South Ensley Methodist Church
136th Avenue
(Across and down the street from the Pangborn School on 136 Ave. )
Ensley
Methodist Church on November 1, 1887
(Photo courtesy of the Ensley Historical
Society)
(Photo Enhancement by Verduin
Webs)
The first Ensley
Methodist Church was planned when three congregations decided to
unite and build a church. Services had been held for sometime in
schoolhouses before these people decided to build a church.
Maple Grove, what is now known as the Crandall School, was the first
group to organize. A class of thirteen members and two probationers
had been organized at Maple Grove in 1869 by Rev. J. H. Tanner.
William H. Hartle was class leader. This became a part of the new
Sand Lake Circuit.
In 1876 a class of five members and four probationers and a Sunday
School was organized at Mineral Springs, four miles west of Maple
Grove, or at what is now known as the Frey School. Mineral Springs
was added to the Sand Lake, Pierson, Maple Grove Circuit in 1877 or
1878. Rev. A. C. Beach was pastor, but because he was elderly and in
ill health, Rev. Theodore S. Frey took charge of Sand Lake, Maple
Grove and Mineral Springs. Some early members at Mineral Springs
were: Mary J. Smith, Alton S. Frey, Moses and Betsy Milligan, Clara,
John, Jacob and Kate Vanderpan.
Ensley
Methodist Church in it's original location
It was destroyed
by fire December 21, 1947
(Photo Enhancement by Verduin
Webs)
The Rev. T. S. Frey was a circuit rider covering a wide territory
and preaching in log schools, etc. He was born in Linesville,
Pennsylvania, attended Alleghany College, and was licensed as an
elder to preach in 1857. The Erie Conference recommended him to
preach in Michigan in 1867. Then he traded his land in Ashtabula,
Ohio,for a farm in Newaygo County, Michigan. He was a resident of
southwest Ensley Township in the area of Frey School. He died in
1932 at the age of 97.
A class was organized on June 19, 1880 at Pangborn School with John
Maynard as conference steward. Quarterly conference minutes of
November 28, 1885 list only three churches on the charge: Sand Lake,
Pierson and Pangborriwith Rev. E. T. Lumber as pastor of the charge.
It had been planned to build a church at Maple Grove, but John
Maynard donated a site, part of his farm, near Pangborn
School.
It would seem that the members at Maple Grove and Mineral Springs
had united at a half—way point to build their church on the site
donated by John Maynard. On August 28, l886 at the fourth Quarterly
Conference a building committee, consisting of John Wright, T. S.
Frey and N. Cooper, was appointed and an of Licial board was
directed to be organized. Rev. P. G. Smith was charge pastor
at this time.
The foundation of the first Ensley Methodist Church was laid in
August 1887. On September 29, 1887 the land, donated by John and
Susan Maynard, was deeded to the trustees for $50.00 and the deed
was recorded October 7, 1887. The trustees were: George Parker, John
Wright, John W. Taft, John Maynard, Thomas M. Casper and Isaac A.
Russell. Most of the labor and materials were donated. Some of the
donors were: John Wright, T. S. Frey, John Maynard, Theodore
Brownyard, John Taft and William Hartle. The church was dedicated
November 1, 1887 with Rev. E. L. Sinclair as pastor.
Ensley
Methodist Church 1949
(Photo courtesy of the Grant Public
Library)
(Photo Enhancement by Verduin
Webs)
Methodist Church Location Moves to
Cypress Ave
For sixty years the community found
fulfillment in worship at this church
and many were the heavy hearts when the
Ensley Methodist Church was destroyed by
fire December 21, 1947. Nothing was
saved except the bell, which was used
again in the new church. For a few
months services were held in the
Pangborn School. With only $1,800.00
insurance a new building seemed out of
the question; but with faith and hard
work and the prayers of the people, the
new church was started about eighty rods
west of the old site on land donated by
Mr. and Mrs. Olon Gorby. Ground for the
basement was broken in June 1948 and one
year later the church was opened for
services. The construction of the thirty
foot by forty-eight foot building was of
cinder blocks, cement and glass brick
with the interior finished in fir and
knotty pine, with a full basement fitted
for dining room and kitchen. Much
material and labor was donated as well
as money and furniture, all of which
added up to as fine a new church as any
community could wish for. Only seven
families were counted as members, but
they were determined to have a place of
worship and accomplished their purpose.
The new church was opened for services June 5, 1949 by the pastor,
Rev. Milton McColley, with an all day meeting. Members, former
pastors and friends filled the building both morning and afternoon
with 223 names listed in the guest register. A potluck dinner was
served at noon in the new dining room. There was still considerable
work to be done before the formal dedication.
South Ensley
United Methodist Church opened on June 5, 1949
(Photo courtesy of Mary Soper)
(Photo Enhancement by Verduin
Webs)
On Sunday, September 3, 1950, the
finished building stood complete and
free from debt, ready to be dedicated.
Members of the Sand Lake charge and many
friends were present when Mrs. David
Wiersma presented the Ensley Methodist
Church to Bishop Marshall R. Reed of
Detroit for dedication. He also
delivered a challenging sermon to the
congregation. After the service a
potluck dinner was enjoyed by all.
An evening evangelistic service was conducted by the regular pastor,
Rev. Milton McColley, who also presided at the morning service. The
Sand Lake-South Ensley charge owes much to this reverent young man,
who was entering his fifth year of service on the charge. The
following year, 1951, he and his wife, Lillian, dedicated their
lives as missionaries, working under World Gospel Missions.
The years that followed during Rev. Larry R. Grubaugh’s pastorate
here saw much growth in the church. Many new members were added to
the church and the Sunday School was outgrowing the building. More
parking space was also needed so a strip twenty-six feet in width on
both sides was purchased from Mr. and Mrs. Olon Gorby in 1959. And
in 1961, while the church was still growing and John H. King was
pastor, the church decided to build an addition to the basement,
making two more Sunday School rooms and two rest rooms. The entire
cost of this addition was realized with a collection on a designated
Sunday. The upright was to be built when a larger sanctuary was
needed.
In 1967 the Evangelical United Brethren churches were united with
the Methodist churches. As a result the word United was added to the
original church name. The official church name is now South Ensley
United Methodist Church.
Due to the enlarged growth during Rev. Matthew Walkotten’s
pastorate, more parking facilities were again needed. In 1970 the
church purchased another small parcel of land from Olon Gorby.
For some years the congregation realized the need of a larger
narthex. So in 1974, under the pastorate of Rev. Gordon Terpening,
plans were drawn up and during the summer the addition was begun.
Because a greater part of the labor was done by members and friends,
it wasn’t until early 1977, when Rev. David Cheyne was our pastor,
that the work was completed. It is with humble pride that all can
view the attractive narthex and find ample room for the church’s
activities.
South
Ensley Methodist Church in 1977
(Photo courtesy of the Ensley Historical
Society)
In June 1977 Rev. Jerry Hippensteel from
Ohio was sent by the Conference to be
our pastor. For some time the charge had
felt that the old parsonage was too
small and inadequate so in June
purchased what is known as the old
Blanchard Funeral Home as our new
parsonage. After complete renovation our
new pastor and family moved in the first
of September. Now they feel they are
officially part of our community.
From its beginning the Sunday School has been a spiritual unit of
the church. John Taft was one of the early Sunday School
Superintendents for several years as was Mrs. George Parker. Through
the years the Sunday School has been an important factor in church
progression as has also the holding of a summer Bible School for the
community youngsters.
Over these many
years it is impossible to list the many men who have given so much
time and work on building and yard projects. But their untiring
efforts
have our deep appreciation.
Also down through the years the Women’s Society, formerly known as
the Ladies’ Aid, has been active in church work. In early years Mrs.
Darwin Pangborn was an outstanding president and much work was
accomplished under her leadership. Often they met in homes for a
potluck dinner followed by a work bee, making and tying-off quilts
and other helpful projects. Through the years the women have raised
money for many church projects as well as giving of their time 6 to
finish building projects and decorating to make our church more
attractive.
MARRIED - At the
residence of the bride’s father at
Grove, by the Rev. T. S. Frey, on Wednesday,
August 10, 1887, Miss Fanny Flynn to Preston
Roberts.
40 guest, mostly relatives.
South Ensley Methodist Church in
2008
