Gallatin Methodist Church, Part Two

In 1886, the first Gallatin Methodist Church building was replaced by another frame building at a cost of $3,500, on the same site. The ladies society of the church contributed nearly $600.

In those days, pennies were precious. To compare the contributions of the members, it might be well to remember a horse could be bought for $25 to $35, a cow for $5, a bushel of corn for 10 cents, an acre of land for $1.25, and a day’s work was 25 to 50 cents.

To show the magnitude of the church’s growth, it might be noted that in the two decades since 1866 there had been 335 different names on the roll of members, 350 baptisms, and 105 marriages.

The now present church, the third Methodist Church built on the site, was built at a cost of approximately $35,000. The church’s cornerstone was laid on Sept. 29, 1912. It was of blue Bedford stone and inscribed “Methodist Church – 1839 – 1912, the dates being that of the organization of the church in Gallatin and the erection of the new building.

As with other buildings in this era, the cornerstone contained information relative to that time. A copper box was placed in the cornerstone which contained the following articles: Bible, Discipline; names of all contributors to the church; names of all officers of the church and Sunday School; names of teachers of the Sunday School; names of the Ladies Aid Society; names of all the former pastors; the Nashville and Christian Advocates; the Gallatin Democrat and North Missourian; and an autographed letter of Bishop Marvin furnished by Bishop E.R. Hendrix; and names of the building committee.

In January 1913, the contractor met with the building committee and the building was accepted. The church lacked a few items for the first service. The rolling partitions between the auditorium and the Sunday School room weren’t in place. Also missing were seats, carpets and the pipe organ.

In 1977, tuck pointing and sandblasting were done to the exterior of the building. Storm windows were added and the ceiling insulated. A rebuilt organ was dedicated in March, 1981.

On the morning of the dedication, there was approximately $5,000 still un-subscribed on the building, but due to te generosity of the members, before the morning services were over, all but a few dollars of this indebtedness was subscribed. One of the members then came forth and announced she had $500 given by a number of her friends for the new church which she would turn over to the building committee. Then, the indebtedness on the church was guaranteed with several hundred dollars to spare of which would be applied to the parsonage debt.