Church: Unity, WI-Methodist "Hope Chapel"
Contact: Dorene Newman

----Source: Unity Centennial Newspaper, 1974
 

Hope Chapel, Methodist Church

Photo contributed by Helen Blaha

HOPE CHAPEL

The first services were held in log school houses. In the late 1890's, a Methodist Church was built on Durke's land and was named Hope Chapel. Mrs. Sarah Pickett and Mrs. Elienn Parrette were instrumental in raising funds for the building and the men of the congregation and friends, helped with the labor. This was a small group and after a few years the doors were closed and the building sat idle until Reverend Perkins, a young evangelist, arrived. He held revival meetings in the building, and soon the real Hope Chapel was again an active group. it was part of the Spencer charge, then later became part of the COLBY, WIS. - Unity charge. They had a very active Ladies Aid Society and Sunday School. At one time they had a band. Mrs. Frank Seefeldt was their organist for many years. As time passed, families moved away, being replaced by families of other denominations. By 1948, the congregation at Hope Chapel was so small, the members decided to join larger Methodist Churches in neighboring towns. On February 8, 1948, the building was sold to Lawrence Neuman for $400.00 and moved to his farm, where it was rebuilt into a home. The church is gone, but those that worshiped in it will never forget what it did for them and the community.

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Re: Church: Unity, WI-Methodist "Hope Chapel"ponse--
Contact: Carol Mitte(Purkis)

looking for any help with Purkis family records my father was Clyde Purkis Jr., grandfather was Clyde Purkis Sr. phoebe purkis was grandmother, Edward George Purkis was my great grandfather and Laura purkis was my great grandmother.