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Our History
The Early
Years
Our church was founded and
built by early settlers, who came to America from the southern part of England
in the 1840s and 50s. About twenty families comprised what was known as the
“English Settlement.” This community of church-going people soon gathered
together in the local schoolhouse to worship and formed Sunday School classes
for the instruction of their children.
William Battin,
Superintendent of the Sunday School, was instrumental in urging the congregation
to build a new church. The congregation had been reluctant to take on the
expense of a new building. One Sunday morning, Battin had all of the children
stay in their seats after Sunday School class, when the parents arrived for
worship service, there was no room for them to sit. He had made his point, and
the congregation started planning for the construction of a new Church.
The exact date of the
construction of the new building is unknown. However records indicate that the
first wedding performed in the new church, joined Elizabeth Allen and John
Pierce in holy matrimony on December 28, 1862. The first public function held in
the new church was a farewell service for the young men leaving to join the
Union Army in the Civil War.
The first church was
located on the north side of Irving Park Road just west of Route 53. In
September of 1902 the building was moved to Meacham (now Medinah) near the
intersection of Medinah and Irving Park Roads, it was then known as the Meacham
Methodist Episcopal Church.
During the early years of
this congregation, circuit riders headquartered in Arlington Heights served as
preachers. As the years rolled on, student pastors from Garrett Biblical
Institute in Evanston would come out on weekends to preach and call on
parishioners. These circuit riders and student pastors were housed in members’
homes, and did their calling on foot.
The community surrounding
the Meacham Methodist Episcopal Church continued to change: an influx of
settlers of German descent surrounded the little church. These settlers remained
loyal to their Lutheran and Evangelical Churches. The Methodist membership grew
smaller and smaller. The Village of Meacham remained small and rural. Roselle
was a growing community, and so, the little church took to wheels again in order
to be of greater service to the Lord’s purpose.
In October 1921 the church
was moved to the corner of Park and Pine Streets in Roselle, where it still
stands in service to God as the Pentecostal Church. It was rededicated to the
Service of our Lord in January 1922, and the name was changed to Roselle
Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1939, the word Episcopal was dropped, and in
1968 the word United was added.
By 1948 more changes were
necessary for the growing congregation. The basement was enlarged to
accommodate the Sunday School classes and an apartment for the minister was
built. From that time on, full-time pastors replaced the student pastors who
had been serving the church.
A New
Church Building
In 1953, a young
architect, Don Bessey was approached by a co-worker at the Chicago, Milwaukee,
St. Paul and Pacific Railroad. Ernest Wiltz asked Bessey if he would like to
design a church for his growing church congregation. With “Yes” as his answer,
the architect for the new church building had been selected.
Bessey met with the
Building Committee on November 22, 1953. His meetings with the committee
members – Ernest Wiltz, Charles Turner, Ralph Breyer and George Sim, Jr –
started a lasting relationship with the Roselle Methodist Church. The
architectural agreement was signed in December 1953. Plans were drawn,
approved, and work began in September 1954.
Sweat Equity
During the construction,
the entire congregation, under the encouraging leadership of Rev. Herbert
Langdon, donated their time and labor ... they dug the basement foundation, they
helped install the plumbing and electrical work, they supervised the
construction, laid tile, painted walls ... members did what they were able to
do. The church women kept the hungry crews well fed, made draperies, and helped
with interior finishing.
A
Dream Comes True ...
After more than a year of
labor, the congregation joyfully celebrated Christmas Eve 1955 in their new
church home. One of the first hymns sung in the new church was “O Holy Night”
with Hazel Turner. How wonderful and how appropriate! On January 6, 1956
Bishop J. Ralph Magee officiated at the Consecration Service.
The new church building, a
fine educational program and friendly people attracted many new members to the
fellowship of the Roselle Methodist Church. So many in fact, that by 1960 it was
necessary to add the first educational wing to the building. Sunday School
classes had been held in the public school, and now could be held in the church
classrooms. The north wing was consecrated on January 8, 1961, with Rev. Carl
Sattelberg presiding.
The congregation continued
to grow, and need for additional space was answered in 1967 when construction of
the west wing was started. Rev. Fred Conger directed the efforts for this new
addition. Many of the “old timers” thought it unbelievable that another
addition was needed so soon. This new addition provided more classroom space,
an enlarged kitchen, and a youth room. The west wing was dedicated in 1969.
The Roselle United
Methodist Church continues to serve the community of Roselle and the surrounding
area with the Preschool, Sunday School classes for all ages, weekday and week
night Bible study classes, the Coffee House ministry, youth programs and clubs,
the United Methodist Women and countless mission and outreach programs which
include PADS, Prison Ministry, Love Letters, Stepping Stones, service projects
in conjunction with Habitat for Humanity, volunteers to help hurricane relief,
Midwest Distribution Center for Emergency Relief, Rainbow Covenant, and so many
others.
To quote Mrs. Charles
Turner: “Of course the work of providing a well-equipped church home continues.
In recent years the sanctuary has been carpeted, the parlor refurnished, the
roof repaired, the grounds landscaped. In all these efforts God’s grace has
proved sufficient for our needs. In this confidence we look forward to whatever
the future may bring.”
A New Church
After all the praying, all
the planning, all the meetings, all the fund-raising, all the volunteer hours of
labor, finally, the Roselle Methodist Church stood as a proud symbol of the
faith of the people, and what can be accomplished with God’s help.
In honor of the dedicated
and effective leadership of its pastor, the congregation named the new
fellowship hall, “Langdon Hall.”
The photos on the facing
page show the congregation gathered on Christmas Eve for the first worship
service. “O Holy Night” was the special music that evening. Surely, all in
attendance found it inspirational.
The Day of Consecration to
the Lord
January 6, 1955, a special
day in the life of the church and its people. Members gathered at the old church
on Park and Pine Streets, and marched, holding hands to their new church home.
Growing Pains
During the pastorate of
Rev Carl Sattelberg, the north wing of the educational building was built in
1960. This additional space provided a pastor’s study, a business office, the
church parlor, a choir room, eleven classrooms and the narthex.
In the spring of 1969 the
original building plans for the church were completed with the construction of
the west wing educational building. The sanctuary was extended to provide for a
large church parlor. Besides new entrances and a lobby this addition added four
large children’s classrooms and a youth room.
A Bit of History From Hildred
Shellenbarger ...
Roselle was a town of 770
when we came here in 1941, Al Jordan was mayor and also head usher at Roselle
Methodist Church. Al stood perfectly straight as his army experience taught
him, yet he had a warm smile for everyone. Charlotte Jordan was important to
our church, to the school PTA, and to her many friends.
Earl Crandall was station
agent and “guardian of the railroad tracks.” He once rushed out to pull a young
girl back as she stood too close to the tracks.
The Turner family gave the
land for this church and gave much of themselves always to the church
activities, trustees, Sunday School, Women’s Society, building, upkeep and
talent. Ethel was Director of Education, district and local officer in the UMW,
and with Chuck, was a mainstay of our church years. Ruth Tuner Thomas was
chairperson of dinners and bazaars, and Hazel was director of music and soloist.
I remember the move at
Christmas time from the little corner church to this one. Hazel directed the
choir and when she sang, “O Holy Night” at practice we went down to stand
in the pews to hear her. We rejoiced in the fine acoustics of our new church.
Howard Turner was building director, maintainer and general “handyman for
everything.”
In the corner church we
all took turns at church maintenance. I remember when our family each had a job
– Lyell financial was secretary and helped with janitorial chores on occasion.
I was the Sunday School Superintendent and choir member, Carol was president of
MYF and David was acolyte.
As we think back to the
little church when we had a visiting student from Garett Seminary each Sunday,
we remember that we became concerned that our church was at a lull. At a
meeting about twenty of us decided that what we needed was a full-time pastor,
which meant that we needed a stable budget. This meant our pledging support for
the year was necessary. As we agreed that evening we went ahead with pledging
plans and hiring a minister. Bob McIntyre was hired. We rented a small house on
west Irving Park Road for Bob and his wife, who was expecting a child. We
painted and repaired and turned the little apartment into our first parsonage.
Our church started to grow.
In 1955, I remember these
big arches, which had been wrapped and lying on the ground were finally raised.
What a thrill to see the new church reach toward the sky!
I remember pastors Twyman,
McIntyre, Rollins, Plummer, Langdon, Sattelberg, Conger, Crandall and Graham. I
have fond memories of times with Helen Turner, Ann Clucas, Crandalls, Halls,
Albers, Knohls, Wiltzes, Grossos, Thomases, the Charles Turners, the Howard
Turners, Olsens, Breyers, Burresses, Schmidts, Myers, Seddons, Roses, Holmes,
Prichards, Burianeks, Beardens, Ladds, Matthews, Bullamores, Culls, Daniels,
Keens, Thorsens, Herbeners, Besseys, Petries, and so many others.
The church was the focal
point of our social and religious lives and of our children’s lives, as well.
Mr. Pritchard taught our young people the Dale Carnegie course, “How to Win
Friends and Influence People.” Sunday evening fellowship gave us friends,
worship and knowledge. Often baby-sitting was by either husband or wife, the
other attending Fellowship; the next week they would switch off. When there was
a party, we were all there. At one Christmas party, Howard Turner brought his
sleigh, the bearskin robe, velvet cape and hat. What fun we had, and we all had
our pictures taken.
Our church represents
years of families, pastors, dedication, volunteerism, prayers and joys. It has
been and surely will continue to be a stable influence in this community.
The Turner Family
The Turner Family has a
long history with the Roselle United Methodist Church. In 1921 when the old
church building was moved from Meacham to Roselle, Walter T. Turner donated the
land at Park and Pine Streets.
The Great Depression of
the 30s found the church in financial trouble. Members were staying away from
church, because with so little money, most members were not able to give
donations to the church. Attendance dropped as more and more members stayed
away.
Walter Turner called a
church meeting, he asked everyone to come back to church! He told the members
that he would pay all of the church’s expenses for the next year, if only they
would attend worship services. The much relieved congregation returned to
faithful attendance, and Turner kept his word and paid all the bills.
In 1953 when plans for a
new church were underway, it was decided that the property at Park and Pine
Streets wasn’t big enough for the new building. Howard Turner owned five other
sites in Roselle, but for one reason or another, none of them were suitable for
the new church building. Turner bought the property on Rush Street between
Woodworth and Pine and donated it to the church.
Not only did Turner donate
the property, but he also was responsible for the excavation for the Sanctuary,
and later on for the two education wings. Charles Turner was responsible for the
electrical work in the church. During negotiations for property, a site was
obtained in Town Acres. This piece of property also was donated to the church
and became the site for the parsonage.
Mrs. Turner wasn’t very
pleased with the light fixtures that were specified in the plans, and had
special lighting fixtures designed and manufactured. These too, were donated by
the Turner family, and are still hanging in our Sanctuary today.
Ethel Turner and Hazel
Turner both were very involved in Christian education, making sure that the
youth were given a good, sound basis in scripture. Hazel also served as Choir
Director for many years.
We are thankful that the
Turner family played such an important role in the growth and development of the
Roselle United Methodist Church.
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