Methodist Church History 1840, Eaton County, Eaton County, Michigan

Copyright © 2000 by Sherri VanWyke. This copy contributed for use in 
the MIGenWeb Archives.  


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http://files.usgwarchives.net/mi/eaton/eatonrapids/history/m33203.txt
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HISTORY OF REV. ISAAC BENNETT
Transcribed by Sherri VanWyke April 24, 2000



The Rev. Isaac Bennett formed the first Methodist Class in Eaton Rapids in the year 1840.  Members of 
the Class included: Salmon Butler, leader; Luther P. Noyes, Susa L. Noyes, Osman Childs, Lucy 
Childs, G. W. Ashley, Charlotte Ashley, Chauncey Butler, Amelia Butler and Emily Butler.

In May 1845, two lots where deeded to the Society for the erection of a building and the following 
Trustees were named: Tyler Blodgett, Luther Blodgett, John Montgomery, Andrew DeWitt, Luther 
Noyes, Ira Turney, Pierpont E. Spicer, Benjamin Knight and Chauncey Butler.

The first building was a frame church which proved adequate until 1880 when it was moved from the lot 
to a place near where Foote and Custer Station now stands.  For the cost of $12,000 a brick building was 
erected and furnished.  An addition was built on in 1918, which provided much needed space for Church 
School and Social parlors.  A remodeling project in 1950 modernized the sanctuary and provided a 
kitchen, dining area and stage in the basement.

For the first ten years of its existence in Eaton Rapids the Methodist Church was part of a circuit and was 
served by a succession of 15 ministers, who also, served other points in Eaton County.  In 1856, the local 
church became large enough to have a minister of its own.  Since that time (for over a century) the First 
Methodist Church has been served by 35 ministers.  The membership of the congregation has made a 
steady growth through the years and now has 600 members, and has a Church School enrollment of 374.  
The Reverend Donald Winegar is the minister in charge.

Other ministers who have served the First Methodist Church include: Ralph Witmer (now at Greenville), 
Eadon Davis (Lansing), Richard Miles (now District Superintendent), Walter Ratcliffe, Wayne 
Fleenor (Albion College), M. E. Braune, Stanley B. Niles, and T. G. R. Brownlow.

The present leadership of the church includes: Edward Banfield, Lay Leader and President of the 
Official Board; Mrs. Aurther U’ren, Church School Superintendent; Mrs. Paul Huston, President of the 
W.S.C.S.; Gerald Gillett, President of Methodist Men’s Club; Bruce U’ren, President of Senior MYF; 
and Carol Webb, President of the Intermediate MYF.
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