The following history is from the booklet of the “Dedication of New Educational Unit and Centennial Observance”. The dedication was held on June 18, 1961 and the Centennial Celebration booklet from 2005. Information was also obtained from the Herald and Review archives
1859 to 1864
It was the mid 19th century and the town of Macon rapidly began to take shape. Ministers on the Moweaqua circuit came to Macon and held meetings in local school houses. Records show that what eventually became Macon United Methodist church actually began in 1859 when the Rev. Thomas Allinson, a local preacher who lived about three miles northwest of where Macon now stands, began preaching in area school houses.
The following year (1860) a society or class was organized and Macon was made an appointment on the Moweaqua Circuit with one minister, Rev. S. S. Russell, seeing both locations. The arrangement with various ministers officiating continued for five years.
In 1864, a modest 40 by 50 foot church building was erected in Macon at a cost of $4,500 The same plans were used by the Bethel Methodist Church located north of Blue Mound.
1865
Macon become a separate pastoral charge and was made one of the appointments of the Decatur District in the Illinois Conference of the Methodist Church. At this same conference, Rev. Wallace gave up the pastorate in Moweaqua and accepted that of the newly formed Macon Charge which included various rural school houses, in which Sunday afternoon services were often held.
1866
Immigrant John Schudel Sr and his wife Elizabeth came to the United States from Switzerland and decided to settle in Macon. Devout Christians, the Schaudels became active members of the church. Elizabeth Schudel carefully compiled a church history and John Schudel read it at the dedication of the new building on July 29, 1906.
1879 – 1880
A rostrum was added to the north of the original building at an outlay of $500.
In 1880, a new parsonage was built where our church now stands for a total cost of $1,200.
1886 – 1888
During the three years of Rev. Reasoner’s pastorate (1886 – 1889) he was responsible for the addition of a primary room and the origination of the church library. He also planted the many elm trees which grew around the church and parsonage and provided beauty and shade for more than sixty years. While in Macon Rev. Reasoner also found time to plan, survey and plat the Macon Cenetery (where at their deaths, he and his family were buried). Realizing that his congregation had very limited knowledge concerning the rules and doctrines of the church, he purchased one hundred copies of the Methodist Church Discipline, and distributed one to each family in his congregation.
1892
During the pastorate of Rev. J. W. Echman, the country appointments in the various school houses were dropped and Macon became what was known as a station.
1895
During the pastorate of Rev. Arthus Wood a room was added for the use of the Epworth League, at a cost of $700.
For the next ten years the work and growth of the church made steady progress. Even with the various additions that had been made from time to time, soon after the turn of the century, the congregation began to realize that they were outgrowing their building.
1904
Rev. M. N English, a young and ambitious minister was assigned to Macon and under his leadership the new church movement was launched.
1905
Plans were made for a new frame building to be built on the corner lot where the parsonage was then located. The existing house was moved to another location. Exclusive of furnishings, the estimated cost of the new building was $10,080, more than two-thirds of which amount was subscribed before construction actually began.
After the framework was built, it was decided to face the building with mottled brick and trim with stone, bringing the estimated cot to $12,000. This change in plan added much to the beauty of the structure and brought the cost beyond the second estimate.
On Thursday, November 23, 1905 the cornerstone was laid. All business houses in town, as well as the schools, were closed for the afternoon and attendance for the occasion numbered 621 people.
Work on the building progressed throughout the winter and into the early summer months, with the usual delays from various causes, but nothing serious. The Akron Style of architecture of the church is curvillnear, symmetrically designed to convey the impress of gently flowing curves.
1906
The farewell service in the old building was held on Sunday, July 22, 1906. Rev Reasoner, a former pastor, delivered the sermon in the morning. In the afternoon a fellowship service of reminiscing was enjoyed by the older members and a very complete historical record was read by Mr. John Schudel. Rev. English concluded the day by preaching in the evening.
On the following Saturday evening, July 28, a public reception for Bishop E. M. Cranston was held in the new building.
On the Dedication Day, Sunday, July 29, 1906, the all-day services started early — 9:00 am. Reading from Mr. Schudel’s historical records we learn that about $4,000 was still needed to clear the debt on the church and over $2,000 was lacking to complete the parsonage.
The Methodist Church rules state that before a building can be dedicated to God, it must be free of all financial indebtedness to man. The task of solving this problem was given to Dr. W. D. Parr. Standing in front6 of the sanctuary, amid great excitement and enthusiasm, an urgent entreaty was made for the needed cash or pledges to be paid within an eighteen month period. In a short time the $6,000 amoutn was exceeded – and all but between $50 and $75 was paid as pledged. With this very important problem solved, Bishop Cranston proceeded with the Dedication Service.
In the afternoon of the same day, a Sunday School Rally was held, with Mr. John Schudel presiding as superintendent.
In the evening Dr. Parr delivered the Consecration Sermon.
The observance continued with the 4th quarterly conference being held on Monday evening. Rev. W. J. Davidson, paster of the 1st M. E Church in Decatur, speaking on Tuesday evening. Rev. J. R Horney, Presiding Elder from Bloomington, Indiana delivered the message on Wednesday Evening, and Rev. S. H. Whitlock, Presiding Elder of the Danville District, filling the pulpit on Thursday Evening.
Northing much more than annual maintenance was done for the next twenty some years, as far as is known.
1929
The Schudel family of Decatur, former members of our church, donated $2,000 for complete renovation of the church interior. Pulpit furniture was needed, and it was decided to purchase this, with later financial additions, as a memorial to the late John and Elizabeth Schudel. The interior was painted, furniture refinished, and the church windows and roof were repaired by the congregation at a cost of $400. The Ladies’ Aid gave $80 to purchase a new carpet,
1934
An all-day celebration Sunday, November 4th to mark the 75th anniversary of the founding of the church.
1936 – 1938
Brother Fred Lawley purchased the lot east of the parsonage and gave it to the church, along with money for its landscaping. Black cotton choir robes with large white collars were made by the girls in the Macon High School sewing classes. These robes were worn by the choir for the following twenty years.
1946
Improvements made to the church during the pastorate of Rev. C. G. Carson included repairs on the church roof, redocorating and painting both the church and parsonage, installation of a new oil furnace in the church, purchase of a moving picture projector, cutting and burning the dead elm trees on the church property and replacing them with new hard maple trees, remodeling of the church basement, purchasing the new Hammond organ, and mothers making white choir robes for the Junior Choir.
1951 – 1955
During the pastorate of Rev. Carl Hass a new roof was put on the church at a cost of $2,100; the Methodist Men’s Organization was granted a charter, the choir purchased material for new maroon-color robes with Mrs. Orpha Wantland donating the labor involved in making them.
1956
A $20,000 bequest was received from the joint estate of Mr. and Mrs. John (Verne) Beschle. Improvements to the church included carpeting and redecorating the church sanctuary and concrete walks in the front and on the west side of the church property.
1958
Plans for a separate Education Hall, located between the church and the parsonage were approved by a small majority of the congregation.
A fund-raising campaign was launched which, with the cost (in bonds) on hand and pledges to be paid within a three year period increased the building funds to $35, 000. The cost of the proposed building was estimated to $50,000. It was to be built by contract with no provision for any local labor donations or assistance.
Both labor and material costs being higher than at any previoius time, many members felt that the the undertaking was not wise from a financial point of view.
The project was at a standstill when Rev. Darrll Mongomery became pastor in June, 1959.
1951
Col. James T Wilson, former pastor was appointed chaplain of the army field forces headquarters at Fort Monroe, VA.
1954
Church hosted a series of evangelistic meetings in October. Dr. Preston Horst, superintendent of the Decatur district was a speaker.
1957
The church loaned books to a vacation library for Macon school children and Adults
1959 – 1961
During the winter of 1959 and 1960 a local contractor talked with various members of the congregation and learned in detail the needs to be supplied and the amount of money available for spending on the project. He donated the time and labor necessary to draw plans and secure estimates on the various phases on the cost of an extension to north side of the existing building.
When completed, this plan provided for additional floor space of 2,250 square feet on each of two levels — basement and main floor at an estimated cost of $35,000. The paid workers were to be area men. Members and friends of the church were to have the privilege of donating laobr whenever and wherever practical.
Both plans were again considered and compared at a called meeting for all church members. The majority favored the new plan, after a few minor changes had been made.
A building committee of thirteen members were elected who, in turn, chose two of their number to act as chairmen and co-chairman — Russell Ernst and Oscar Gabriel. There two men were given the responsibility of keeping a general supervision over the project; notifying members as to when their help was needed; making all decisions on minor problems which might arise; and calling meetings of all the committee whenever they felt it to be necessary.
A ground breaking service was held in May, 1960. Dr. Kenneth Knox, district superintendent, spoke
Early in July, 1960, the first call for volunteer help was answered by twenty men, who in two days time had the north wall of the church removed, the opening temporarily closed, and the grounds cleared and ready for the excavation work.
The following eight months found the work progressing with only a few delays and difficulties. The co-chairmen gave to this project their undivided attention, one or both being continuously “on the job”.
Due to all the above facts combined, the cost was held to approximately the original estimate; workmanship and materials used were above criticism; the basement was in use by the primary department before Christmas; and the Sunday School class rooms on the main floor were put into use early in March, 1961.
Other improvements made during this construction period included repairing the stained glass windows in the sanctuary and protecting them with permanent storm windows; refinishing the seats and floor in the sanctuary and fireproofing the furnace room beneath the pulpit.
In 1961 the Macon Methodist Church is a strong organization with 464 members — the result of more than one hundred years of faithful labor and service by her members and various pastors.
The new addition was dedicated on June 18, 1961.
Church marked its centennial in 102nd year.
1968
Become part of the United Methodist Church
1972
After the youth class sent a donation to Rev. David Wilerson and his youth crusade asking for some pamphlets – Teen Challenge and World Challenge movements, th group received 13,000 pamphlets and 1,000 copies of “The Cross and the Switchblade”, Rev. Wilkerson’s book on his conversion of street gangs. The booklet “Spaced Out” is billed as and honest book about drugs. It discusses various drugs and the help available through religion. The booklets and books were distributed in the community through schools, churches and Millikin University and on Landmark Mall.
Robert Evans, helped by members of the church Youth Fellowship class, donated a 30-acre crop totaling 1,000 bushels of soybeans to the 1971 Christian Rural Overseas Project in Illinois.
1974
Rev Charles H Harper, a United Methodist minister who worked in Korea for 16 years spoke at the church.
The higher Ground Singers, a young gospel trio from Nashville, TN appears in concert.
1979
in April, a dedication service was held for the remodeled sanctuary. Dr Harold Guenther, superintendent of the Decatur District, lead the serivce.
Richard Jorgensen, a Nation Football League referee for 11 years spoke at the annual Father and son banquet.
1983
Parsonage was extensively remodeled
1988
Former missionary Betty Whitlock of Cisco was the keynote speaker for the spring meeting of the Decatur District of United Methodist Women
Children from the church participated with nearly 200 children with singing at the 16th Annual Decatur Area Youth Choir Festival
1989
The Macon Kids First! program, an after school program, started on January 4th. The program will accommodate a maximum of 30 students. The programs provides homework assistance, supervised activitiy, games, recreation, field trips and arts and crafts. It is open from 3 to 6 p.m. The program’s administrator is Mary Ann Holsapple and assisted by Teri Zimmer.
1999
Macon Kids First! has named Linda Markham director of its after=school program.
The Macon Kids First! program received a $3,000 grant from the United Way of Decatur/Macon County and a $500 grant from the Illinois Great Rivers Conference.
August — members of the church, friends and family was part of a group of 63 churches to fill a huge block of 540 seats at a Cards/Cubs baseball game at Busch Stadium. Susan Meister, wife of Pastor Peter Wehrly was approved to sing the Nation Athem behind home plate with her family on the field with her. Funds raised through ticket sales was donated to various local and national charities.
2005
Wedding Gown Fashion Show of gowns from 1890 to 2005.
The church’s cornerstone was replaced on November 20th. Articles in the time box included (previous and new)
- History of the “New Church Movement” written by Rev English in 1905
- News clippings of Rev. English’s obituary
- Article from the Golden Prairie News with the account of our 2005 Centennial celebration.
- Program from the 1905 Cornerstone Service
- Discipline from 1905 (2005 Discipline would not fit as it is too big.)
- 1905 Penny
- Grand Army of the Republic military badge. (GAR was the Northern veterans group from the Civil War).
- American Flag
- Booklet of the September 25, 2005 celebration
2008
An elevator was installed in the back stairway of the original church building at a cost of $70,000. The elevator gives access to the sanctuary or the basement meeting rooms.
The first riders were 106 years old Elsie Nicholls, 103 years old Ruth Sanner and 101 years old Trenna Carroll
2016
Macon United Methodist, Elwin United Methodist and Zion Chapel joined together to form Pairieview Parish.
2019
Macon Stitches, a part of Project Linus, moved from the Macon Baptist church to our church. Project Linus makes blankets and quilts for non-profit agencies, hospital, first responders to give to patients and traumatized people.
2021
New metal roof install on church
2022
Tuckpointing and concrete repairs on front stairway.
2023
Parsonage sold to private buyer
Bell tower windows repaired.
Video screens were added to the sanctuary.
The parish structure was dissolved.
Ugly Christmas Sweaters
Macon United Methodist Church 