FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

by Mrs. Zelma Scott

Entry T32 from the History of Hooker County Nebraska
with permission of the Hooker County Historical Society

The first Methodist Church, a frame
building - (cost $454.35) 1906

Looking northeast Mullen Methodist Church
and New Grade and High School in view

Mullen Methodist church - 1936

Painting of 1916, 1935 and the current church
consecrated April 1968 (cost over $110,855.00)

Before Hooker County was organized as a
county, religious services were being held in
the Sandhills and the vision of those early
settlers and their circuit rider preachers, had
now become a reality in our beautiful church
in Mullen. Early church services were held in
the school house in the northwest section of
Mullen after a Methodist organization was
formed by Rev. W.G. Vessell at Thedford,
Nebraska on July 29, 1888. When the school
burned down, the services were held in the
H.J. Lowe building on the second floor,
known as Lowe's Hall and later as the Lodge
Hall.

The church was incorporated in August,
1903 and filed in the Hooker County records
September 21, 1903. Trustees: C.M. Barne-
bey, H.J. Lowe, J.N. Snyder, William Barne-
bey and T.F. Parsons.

The Barnebey family deserves much credit
for the Methodist organization in Mullen.
William and Lydia joined the Mullen Class
in 1891. C.M. Barnebey joined in 1892, also
Hugh and Margaret Boyer. Dennis and Sarah
E. Boyer and son Hugh and wife, Sarah joined
in 1903. The Circuit Rider was always
welcome in their home.

Our first church, a frame building, costing
$454.35, was dedicated August 26, 1906. Rev.
Backemeyer, pastor. In 1907, a basket supper
was given by the ladies to raise money for the
erection of the belfry which was transferred
to the second church. The second church was
planned with Pastor Lee Boyer. The frame
church was moved into the street west, May
18, 1936. The first service held in this new
brick church was Easter Sunday April 17,
1938 by Pastor A.J. Hindman and the
dedication was on Mother's Day May 12, 1940
under the pastorate of Rev. A.J. Runnels.

August 26, 1945 the `God's Herd Calf sale'
was started, as the church celebrated it's 54th
anniversary with Rev. Harold Baker as
pastor. The sale is still held annually but
became more of a Fall Festival as calves
became fewer for sale. More recently money
has been given in place of calves. A beef
dinner is served by the United Methodist
Women.

May 11, 1952 beautiful stained glass
windows, donated in memory of loved ones,
were dedicated by Rev. C. Edwin Murphy,
District Superintendent and Rev. Curtis
Norlin.

A building committee met in January 1962
with the idea to enlarge the church or build
a new one on a different site. Rev. J.B. Choate
renewed the interest which had been discus-
sed in the 50's and through the years. On
March 31, 1966 it was voted by an over-
whelming majority to build on a new location,
with the assurance that the stained glass
windows would be a part of the west wall of
the Fellowship Hall.

March 31, 1968, the day was begun with a
`day of transition'. The service began in the
old brick church and then every member,
young and old, took song books, Bibles, flags,
etc and walked the distance to the new large
brick church in the northwest part of Mullen,
in high spirits and excitement of the occasion,
with the services concluding in the new
church.

The church held dedication services by
Rev. Dwight Kemling, December 1, 1974. An
additional brick wall was built in 1978 for
energy saving purposes and as an additional
protection for the stained glass windows
which are more beautiful when the afternoon
sun shines through them.

In 1977 while Rev Harry Walles was pastor
a Pictoral Directory was made. In August
1982, the pews of the church were upholster-
ed and ceiling fans were installed for added
comfort and beauty. Designated Memorial
funds paid for these improvements under the
supervision of Rev. David Lux. He also
started us on an Advent booklet. The booklet
was made with a devotion, meditation or
story contributed by a different person each
day during the Advent season of December.
This has continued each year since.

During Rev. George Kilmer's pastorate we
had Dial-A-Devotion during Lent. Each day
was given by a different person. Also a Come-
and-Go Communion service from 6:30-8:00
A.M. on each Wednesday during Lent.

During 1986 the church held a different
money making project each month. All
resident members included in sharing. The
largest one during December was telling the
Christmas Story from Luke 2: 10-20, by
paying so much per word.

In 1987 a Seder Supper was held and a
Paschal candle was burned continuously for
forty days from Easter Eve to May 28. Rev.
Don Morton was pastor.

The young peoples society, `The Epworth
League' came into being in 1914-1916. They
bought a piano in the early days and in 1945
set a goal to purchase an organ for the church.
This group is now renamed the Methodist
Youth Fellowship. They contributed funds in
memory of Rev. David Scott for some new
Hymnals the church was purchasing.
Through giving Bible plays they earned
money to purchase the candelabra, the
candle holders and the flower vases for the
church.

All three of the Methodist churches have
always had an active church choir. Each
member has an attractive robe to wear which
makes a beautiful addition for the services.