Anderson Methodists celebrate 150 years as a congregation

CELEBRATION LOCATION: Trinity United Methodist Church in Anderson will soon celebrate 150 years as a continuing congregation.

Trinity United Methodist Church in Anderson is preparing to celebrate 150 years as a congregation.

The celebration will begin Friday, Sept. 18, with a presentation of the Gospel of John performed by Into the Light Productions. The 7 p.m. performance takes place at the church, located on Ferry Street in Anderson.

On Saturday, Sept. 19, there will be a family faire featuring a circuit rider, games for children, gold panning and a performance by Gospel Singer Ricky Russ of Abeline, Texas, who is making a trip to Anderson just for the occasion.

The sesquicentennial celebration ends Sunday, Sept. 20, with a 10:30 a.m. worship service featuring music by the Back Forty Band. Worship will be followed by a light lunch with plenty of old-fashioned fellowship. Entertainment during the lunch will be provided by the Jazzmyn.

The congregation formed in 1859 with teaching provided by circuit riders - preachers who rode horseback, walked or hitched rides in wagons to serve church outposts along a fixed, closed loop route, hence a circuit rider - traveling from Millville, Bald Hills, Dry Creek, Cottonwood, Anderson, Redding, Igo and Ono. The first church established on the circuit was the Millville Methodist Episcopal Church.

John Milton Ward was the first circuit rider. Several of Ward's descendants are planning to attend the Anderson celebration.

The first Methodist church building in Anderson was constructed in 1884, but was destroyed in a fire on a windy day in 1952. When the fire started, a new building was already under construction. Trinity Methodist Church in Anderson is believed to be the oldest church in the area.

Pastor Paulene Bowen invites members of the past, present and future to enjoy a fun weekend celebrating 150 years of caring.