First United Methodist Church celebrates 100 years

FAIRFIELD — In addition to celebrating Holy Week in preparation for Easter, The First United Methodist Church of Fairfield prepares to celebrate 100 years in their current building and many more as a congregation in Jefferson County.

According to long time congregate Martha Flinspach and current pastor, Al Coffin, The First United Methodist Church (FUMC) began meeting well before Fairfield, the city, even formed.

“We’ve been reviewing the history of the church for the past several weeks to refresh everybody’s memory of how far we’ve come,” Flinspach said.

In fact, as the church shared some of their history in their writing entitled “Our Story,” they revealed that the Methodist congregation of this area existed even before the larger Methodist church gave Iowa its first district in 1836.

From congregating in the local tavern, to their first real building from 1848-1869 the church has always seen itself as more than the building in which they meet, but it is their current building which marks 100 years for this season of the congregation’s history.

The current home of FUMC became a part of the church’s history following an interesting pastoral placement of H.E. Wing.

According to history released by FUMC, Wing convinced the congregation to construct an $18,000 structure which stood from 1877-1923 on the corner of Court and Hempstead.

“As time progressed, however, things looked bleak and a $10,000 debt became an albatross around the neck of the congregation and the church became known as ‘Wing’s Folly!’” FUMC’s “Our Story” says.

Thanks to the efforts of a guest minister from New York, the congregation pulled together enough money to pay off the large debt and proceeded to remodel Wing’s Folly in 1905.

After the financial struggles of Wing’s Folly, a contribution of $22 in 1916 began a campaign for the construction of the present church building.

Although the current site of the First United Methodist Church has undergone several updates and remodeling projects, the congregation has called it their home since 1923.

Just as the church location has shifted throughout FUMC’s rich history, so has the congregation.

Back in 1836, the congregation and pastor came together and worked hard to construct hand-built pews and an altar.

While the church has always looked to help their fellowman, the current congregation of FUMC has expanded their reach in many ways.

The church connects with their community by sharing the space for blood drives, supervised visitations for foster care, a food bank, and many other causes.

“We got this great big building that we can find space for folks that need some space,” Current Pastor Al Coffin said.

Additionally, the congregation works hard to serve their community with their time and talents.

Congregates serve the community through Thanksgiving meals, diaper drives, a pregnancy center, and Christmas projects, to name a few.

“And we're always looking for new ideas,” Coffin said.

They also serve one another in more traditional ways with women’s groups, musical ministries, Kids’ Club, Youth Group, and consistent Sunday services.

“Our motto here, and what we try to schedule everything around, is these three steps, knowing Christ, sharing his love, and helping others to know Him,” Coffin shared. “God is still writing the story of Fairfield First United Methodist Church. “

Considering their 100 years in this building, FUMC will celebrate with a Birthday Party following their normal Sunday service April 23.

Flinspach, fellow member Jan Epsy, and many additional congregates have worked on this celebration for a couple of years.

According to Flinspach, the party will include a catered dinner, a choir performance, and special guests.

Those wishing to attend should RSVP by April 16 either by calling the church office between 1-4 p.m. Monday-Thursday or by email at fumcfairfieldfirst@gmail.com

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com