(Methodist-Episcopal) Church
Grace City M.E. church, later United Methodist, met in a schoolhouse north of Grace City with Rev. Joseph Chester and before this by missionary pastors in the homes. The Lutherans held services in their homes with Rev. Oien and Rev. Larson coming from McHenry.
The Congregationalists organized in 1911 and made arrangements to build in 1912; before this was accomplished the Methodists under the persuasion of District Superintendent Vermilla began building in late 1911. On November 13, 1911, Ada L. Upson received a deed for Lots 5-6, Block 4 for the sum of $1 from Foster County Realty Company and gave it to the Methodist church. She also lent them monies. All material was purchased in McHenry and hauled by team. Original cost was $2800. Charles Burk and Rev. Chester gave two of the strained glass windows which bear their names. The carpet for the platform was donated by Mrs. James Hill, the wife of the president of the Great Northern Railroad Company
Dedication was held September 8, 1912. Bishop Luccock delivering the dedication sermon with the assistance of Rev. Vermelyea of Minot, North Dakota and Rev. Asher of Carrington, North Dakota.
Services were held in the church basement winter 1911-1912 with Rev. Cleveland A. Armstrong coming to serve October 23, 1911. He came with his bride. He helped to build on the church. In later years he related to me how times were so hard when he was in Grace City he was paid very little money and at times got little produce. He was flat broke, not even money for a stamp to write home for money. His wife finally persuaded him to borrow some money. He finally borrowed $2 from a good parishioner and his wife wrote home for money and supplies. But before the money came Rev. Armstrong paid back one dollar to the lender and the very same dollar he had borrowed. Rev. Armstrong said he had planned it that way so as to stand in good grace.
Some early workers for the church were the families of Charles Burk, Homer Ballard, Harvey Barber, Charles Banks, P.T. Anderson, Otto Topp, O.E. Eller, Claus Otto, and Ole Bonderud.
The Ladies Aid Society was organized July 10, 1912
First officers were:
President, Mrs. James Banks
Vice president Mrs. Frank Burk
Treasurer, Mrs. William Potter
Chaplain, Mrs. Charles Burk
First members besides above mentioned:
Mrs. Charles Banks
Mrs. Collins
Mrs. John Mitchell
Mrs. S.A. Rood
Mrs. Otto Topp
Mrs. O. Melby
Mrs. Ernest Johnson
Olga Melby
Florence Horn
Mabel Burk and
Emma Burk
First infant baptism: Estella Topp, 1912, second child born in Grace City.
First Wedding: John Burk - Florence Horn, 1912
First funeral: Walter Edward Dreher, March 18, 1913
First pianist: Mabel Burk
First treasurer: John Burk
First trustees: John Burk, O.E. Eller, Mrs. Hugh Free, Otto Topp
First Stewards: Mrs. Charles Burk, Frank Burk, F.A. Christianson, Henry Hanson, Claus Otto
First young man to enter the ministry: Arthur Scanson.
A windstorm in 1943 severely damaged the steeple and it was removed, leaving the pigeons with no homes. The church interior was extensively remodeled in 1963-64.
In the fall of 1966 a new outside entrance to the sanctuary and basement were added to the east side of the church. A fellowship room on main floor and a kitchen, restrooms, well dug, and sewer system installed in 1974.
We received the "Church Bell" from the Juanita Church Congregation when their church disbanded and the church sold and in 1981 a bell stand incorporating the bulletin board was built to the east side of the church's main entry way. It was dedicated in the spring of 1982. Materials, etc. for building were given in memory of Harley Topp. In the winter of 1982 the basement was remodeled with new windows, ceiling and carpeting and the main entrance enlarged.
Sunday school was first organized in 1911 by Rev. Kellog, a Congregational minister and for a long time was a Union Sunday School. It was first held in the schoolhouse north of Grace City and in 1912 moved to the Methodist church where it continued to function. A young peoples' society has also been formed. Superintendents of the Sunday school have been:
Otto Topp
Mrs. Perry Anderson
Posco Power
Mrs. Otto Topp
Mrs. O.J. Melgard
Frank Burk
George Stedman
Lester Wright
Kenneth Topp and at present
Leslie Greger
Harry Hymes
Harry Auger
Roshea
Joseph Chester – 1910
Chestger A. Arthur – October 1911
J. C. Moore – October 1914
Arthur Edwards - October 1916
J. W. Hilburn - October 1917
C.B. Thomas - October 1919
Dale Crites - February 1921
S. Brooks - October 1922
Thure Johnson - October 1925
Axel Lendstrom - October 1927
T.L. Chappel - October 1931
Johnstone -1932
C.M. Brown -1933
M.N. Young -1937
C. W. Bauman -1938
Howard Rice -1943
Harold Eastburn -1946
Grace Huck -1947
Stanley Caine -1948
David Kellogg -1951
Robert Marshaoo -1952
Edwin Stanford -1953
Donald Goold -1953
Harry Williams -1957
Wesley Hart-1961
Larson -1962
Dwight Meier -1962
Roger Casperson -1965
Elmer West -1965
Jerry Fike -1965
Roy Williams -1967
Robert Colliet -1968
Dennis Boe Clarence Palmer -1972
Bill Anderson -1976
David Wu -1976
Lionnel Muthiah -1976
Donald Glass -1977
Alex Peterson -1978
Peder Anderson -1979
One of the oldest houses in Grace City was purchased in 1948 for a parsonage. Stanley Caine was the first pastor to live in it. Through the years much monies and improvements were put into it but we still had an old building. So in March of 1978 it was decided to build a new parsonage. Lots were already owned to the north of the church and after cutting down a big cottonwood tree, building was started. Pledges were received and bids let.
Hager Construction, cement work
McVille Builders, putting up the shell
Brantford Hardware (Ludwig), plumbing
Groundbreaking was held July 24, 1978 and the parsonage was completed May 20, 1979. Then on June 23, 1979 Rev. Peder Anderson moved in. Much of the work on the parsonage was done by the members of the congregation and they are to be commended on the wonderful job done.
Source: A History of Foster County 1983 Page 319