THE WESLEYAN METHODIST CHURCH




Copyright © 1997 by Judith Weeks Ancell. This copy contributed for use in 
the USGenWeb Archives.  

 

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GREATER COLDWATER CENTENNIAL, Souvenir Historical Program
 Greater Coldwater Centennial 1961

Page 27:
THE WESLEYAN METHODIST CHURCH

	"The Wesleyan Methodist Church of Coldwater was organized in 1844 or 
1845.  The Rev. Calvin Sawdy of Allen was connected with the organization.
	The organizational meeting was held in a school house two miles south
of the city, three men and their wives uniting as charter members: Mr. And 
Mrs. Caleb B. Peckham, Mr. And Mrs. James R. Wilcox, and Mr. And Mrs. Charles
Davy.
	Mr. Sawdy held meetings in the school house, as a result of which 14 
more members were taken into the church.
	Quite a number of members of the Methodist Episcopal Church were 
dissatisfied with the toleration of slavery by members of their church, and 
some of them joined the little band of "anti-Slavery Disciples" at the 
school house.
	After a few months, the school house burned down, but a place was 
soon arranged to hold meetings in the two-story school house between 
Jefferson and Morse Streets.  Here they continued to worship for a number of 
years, until the present church building was erected in 1852.
	The records of the church show that: "Faith and works were put 
together.  Not only were strong crying and tears offered in behalf of the 
poor down-trodden slaves of the South, but constant and untiring efforts 
were put forth for the getting of them into a depot of the underground 
railroad system in those days, and willing helpers of like precious faith 
gave heed to the presence of the dark-skinned refugees and were ready to 
assist all such forward in their journey toward freedom."
	There have been about 46 pastors following Mr. Sawdy.  The Rev. 
T. D. Bowditch is now pastor.  
	Much remodeling has been down on the church building through the 
years, and at this time a new building is being erected on Michigan Avenue. 
A service of ground breaking was held on June 12th, 1960, with plans for the 
new building to be finished in the near future."   







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