History of the Gladwin Free Methodist Church
Free Methodist services have been taking place in Gladwin since 1877 when early settlers in Grout Township welcomed pastors from the North Michigan Conference.
In 1890 Gladwin appeared on the circuit with West Grout for the first time. Roughly three years later Rev. Voorheis secured a building near the old depot. After they were unable to secure a title to the property they moved to another nearby building but it was destroyed shortly after in a fire that swept through town in 1899. That same year Rev. Rumley put his carpentry skills to use and constructed a church on North Bowery Street.
Gladwin and West Grout shared the same pastors from 1890 to 1947. The two churches then became separate appointments until 1968 when a merger was decided. Both West Grout and Gladwin had served their community for many years and were now unified under the new Gladwin Free Methodist Church.
Following the merger both congregations met as one on North Bowery until it was soon realized that larger facilities would be needed. A building committee was elected and nine acres of land were purchased on the northern outskirts of town. Construction began in May of 1970 and its first service was held on November 1, 1970. In 1975 construction began on an addition that would be used for fellowship and education purposes.
Five pastors have led the new church since 1970, the most recent being Pastor Phil Hortop who began his service in 2001.
Throughout our history there have been many who have served in the military, often during times of conflict. We have an honor roll to remind us that being "the Church" has often required we be faithful in difficult times.
May our history cause us to look forward to make Jesus' love known to a world in need.
In 1890 Gladwin appeared on the circuit with West Grout for the first time. Roughly three years later Rev. Voorheis secured a building near the old depot. After they were unable to secure a title to the property they moved to another nearby building but it was destroyed shortly after in a fire that swept through town in 1899. That same year Rev. Rumley put his carpentry skills to use and constructed a church on North Bowery Street.
Gladwin and West Grout shared the same pastors from 1890 to 1947. The two churches then became separate appointments until 1968 when a merger was decided. Both West Grout and Gladwin had served their community for many years and were now unified under the new Gladwin Free Methodist Church.
Following the merger both congregations met as one on North Bowery until it was soon realized that larger facilities would be needed. A building committee was elected and nine acres of land were purchased on the northern outskirts of town. Construction began in May of 1970 and its first service was held on November 1, 1970. In 1975 construction began on an addition that would be used for fellowship and education purposes.
Five pastors have led the new church since 1970, the most recent being Pastor Phil Hortop who began his service in 2001.
Throughout our history there have been many who have served in the military, often during times of conflict. We have an honor roll to remind us that being "the Church" has often required we be faithful in difficult times.
May our history cause us to look forward to make Jesus' love known to a world in need.
Gladwin and West Grout Pastors
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1877 J. C. Cope
1878 James McLucas 1879 H. C. Owens * * * * * 1890 E. D. Blackman 1892 Elmer Barrett, G. Pearsall 1893 Bion Voorheis 1895 To be supplied (R. R. Haight) 1896 R. R. Haight 1897 J. Bartholomew 1898 George Phetteplace 1899 Wn. Rumley 1902 W. T. Sumner 1903 N. A. Davis 1904 Fred Crandell 1906 A. Tice 1908 A. S. Stambaugh 1910 A. E. Potbiry 1912 William Marven 1913 C. E. King 1915 James Philips 1917 F. D. Voller 1919 W. J. Cross |
1922 W. J. Johnson
1925 G. Vernon Dean 1928 *J. G. Anderson 1929 George M. Mustard 1931 Donald Hoenshell 1934 C. H. Woods 1938 H. R. Fidler 1942 Ralph Milks 1943 G. V. Dean 1946 H. Schmidt 1951 Francis E. Voller 1952 H. J. Meyer 1958 R. E. Fogelsonger 1962 George Skene (Jan.) 1965 Charles M. Allen 1971 C. E. Howe 1974 Robert Shoaff 1984 Burton Kincaid 1990 Robert Marshall 2001 Phillip Hortop *Rev. Anderson - Never made it to Gladwin, he was called to his heavenly home instead |
West Grout and Gladwin had the same ministers from 1890 to 1947. In 1968 the two churches merged to form one congregation.
West Grout Pastors from 1947-1968 1947 D. M. Dickerson 1949 D. A. Woods 1954 C. E. Howe 1957 H. G. Roushey 1960 William Baker 1964 Merlyn Rensberry 1966 Von Cavanaugh |
Loving God, Loving People, Making Disciples
