HISTORY: Randalia Methodist 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/ ____________________________________________________________________________ This article taken from the West Union, Argo Gazette. RANDALIA METHODIST CHURCH HISTORY "The first school house was built about 1859, in district one and was known as the 'Dunham Grove school House'. The first and only church was built by the Methodist in the south part of the township in 1877, and was called the Fairview church. The first sermon was delivered by Rev. H. S. Brunson, date not remembered. The first religious service in the new town of Randalia was by Rev. Mr. Moulton, who held services in the school house soon after it was finished in 1876. The methodist Episcopal church of Randalia was re-organized in the fall of 1877, with 17 members, among whom were Moses L. Phelps, Mrs. Emeline Phelps, S. Snyder, Mrs. S. Snyder, Miss Emma Hill, Mrs. Caffyn, Mr. and Mrs. Knapp, Mrs.Coates, Emma Hubbard, Rev. E. Hartsough and Mrs. Hartsough. Rev. Hartsough was class leader. Elder Lyman Hull preached to this society once in two weeks in the school house. The first Baptist church was incorporated Feb. 1, 1878, and among the first members were Mr. and Mrs. J. Helper, Mrs. D. Helms, Mrs. J.P. Hultz, Delia Odekirk and Mrs. Barbara Riffenburg. In June, 1878, the society laid a foundation for a house of worship on Fourth street, block 3, lot 3. Rev. Mr. Perry, West Union , was the pastor and held religious services once in two weeks in the school house. So it seems that in this community in the very early days of 1859 to 1878, there were established three religious societies for the purpose of public worship. What became of the Baptist church does not seem to be known, but at this time they do not have a society in Randalia. In 1892, on Oct 12, Ladies Aid society of Randalia was organized. On Dec. 17, a fair was held, which netted about $75. During the first year they raised about $134.The society kept working toward the building of a new church and in their second year earned another $90. On Feb. 28, 1894, subscription papers were prepared wich the Ladies' Aid society headed with $150. The following committees were appointed to solicit for Randalia; Mrs. Beman and Mrs. Bratt, Hawkeye; Mrs. Mabon and Mrs. Randall, Fayette; Mrs. Tiffany and Mrs. Thompson, Maynard. In July, the ground on which the church now stands, was given to the society by I. L. Rogers, Sandwich, Ill. and on Sept. 24, 1894, the cornerstone was laid with Rev. Shoemaker, Fayette, assisted by Rev. Goodsell, Maynard, officiating. On Dec. 9, 1894, the church was dedicated by Rev. E. J. Lockwood, and services have continued here since. The Fairview church, which was built in 1877, south of town, where Rev. H. S. Brunson had preached the first sermon and where Rev. C.C. Burgess had been the first pastor, had had its good times and its bad, and when the horse and buggy days no longer needed, as there were faster ways of travel and perhaps faster ways of living, The Fairview church too, seemed to have served its day. After 1912, there had been no services in the Fairview church . So during September, 1922, under the supervision of Rev. John Atkins, the Fairview church came to Randalia. Some people went so far as to say it couldn't be done. Rev. Atkins said it could be done and he did it. The Fairview church was dedicated on Nov. 27, 1922, as a part of the Randalia Methodist church. Dr. Will Kerwin preached the dedication sermon and took charge of the finances through the day. Dr. E. A. Redman spoke in the afternoon. Rev. Atkins read a letter from Dr. Lockwood, who had been the former pastor at Fairview, also from Dr. A. A. Taylor and Rev. Jesse Caffyn, who attended Fairview church in their boyhood days. We were all glad to see the church come to Randalia to continue its usefulness. During the years many projects of interest have been among activities of the church. From 1927 to 1939, the people of the church sponsored an eating stand at the county fair at West Union, where many a good meal was served and many acquaintances and friends made for the church. This is one church which has inspired men to take up the ministry. How many men have devoted their time to the ministry from this church is not known but there are more than most churches can boast. In the words of our former district superintendent, Dr. Herbert Temple, "This church has produced preachers."