Starting in the fall of 1858 or 1859, several ministers held services in the log home of A. C. Randall,
near the present Cherry Hill corner. In 1872, Shelby and Shelby Center appointments of Benona and VanWickle of the
Hart Circuit were set apart as a separate charge designated Shelby Circuit of Pentwater District. R. W. Kratz was
appointed the first full-time minister of the Shelby Church.
The church had a recorded membership of fourteen. A later minister wrote of him, "Rev. Kratz excelled in
Sunday School work and the impetus he gave to the cause resulted in the building of two schools which gathered monuments
of faithful labor." In spite of Rev. Kratz's health failure, the church grew and a parsonage was built during the summer
of 1873. This parsonage was later moved to 103 White Street, and is still used as a home.
Lacking a church building, services were held in Hedges Hall, which was located over a store downtown.
This continued until 1880, when the church building was completed at its present location. Rev. S. J. Griffen during
this interim, but because of failing health, he was succeeded by W. W. Lamport in 1878. During his first year, he
removed the outstanding debt of $165 on the lots purchased for a church. In his second year, at an estimated cost
of $1600, the foundations were begun in the fall. The cold weather delayed until spring when the walls were completed.
A bee was held for raising and sheeting the frame. Under the able management of the Building Committee, the work moved
along until at the close of the Conference year 1880, the room was plastered, painted one coat outside and inside and
ready for seats. The church looked continually to God the Great Head of the Church and to Him we gratefully record our
thanks for the prosperity crowning our labors. The membership during this time increased from 95 to 106.
When C. C. Dawkins came in 1881, the church was new and incomplete and the debt was large, $900.
In spite of financial difficulties the parsonage was improved, a platform, altar, and pulpit were put in the
church: the platform carpeted and a cushion put on the kneeling bench. Even the aisles were matted, and the
debt was partly paid.
Under the next minister, H. A. Blake, in 1882, the tower was added to the church and partly paid for.
The tower was struck by lightening and badly damaged in the fall of 1903. The repair work was done the following
spring by cutting off the spire. The young ladies raised about $250 toward the bell, which was installed when the
tower was completed. Pews were also installed in the church at a cost of about $350. These same pews are still
used in the balcony.
Church historians did not leave much information about the next ten years. However, we do know that
a furnace was placed under the church in 1886, and the church board voted to have a bee to excavate enough basement
for the installation of the furnace. Also, an addition was built on the parsonage about 1870.
In 1895, E. I. Sinclair came to serve for five years, and the East Annex, also known as the Epworth
League room, was built. Three large weighted doors could close off this room, or it could accommodate over a
hundred persons for an overflow crowd at a service in the sanctuary. At times, it was used as an extra dining
room for fellowship suppers or banquets. The foods, as well as dishes, were passed from hand to hand up the
stairway in the northeast corner of the room. An additional classroom was built in the basement and steam heat
was installed. An additional room was built on the north of sanctuary and is still used.
Under the leadership of Reverend A. H. Coors, who ministered to the Shelby church from 1906-1913, a
new parsonage was built next to the church. This building was used as a Parish house until it was sold and relocated
north of Shelby on Buchanan Road in 1998.
There is no record of church structural changes or additions until the pastorate of Reverend Joseph Tuma,
which was from 1926-1928. During this time, excavation of the basement under the auditorium of the church was begun.
The work was done by hand by the men shoveling during the evenings.
There was not any record of more improvements until the winter of 1933-1934, when the walls of the
church were started. Concrete walls, 14 inches thick, were built up to the ground level and concrete floor was
laid in a part of the basement and old kitchen. The Epworth League had the fireplace built from the floor to
the mantel. The work was then recessed until the fall of 1934, when men were available again. Money to pay for
the remodeling of the church was to come from the Souter and Penfield estates. The church family decided to match
the money from the Souter estate by money, material, or service, and not build beyond the means at hand, which
would leave a debt on the church. A Muskegon hardware dealer, Mr. George Towner, heard of the need of the Shelby
Church; drove to Shelby, and offered to furnish without charge, enough jacks to raise the building. Likewise,
the Harrison Basket Co. furnish a quantity of Timbers, without charge, for blocking up the building, and later
gave them to the church for use in the fireplace, which was finished after the kitchen was in place. The old
kitchen became the new furnace room, and the Ladies' Aid furnished a large kitchen in what had been the Primary
Sunday School room. New Art Glass windows were installed and the entire walls and ceiling redecorated. All of
this done at a cost of $6,409 under the ministry of Rev. William Becket. Two years later, the Annex was likewise
redecorated and new windows installed. The large window of "Christ in Gethsemane", a gift from Mr. and Mrs.
Leslie Runner, was installed in the east wall. During the 1956 remodeling, this window was placed in the south
wall of the building.
In time for Palm Sunday in 1950, the church bought a Hammond Organ at a cost of $2,244, which was
raised by gifts and concerts. In 1953, chimes were added as a gift from Ted Rouse and Mrs. Ina Gilbert in memory
of Bessie Rouse.
Again in 1955, major remodeling and decorating was done to the building under the leadership of Rev.
Darwin Salisbury. The $45,000 project incorporated many changes including the brick from, new classrooms, and
a completely remodeled sanctuary, new furniture, dossal curtain, new light fixtures, a wall replacing the big
lifting doors, and a balcony which seats 150 people. An inside ramp was built to the narthex for the convenience
for wheel chairs and those who find it difficult to climb stairs.
A new parsonage was acquired in 1962. The family of Rev. Donald Sailor was the first minister's
family to live in the present parsonage. During Rev. Sailor's pastorate, the last member of the beloved
Wheeler family passed away, leaving their house and property to the Shelby Methodist Church. The house was
not in condition to rent, so it was torn down, and the property has become a playground area and a parking lot.
Vesper services and church picnics were held in the well-known grove.
Soon after Rev. Ronald Houk came to us in 1966, the Fellowship Hall was completely redecorated by
paneling the walls, lowering the ceiling, installing new lights, and baseboard heating units.
It was in 1996 that a vision for a major addition to the church was originated. A fund drive,
known as Miracle Sunday was a success with seed money of over $100,000 being raised to begin the building.
Rev. Jim Hodge was pastor at Shelby United Methodist Church at this time. Jim Mitteer, building chairman, lead
the project. In the spring of 1999 the new building was dedicated. It included an elevator from the sanctuary
to Fellowship Hall, a multipurpose room with a basketball hoop, new offices, new classrooms, a nursery, handicap
accessible bathrooms, and a conference room. The bell was relocated into the newly built bell tower.
This history brings us into a new century, 2000. A church is more than a building. It is the people.
The development of leaders and their spiritual growth are the criteria of a growing and effective church. Space
will not allow everyone to be mentioned who deserves that credit. Shelby United Methodist Church is truly blessed.
