Kelseyville United Methodist Church
OUR HISTORY
KELSEYVILLE
METHODIST CHURCH
Last updated February 23, 2015 VB
COMMENTS: Between 1854 and 1869 there were ten Methodist Ministers that served Kelseyville and most were Circuit Rider Preachers.
First Church: In 1870 Reverend Asa J. White was the Minister. Under his labors, and assisted by George Clifford, “a gracious revival was manifested and many were converted.” In this year the 1st Kelseyville Church was built and dedicated Christmas Eve by Reverend E. Thomas, D.D., assisted by Reverend J. R. Trefren. Size of the building was 36’x50’, cost was $2,000.00.
Second Church: Between 1924 and 1937 Reverend Glen W. Butcher was the Minister. It was during this time that a new church was built. Reverend Butcher was given a church building at Grizzley Bluffs, Humbolt County. It was torn down and shipped by railroad to Hopland. There it was hauled by White trucks belonging to the California Packing Company and driven by Nathan Olson to the site where the parsonage is now, and reassembled. The one room church, erected in 1870 had been moved to the back of the lot and partitioned for use as a social hall and kitchen.
Burned: Between 1929 and 1933 Reverend A. L. “John” Anderson was the Minister. On November 24, 1929 this new church and the parsonage burned. With the help of many willing workers, much of the furniture and other belongings of both buildings were saved. The Presbyterians invited us to use their building. Sunday School was held at the Odd Fellows Hall. The Pastor and family moved into the Presbyterian manse.
Federation: On Sunday morning, January 5, 1930, the Presbyterian and Methodist Church members went into a business session and unanimously voted on adoption of a Constitution and By-Laws* and agreed that the Federation along with the Sunday School begin that day with the Reverend A. L. Anderson as the Pastor. The Federation was called “Kelseyville Federated Church.” The state officers of each of the participating churches were not happy with the Federation. On June 6, 1930 the Minister and family moved into the new parsonage (the present one) built with insurance money from the church parsonage.
NOTE: The Federation dissolved in March 1948
Third Church: Between 1948 and 1952 Reverend William Haggarty was the Minister. When the Federation of Presbyterians and Methodists dissolved in March of 1948, the Methodists only had a parsonage, so they held church services in the Odd Fellows Hall. During this period the present church was built with Roy Walker in charge of construction; Leland Akers in charge of planning and changes, and Mr. Horn of Lakeport who acted as an overseer. Lyle Kitchen also helped with construction by building the pulpit area. Donations of lumber for the church was made by Clyde Wilds of Kelseyville and Charles Kupinger of Lakeport, **(in memory of his wife). The lumber was from their own saw mills. Borrowed money of $500.00 was paid back in just a year. The Conference sent a party here to dedicate the new church that was free and clear of debt.
NOTE: During this period the Kelseyville Packing Company was under construction after a fire and the new Kelseyville Creek bridge was being built by the Division of Highways to replace the old steel bridge.
Rummage building: Between 1960 and 1964 Reverend Beverly L. Davis was the Minister. In 1962 the Rummage Building, was built by Elmer Saderlund along with Ray and Lorena Burnett. Gus Renfro donated an old house to the Ladies of the Church Rummage. Verda Saderlund, Myrtle Wright and Beth Stinson and the Burnetts tore the building down. These three ladies spent many hours pulling nails from the old lumber. The old building was located on the south east corner of 7th and Church streets and was used as a telephone building before Amy Ford Dunbar had the telephone exchange on Main Street across from the Methodist Church. For years the new building was named “Addie’s Rummage.” Reverend Beverly Davis’s wife Sally had just started the Happy Day School and didn’t have a permanent place to hold classes, so the church let her use the new building. Fred Schwarz made the east addition and Richard Johnson made the two west additions. Ida renamed the building Methodist Thrift Shop.
NOTE: Addie Cannon and Effie Manker first started the church rummage in the new church that was built about 1950. They displayed their “goods” in the social hall and after the days work would pack everything onto the stage to store.
GARAGE: No one seems to know when the galvanized iron garage and store room was built. Chances are it was right after the new parsonage in 1930. This building is now used by the Thrift Shop. Reverend Denita Wiseman used a little as a store room.
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION: Between April 1922 and September 1924 Reverend Dr. W. E. Story, Presbyterian, was the Minister. On April 24, 1924 the Kelseyville Methodist Episcopal Church was incorporated and signed by Frank C. Jordan, Secretary of State of the State of California. The term of the Incorporation was for fifty years, and the number of trustees for the church was set at five. The Trustees then were, Andrew Johnson, Orville Hughes, A.B. Hughes, D. E. Sullivan and Mrs. Edith Riggs. The papers were signed by D. E. Sullivan, President and Mrs. Edith Riggs, Secretary. The Incorporation papers were notarized by W. E. Hunt, who was then Postmaster for Kelseyville.
Marilyn Holdenreid shared the following information on February 11, 2015
I, of course, well remember Rev Carl Disbrow and Rev David Moss as we Presbyterians and Methodists shared pastors at an economically difficult time for our two churches. It made sense to share as neither church could afford their own pastor. I worked closely with both of these two pastors during a very exciting, ecumenical time in the history of Christian education in Kelseyville.
In the summer of 1968, I was approached by Presbyterian Ruby Glebe, now 100 years old (Ruby was 100 years old in July 2014), and asked if I would consider creating a new program of Christian education that would encompass multi Protestant churches. Since my two children were young and I was anxious for them to have a 'Sunday School' experience, I took on the project. In the fall of 1968, the three largest denominations in Kelseyville..... Presbyterian, Methodist, and Lutheran..... joined together to sponsor the Kelseyville Week Day Church School. It was held every Wednesday afternoon after school. Because all of the elementary school age children attended the Gard Street School, the children could walk over to the church. The benefit of this program was that I could call on women from all three churches to serve as teachers. Rev Carl Disbrow (and later David Moss)and Parson Paul Larson from the Galilee Lutheran Church were actively involved in our program. Our preschool/Kindergartern children went to class at the Methodist Church with the lead teacher being Carol Dobusch. Children in grades 1-6 came to the Presbyterian Church. The pastors took turns leading the opening worship in the Sanctuary.
After a year of our program, and because of my close friendship with Mary Borjon, we were able to also include the children and teachers from St Peter's Catholic Church. We used a very broad simple ecumenical study program that was suited to our goal.
PAGE 2 ~ Kelseyville Methodist Church History
Within a very short time, our program grew to serving 100 children with 10 teachers. We had snack time, worship time with music, class time, craft time. We held Spring Celebrations and 'adopted' a child through World Wide Christian Children Fund. Every Christmas we held an incredible nighttime Christmas program in the sanctuary of the Presbyterian Church, complete with costumes, scripts, and music. Each grade had their own play. We had a different set of leaders that took on the Christmas program.
Because of Mary Borjon's involvement, we learned of teacher training in Christian education in Mountain View, in the Bay Area. A group of our teachers went for several years to attend the seminars. We formed a tight bond and learned innovative ways of teaching our curriculum and music.
This program continued for nine years until my retirement in 1976. At that point in my life, I, Marilyn Holdenreid, went on to work in a new statewide agricultural program, California Women for Agriculture.
AMENDED: Between July 1973 and June 1980 Reverend J. David Moss was the Minister. On September 17, 1974 the Board of Directors (Trustees) voted to amend the Articles of Incorporation to read “This Corporation shall have perpetual existence and the name will be The Kelseyville United Methodist Church.” The amendment was signed on November 19, 1974 by Roy C. Walker, President and Eilene Engle, Secretary.
REFERENCES:
* Referring to the first federation of Presbyterians and Methodists and their Constitution and By Laws which were in effect from April 1922 to September 1924, when Reverend Dr. W. E. Story, (Presbyterian) was the Minister.
** Referring to the plaque in the Narthex with Mrs. Kupinger’s name on it.
Chronological Events:
1870 1st Kelseyville Church built
April 1922 – September 1924 1st Federation of Methodists and Presbyterians
April 24, 1924 Church incorporated for 50 years
September 1924 – 1927 2nd church built
November 24, 1929 Church and Parsonage burned. Scar from the fire is still on the Oak Tree
January 1930 – March 1948 2nd Federation of Methodists and Presbyterians
June 1930 Parsonage and possibly the garage were built
1948 – 1952 3rd church built
1962 Rummage Building built
September 17, 1974 Amended Church Incorporation to “perpetual existence.”
Compiled By:W. C. Bill Ungewitter, February 1986 to preserve some the church history Dedicated to: Members of The Kelseyville United Methodist Church
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Special Thanks for a helping hand to: Verda Saderlund,Roy Walker, Myrtle Wright, Reverend Joanne Hinds, Martha Ungewitter
Retyped by Dorothy Braun December 2014 Edited by Voris Brumfield February 2015
MINISTERS
Date Minister
1854 Jacob Speck for several years was a Circuit Rider Preacher and was May Kelsey’s grandfather. This was before Clear Lake Circuit of the California Conference was organized by the Presiding Elder of the Petaluma District, Reverend Edward Bannister in 1857.
1857 Reverend S. W. Norman, the first Pastor. He started classes in a Big Valley School before the Methodist churches were divided. M. East and M. South.
1858 Reverend James Corwin assisted by G. B. Davis, local preacher, and George A. Lyon, licensed exhorter.
1859 Reverend Noah Burton
1860 Reverend Asa J. White The first camp meeting was held at Upper Lake, in a grove of trees.
1861 – 1863 Reverend S. B. Davis Places of preaching were: Lakeport, Big Valley, Scotts Valley and Upper Lake.
1864 S. W. Murphy Supplied as Pastor. Presiding Elder, J. R. Tansy.
1865 Reverend Wesley Ingham A supplied minister.
1866 – 1867 Reverend J. V. Bryant Appointed and served the Circuit.
1868 – 1869 Reverend S. S. Davis
1870 Reverend Asa J. White Under his labors and assisted by George Clifford, a gracious revival was manifested and many were converted. In this year the Kelseyville Church was built and dedicated Christmas Eve by Reverend E. Thomas, D.D., assisted by Reverend J.R. Trefen. Size of the building 36’x50’ cost $2,000.00.
1871 – 1872 Reverend J. L. Broadus
1873 Reverend George McRea
1874 Reverend H. C. Smith
1875 – 1876 Reverend M. Woodward
1877 Reverend J. L. Broadus
1878 Reverend J. Cummins
1879 Reverend J. C. Jones
1880 – 1882 Reverend A. E. Hazzard
1883 Reverend M. Churchman
1883 – 1886 Reverend L. W. Simmons
1887 Reverend J. Appleton
1888 – 1889 Reverend Mr. Scofield At this time the M.East Church in Lakeport had a small organization in connection with Kelseyville, but having no place to worship, held services in the Presbyterian Church. No Sunday School, but children of its members met with some of the Sunday Schools connected with other churches.
1890 Reverend W. G. Trudgeon Presiding Elder was E. R. Willis.
1891 Reverend J. Appleton
1892 Reverend Harry C. Richardson
1893 Reverend W. S. Bryant
1894 – 1895 Reverend J. W. Kuykendall and Reverend F. W. Lloyd Reverend Kuykendall baptized several persons at Sulphur Banks, Cache Creek and High Valley. These two ministers seemed to have served at the same time and went far afield in their work.
1896 – 1897 Reverend George W. Beattle
1898 Reverend L. W. Simmons
1899 Reverend W. M. Burkett
PAGE 1~ History of Pastors Kelseyville Methodist Church
1900 Reverend R. J. Barbee Blessed Year was written in the remarks column.
1901 Reverend N. S. Buckner Grandfather of the Upton Girls, and had been a Captain in the Civil War.
1902 – 1904 Reverend H. H. Buckner Uncle of the Upton Girls, Ruth Beeman, Olive Kiggens and Billie Mullens. Their mother was Alice Buckner Upton.
1905 Reverend E. J. Bristow
1906 Reverend Henry C. Langley
1907 Reverend John W. Edgar
1908 – 1911 Reverend Harold H. Buckner assisted by Reverend G. L. Pierson, baptized 2 in April 1909.
1912 Reverend Aubrey H. Clark
1913 – 1914 Reverend George D. Smith
1915 Reverend Fred W. Hunting September 5, 1915, Reverend E. E. Beach took in 4 members.
1916 Reverend Willis H. Thatcher
1917 – 1920 Reverend Alfred Pollard In Kelseyville and Lower Lake in this charge. March 1918 Kelseyville became a separate charge October 1918 Kelseyville and Upper Lake were one charge. September 1920 Kelseyville only one in charge.
1920 - 1921 Reverend J. T. Black September 1920 to March 1921
1921 – 1922 Reverend C. H. Fanning March 1921 to April 1922
1922 – 1924 Reverend Dr. W. E. Story Presbyterian Minister. Methodist and Presbyterians were Federated, with an associate membership for other denominations. The Federation was called Kelseyville United Community Church. Reverend Dr. Story with the help of Edwin D. Gallager, a Methodist, started this Federation. Gallager was then organizing a High School in Kelseyville. Each church was to retain its identity and contribute to its respective benevolences. The state officers of each of the participating churches were not happy with the Federation. In fact, the Methodists refused to recognize the Methodist Branch of the Federation.
1924 Reverend Glenn Butcher, just arrived from Colorado and was open for assignment. He was promptly sent to Kelseyville to rebuild the Methodist Episcopal Church as a separate and independent unit.
1924 – 1927 Reverend Glen W. Butcher It was during this time that a new church was built. Reverend Butcher was given a church building at Grizzley bluffs, Humboldt County. It was torn down and shipped by railroad to Hopland. Then it was hauled by White trucks belonging to the California Packing Company and driven by Nathan Olson to the site where the parsonage is now, and reassembled. The one room church, erected in 1870 had been moved to the back of the lot and partitioned for use as a social hall and kitchen. The church was incorporated in 1924 for 50 years.
1928 Reverend J. M. Brunswick
1929 – 1933 Reverend A. L. John Anderson On November 24, 1929 the new church and the parsonage burned. With the help of many willing workers, much of the furniture and other belongings were saved. The Presbyterians invited the Methodists to use their building. Sunday School was held in the Odd Fellows Hall. The Pastor and Family moved into the manse.
1930 January 5, 1930 the Presbyterian and Methodist Church members unanimously voted on the adoption of the Constitution, same as1922 and agreed that the Federation begin that day with Reverend A. L. Anderson as the pastor. The Sunday Schools also joined together that day. The Federation was called Kelseyville Federated Church. The state officers of each of the participating churches were not happy with the Federation. On June 6, 1930 the minister and family moved into the new parsonage, the present one, built with insurance money from the church parsonage.
1933 – 1936 Reverend George Proctor Presbyterian, Constitution specified alternating.
1937 – 1938 Reverend E. E. Birch Methodist or D. W. Burch?
1938 – 1940 Reverend Aaron G. Miller Presbyterian, July 1938 – December 1940
1941 – 1945 Reverend Cecil F. Wilkins Methodist, March 1941 – July 1945 A busy time during World War II years.
PAGE 2 ~ History of Pastors Kelseyville Methodist Church
1945 Reverend A Goodwin July '45 – October '45
1945 – 1946 Reverend Clarence Schuman October 1945 – September 1946
1946 – 1947 Reverend A. E. Lucas Presbyterian, September 1946 – June 1947
1947 – 1948 Various relief ministers. The State Officials continued their opposition to the Federation. The Federation dissolved in March 1948. July 1947 – April 1948
1948 – 1952 Reverend William Haggarty As there was only a Parsonage, Church and Sunday School were held at the Odd Fellows Hall. During this period a new Methodist Church was being built. Roy Walker was in charge of construction; Leland Akers was in charge of planning and changes and a Mr. Horn of Lakeport acted as an Overseer. Lyle Kitchen built the pulpit area. Donations of lumber for the church was made by Clyde Wilds and Charles Kupinger. This lumber was from their own saw mills. Borrowed money of $500.00 was paid back in just one year. The Methodist Conference sent a party here to dedicate the new church that was free and clear of debt.
1952 – 1953 Reverend Howard Hall
1953 – 1954 Reverend Harvey Bane
1954 Reverend Charles Silberstein Here just a short while. Reverend C. W. Forman was the emergency supply.
1955 – 1958 Reverend Ed B. Thomas
1958 – 1960 Reverend Robert C. Hill
1960 – 1964 Reverend Beverly L. Davis Special note: 1861 – 1961 “Davis to Davis in 100 years.” In 1962 Elmer Saderlund built Addie’s Rummage building along with help of Ray and Lorena Burnett. An old house was donated by Gus Renfro to Verda Saderlund, Myrtle Wright and Beth Stinson. The old house was torn down by the Burnetts and nails were pulled by the three ladies. The first two years the building was used by The Happy Day School in which Reverend Davis’ wife Sally was the teacher.
NOTE: 1861 – 1961 Lake County Centennial
1964 – 1966 Reverend Ivan J. Ball, Jr.
1966 – 1968 Reverend Carl A. Nyland Retired Navy Chaplain
1968 – 1973 Reverend Carl Disbrow From July 1972 he served the Presbyterians half time.
1973 – 1980 Reverend J. David Moss He served the Presbyterians half time. Articles of Incorporation were amended to read, “This Corporation shall have perpetual existence.”
1980 – 1982 Reverend Gerry Phelps The first woman minister and the first full time minister.
1982 – 1982 Reverend Randall Scott Drowned in Blue Lakes when car went into the lake. His wife Clare was able to get out of the car and swim ashore. July 1982 – December 1982
July 1983 Reverend Denita Wiseman Second woman minister.
Pastors 1983- 1992?
Reverend Linda Ford
-1992 Reverend Judy Collier
1992-1998 Reverend Brandon Austin
1998-2000 Reverend Elizabeth Brick
2000-2004 Ray Lantana, missionary from the Philippines, former DS in home conference
2004-2009 Reverend Kate O Leary
2009-2010 Reverend Khamdy Yang (aka Paul Joseph) Conference Hmong Ministry
7/1/10- 4/30/11 Reverend Jan Brim
6/1/11-7/30/14 Reverend Wanda Celli
8/10/14- present Pastor Voris Brumfield