Ensley Township in Newaygo County MI

Ensley Free Methodist Church

120th Avenue 3/4 Mile west of Cottonwood

During late summer of 1883 William and Alice Caywood donated an acre of land to the Ensley Free Methodist Church Society. This parcel was located in the northwest corner of their farm in section 22, east of Ensley Center. At this time William Caywood was operating a blacksmith and wagon shop at the crossroads to the east, and it can be assumed they were members of the new church organization. A new church building was erected, and subsequently a parsonage for their minister. The church drew members from the length of the township, and at least two families have had sons who took up the Ministry in this denomination, notably the Johnsons in the north and the Hartles in the southeast of the township. The church was used for fifty years, and probably met its final demise due to economic conditions which struck the nation in the 1930’s. The building was finally torn down, but the parsonage still remains in use as a dwelling.

Location of the Ensley Free Methodist Church

(Township Map of 1900)

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