The following information is from The Allegan Gazette, November 16, 1939.

"First Church Burned Down - Second One Constructed 14 Years After First Disaster"

Following organization of the Methodist society, a rapid growth in membership was experienced and by 1839 a suitable edifice for convenience as well as for the prosperity of the community was decided upon. The present property at Trowbridge and Walnut streets was purchased, and construction of a building started.

This structure, a little building, burned down in 1853 or 14 years after it was constructed. Another building was erected at once. It was one of frame structure, painted white of "early American type" commonly found throughout the country. Its shape was oblong and a shingle roof supported a square tower. A steep flight of wooden steps rose directly at the front of the building from the wooden sidewalk on Walnut street.

There are no records of the first service held in this building but it was designated as a "chapel" not a meeting house.

Prior to construction of the second church stewards of the congregation requested a house be procured for their pastor. However, one was not obtained until 1859, when the first one was constructed. The first one was destroyed by fire and since that time, numerous parsonages have been bought and sold.

Additions to the church, however, were found necessary in 1866 and campaigns to raise money were authorized. Because subscriptions did not come in as rapidly as was necessary, a mortgage was placed on the building and it provided sufficient funds.

Rev. J.E. Bartlett, pastor of the church for the past year, has been with the church committees, arranging the centennial celegration of the Methodist church for several months. Rev. Bartlett came to Allegan early in July of 1938, being selected at the June Conference of the church. His former pastorate was in Centerville.

The following information is from The Allegan Gazette, November 16, 1939.

"Centennial Program to End Sunday - Society Has Grown From 8 to Several Hundred Members"

More than 100 years of history and service to this community are being reviewed this week as Allegan Methodist celebrate the centennial of the founding of their first church in this city, at that time a pioneer settlement on the banks of the Kalamazoo river where but a few short years before the Indian ruled. Today, 103 years after the first small group met to organize a Methodist society, members of the church are paying homage to those early settlers and the founders of their religious creed in Allegan county.

At the beginning, 1836, eight Methodist met and organized the Allegan Methodist society, a small room in a schoolhouse on Hubbard street being used for that purpose by Mrs. Weighty Wilson, Enoch Baker and wife, Clarisa Wilson, Miss Streeter, Mr. Allen, Mr. Torrey and Spencer Marsh. These folks were assisted in their work by Rev. Williams, the first preacher.

After three years of meetings at the school house, the society determined to build an edifice in which it could worship, and property at Trowbridge and Walnut street was purchased for this purpose and a church was built. At that time it was known as the Allegan Mission and was a part of the Indiana conference. It later was called Allegan Circuit and included societies of Allegan, North Allegan, Allens, Martin, Miners, Otsego, Alamo Center, Pine Creek, Eldreds, Wadsworth, Gunplains, Silver Creek, Newark, Great Marsh and Alamo.

According to the customs of those times, two preachers, a senior and junior were usually appointed to travel the circuit.

With the church built and the society active, its effect began to spread. On January 8, 1842, the Rev. James Davidson, presiding elder, decided to meet each Monday evening in each month. In 1847, the first Allegan County Bible society was organized, including several denominations, the aid being to have every family in the county pocesss a Bible. All were furnished a copy at the expense of this society.

After years of difficulties, the society met its first blow when its church burned. But, in 1853, a new building was erected. During the previous year the congregation had determined upon purchase of a parsonage, but action was not taken until 1859, when the first one was built. This too, burned later.

During the years Methodism in Allegan progressed steadily and at the quarterly meeting held on February 10, 1866, a committee consisting of Rev. Marble, J.W. Stone and A.M. Palmer was appointed to solicit subscriptions for the purpose of extending and improving the church buildings. The area of territory originally included in the Allegan circuit had been diminished from time to time and the population enlarged, and an increasing membership had made this necessary. It also bought about a heavier demand upon the minister's time until in 1878 there remained only two preaching places, Allegan, where services were held every Sunday morning and evening, and Millgrove, where services were held every Sunday afternoon.

At the turn of the century, after wooden sidewalks and lamps had given way to concrete and electricity, another change and improvement in the church was made. The white frame church building was sold and moved off the lot, and on October 7, 1901, the contract for the present structure was let for a sum of $12,997.

With the new church completed, the next move was the purchase of an organ. George Lowe and G.L. Hicks were made a committee to raise funds for this purpose, and they purchased the first instrument, which was installed by December 26, 1905.

Throughout its century of history, the church has had a steay growth and today it numbers several hundred members. Societies have grown within it, clubs have formed and during the years, these have reached out into all walks of life.

The centennial program, which started Sunday, lasts through until this Sunday evening and will be featured by an address by Governor Dickinson and the presentation of a pageant. Program details will be found elsewhere on this page.

Dated: 1939

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