Nemaha United Methodist Church

It is reported in our books that “the first religious impulses which culminated in the establishment of the Nemaha United Methodist Church were experienced by devout residents in June 1886 under the influence of a camp meeting held at Storm Lake under the leadership of Rev. B.S. Taylor”. In June of 1886, Charles Hiltz’s mother and brother held a special fasting prayer for him. It was at this camp meeting that he was converted and the establishment of the Nemaha United Methodist Church began.  The newly converted Charles shared his story with those in the area and found that many of them were anxious to have regular preaching in the neighborhood. He visited with Rev. Taylor who encouraged him to trust in the Lord and continue to share his joy. Charles secured the use of a grove near Mr. E.W. Fanning’s and scheduled a meeting for August 7, 1886. Following this meeting, a class was organized, prayer meetings were held each Wednesday evening and preaching services were held on Sunday. C.E. Alford was licensed to preach and held meetings at the Fanning schoolhouse and two other places. In 1887, the Rev. A.A. Wilcox was appointed by the conference to carry on the work known as Early Circuit—Nemaha was one of the churches served in this circuit.

In July of 1889, a church was built two miles northwest of Nemaha on the Luff farm. It was known as the Bethel Church and in 1891 it became part of the Sulphur Springs circuit. In 1900, the members decided to move the church building into the town of Nemaha. Being moved by the use of a capstan, it was a slow process and it took several weeks before the building was set down in Nemaha. The church building was rededicated on July 26, 1900. By 1919, the congregation realized that the church building was in need of some extensive repairs and our history books tell us that a member who was approached to donate towards the repairs said, “I will not give anything to repair the old church, but I will give a thousand dollars to build a new one.” After many meetings and much fund raising, it was reported that $18, 410 had been subscribed for this project but it was soon discovered that the contractors’ bids were much higher than this amount. With much faith and devotion, a contract was signed with the C.F. Reimer Co. of Marshalltown to build a new church for $26,745. This building of Spanish Architecture, made of brick and with beautiful stained glass windows celebrated its 100^th year in May of 2021.  The church building has seen many improvements and changes throughout the years but has continued to provide a place “for regular preaching in the neighborhood”.

We are proud of our heritage and pray that this generation and those to come will, with much perseverance and prayer, continue—“To Know Jesus and Make Him Known”