125th Anniversary of Elkville Methodust Church
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Elkville United Methodist Church will celebrate its 125th anniversary on Sunday, Sept. 20 with a worship service, silent auction, dinner and concert according to Pastor Angie Kaye.
The worship service begins at 9:30 a.m. Communion will be served. The silent auction and BBQ carry-out dinner are from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Get a BBQ sandwich, slaw and baked beans for $5. Call (618)457-7094 for tickets.
There will also be a special Hymn/Praise Sing-Along concert with Mr. R.C. Merten of Sandoval, Ill.
People are encouraged to bring old photos of the church, located on South 5th Street, to be added to the archives. Photos will be scanned and returned immediately. A guest book and a history book will be available for guests to sign and add stories about the church.
Elkville United Methodist Church was established in September 1884 with a conference held in Fairfield, Ill. The parsonage at De Soto was sold and one purchased in Elkville. Rev. Edmond Roat was appointed the first year to serve Elkville and Ava. Rev. C. Nash was the District Superintendent at the time.
From September 1885 through 1912, the church has a brief history of all the pastors that served the church along with people who gave land to the Trustees.
In 1896 improvements were made on the parsonage in Elkville at a cost $350. The combined church property value in Elkville and Ava was $3,000. An old indebtedness of $50 was paid with $24 still owed on the property. Rev. Nash reported "169 members, 1 death, 15 baptisms, and 9 of them adults, 14 teachers and officers in Sunday School plus 124 pupils with an average attendance of 85."
On April 18, 1913, the Elkville Methodist Church burned to the ground. It was in the process of being remodeled at the time. The insurance money received for the burned church was $1,464. The church was rebuilt and dedicated on Nov. 30, 1913. The Rev. John Harmon, D.D., the President of McKendree College at Lebanon, Ill. was the speaker with Rev. E. Deweise serving as pastor.
The church has records of all pastors that have served from 1884 to present and many old photos. Pastor Angie Kaye, a licensed United Methodist Pastor, has been serving at Elkville since July 1, 2009.The Church continues with a worship service each Sunday at 9:30 a.m. The Church works with the Christian Church, Baptist Church of Elkville and the Baptist Church of Dowel in having joint Good Friday and Thanksgiving services and other community projects.
The congregation is smaller now but there is no greater love than what these people have for God and the Elkville United Methodist Church. Congratulations on 125 years of worship.