Patriotic Order of the Grand Templars
Tag Archives: Stevens Point Methodist Episcopal Church
Helping Hands Society of Stevens Point M.E. Church
A warm breeze parts a lacy curtain as we gaze in on several ladies gathered around an oaken table, some with needles, thread and thimbles, others making patterns with calico squares. Though all are attentive on their work, an older lady is speaking, an older lady thickened through the waist with years of good gravy and homemade biscuits, pretty in a nice way, with graying hair and tiny wrinkles around a generous mouth. This older woman is wise in her ways, a kind and gentle leader of this modest group of the Stevens Point Helping Hand Society. Her voice is low with rich tones as she speaks quietly about the need for a fund raiser to pay off the church debt – there is mention of an oyster supper, a festival in the church yard, the sale of yet another quilt. In a back corner, the secretary pens careful notes in a bound leather journal, pausing every now and then to question a name, a date…..
But for now, we need to close the curtains, back away from the window as what is passed cannot be seen. Before we leave, let’s borrow the journal that lies on the sideboard, its cover faded and dusty with age. Its antiquated pages now rest with us in the gallery to the right….
Helping Hands Society of Stevens Point M.E. Church
The Stevens Point Church 58th Anniversary
Tucked inside of the Old Home Day Guest book, are three handwritten pages of notes taken during an anniversary service held at the Stevens Point Methodist Episcopal Church on November 10, 1944. The writer refers to this service as the “58th anniversary of the founding of building the Stevens Point church.” When I first read this, I thought that the author was incorrect with the anniversary date as the cornerstone on the church has 1896 as its inscription. Upon re-reading the text, it refers to the “founding of the building” and maybe not the actual completion date. And there definitely would have be a time difference- from the date of land purchase, planning, materials, finding enough men for the labor and finalizing the building to completion-it may have been quite a few years.
If you had a relative that lived in or around Harmony Township during the 1940’s, there is a good chance that they were at this celebration. So, come now, read the notes from that day as our secretary has graciously written everything down, even the names of all of the attendees….
The Stevens Point Methodist Episcopal Church - April 2009
Stevens Point Methodist Church Community Hall - April 2009
Stevens Point Methodist Church Community Hall Inside - April 2009
Stevens Point Ladies Aide Society
As with a lot of small country churches in the past, many people played a huge role in its upkeep-the men had to make sure that there was plenty of wood or coal to heat the building, the ladies did their part with keeping the church clean and supplied. Monies were always needed to upgrade or replace items needed for the worship services, for missionary work or for the maintenance on the property or structure.
Because Stevens Point Methodist Church had an attractive community hall next door, the members had the opportunity to raise monies for the church and other organizations by utilizing the hall with special dinners and functions. This little community had a wealth of “willing workers”, ladies that were very busy, not only with their own lives, but were full of activity for church work as well. I have posted numerous pages of minutes from the Stevens Point Ladies Aide Society-the organization that was this strong support system for the Stevens Point Methodist Church. Enjoy a glimpse into the past and perhaps you will recognize one of your relatives as one of these “willing workers”.
Scanned pages of the The Stevens Point Ladies Aide Society ledger can be found in the gallery.
Old Home Days At the Stevens Point Methodist Episcopal Church and Community Hall
For several years throughout the 1930’s and the 1940’s, the men and women of the Stevens Point Methodist Episcopal Church held a social gathering called “Old Home Day” in the adjacent community hall. This huge undertaking involved days of cooking, baking and organization in the hall to accommodate literally hundreds of people for an homemade turkey and dressing dinner complete with all the “fixins”- fresh baked rolls and brown breads, oven baked beans and all kinds of handmade pies. People would come from miles around to enjoy this delightful day with family and friends – a day for good eating and reminiscing. If the weather was cooperative, a few of the pews would be taken from the church and placed out in the church yard where the guests that were waiting to be served could sit and visit while waiting for their turn at the dinner tables. Because the hall could only hold about 50-60 people at one setting, dinner guests were issued tickets and numbers were called as room became available.
Old Home Day 1939
Mary Walker Rockwell - Old Home Day 1939
Old Home Day 1939
Long wooden benches lined each side of the wooden tables and the food would be served by the younger ladies of the community. A ledger was kept at a small podium for the guests to sign in, buy their ticket. You will find their signatures as they were presented on those “Old Home Days”– on what are now honeyed pages complete with a little worm wood. Old Home Day sign in pages from the Stevens Point Methodist Episcopal Church and Community Hall are listed in the galleries links.
Old Home Day Ledger
