History of the West Union U.M. Church

The West Union Methodist Church was organized in the home of Peter Shultz in 1807. The group bought a lot (1/4 A.) on the N/W corner of Mulberry and Pleasant St. in West Union on August 15, 1819 for $25. A brick structure 35 X 44 ft. Was built on the lot in 1820 for $1,800.

In 1868, it was torn down and a brick building 38 X 65 ft. With an 18 ft. Ceiling was built. Bricks from the old church were used, and over $6,000 was spent. In 1885, extensive repairs and improvements were made at a cost of $500.

In 1915, the building was torn down, after 47 yr. of use, and a part lot on the S/E corner of Mulberry & Pleasant St. Was bought from the widow of Dr. Coleman for $850. The present brick structure was built in 1915 & 1916. Some bricks, lumber, and other materials from the old church were used in the new one. The construction cost $10,000. During the construction, the congregation met in the court room at the court house for 45 Sundays. The first Sunday in the new church was April 30, 1916. The attendence was 232 at Sunday School, plus 26 visitors. It has had repairs, ofcourse, but no major changes except the addition of rest rooms in the basement, date unknown, and a ramp at the east entrance in 1989. A tile floor was laid in the basement in 1957, financed by profit from the food stand operated by the Methodist Women at the World's Plowing Match held in the Peebles-Locust Grove area in September, 1957.

The [present] parsonage was built in 1939 for $5,000. The Willis Stafford family was the first to occupy it. Rev Stafford left us in 1942 to beecome a Chaplain in the U.S. Army during World War II. While serving on Biak Island, near New Guinea, he was wounded on June 12, 1944 by fragments of a Japanese bomb. The injory resulted in the amputation of his left leg. During WWII, three of our members were killed -- Benny Wiegand, killed overseas (believed to be Adams County's first casualty); Sgt. Howard Lawler, killed in a plane crash in the States; and PFC Dan Roush, killed in France.

Improvements made over the years have included new roof, carpeting, converting to natural gas heat for both the church and the parsonage,cleaningthe masonry, sandblasting and sealing the brick exterior, bell tower repair, vinyl siding and carpeting for the parsonage. A major rewiring job was done in 1992 at a cost of $15,000.

The house that stood on the part lot immediately east of the church was torn down and moved in 1961. The new roof was put on the church building in 1985 or 1986. A good reconditioned organ was bought in 1990.

History of West Union Methodist Episcopal Church

History of the West Union U.M. Church