History

Shorty after the run of 1889 a community church was established, not in the town site as we know it today, but in the Sunny Side District. As well as can be determined, the church was built in 1890 or 1891 on the hill west of Midwest Blvd. on what is now Wilshire Blvd. The original church faced south and had a porch with log railings which were used as hitching posts. This church served as a community center. It was non-denominational and not a Methodist church until it was moved to the present location. Moving the building was a community project. It took several men with their best teams of horses to move the church which was pulled on logs. The building now faced the north. Main Street was beginning to take shape by 1908 but the church building on the hill could be seen for miles around. In the early 1920′s a tornado moved the church on its foundation. It was necessary to replace the potbellied stove whose coal storage room was just inside the entrance. The bell was added and it was always a young boy’s delight to be able to go to the coal room and ring the bell.

By 1928 several residences had been established. The church was still the community center, so much so, that when the bell rang, a neighbor’s dog went to church whether or not she did. During 1929 to 1932 the tradition of the community Christmas Tree was adopted. Funds were raised by pie suppers to buy “treats”- fruit, candy, and nuts – which were distributed to every family in the community. A foyer was added to the north door in 1938. The church was papered, which was no little job with the high ceilings and unusual shaped windows. The old chimney had to stay right in me very center of the aisle so naturally the potbellied stove was there also. The board floors began to show the wear of many steps, with sparks from the stove leaving their mark too. The Ladies Aid were the ones who supplied the money for upkeep and repairs. In doing this they became known county wide for their chicken dinners. During 1944-1948 the old church building was moved again. This time it was moved to the east and a new sanctuary built onto the west side and facing the west. The old building was partitioned into classrooms and a nursery. In 1963 a three bedroom parsonage was leased at 8910 N. E. 51st Street and is still leased for the minister’s family. With the acquisition of the larger house, the old parsonage at 8714 N. E. 52nd St. became the Youth House. The growth of the church continued and in 1962 the educational annex was added to the south of the sanctuary and new church pews purchased. The Methodist Men added the new Ada rock sign with wrought iron lettering which identifies our church. From a memorial fund the panel and cross were completed in the sanctuary. Colored glass replaced the old panes in the windows. Gold candles and vases for the communion table, a gold cross, and carpet for the center aisle were presented as gifts and memorials which also provided a new pulpit, baptismal fount and stand, new hymnals, communion service, and a “face-lift” for the narthex. A memorial organ fund has been established. Our physical structure still has the traditional appearance of a church and our congregation still has the traditional wish to continue in service to the Lord in Spencer, Oklahoma.

God has blessed the Spencer United Methodist Church.