History
Sand Lake United Methodist Church
Organized August 18, 1872.
We will be celebrating our 140th Anniversary this year on Sunday, August 19th.
If you have connections with Sand Lake UMC please plan to join us.
History of Sand Lake United Methodist Church as it appears in the
100-Anniversary program booklet August 19 and 20, 1972
The beginning of Methodism in this area dates back to the 1850's. The newly open territory saw activity at its peak. The railroad had been built as far north as Howard City and more and more people decided "this was the place".
By 1871, several lumber and shingle mills, a post office, a blacksmith shop, two hotels (one a three story building), a hardware, grocery stores, saloons, a department store with building supplies, a lawyer's office, and a drug store with various and sundry supplies could be seen.
These hard-working people came to seek and to find--they came with a dream--a dream that became a reality, as the ground was cleared, homes were built, and crops were planted. As the necessities of life were provided through the mercy of God, the people felt the need of spiritual guidance for the community. As this zeal continued to burn in the hearts of the early settlers, they decided their spiritual yearnings should, with the help of God, be evidenced by the uniting of their religious beliefs and forces.
During these early years there were Methodist circuit riders who traveled form one preaching point to another. In November of 1859, the first sermon was preached at Pierson by a Reverend Crane. In 1869 the Pierson circuit was formed and by 1872 there were the following classes on the circuit: Pierson, maple Valley, Howard, Reynold, Coral, Marble, and Sand Lake with a total membership of 115. Nelson Saunders was the preacher in charge at this time.
During the years prior to the formation of the circuits there were Sunday Schools and Bible studies held at the various points whenever the weather permitted and when the roads were passable, with good attendance of children, teachers, and leaders.
On August 18,1872 a class of five members and four probationers was organized at Sand Lake by Rev. H. H. Strickland of Greenville. The membership list as shown by the Quarterly Conference Journal of 1872-73 was: Members--Silas C. Barker, Leader--Jerome S. Barker, Martha R. Barker, Anna Crebb, and Mary Welsh. Probationers--Edmund Braford, Adelaide Braford, Charlotte Goff, and Amelia Grant.
Also from the Conference Minutes: "At the Michigan Conference held at Jackson, September 18 to 2 inclusive, Sand Lake Class was separated from Pierson Circuit and attached to Sand Lake Circuit."
Signed,
NELSON SAUNDERS
Preacher in charge 1861-1872
From 1872 until 1876 services were held in the homes or the school house. They were conducted by Rev. E. A. Whitman and Rev. R. H. Brady who came from Grand Rapids. They were assisted by Rev. Theodore S. Fry, a pioneer circuit rider, who served a wide territory all of his active life. He died in 1932 at the age of 97 at his home in Ensley where his great grandson, Loren Frey now resides. (1972)
There were several preaching points on the circuit, one of them was Mineral springs, later named the Frey School. Another was Pangborn Corners. These points, later on, became part of the South Ensley Methodist Church.
The need for a church in Sand lake was evident, and in 1874 they reached the decision to build. It meant much sacrifice, it took a great deal of faith and prayer to believe that somehow the church would be built and the debt incurred would be paid. After many days and months of volunteer labor and hard work a white-framed church with a tall steeple was completed.
Those were difficult times and it was far from easy for preachers. During the winter of 1873 and 74 the winter was especially hard. People were then--just as they are now-- not always dependable and the preachers had to travel through the mud, snow, and blizzards to reach the several points which they served. Meetings were sometimes late and more than once the preacher would arrive to find no fire lit and no people present.
Pastor J. W. Hollowell wrote in one of his conference reports as follows: "Last Sunday was a cold day. One school with finished and comfortable house, with bell to call children and teachers together, did not light the fire or ring the bell and had no school. Another school with unfinished and uncomfortable house and without a bell had a meeting of over 80 officers, teachers, and scholars."
It was a happy day on April 30, 1876 when the new church was dedicated to God. Rev. I. Coggshall preached the morning service and used Matthew 18:20 as his text. The financial report was read by the presiding Elder of the District, H. P. Henderson, showing a debt of $750. In less than 60 minutes the people responded with a total amount of $805.
The new church was a great addition to the village and was located on site of the present church. It thrived and grew for the next 21 years.
The people saw their church along with much of the town destroyed in the great fire of May 2, 1895. Faith and determination again were the factors that saw a new church building rise from the ashes within a few months. In November of the same year the new brick church was completed and is in use at the present time.
The Sand Lake church has seen many changes. Improvements have been many. The basement and the sanctuary have been remodeled several times. Memorial stained glass windows were installed and dedicated on March 28, 1943. During World War I a Victory Garden was planted on the church lawn. In 1958 the Lord's acre was planted in wheat to help in the financing of the educational building. A new educational unit was built in 1959. In 1964 the Pierson church was closed and the membership merged with the Sand Lake Church.
The parsonage was located in Pierson for a good many years but in 1919 it was decided that it should be moved to Sand Lake as it was nearer the center of the charge. So a piece of property with a house was purchased near the church on Maple Street. In 1977 a much larger and newer home known as the old Blanchard Funeral Home on 6th Street was purchased and renovated for the parsonage. This home served as the parsonage until it was sold in 2008.
On August 19 and 20, 1972 we celebrated our 100 years of Christian service to the Sand lake area. The church membership in 1972 was 84, while the entire membership through the first 100 years was 485. Mrs. Mabel Welch held the record for the longest membership, having joined at Sand Lake in 1892. She died in 1971, having attended the church for 79 years. Mr. and Mrs. Edmund Braford, charter members, were the first of five genrations of Brafords in the Sand Lake Church. Their descedants were Bert, Robert, Richard and Joseph.
