History of the Pine Bluffs United Methodist Church
The history of the Pine Bluffs United Methodist Church (current name) spans over a century and by the grace of God will continue for centuries to come.
1898
The church was first recognized as The Swedish Evangelistic Immanual Mission Congregation on January 26, 1898 with Pastor John Tillburg officiating. This became the first protestant church in Pine Bluffs. Their services were held in the first Pine Bluffs School house located on the Southeast corner of the ball field at 2nd and Pine Street. Reverend Tillburg of Wahoo, Nebraska was appointed as the pastor and teacher. He received a salary of $150.00 a year which was later raised to $300.00 a year and the congregation also provided firewood for the pastor. The janitor, Oscar Peterson was paid $15.00 a year. On March 25, 1898 the original pump organ was purchased and still resides in the Church Library today.
1901
October 19, 1901 a Swedish Sunday School was organized with H.B. Kauffman as superintendent.
1909 March 28, 1909 the Reverend F.W. Swanson of the Western Swedish Conference of The Methodist Church came to Pine Bluffs and organized this church in the old schoolhouse, which later was destroyed by fire. The charter members were Mr. & Mrs. Andy Anderson, Cornelius Blodgett, Siesus Blodgett, George Blodgett, S.H. Birdsall, Charles E. Carlstrum, Christina A. Carlstrum, Ned Olson, Sarah Olson and Mrs. W.N. Watson. Reverend Swanson began plans or the building of a cement block church at the corner of Main & 6th Street. Construction began September 17, 1909. The Methodist Episcopal Church of Pine Bluffs was dedicated on Sunday, December 5, 1909 by District Superintendent Rev. J.A. Gabrielson. One of the three services was conducted in Swedish. According to the memoirs of the late George Carlstrum, longtime church secretary/treasurer, tells of going to a Sunday afternoon meeting held at the building site where the foundation and floor joists were completed. The church still needed $108.00 to complete the construction of the church after members had given all they could afford. C.E. Carlstrum, George's uncle asked George to give $60.00 to help out. Although George did not have the money C.E. Carlstrum was willing to advance him the money and take it out of his wages as George was employed by his uncle. He also, resided with his uncle, so his room and board were free. Since George had no expenses or family to support C.E. Carlstrum felt George could afford the $60.00, a month's wages. George consented and never regretted it.
1911
In September the church became part of a circuit with two other points, Golden Prairie and Pleasant Hill. Reverend F.G. Hilbers was appointed for a short period until A.D. Burkett became pastor of the Church until 1912.
1912
Reverends Lester Black and Oliver C. Jones served as pastor during 1912.
1913
In September the church's first ordained Methodist minister was Reverend Edwin Bowling and who was later appointed the District Superintendent. He served as pastor of the Church until 1916 when Reverend U.M. Creath became pastor.
1917-1920
Reverend B.L. McFarland and Reverend O.E. Johnson served as pastors.
1924
Construction began on the new brick church located just west of the cement bock church.
1925
April 26, 1925 the new brick building was dedicated by Bishop Charles Mead with Reverend E.R. Houck, who was appointed in 1921. The cement blocks from the old church were used in the construction of a new building at 4th & Main Street. This was the old library and Royal Neighbors Hall.
1925-1945
The following pastors were appointed to our Church, Reverend Orman Kling, Reverend H.E. Shepard, Reverend W.H. Stevens, Reverend William Wade, Reverend Samuel Grove, Reverend Davis Gregg, District Superintend Hardesty, and Llewellyn J. Gordon.
1944-1945
Egbert and Pleasant View Churches of the Carpenter circuit were added to our local charge conference.
1946-1947
Remodeling of the church sanctuary and construction of a new edition began while Reverend William Reilly was the pastor. June 18, 1947 was the dedication for the Hammond organ donated by the M.L. Larson Family.
1948-1950
August 8, 1948, Reverend Warren Dirks was appointed pastor of the church. Completion of the remodeling of the sanctuary and construction of the new addition were completed. February 12, 1950, Bishop Glenn Phillips held a dedication for the remodeled sanctuary and new addition. Mr. & Mrs. C.E. Carlstrum donated the Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane stained glass window and the collection plates. The W.H. Harrison family donated all the new pews.
1951-1962
Reverends Llyod Kellams, Paul Spear, Robert Markham, Joe Baer, and Robert Johnstone served as pastors.
1962
Reverend Jack Rich served as pastor. The educational wing was constructed, consisting of a fellowship hall and Sunday School rooms. In May, the Egbert church united with the Pine Bluffs Church.
1964
May 24, 1964, Bishop Phillips dedicated the new educational wing. District Superintendent Kreps, Reverend A.L. Kongable who served until 1970 and former pastors Grove, Dirks and Rich assisted. The Egbert Church donated their church bell to the Pine Bluffs Church.
1968
In April the Evangelical United Brethren Church and the Methodist Church merged and our church became the United Methodist Church.
1970
Reverend Steve Spear appointed as Pastor.
1972
A study committee conducted a survey of the congregation's needs and concerns. It was determined that a new sanctuary, classroom and pastor's study was needed.
1973
October 12, 1973, the administration board voted to build a new sanctuary on the site of the old brick building built in 1924. In November Reverend Steve Spear retired and Reverand Donald Forbes was appointed in December.
1974
Beginning September 1, 1974, church services were held in the fellowship hall of the educational building during the construction of the new sanctuary.
1975
May 8, 1975, the first church service was held in the new sanctuary. May 25, 1975, a Laying of the Cornerstone and Consecration Service was officiated by District Superintendent Reverend Henry Baker. Reverend Forbes and former pastors Dirks, Markham, Kongable and Spear were in attendance.
1977
In June, Pine Bluffs received their first woman minister, Reverend Frances Bigelow. She served the Pine Bluffs and Hillsdale Methodist Churches. through 1979.
1978
January 29, 1978, Reverend Bigelow officiated at the dedication service for the new sanctuary. In June Reverend Gary Peters was appointed pastor of the church.
1981
December 6, 1981, Reverend Gary Peters officiated at the dedication of the Egbert church bell and the bell tower with former pastor Kellmans in attendance. Alfred Reher and Earl and Don Bishop were instrumental in the building of the bell tower. The Egbert Ladies Aide served the refreshments at the celebration.
1982
In June, the newly ordained Reverend David Butler was appointed to the Pine Bluffs Church.
1984
April 8, 1984, Reverend Butler dedicated The Virden 25 Bell Carrillon. September 9, 1984 on Heritage Sunday the Pine Bluffs Methodist Church celebrated their 75th Anniversary with Reverend Butler officiating. 50 and 60 year members were also honored. Some 75-year statistics were: 32 ministers had served the church, 1053 memberships, 757 baptisms, 220 marriages, 464 funerals.
1986
The Mildred McFann estate bequeathed $373,000 to the Pine Bluffs United Methodist Church. In June, Reverend Fredrick J. Amborn III was appointed pastor of the church and conducted the first meeting of the Parsonage Planning Committee. The Parsonage Planning Committee members were: Glennis Harrison, Milton Gibson, Dr. James Stoetzel, Donna Conner, Lloyd Sisson, Dale Lemaster, Jackie Mueller, Jack Harrison, Jim Sayers and Jana Fornstrom. Reverend Amborn and Mary Amborn taught the first of the two-year Disciple Bible Course.
1988
January 13, 1988, the Parsonage Planning Committee received final approval of the parsonage plans and construction commenced. Reverend Amborn and Mary Amborn formed the group Fools of Faith who performed a clown and mime ministry. November 17, 1988, the Pine Bluffs Methodist Foundation was founded and incorporated with a monetary gift of $221,000. The first board of directors were: Jack Harrison, Dr. James Stoetzel, Helen McDowall, Richard Stephens and Milton Gibson.
1989
January 12, 1988, Reverend Amborn III dedicated the new Pine Bluffs United Methodist Church Parsonage and new hymnals purchased by the Pine Bluffs Methodist Foundation. A special heat-pump and cooling system was installed in the new parsonage, resulting in the yearly utility bill being less than $300.00.
1990
In December, the new Allen Organ was purchased with funds from the Pine Bluffs Methodist Foundation and was installed by Jack Harrison.
1991
In June, Reverend Jeffery R. Babb was appointed pastor of the Pine Bluffs United Methodist Church.
1992
Reverend Babb installed a modern computer system for automated phone calling from the office.
1993
November 7, 1993, Reverend Babb officiated at the dedication of the Loy Lough Hand Bells. Ken Johnson became director of the newly formed hand bell choir and served in this position until his passing on September 24, 2024.
1996
Several protestant churches in the Pine Bluffs community, including the Pine Bluffs United Methodist Church, held the first community Vacation Bible School in the city park. Students participated in activities and enjoyed food from the time period when Jesus lived.
1997
Reverend Terrilyn Russ was appointed pastor of our Church.
1999
Ruth Tipsword donated a new Christmas tree for the sanctuary. Other members of the congregation donated new tree lights, hand crocheted decorations, pine wreaths and garlands.
2000
The nursery was remodeled and refurbished. Ann Lansden painted the wall mural of Noah's Ark.
2001
Reverend Russ was instrumental in organizing the construction of the church's Handicap Parking facilities.
2002
A new youth center was constructed by Craig Johnson with funds raised by the youth and other church groups.
2003
Reverend Jay Ahn was appointed to the Pine Bluffs Church. A new sound system was installed by Dale Lansden, Greg Marquardt and Jim Sterle which was purchased with money from the memorial fund and donations.
2004
The United Methodist Women dedicated new blankets, handmade quilts and Afghans for the Linus Project. The Linus Project uses the donated items at hospitals, various law enforcement agencies and fire departments for use with children in crises.
2005
Reverend Eloise Saltzgaver was appointed pastor of the church and served the congregation for less than a year. A Mission to Ocean Springs was attended by Reverend Saltzgaver, Ashley Lansden, Carl Carmichael, Kayla & Sally Brelsford and Rick Wagner.
2006
A Mission Trip was taken to the Rose Bud Indian Reservation with Reverend Saltzgaver, Donna Ostrander and Ann Lansden. Following the mission trip baby caps were donated to the reservation for the babies. Reverend Jane Keener was appointed interim pastor of the Church.
2007
Reverend Keener. Joleen Marquardt, Donna Ostrander, Rick Wagner, Dave Wilson and Jane Baker took a mission trip to Sager Brown to help with UMCOR. Reverend Dale Lovett was appointed to serve the church and under him another Linus Project was completed.
2008
Local missions projects organized by Rick Wagner were painting Phyllis Steger & Andy Reddens homes, and Lou Thompson's garage. Volunteers from many churches helped with this mission. Kathy Skinner, Rick Wagner, Dave and Judy Wilson took a mission trip to South Carolina to help in the construction of new homes for low-income families. A new Furnace and air conditioner were installed in the sanctuary. The Toby Kimzey family donated and constructed the new concrete driveway on the South side of the church. The parsonage roof was replaced due to hail damage. In October under the supervision of Jack Harrison, Trustee Chairman and committee members new carpet installation and painting of the sanctuary, vestibule, offices and library were completed in preparation of the 100th year celebration.
2009
Dave and Judy Wilson and Rick Wagner went on a mission trip to the McCurdy School in New Mexico.
September 13, 2009 marked the 100th Anniversary of the Pine Bluffs United Methodist Church.