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McFarland Methodist Church

Before the Methodist Church of McFarland was built, Sunday School was held in the upper floor of the two-room frame schoolhouse of District No. 41. W.G. Weaver was the Sunday School Superintendent and his wife was the organist. Later, classes were held in a house which was formerly used by the Congressional Church. For a while they met in the real estate office of S.H. Fairfield and finally in the Telephone Office, which was torn down in 1963.

Revival meetings were held in a hall above Arnold’s Store with Rev. J.B. Gibson in charge. On April 17, 1903, the following named persons were elected as trustees and instructed to start proceedings for a church building: Dr. C.R. Silverthorne, Garfield Fair, Lee Hudson, John Crane and, Charles Kennedy. On April 20, 1903, S.C. Clark deeded Lots 23 and 24, Block 2, Clark’s First Addition, to the church. William Senne contracted to build the foundation and Charles Stewart hauled the gravel from Mill Creek. On June 23, 1903, the Church Extension Board gave $250.00 toward the new structure. The foundation was completed by July 31st. Jude Lapham had the contract for the frame part and Charles Schrader worked with him. On August 31st, the Muckenthaler Lumber Co. delivered the last of the lumber which was hauled by team from Paxico. The church was completed and furnished at a cost of $1,350.00. The new bell and altar rail were installed later. At this time, membership was 25. A dedication service was held on March 6, 1904.

Later, the carbide lights replaced the coal oil type lamps. In 1926, the church building was raised and a basement was constructed underneath. Rev. J.J. Skinner was the pastor at this time. In 1951, a new furnace was installed and W.P. Ball installed partitions for a furnace room and kitchen. Eldon Dillingham installed gas and water and a bathroom.

On January 24, 1983, the Church transferred title on the building and lots to the McFarland Senior Citizens. A new Senior Citizens Center has been constructed on the property. The church building was torn down and a great deal of the lumber was used in the construction of the new building. The McFarland church is now merged with the United Methodist Church at Paxico.