In the days of the Wesley’s, there existed a “blood relationship” between the Methodists and the Moravians. Moravian preachers such as Peter Bohler, were among the early spiritual guides of John Wesley and were important in the molding of the life and the spirit of Methodism. In Mount Clemens, the relationship was even closer, for Methodism really began with the arrival of the Moravians in July of 1782, when a handful of these deeply religious people and their Indian converts were sent from Detroit to locate in the area along the Huron River , now called the Clinton. Two miles west of Mount Clemens, on a spot later named Frederick, this group of twenty-three persons constructed a village which in which their church was to play a conspicuous part. This was the first Protestant Church in Michigan.

Living with the Moravian group was a young Irishman named Richard Conner, who later was to have an important part in the beginnings of’ Methodism. Though the reason for his casting his lot with these people is not clear, he may have heard how their calm faith surpassed that of John Wesley, as together they crossed the storm tossed Atlantic; or perhaps, he may have felt that the Moravian colony leaned away from British Domination and preferred the American Colonies. He ransomed and married a white woman who had been captured by Indians as a child

He and his family chose to remain where they had settled, though the Moravian band was forced by hostile Indians to leave. As the wilderness came under domination and travel became a little safer, itinerant Methodist preachers made their way into this area, holding services in any home open to them. To these pioneers of Methodism, the Conner family played host, opening their home whenever the opportunity presented itself. The way was now paved for the establishment of a Methodist Church in this neighborhood.

This goal was actually achieved as far back as 1809, when the Reverend William Case came from the East, under appointment, from the Methodist Episcopal Church, to minister to the slowly settling communities in this region. This early missionary often preached in the homes of William Tucker and Christian Clemens, and performed baptisms in Mount Clemens, records of which are in possession of church members who are descendents of the children baptized.

Running parallel to the history of the country was the progress made in Methodism upon the return of peace after the War of 1812. Emigrants now moved in from the East, and with them more Methodist missionaries, or circuit riders.

In the religious and social development of this country, these early preachers constituted a vital and picturesque part, enduring as they did the great hardships of traveling on horseback or on foot from settlement to settlement. Here they mingled with the people, shared their meals, however scary, assisted often in their chores and slept under their roofs. One early report says of them: “The Circuit Riders would travel as long as they had enough to eat and wear. Then they would work wherever they happened to be until they accumulated enough to continue.” A year’s salary might be less than $100.00.

The plan of the Circuit Riders was to follow up the settlers as closely as possible, and as soon as possible to organize societies. These were then grouped into Circuits covering varying territories. Usually two men were appointed to the same Circuit, the older and more experienced man to be the preacher, and the other to be the assistant. Throughout the records of the work of the Circuit Riders, there is in evidence the sincere sense of mission that motivated their untiring zeal. In this early organization of Methodism, Mount Clemens became part of the Detroit Circuit, and quarterly meetings were held in different places, such as Romeo, Utica, and Detroit.

From 1820 on there was evidence of marked progress in the work. The Reverend John Kent was the site of the early Moravian settlement. The first Methodist Class was formed in 1821, with the names of Susan Conner Cady a Mr. and Mrs. Robert Little recorded as members. In 1823, Richard Butler organized the first Sabbath School in an old building used for the manufacture of pottery. By 1824, the “Class’, a group of about 12 people, was meeting at the home of Albert Finch, where it continued to meet until a schoolhouse was built.

Mount Clemens, in the meantime, was becoming a delightful little village, under the able civic hand of Christian Clemens. Already there were a log courthouse and a schoolhouse. Christian Clemens, and his son-in-law, Colonel John Stockton, gracious and far-seeing men, stood ready to aid religious groups. If the courtroom was not available for services, Judge Clemens gave the use of his home. On one occasion Colonel Stockton went so far as to break down the courthouse door which had been locked by the Sheriff, who was opposed to religion of any kind.

On June 25, 1835, Christian Clemens gave to the trustees of the Methodist organization the land on the northeast corner of New and Pine Streets, where the Zion Church now stands. In 1841, a small house of worship was erected on the site at a cost of $700.00

The first records of the Mount Clemens Church are reports of two men, Hiram Gering, a Circuit Rider, and T. S. Seman, the “exhorter”. These, in fine old penmanship, are still intact. According to them, the church officers of March 20, 1837 were: William Herr, elder; Hiram Gering, Circuit Preacher;
T. S. Seruan, exhorter; and 3. Tuexbury, Edward Tucker, 3. E. Hall, D. H. Bishop and H. Pratt, stewards.

The minutes correspond to the present Quarterly Conference reports, and preserve quaint expressions of the time. For example, the report of October 27, 1836, allots a certain amount of “quarterage”, for the Circuit Preacher, a sum of money every member promised to pay by the next quarterly conference. “Table Expense” was more often gifts of food rather than money.

Meetings were always opened with formal questions such as “Are there any complaints?” “Are there any appeals?” Such complaints and appeals always seem to have applied to church members who, if they could not clear the complaints against them by their appeals, were dismissed from membership. It was easier to join than to stay in the Class. All must adhere to rigid standards of conduct. Card playing, dancing, drinking, theatre attendance, travel on the Sabbath, elaborate dress and fancy jewelry were forbidden.

The Conference minutes for June 12, 1841, report: “There are in the bounds of Mount Clemens two Sunday Schools, one at Mount Clemens containing two Superintendents, 12 teachers, 60 scholars, and 50 volumes in the library and its prospects are very encouraging’ No mention is made of the other Sunday School.

The custom of paying for pews is revealed in the record for the above date. It states that, of $700.00 needed for the church building, $350.00 had been subscribed for pews. Later, when there was a church debt of $150.00, the minutes read: “It was moved and carried to instruct the trustees to notify parties delinquent for assessments on Pews for repairs of the church and if they do not pay taxes due for repairs on this church then proceed to sell their Pews.”

 The practice of charging for pews continued for many years. Apparently this custom ended in 1895 as a church bulletin of that year notes: ALL SEATS FREE.   Mrs. Matthew Slush attempted to revive the custom after the present church was built. She had a brown velvet cushion made for the fourth pew from the front on the right side. Even though she did not own the pew, woe to anyone who sat there without permission.  

In 1849, when Seth Reed, “that Grand Old Man of Methodism”, came to Mount Clemens, his small band of zealous worshippers found the first church inadequate and decided to branch out. Accordingly, the old church was sold to the Clinton Institute, and the second church was purchased for $400.00 from the Presbyterian Society in a Sheriffs sale. This building was located at the corner of Shelby and James Streets, now Cass and Walnut Avenues.

In 1853, a parsonage was built on the lot at the rear of the church. To finance this project $374.00 was collected by the building committee, composed of H.H. Cady, R.H. Wallace, and A.A. Goodman.

Of special interest was the continuing growth of the Sunday School library. By 1861 there were 150 books, and by 1862 there were 250. As there was no public library in Mount Clemens until 1865, the church library played an important part in the community, for, besides attracting people to the church, it made available books and magazines otherwise not available to the general public. Among the periodicals were two of special interest -- the “Christian Advocate” and the “Ladies Repository”, both magazines of high quality.

As early as 1842, there was a missionary society made up of men only. According to the minutes of November 29, 1881, every member was contributing an average of forty-six cents annually to mission work. This amount seems very small indeed in comparison with the average of $4.00 for each member in 1950 and $23.00 for each member in 1986. In this aspect of church work, growth has been stimulated by world events and world organizations that have brought the needs of the people of the world closer to us.

In 1880, the Reverend John Gordon, newly arrived pastor reported of the church organization: “The society has suffered for the want of a better place of worship.” Thus it was that plans for a new church were set into motion. The old building was sold to T. W. Snook, who moved it to his stave yard, located on Clinton Street, where he used it for a copper shop.

As early as October, 1882, the Reverend Mr. Gordon again wrote: “The new church will soon be completed and my earnest prayer is that God will fill the house with His glory and true piety characterize the membership.”

On November 5, 1882 the new church, built at a cost of about $7,000.00 was dedicated. Records tell us that “it was of fine design and convenient arrangement.” The auditorium seated 400, the gallery 80, and a raised platform back of the pulpit accommodated the choir. Of special note was the tower, which
was ninety feet tall.

 High in the tower was the church bell, one of only two in the city. Some members of the church today remember this bell with, deep affection, for it served them and th community in many ways: It called people to church; it pealed cheerfully for weddings; rang out quickly to announce a fire; tolled for funerals and announce three strokes for a man, two for a woman, and one for a child. On Halloween, it rang out too if the “boys” could get to it. In 1944 this bell was sold to the Armada Church with the understanding that it was sold as a memorial and was not for resale.

Originally this third church was painted white, but after the Clementine Hotel and Mineral Bath was built, the gas fumes from the mineral well discolored the church building so badly that it was painted dark green.   Thus it became known as the ‘Green Church”.

In 1885, a lot west of the church was purchased for a parsonage. The rear was used for carriage sheds and in front was Gordon’s Greenhouse, which for many years furnished steam heat to the church, heretofore heated by stoves. In 1895 a parsonage was purchased on Wilson Blvd.

It was during the era of the “Green Church” that the young people were recognized as important in building a church program. In 1883 the Christian Endeavor was organized, a group which became the Young People’s Society in 1886, and the Epworth League in 1889. By publicizing the activities of the group in a paper known as the “League Leader”, the Reverend John Sweet brought the congregation closer to the work of the young people who were now active in all phases of church work. The League planned programs of interest to young people, and socials and concerts to raise money for the church. Funds from this group purchased a Haines upright piano which was in use in this church until about 1980.

In 1895, the Epworth League State Convention was held in Mount Clemens, and as a gesture of friendliness, the hotels presented each delegate with a ticket for a mineral bath.

Such were the beginnings of organized young people’s work in the Methodist Church. In 1940, the Epworth League became the Methodist Youth Fellowship, which was divided into a Senior and Intermediate group.

Locally the Youth Groups went through a series of name changes. In 1983 the Youth Club was formed. It meets Wednesday evenings from 5:30 to 7:30 and includes a shared meal, music, Bible study and social activities.

This summer 13 of our youth had a real missionary experience when they raised $1,700.00 and spent a very hot week building and mending fences at the Red Bird Mission in Kentucky. Plans are in the works for another mission trip in 1987.

A paper to be read this afternoon details the life of Reverend Joseph F. Berry, who first came to Mount Clemens in 1879. In spite of the stark tragedy that came to his family when his two young sons died from diphtheria (as did the son of Wesley Sears, Sunday School Superintendent), he made a fine contribution to the progress of the church and was returned to Mount Clemens after he had been away for three years. In 1885, after two more years in the church here, he left to become the editor of the “Epworth Herald”. In 1904 he was elected Bishop of the Methodist Church.

 During the lifetime of the Green Church, 1882 — 1926, there were many civic changes that affected the growth and development of the church. Gratiot Avenue, once an Indian Trail, later a plank road with toll gates, a military road linking Fort Wayne in Detroit and Fort Gratiot near Port Huron, became a busy main highway. An Interurban Trolley connected Detroit and Port Huron. The Mineral Bath Industry became an important factor in the growth of the city of Mount Clemens, and the hotel business boomed. All of these factors had to be taken into consideration in making plans for the futui1e of the church.

Throughout the years, men have assumed the greater part of the leadership in church work. In the early days, they did the pioneering and the organizing. Thus it is that most of the names recorded in the history of the Methodist Church in Mount Clemens are chiefly those of men. These men have always acknowledged their debt to the women who worked quietly behind the scenes, keeping the homes, assisting in church work and inspiring them with courage to carry on through the greatest of difficulties.

There has been a Men’s Club since about 1922, dedicated to fellowship and stewardship. They have sponsored Troop 74, Boy Scouts of America since 1924. This is the oldest continually sponsored troop in the Clinton Valley Council.

Early records show that women served on committees of importance in connection with the church. In the Official Board minutes of July 24, 1873, mention is made of women serving on the Parsonage, Furniture, and Tract Committees.

Thus the seeds were sown that were to permit women to take a more inclusive part in the program of the church. The rapid growth of this movement is best indicated by the various organizations which followed in the succeeding years.

About 1892, the Foreign Mission Society was organized by Elmira Carter Smart and at about the same time% the Ladies’ Aid and the Home Mission Groups were formed. After about thirty years other women’s groups came into being. The Carrie Lungerhausen Missionary Society; named in the honor of Carrie Cady Lungerhausen, whose ancestor was the first Methodist preacher to administer baptism in this country, began as a women’s organization of the church. In 1941 the Young Women’s Guild was formed and lasted about 10 years, when it too was absorbed into the W. S. C. S. In 1972 the W. S. C. S. was renamed the United Methodist Women.

Throughout the years, the contribution of women, both spiritually and financially has been great. They have taught Sunday School, served on committees of all kinds, and launched money-making projects such as bazaars and dinners, rendering a service of inestimable value.

Sunday School has always been a vital part of the church. Early on, men were the teachers, but during the 20’s, 30’s and 40’s it was primarily the women who taught the classes. James Jackson was Superintendent for well over 26 years. Some well remembered teachers of those days were Lillian Broome, Merle Watkins, Nellie Kidd and Arlene Little.

In 1946 Evelyn Birdsall was appointed Educational Director. She served one year before marrying Edwin Rickard. She has been a faithful member ever since. We relied on volunteers and our associate pastors until 1983 when our present director Judy Stone (Mrs. Arthur) was appointed.

Another important aspect of the work of the church has been the contribution of music. Although there has always been a choir, the first choir leader to be named in the records was H. H. Cady in 1854. His son, John C. Cady, served 63 consecutive years as a choir member. The early church considered instruments frivolous. Hymn singing was loud and often discordant. By the 1890’s the Green Church had a Haines upright piano and later a cabinet organ, played by Anna Cressey (Mrs. Alden).

In the present church there was first a grand piano purchased when the new church was completed. The case of the piano is in the East Parlor. Some years ago birds plugged the roof drains and water poured in, filling the piano and rendering it unusable. In 1927 the Pipe Organ was installed and in 1947 an electronically operated Carillon was dedicated. Over the years since 1926 there have been as many as eight additional pianos. The first organist in the present church was Edna Koehler Kruse. She took lessons on the new organ as soon as it was installed. When she returned from her honeymoon in 1927 she took over the job, serving until 1930 when her daughter was born. Dr. A. Trevor Craig took over at that time and since then we have had a number of excellent musicians to fill the post. Some were Marilyn Mason, Lois Harper and Lois Schoof Gerkey. Elizabeth Shudlich served from about 1959 to 1977. A whole generation of young people learned music and Christian behavior from this great lady. Our present organist and choir director, John Potter, has served since 1982. At present we have a Chancel Choir (adults), Cantus Choir (youth), Hand Bell Choir, The Notewares (men) and the Women’s Chorus

The era of the Green Church, which lasted for over forty years, was marked by progress in every branch of the church program. The church membership doubled. As a result the facilities for all departments became inadequate and plans for a new church building began to take shape.

In the fall of 1925, the old church corner on Cass and Walnut was sold to S. C. Price. The present church was started on the corner of Cass and North Avenues. This church was completed at a cost of $110,000.00 and was dedicated on January 3, 1926. The pastor was the Reverend Dwight H. Ramsdell and the Board of Trustees: Jacob Hoffman, president; Frank Chanher, secretary; Dr. J. C. White, treasurer; and Arthur Van Epps, Frank Hacker, Dr. J. N. Croman, Oscar Lungerhausen, Milo Warner, and Eber Denison.

The “Mount Clemens Daily Leader” of January 2, 1926, described the present church as follows: “The church is semi-gothic architecture and is of handsome appearance. The building is brick and has an imposing entrance of ornamental cut stone in a design which is repeated in the trimming for the immense glass windows.”

The dedication included a varied program throughout the week of January 3-10. On Sunday, January 3, there were three worship services. At 10:30 Bishop Nicholson preached. At 3:00 Dr. Russell H. Bready and at 7:30 the main address was given by Dr. George Elliot, editor of the “Methodist Review” and a former Mount Clemens pastor. On this day the hopes of the congregation ran high when $34,750.00 was pledged toward payment for the new church. A banquet was held on Monday. On Tuesday evening there was a recital given by Miss Edna Koehier (now Mrs. Walter Kruse), pianist and Mr. Robert Luscomb, baritone. For the recital, the new grand piano, purchased with the funds raised by subscription was used. Wednesday evening, a Union service was held with pastors from several city churches preaching. Friday evening the Official Board hosted a reception with tours of the building. The dedication services ended on Sunday, January 10, with Dr. C.B. Steele preaching.

But pioneering days were not over for the Methodists. Difficulties in a different wilderness presented themselves during the years of the depression.

The mortgage on the new church hung over every meeting of the Board, as did the note to be paid on the organ. In the minutes of October 2, 1933, it was reported: “Depressing data was given concerning the church debts. We owe approximately $31,000.00 on the building, $3,500.00 on the organ, $700.00 on coal bills, $200.00 electric light bills, $60.00 water bill, $1,000.00 on the plaster note, $1,500.00 note at the First National Bank, and a number of smaller bills. The report was not received with cheers.” The financial condition continued to be of major concern and a variety of methods were used to raise money. Every society of the church was assessed a definite amount each month. For a time, every member paid a penny at every meal as a Grace collection. One Sunday, dollar bills were pinned to a clothesline stretched across the chancel rail. In March 1933, the 113th anniversary of the beginning of the church, it was recommended that every member contribute $1.13. For several years an industrial exhibit was held in every part of the church except the sanctuary, the profits being used toward outstanding bills. We even had a full sized automobile in the East Parlor. No one remembers quite how it got in and out. The women set up a soup and sandwich kitchen to sell lunches to workmen paving North Avenue. They also worked on endless Chicken Pie Suppers that were a highlight of the l930’s, both for the church and for the community.

Such efforts seemed to be of little avail and the situation remained desperate until the District Superintendent sent a man with a professional solution to the problem. He inspired the membership of six hundred with the thought that the up building of God’s Kingdom required real sacrifice from Christians. Working prayerfully together and going that second mile, guided by Reverend William Clyde Donald and Reverend Dr. Dunning Idle, they achieved their goal. On Friday evening January 29, 1942, they celebrated their achievement by symbolically burning the mortgage. This took 9 years

Contrast this with the current crisis appeal to raise $20,000.00 for repairs to the 2 parsonages and a new boiler in the main church building, which has been accomplished in 4 months. A second mile pledge program hopes to raise $50,000 as a fund for future repairs.

The spiritual work of the church proceeded in spite of the alarming financial situation of the thirties. In 1929 and 1933 successful evangelistic meetings were conducted by Dr. and Mrs. Macomb, with results that were said to be very beneficial. In 1932 a young married people’s class of 75 members was organized with Dr. Sidney Eva, pastor as teacher.

In 1932, the Mount Clemens Church played host to the Detroit Conference for the second time, the first time being in 1898. The delegates, both ministers and laymen, visited the site of the first protestant church of the Moravians, and there rededicated themselves to the high missionary mandate of our Lord. A picture of this gathering is in the archives of the church. The Conference lecture was given by the renowned Sgt. Alvin C. York. In both church and local news, note is made of the unusually fine hospitality extended by the city and by the local hotels in particular to the delegates.

The Forties were a time of dealing with World War II and the boom years after. Finances were in good shape with Reverend Alfred P. Landon and Dr. Frank Field.

Things went fairly smoothly through the early Fifties with Reverend James Wright. The church building was renovated inside and out. Carpeting was installed in the sanctuary and parlors. A new parsonage on Kendrick Avenue replaced the one on Lodewyck.

By the late Fifties the church was bulging at the seams with 742 active members, 400 in Sunday School and over 160 in the choirs. Two services were needed to minister to the congregation.

Reverend William N. Mertz encouraged plans for an educational annex. In 1961 property on the north side of the Church was purchased. Urban renewal land was offered with the stipulation that we must build or lose the property. In 1969, the Crusade for Christian Responsibility was led by Robert Warren and an able committee. Reverend Charles W. Welch from the Board of Missions led the Crusade. We brought in 3 year pledges of $174,000.00 and borrowed $240,000.00 to complete the addition. Now we are back In debt again.

1963 brought us our first Associate Pastor, Ronald Cornwell and the need for a second parsonage at 875 N. Esplanade. In 1973 this house was sold and one at 141 Lois Lane acquired. The Kendrick Avenue parsonage was sold and the present one at 110 Belleview purchased.

In the Sixties our country and our church suffered a severe wound. The Vietnam protests and student unrest of the country in general did not pass us over. On his first Sunday here, Dr. John S. Jury was greeted with pickets surrounding the church. While a brilliant preacher, he was not a very calm shepherd. His theatrics combined with his encouraging of Associate Pastor Ronald Cornwell to do his own things (sensitivity training, community wide Rock-and-Roll Dances), caused an upheaval in the congregation and many families left the church.

Reverend James Balfour was appointed in 1969 and had to deal with Reverend Cornwell who was undergoing a personal problem which caused him to resign his pastorate and his orders in 1971.

In spite of the problems, work went ahead on the new Annex. In September 1971, Reverend Balfour and Associate Pastor Robert Adams presided at the consecration services for the new addition. Reverend Balf our was a healing presence for our congregation. In 1976 he was called to the church in Clarkston when their pastor died.

Reverend John Elliot, our Associate Pastor, took over until June when Dr. Stanley A Bailey Jr. was appointed. During his tenure we paid off the mortgages on the parsonages and the addition to the church building. We reroofed the church and placed storm windows over the huge stained glass windows, and also decorated the sanctuary. he stayed 10 years , retiring in June of 1986.

In June of this year we welcomed Reverend David N. Liscoinb and his family to the First United Methodist Church.

Since 1973, five Associate Pastors have served this congregation: Mary E. Howard, John W. Elliot, Kenneth A. Kohiman, Thomas R. Kinney, and our present pastor, Frederick P Cooley.