Object Record
Images
Metadata
Object Name |
Church |
Source |
Mount Ayr Depot Museum |
Iowa History Era Tag |
World War II to an Urban State (1940-1963) |
Chronological Tag |
The Great Depression and World War II (1929-1945) |
Catalog Number |
2018.021.083 |
Credit line |
Mount Ayr Depot Museum - Mount Ayr, Iowa |
Description |
The Middle Fork Methodist Episcopal Church in Middle Fork Township was constructed in 1886. This photograph shows the church as it appeared in the early 1940s. On November 29, 1990, the church was placed the National Register of Historic Places. The building is still open today and still does not have running water. Content can be used with the following standards: 3rd grade SS 3.28 Cultural Contributions in a lesson on religious communities and town establishments in the early 1900s. For any use other than instructional resources, please check with the organization that owns this item regarding copyright restrictions. |
Additional Research & Sources |
Prior to the construction of the church in 1886, sermons were led by Pastor T.G. Aten and Evangelist Bill McFarland in the Rosehill and Clipper schoolhouses. After the schoolhouses no longer held the increasingly large congregation, a church was built in 1886. The site was to be next to the Middle Fork cemetary and two miles southeast of the town center. The community held a celebration to lay the cornerstone in late summer of 1886 and construction began with architects J.H. Saville and W.M. Stanton. Rock was hauled from the Motsinger farm ( a trip that took two days) and brick and lumber from the town of Bedford (a trip that took three days.) made up the foundation of the building. The materials were brought back to Mount Ayr by horse and wagon and the construction was built from funds raised by the congregation. The church was dedicated on Thanksgiving of 1886. The new church included heating provided by two oak stoves (these were replaced in 1947 by wood heaters and again in 1963 for propane gas heaters). The church also included a small organ, a table used for pulpit, a wooden porch, and a small cemetary. Due to lack of transportation and entertainment, the church became the social center of town, holding festivals and holiday celebrations. Picnics became a popular event in the summer, where the community could gather for a fun day with the church choir and a possible parade. Christmas time at the church was also a special time full of music, cheer and celebrations. |
Notes on Related Objects |
Object is related to the following library resources, which can be found by searching the catalog number in the advanced search section: Catalog #: 2018.045.072- The Story of Iowa: A Children's History 2018.045.094 From Ackley to Zwingle: The Origins of Iowa Place Names 2018.045.202- The First Century of Congregationalism in Iowa |
Primary/Secondary Source |
Significant - Local |
County Tag |
Ringgold |
Relation |
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Multimedia Links |
Click here to view/hear the file. |
Search Terms |
Communities Cultural Events Towns Religion National Register of Historic Places Churches |
Legal Status |
Ownership of this resource is held by the Mount Ayr Depot Museum and has been provided here for educational purposes only, specifically for use in the Iowa Museum Association's "Teaching Iowa History" project. It may not be downloaded, reproduced or distributed in any format without written permission from the Rights Holder. For information on U.S. and International copyright laws, consult an attorney. |
