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In 1856, the seeds were planted that grew into the present
United Methodist Church of Blair, Nebraska. Rev. Collins,
Methodist circuit rider, was appointed to preach the gospel in
eastern Nebraska, working as far north as Decatur and south to
Florence. In 1857, J. B. Spellman took charge of the DeSoto
Mission as it was called then, covering all territory between
Omaha and Decatur, including Fontanelle.
In 1865, the Rev. A. G. White was appointed to the DeSoto
Mission and a parsonage was built at Ft. Calhoun and a church
at Cuming City. This church cost $900.00.
Later the DeSoto Mission became the Blair-Calhoun charge and
the Rev. Jacob Adriance was sent to this new field. He
delivered his first sermon in Blair in a passenger coach at
the railroad depot.
In the summer of 1869, after the town of Blair was founded,
the Methodist Church was moved from Cumming City to its
present site in Blair. Rev. Adriance was the first pastor. The
move with enlarging and remodeling cost $4,000.00. The church
membership was only 40. During this period of transition,
services were held from a box car on a railroad siding.
In 1883, the cornerstone was laid for the second building, it
being completed in 1884 at a cost of $7,000.00. An elegant
looking building in the early 1900's, it had a tall spire and
belfry, Gothic shaped windows of leaded glass, a crystal
chandelier, a carpeted center aisle and an imposing looking
organ in the center of the chancel.
Later, the steeple was removed for safety, and the interior
remodeled to make more room. It served the Blair congregation
until the present building was consecrated in August of 1951.
It had been erected at a cost of $160,000.00.
Elsewhere in this book, you will find Rev. Homer Dickerson's
story of how the fund were raised. Membership at this time was
635. Brochures mementos and pictures of this period are in a
scrapbook kept at the church.
There was a debt on the church and plans were made to pay this
off, systematically, in 10 years. So, on May 28, 1961, the
church was dedicated, debt free. Membership was 840.
During those 10 years, the church was kept in good repair,
stained glass windows were added to the nave and other
furnishings and improvements added to make the church more
complete. Most of these extra features were added by the use
of memorial funds.
The next achievement of the congregation was to buy a suitable
parsonage. The "Elmer Wright" house in the same
block as the church was obtained at a cost of $20,000. It has
been kept in good repair, painted and carpeted.
The entire church has been air-conditioned, new furnace
installed and carpeting added. A pipe organ was given by L.L.
Snyder as a memorial to his wife.
The women of the church have kept the kitchen and dining room
equipped with appliances, dishes and silver. Many wedding and
anniversary receptions are held there.
The church parlor and the kitchenette serving it have been
refurnished with memorial funds and are beautiful and
functional. Membership has grown to 1200 and growth is
consistent with the growth of the town.
Complied by Mrs. H.
Lyle Guyer. |
