A Brief History of
the Antrim Church of Christ
By - Mearry
Dalton
The Church of Christ was started in Antrim in 1921 by a few
Christians meeting for “hymn sings” at the home of Charlie Meadows,
then being asked by others to meet in their homes. These “hymn sings”
were opened and closed with prayer. An ordained minister by the name of
Mac Lowe moved to Antrim and joined the group. He was requested to bring
short messages from time to time and the attendance increased.
Mr. and Mrs. Ashley G. Sias lived in Mancelona, working with the Methodist
Church and hearing of these meetings, decided to investigate. They found
that they were of the same faith. They had come from Illinois and when
they arrived here, they found no organized church of Christ. Being
faithful Christians, they were happy to have a part in establishing the
New Testament Church.
A Sunday School was organized in the Meadows home. The Sias’ took
an active part and asked them to meet in their home, so all worked
together in the common cause. O.B. Little, Dist. Pres., was preaching at
Excelsior, Spencer and Kalkaska at the home and joined the local church
as well. The group bought a dwelling, took out the partitions and made
it into a meeting house. Some of the charter members were Charlie and
Linda Meadows, Ashley and Mary Sias, Ed and Mrs. Hughey, Frank Hughey
and Mary Alexander. The records, which are lost, might have shown a few
more names. The first Sunday School was organized in 1922 and was held
in the house that stands on the corner of US 131 and Elder Road. After
the church was organized, William Gray, from Manton, came and preached
for the new congregation. Soon after this, he, with his daughter, Mrs.
Nellie Hall, moved to Mancelona and resided here until his death in
1930. A day is set aside in August; the Sunday nearest August 27th,
which was William Gray’s birthday, to honor his memory by taking
contributions to help young men with their education for the Christian
ministry.
The building that the Church of Christ occupied until recently was
purchased from the Methodists in 1930. This is the building originally
used by the Antrim Public School. It was moved from its old location to
its present site a number of years ago. In the days when W.H. Douney,
Harry McMulkan and Everett Carroll were the foundrymen of the Antrim
Iron ?Works, Wm. Palmer (who later gave the Public Park to the Village)
was very much interested in moving the church. He wanted to build the
church on the Antrim Road (one block North of the Antrim Iron Co.
Store). For a number of years the Methodist Church prospered under the
leadership of those men. Later, the work in Antrim dwindled and
Methodist Church moved farther up town. The Church of Christ purchased
the property from the Methodist Church when that move was made in 1930.
There have been twenty-one Pastors to serve the church throughout the
years:
- O.B. Little
- K.G. Hendricks
- M. Lowe
- James Plunkett
- Wm. Grey
- Reverend
Van Dusen
- C.W. Meadows
- Carl McDonald
- Carl Mullin
- Roy Chenoweth
- Walter
Otto
- Larry Beaverson
- Harold DeWeise
- Lowell Harris
- Kenneth Pittman
- Gerald
Bach
- Reverend Clary
- Steve Malette
- Lymon G. Blood
- Howard Chartier
- Mark
McCool
During the periods that the Church had no pastor, messages were given
by Church elders, guest speakers and laymen from Churches in the area.
There is a period of time when records were either lost or not kept. The
older members are now gone and we are grateful to Gary and Mary Cantrell
for the following information that helps to fill the gap.
After Carl McDonald was Minister, John (Jack) Leubke and Dennis
Sellers were preachers here. Jack was from Petoskey and Dennis was from
Alanson. They were not ordained, but kept the door of our Church open.
Dennis Sellers was responsible for many repairs on the Church. He was
an agricultural teacher in Pellston and came down each Sunday to preach,
plus one or two days during the week to work with the youth. The youth
group joined with many other young people from area churches and had a
lot of fun things going on. This was in the 1958 - ? period.
In 1968, a young minister named Lowell Harris accepted to position as
full time Pastor. The Church grew in attendance and service to the Lord.
In going over the minutes of the meetings and pastors reports from that
period, it is apparent that the Church came alive. Not only was there a
marked growth in attendance, but Bible studies, calling programs, youth
activities, fellowshipping together and with area Churches were
indicators of Church growth. It is noted that Antrim took the attendance
trophy on two occasions at Grand Traverse Area Men’s fellowship with
seventeen men and boys from the church of attendance.
The Church continued to grow and on August 14th 1969, in a business
meeting, Lowell Harris mentioned that the Congregation should think into
the future about the need for additional space. Several sites and
possibilities were discussed, and a special building fund was
established. After years of discussion and prayer, on August 16, 1972,
it was decided to dispose of the Community House and build an addition
on to the rear of the existing Church. In November 1974, the funds for
the new building were acquired and construction was underway. The new
facilities housed a sanctuary, two small storage rooms and baptismal on
the ground floor and a fellowship hall, kitchen and bathroom facilities,
three classrooms and a furnace room in the basement.
The old sanctuary was used for a recreation area, Junior Church
Classroom space, storage space and an office for the Pastor. The
entrance to the Church was changed from the front of the old building to
the rear (on Green Street).
The first meeting was held in the new building in December, 1976. The
basement of the Church not only served the Congregation, but was used by
the community for baby and wedding showers, graduation parties, funeral
dinners, wedding receptions and for storm shelter.
In September 1985, it served double duty as Ivan and Margaret Eckler
were having their wedding reception in the basement of the building when
a sudden storm came up and tornadoes were spotted. The alarm was sounded
to seek shelter. Naturally, anyone who wanted to, headed for the Church
basement. Needless to say, Ivan and Margaret had a memorable wedding
reception…true community spirit! Although this location held memories
for a great number of people, the need for more space made it necessary
to consider moving the Church elsewhere.
In May of 1984, land was purchased approximately one-half mile South
of the Church on U.S. 131 in anticipation of building in the future.
Parking space was proving to be a problem although the Church had
purchased the lot adjacent to the Church. The former Pearl Dix residence
was torn down to make room for additional parking.
After purchasing the new property south of town, a building fund was
established. Many fund raising projects were held such as bake sales,
craft bazaars, cook book sales and Tupperware sales, and even a “hairstyling,
cut and perm” night when proceeds were donated to the building fund. A
major fund-raiser was a poster representing the square footage of the
new church. The octagonal shape was divided into 6,400.00. The squares
were purchased $10.00 each for a total of 64,000.00. The squares were
purchased in memory of loved ones, by church member and others.
A sign with the message “Future site of the Antrim Church of Christ”
was erected on the new property and work began with cleaning the lot,
making plans and inquiring into financing and examining blue-prints in
the Fall of 1987.
A “Inspiration” was held outdoors on the property in June of
1985. On May 22, 1988 at 2:00 p.m., the congregation met at the Church
and paraded to the new property for the ground-breaking. A prayer-circle
was held and then each member broke ground with a shovel full of dirt.
Later that day, a special pot-luck dinner was held followed by a
challenging evening service at 6:00 p.m.
Work began in earnest in the latter part of the Summer of 1988.
Except for certain, specialized work done by contractors, the majority
of the work on the building, both inside and out, was done by the men,
women and youth of the Church. Some brought along family and friends to
help. There were “work bee’s” and some of the men worked almost
continuously, each day including Saturday’s, until completion. The
ladies’ faithfully supplied coffee, meals and snacks whenever work was
in progress.
At last, the building has neared completion. The first meeting was
held January 27th, 1990 at 7:00 p.m. The “Nursery Shower” was held
to furnish the new nursery with toys, books and items needed for the
nursery. Many useful gifts were brought by the ladies of the Church and
the first meeting saw a nice turnout.
The following Wednesday, Jan. 31, 1990, the first prayer meeting was
held at 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 4, 1990, was the first Church service with 161 in
attendance; a very beautiful and moving special service.
We are grateful to God for his blessings, and for keeping all safe
during the time the Church was being built. Considering the amount of
climbing and work done in high places, only a few minor scrapes and
mishaps occurred. Surely God was keeping us in His care.
Over the years, the Church has been blessed-by the gifts of many,
made in memory of loved ones and by individuals. Their number cannot be
counted and so the members of the Church take this opportunity to say
“Thank You” to all who have given and helped in any way.
THE ANTRIM CHURCH OF CHRIST IS AN ACTIVE CHURCH
Under the direction of Pastor Mark McCool, the Church has presented
two Easter Cantatas at the Mancelona High School gym. Area singers were
invited to join in each case and the turn-out was great. “Hosannah to
the King of Kings” was presented on March 29, 1985 and “Alleluia,
Praise the Lamb” was presented April 18th, 1987.
There is an active youth group, a singles group, and home Bible study
groups that fit the busy schedules of those who cannot attend the
Wednesday evening service. Sunday begins with Sunday School, Church
Service and Junior Church, and Sunday evening worship. The last Sunday
of each month is set aside for “Inspiration” with a “Linger-Longer”
following in the fellowship hall afterward.
There is the “Prayer Chain” for special prayer needs for family
and friends and is not limited to only those of the church. The phone
numbers are 587-5445; 258-2257 and 587-9377 for any prayer need.
New plans are being made for increased Church activities and
functions now that the building is completed.
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The eldest Church member is Effie Imel. The family that has been
members of the Church for the longest period of time is the family of
Gary and Mary Cantrell and Sons Eric and Aaron. Gary and Mary have
attended the Church for over forty years and have taught Sunday School
classes and served in various other capacities for much of that time.
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