HISTORY: Center Grove United Brethren Church; Fayette County, Iowa ************************************************************************ USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Adelaide McBride http://www.usgwarchives.net/ ____________________________________________________________________________ NOTE: For more information on Fayette County, Iowa, Please visit the Fayette County, IAGenWeb page at http://www.rootsweb.com/~iafayette/ ____________________________________________________________________________ Rural Church Near Maynard, its Mission Ended, Is Being Razed Courier Special Service Loss of it's members to churches of larger communities, facilitated by the ease and convenience of motoring, has ended the service of Center Grove United Brethren church, which has disposed of it's equipment. The land will be deeded to the township trustees for cemetery purposes. Maynard, Iowa - The Center Grove United Brethren church, better known as Grub church, one of the early day centers of worship is to be razed with in a short time, and the ground deeded to the township trustees to become part of the cemetery. Ed Talcott, 81 year old carpenter, who assisted in building the present structure 23 years ago, will have charge of tearing down the building. His grandson Floyd Bark of Lamont, will assist him. The seats in the church have been sold to United Brethren Church at Collins, Iowa, and the piano to the United Brethren church at Postville, Iowa. There are two and a half acres of land included in the church property. The building was purchased by S. W. Hanchett. The church was established three miles north of Maynard in 1880. Sam Bing, his son, John and John Millard, had charge of the construction work. The cornerstone was laid on July 14, 1880, and the church was dedicated Nov. 14, 1880, by Rev. W. D. Adams. The trustees were: Martin De Jean, W. E. Hotchkiss and C. D. Conrad. Other trustees who have served since that time are: William Miner, Riley Knight, John Watenpaugh, W. E. Donat D. B. Cannell and Henry Burlingame. The last three are living. Mr. Donat has served on the board since 1885. The original church was struck by lightening and burned to the ground on June 23, 1908. It was rebuilt that year and was dedicated Jan. 3, 1908, by the Rev. Mr. Patterson, with Rev. Alice Neudigale as pastor. The coming of the automobile marked the decline of the little church: The membership fell off owing to the tendency of many members to worship in nearby towns, until it became necessary to discontinue services in 1926. Since that time the church has not been used.