Ionia-Eaton-Barry County MI Archives News.....HISTORICAL RECORD OF ORANGE CHARGE; LEVALLEY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH December 1981
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THE SEBEWA RECOLLECTOR, Bulletin Of The Sebewa Association; Volume 17, December 1981, Number 3.  Submitted With Written Permission Of Grayden D. Slowins, Editor: December 1981

HISTORICAL RECORD OF ORANGE CHARGE; LEVALLEY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

After reading the record of the organization and early operation of School 
Distirict #4, Sebewa in the last issue of THE RECOLLECTOR, William Weisgerber 
thought that the early history of Orange Charge might also be of interest to 
our readers.  This record is now in the repository of the LeValley United 
Methodist Church.  It gives a glimpse of rural life of 100 years ago.  Except 
for Hashier’s Hollow, most of the locations mentioned are still easily 
recognized.  This account is the first indication I’ve ever seen that Sebewa 
Corners Methodists were ever connected with Orange Charge.  For most of its 
early history Sebewa Corners Church was part of Danby Charge with the Compton 
Church.  Our thanks go to William Weisberger for making this record available.

“Orange Charge was partially formed in 1866 by a vote of the QUARTERLY 
CONFERENCE of the then Berlin Charge.  During the following two years there was 
added to the charge the Tuttle Class from Ionia Charge and a class was formed 
consisting of six appointments with five classes numbered as follows:  #1 
Orange, #2 Berlin Center, #3 Benedict Schoolhouse, #4 Tuttle Class, #5 Sebewa 
(Sebewa Corners).  During the year 1866-67 revivals were held with good results 
at classes 1, 2, 3 and 4.  The record from which the above is copied does not 
state who the pastor was.

Rev. A. C. Hovey, 1867-68.  We were appointed to Orange circuit in the fall of 
1867 and found no parsonage suitable to live in.  We immediately took means to 
build a comfortable house.  The contract for the new parsonage was let by the 
building committee October 15, 1867.  The building was completed June 1, 1868.  
The house and lot were valued at $1,200, the best parsonage property in the 
district.  The present membership is 175.  Spiritually the Charge is at a low 
ebb owing to a large falling off of probationers from the prosperity spoken of 
by my predecessor as written above and other difficulties culminating this year 
from difficulties of the past.  No probationers were received as per record and 
the pastor’s name does not appear.  These two years seem to be an entire blank.

Rev. B. H. Whitman.  In September 1870 Rev. B. H. Whitman was appointed to 
Orange Circuit.  He says we found a good people, a good parsonage with some 
hens and chickens and other things to welcome us for our comfort.  But there 
was no well.  We immediately secured a good well pump and raised means and paid 
for the same.  We held special meetings at the Yellow Schoolhouse with 
considerable success, the Lord helping us and also at Tuttle’s without any 
apparent success except that the Church was greatly revived.  The year closed 
with 156 members in full connection.

Rev. B. H. Whitman, September 1871 was returned for a second year.  This year 
several small debts contracted the year before were provided for and paid.  
Special meetings were held at Berlin Center with little success.  In May 1872 a 
new class was organized at the Riker Schoolhouse and called the Central Orange 
Class and which we would recommend, he says, to a successor as the most likely 
place to succeed in revival effort.  The year closed very pleasantly to pastor 
and people.


Rev. T. J. Spencer.  For the year 1873-74 there appears no record of history 
but by references to the record, the copyist, Rev. O. E. Wightman, finds that 
T. J. Spencer was pastor during this year and that there were received on 
probation as follows:  Berlin Center 15, Orange 16 but a very imperfect record 
as to how or when Rev. J. A. Phillips.  For the years 1874-75 J. A.Phillips, 
pastor found the charge much in need of churches in which to worship, there 
being but one, a small one, the gift of Nelson N. Tuttle at Tuttle’s Corners.  
The parsonage property was in need of repairs but could get no help to repair 
it as the circuit was opposed to expending more on it, as the location did not 
suit the majority.  Had to lay out $78 of our own money to make parsonage 
comfortable for winter.  Commenced to work up an interest to get it moved.  
Also to build a church by uniting the Riker and Old Orange Classes.  
Accordingly a meeting was called and a unanimous vote taken to build.  Also 
arrangements were made to unite the Tuttle and Benedict Classes and build a 
church.  Special meetings were held at the Tuttle Church with good results, 18 
or 20 persons being converted.  The year closed pleasantly with God’s blessing.

For the year 1875-76, J. A. Phillips, pastor.  By unanimous request of the 
official board and the action of the Bishop, Rev. J. A. Phillips was returned 
to Orange Charge for the second year.  The old parsonage was sold and a new one 
erected at the LeValley’s Corners.  The church at Hall’s Corners (Grand River 
Ave. and Sunfield Hwy.) was finished and dedicated.  A debt of $1,050 was 
provided for by notes drawing 10% interest.  The church at LeValley’s was 
commenced in May 1876, the walls and roof completed and partly painted at a 
cost of $2,200.  Hall’s Church cost $2,550.  Thank God for His preserving and 
sustaining care.

For the year 1876, Rev. A. J. Wheeler, pastor.  For these two years no record 
is given.  During this time, however, 36 were received on probation of which 21 
were received into full connection.

In the year of 1879-90 Rev. D. M. Ward, pastor by appointment.  I moved with my 
family to Orange Charge in September 1879.  Found a kind, warm hearted people, 
a good parsonage and two comfortable churches.  These all were built during the 
pastorate of Rev. J. A. Phillips, who died soon after Conference after his 
third year as pastor on this charge.  I found the church in good condition 
temporally but dull spiritually.  During the year my health failed and I had to 
give up and seek rest under the direction of my physician and with consent of 
the church and my presiding elder I moved my family to my father’s home in 
Farmington, Michigan.  While there my wife and children had diphtheria.  We 
buried both our precious girls and came back in April, childless.  My health 
some improved and with the Lord’s blessing I have been able to do the regular 
work of the charge.  During the year some improvements were made on the 
parsonage property in the way of well, pumps and a good bell put in the 
LeValley Church, altogether costing $160.

Year of 1880-81.  Rev. J. H. Thomas, pastor, came to this church in September 
1880 and began a canvas of my charge.  The LeValley Church had a year of 
prosperity.  Congregations have been large and regular.  The Sunday School has 
been a decided success.  The Hall Church has made no progress.  Congregations 
have been sometimes large and sometimes small.  The Sunday School is thin, 
indeed.  The means of grace are neglected.  Energy and religion are greatly 
needed in the church.  Berlin Center is more hopeful but greatly needs a house 
of worship.  Gorham (North end of Sunfield Hwy.) Class has made some progress 
with indications of general prosperity.  The year closes with indications of 
general prosperity.

Rev. J. H. Thomas for the year of 1881-82 was returned.  November 25, my health 
has failed and I find it necessary to resign my work at the close of this first 
quarter.  The year has opened very pleasantly and this is to me a great trial 
and I commit myself to the care of the good and living God.

Rev. J. F. Wallace.  In January 1882 Rev. J. F. Wallace, supply.  As others 
have recorded I found a good charge, good churches, a good parsonage and a good 
people.  Special meetings were held at the LeValley Church and at Gorham’s 
Schoolhouse with some success.  The work has been interrupted much by 
diphtheria and smallpox.  I close my work and go to conference and trust God 
will revive his work in this charge during the coming year.

During the following three years Rev. J. F. Orwick was pastor and did a grand 
work.  Glorious revivals and large additions all over the charge but no 
historical record has been made.

Record for the year 1885-86.  Rev. O. E. Wightman came to this charge in 
September 1885, found a warm hearted people ready to welcome us to our field of 
labor.  The charge consists of LeValley and Hall churches, Berlin Center and 
Gorham appointments where there is preaching on Sabbath days and Sebewa 
Appointment where I am to preach every alternate Wednesday evening, which 
appointment, however, is kept up somewhat independent of the Charge.  I found 
the membership as follows:  LeValley 100, probationers 5; Hall Church 56, 
probationers 18; Berlin Center 21, probationers 4; Gorham 18.  Total membership 
in full 195, probationers 27.  Grand total 222.  The spiritual condition of the 
charge is fine though not up to what it ought to be for the work of soul 
saving.  The church property is in good condition.  Parsonage is very 
comfortable and good.  I find Berlin Center greatly in need of a church 
building in which to worship.  In the spring of 1886 we began the erection of a 
church at Berlin Center, which up to conference time had progressed nicely, 
being enclosed and partly finished.  During the year, revival work was held at 
Gorham and Berlin with fair results.  Eight were received at Gorham and 13 at 
Berlin on probation.

For the year 1886-87 O. E. Wightman, pastor.  The year opened pleasantly.  The 
Berlin church was crowded to completion and dedicated January 2, 1887 free from 
debt.  The appointment remained the same as last year save that Sebewa was 
discontinued immediately after the dedication of Berlin.  Revival work was 
commenced at the LeValley Church which continued four weeks and resulted in 
much good to the church while some converted to Christ.  Also a series of 
meetings were held at Berlin with moderate success.  During this year repairs 
to the amount of $50 were made on the parsonage and barn while the churchyard 
was greatly improved in the line of new conveniences for hitching teams.  
Congregations were good all through the year while peace and harmony prevailed.

Rev. O. E. Wightman was followed by Rev. F. A. VanDeWalker who remained two 
years and did good work.

Rev. Brother VanDeWalker was followed by Rev. Albert Smith, who remained a 
little over one year.  Rev. Smith was a good worker and was successful in his 
labor.  Rev. J. Dietrich filled out Rev. Smith’s term.  Brother Smith 
transferred to Grand Rapids.

Rev. John Dobson followed Rev. Dietrich and remained three years.  During his 
stay the church property was greatly improved and a good interest manifested in 
the charge.

Rev. W. J. Wilson.  I was appointed to Orange Charge September 17, 1894 by the 
Rev. W. F. Malithu at the conference held in Jackson, Michigan.  This is my 
second regular appointment.  My first was at Edmore where I remained five 
years.  I found the charge in a fairly prosperous condition.”



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