, the Ephrata United Methodist Church will celebrate its 100th year in its third building with the 350 members of its congregation.

"They have seen ministry in and to the community as their paramount function," United Methodist Rev. Richard Coghill said of what congregation members have done to continue the church for a century.

To celebrate their century of worship, parishioners at the church have a weekend's full of activities planned. On Saturday at noon, the church will open, with tours available of displays of pictures and memorabilia.

At 4 p.m., the Chancel Choir, the Worship Team and youth vocalists will put on a concert called "Music Through the Ages," which will last about an hour.

At 6 p.m., a formal banquet will be held at the Ephrata Recreation Center. In attendance will be all former pastors and their families, and a video will be shown featuring hundreds of pictures from the church's past, Coghill said.

On Sunday, Bishop Elvis Galvan will lead the 10 a.m. service, which will feature guests such as Seven Rivers District Superintendent Rev. Ron and Lois Hines, past Ephrata pastors Rev. John and Jan Reinmuth, Rev. Robert Ortmeyer and Rev. Jim and Vivian Moore Jr.

In addition, parishioners at the nearby St. John's Episcopal Church will be relocating their Sunday service to the United Methodist Church, Coghill said. Both churches have roots in the teachings of the Wesley brothers of the 17th century, Coghill said.

"That's quite an honor ~ that they would choose not to have worship in their facility," Coghill said, adding that the United Methodist Church will return the favor in two weeks when St. John's Episcopal Church celebrates its 50th anniversary.

The Ephrata United Methodist Church opened in 1904 when the Rev. Harold O. Perry, the Methodist Episcopal minister from Waterville, came to Ephrata to open the Sunday school.

The original building was at the vacant lot on Second Ave. NW across from the Nicoles Funeral Home.

This building served as the church until 1922, when the church bought the original Grant County Courthouse and converted it to a house of worship.

In 1955, parishioners recognized the need for a new church, and began putting together what is the current facility in 1958, according to parishioner Janet Nelson, who compiled a history of the church. The

sanctuary was replaced 20 years later, and the first service held in the current building took place on Dec. 12, 1976.

Coghill grew up in Kansas City, where he said most churches are as old as 200 years. To be a part of a centennial anniversary is very exciting, he said.

Recently, churches in both Warden and Marlin celebrated anniversaries of 100 years. Coghill said that proves the towns and cities of Grant County have created a good foundation for their houses of worship to grow.

"It shows that there has been an outstanding spiritual foundation in the communities," he said.