Geneva Methodist Church Celebrates 150 Years

The Geneva Methodist Church is celebrating 150 years since first opening their doors. 

On Saturday, June 21, community members stopped by to celebrate the church’s milestone, with a free lunch, games in the basement, a special music program (provided by the Aalderks family) and a celebration worship service later in the day. 

Event organizers began planning last summer. 

“It’s been such a good project with good people,” said Jamie Reinke. “Everybody did their part. It’s been a lot of work, but I like doing this kind of stuff. It was fun. We also like to reflect back, and look at the members before us. They’ve done a lot more hard work than we did.” 

Past members held various types of fundraising events over the years to add on to the church and improve it, including adding stained glass windows, additions to the building, new furniture, a new roof and new furnaces.  

“So much was done before us,” said Kendra Johnson. “We’re just maintaining it at this point.” 

Johnson later added that a big part of the church’s success is thanks to the fact that they have so many young children who attend and who are involved with the church. Numerous generations of families have also attended the church. One family goes back five generations, according to Johnson. 


History of the Church 

The church was started in 1875, with Reverend Hedges leading the way. He held worship services in the upstairs of the Geneva schoolhouse until 1882, when the current church was built. It was paid for with cash donations, which amounted to nearly $2,000. 

The church bell was then purchased and then hung in the belfry under the leadership of Reverend Miller as pastor in 1885. Finally, in 1892, the present parsonage was built, replacing the old one, which was moved away. In 1899, church members began raising money for a larger church, as their group was growing. Through numerous fundraisers, they were able to raise $4,600 to construct the new building. It was dedicated in November of 1899. 

The interior of the church was redone in 1949, including new hardwood floors, new woodwork and furniture that was redone by various members. By 1961, Reverend Hilmer was taking care of the churches in both Geneva and Ackley. From 1971 until 2010, the churches shared a minister before eventually separating. 

In 1975, the church was said to have around 160 members. Today, it is home to around 140 members.