Warren County Iowa Genealogical Society

Medora United Methodist Church

Medora United Methodist Church, Squaw Township, 10804 Highway G76, New Virginia, Iowa 50210, phone (641) 449-3779, http://www.iaumc.org/churches/detail/1171 [This church was built in 1888.]

  

The Medora Methodist Church, written by Mrs. J. W. TAGGART, copied from the History of Warren County, Iowa, by Gerard SCHULTZ and Don L. BERRY, The Record and Tribune Company, Indianola, Iowa, 1953, pages 119-151.

Of the early history of the Medora Methodist church, all we can say is the religious services were held in the cabins of the early settlers with two or three families for the congregation. On pleasant days they would gather outside in the shade of a tree where the word would be expounded and a song of Zion sung Later a schoolhouse was built at Medora and services were held there. However, in 1894, when C. H. FLESHER was serving the Medora community, enough money was raised to buy the Methodist church building in the Ohio community in Madison county. It was torn down and transported to Medora and rebuilt with several improvements being made. The church was dedicated free of debt on April 4, 1895. The cost of the structure was $1,300. It has never been without a minister and Sunday school held on Sunday ever since.

In 1907 the Rev. Ed FINTEL organized the Ladies Aid society with the following charter members: Mrs. George McINTOSH, Mrs. Anna VAN PATTEN, Mrs. Clare MATHEWS, Mrs. Ethel DUNCAN, Mrs. Olive GRIPP, Mrs. Andy REYNOLDS and Miss Mar REYNOLDS. There was an Epworth League with Mrs. Nora BURGESS as president. A few years ago the name of the Woman's society was changed to Woman's Society of Christian Service. It has a membership of thirty-five and is a very active grout The officers for 1952 are: Mrs. Sam WESTERLY, president; Mrs. Ward ADAMS, vice president; Mrs. Loran LOOMIS, secretary-treasurer.

Our minister is Don FRANK, a student at Simpson college. Sunday school superintendent is Leslie FRY Jr.; Miss Marjorie MORRIS is secretary and Art KENNEDY is treasurer. The pianist is Mrs. Lela FRY; Mrs. J. W. TAGGART is adult teacher, Mrs. Orlin HINES young people teacher; Mrs. Leo MORRIS intermediate, and Miss Lois SMITH primary.

October 10, 1947, the ladies of the Medora W. S. C. S. celebrated the 40th anniversary of their organization. The original officers were present at the celebration: Mrs. Ida McINTOSH, president, now of New Virginia; Mrs. Willis DUNCAN, secretary, now of Conrad; Mrs. Olive GRIPP, treasurer, now of New Virginia. These ladies recounted their adventures in making money for the church. They had served luncheons at sales, sometimes in bitter cold weather, had gathered corn and done odd jobs. The annual bazaar of the society is the crowning event of each year and is widely attended.