Officially the church was formally organized in 1859, although a sermon had been given in 1839 and classes held in 1845.

Logs were then cut locally, hauled by team to Ionia and sawed into lumber to erect a dignified county-styled Gothic Revival church in 1862 located two miles east of town on Allegan just beyond Gresham corner. Members contributed $1,600 to pay for the structure.

The second birthday, January 8, 1878 to celebrate the church’s relocation in town at the present site nearly did not occur. Some sturdy members were not reconciled to the move and vowed never to set foot in it. Mysteriously, on September 1, 1877 the tops of the moving poles were sawed off, apparently in hopes the church would collapse when starting to roll forward the next day. No culprits were found.

In town a 12’ x 12’ belfry and vestibule were added. By 1890 a prairie-styled parlour wing on the south, a bell, and opalescent stained glass pointed-arch windows were in place. The sanctuary’s embossed tin ceiling displays many religious symbols: grain, wreaths, circles, torches, fleur-de-lis and others, a sermon in itself.

Addition of a kitchen in 1927 has been followed with a ramp, new steps and doors. One stained glass rose window restored in 1996 features a dove; a second with an open Bible is under repair.

Dedication of the Historical Marker was October 19, 1986.

Historically, the name has changed from Methodist to Methodist Episcopal to the present-day Vermontville United Methodist Church.

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Created on 2\21\98

Christina M. DeLand MA, LPC

Webservant Harry Wallin