Surnames: Hanson, Shupe, Hoftiezer, Facklam, Burnett, Crowell, Graves, McIlhattan, Kennedy, Gardiner, Sprung, Blake, Downey, Prehn, Heath, Gross, Plommer, Gustin, Andrews, DeGraw, Penn, Birrell, Picket, Bohn, Cool, Litchfield, Housesolder, Beal, Freeman, Metzger, Schofield, Tesmer, Phillips, Westfall, Gall, Copet, Baldwin, Graves, Fleming, Schilleman, Bombard, Engel, Westfall, Vanderhoof, Hein, Neuman, Christianson, Ingham, Messer

----Source: Spencer Record, Spencer, Wis.) 02/20/1947


Methodist Church Anniversary

The little white Methodist Chruch corner of Main and Pacific streets, was the scene of much activity Sunday, February 23rd, when the 51st anniversary of the present edifice was celebrated.

Dainty white booklets announcing the festivities with the cover printed in gold and the interior giving the day’s program were presented to some 162 visitors when they registered in a beautiful record book presented to the church by a friend in memory of Miss Mary Hanson, a life long member and for many years organist and pianist. In this book the history of the church, so ably compiled by Mmes. Glen Shupe, Mary Hoftiezer, Marion Facklam and Ben Burnett and so beautifully presented by Mrs. Burnett, will be recorded as well as all other noteworthy happenings.

A bountiful pot-luck dinner at 12:00 noon and lunch again at 5:30 p. m. was served in the dining hall of the church, which was tastily decorated for the occcasion, and for the success of this the credit is due Mrs. Ervin Westfall and her committee who saw that abundance of food, piping hot, was never lacking.

During the dinner speeches were made and letters and telegrams read from old members and friends of the church from distant parts of the country. Letters from Miss Rizpah Crowell of King, Wis., Mr. and Mrs. J. D. Graves, Long Beach, Calif., parents of Mrs. Foster McIlhattan and Harley Graves, Mrs. Myra (Gardiner) Kennedy, Spokane, Wash., and her sister, Mrs. Bessie (Gardiner) Sprung, Mrs. Harriet (Blake) Downey of Los Angeles, Calif., sister of Mrs. H. Prehn, Mrs. Irene (Heath) Gross of Kenmore, N. D., Mr. and Mrs. Mert Graves, Long Beach, Calif., Mrs. Louise (Plommer) Gustin, Lincoln, Neb., sister of Mrs. H. C. Andrews, Orle DeGraw, (telegram) from Petersboro, Canada, letters from Mmes. Alice Penn, Nashville, Ky., and Ada Birrell, Minneapolis, Minn., both ladies being wives of former pastors at Spencer and now deceased, Mrs. Faith (Pickett) Bohen, Shell Lake, Wis., Miss Mamie Cool, Duluth, Minn., who also sent a check for a floral memorial for the members and friends who have gone on before, with the request that the flowers be later distributed among the “shut-ins”, letters from Reverends L. L. Litchfield, Briggsville, and D. S. Housedolder of Bloomer, Wis., both former pastors. These are only a few of some 60 letters of congratulations and well wishes received, many of them containing sums of money for the carrying on of the Christian Faith thru the Spencer Methodist Church.

At 2:15 a very interesting program was presented of special musical numbers, Piano and organ duet by Misses Hofteizer and Morrow, Invocation by former pastor Rev. Ellery J. Beal of Viroqua, Wis., Solo, Somebody Knows by Mrs. Russell Andrews, History, parts 1 and 2 by Mrs. Ben Burnett, Cornet Duet, Ivory Palaces, Misses Shirley Shupe and Lucille Freeman, Song, The Savior For Me, Senior Choir, composed of Mmes. Mary Hofteizer, Alice Prehn, Fae Andrews, Blanch Metzger, Maude McIlhattan, Calla Schofield and Dora Tesmer. It was regrettable that the Historical Reminiscences by Mrs. Marion Facklam, which promised to be a highlight of the service, had to be dispensed with on account of the illness of Mrs. Facklam. Mrs. Facklam who is over 80 years old, and who has made Spencer and the Town of Sherman her home since childhood, could and would have delighted her audience with many stages of early Spencer and the church. The program closed with the Hymn “Evening Prayer” composed and written by Carolyn Ingham sung by Misses Vera Freeman and Patsy Morrow accompanied by Miss Ingham.

Rev. Ellery J. Beal gave the afternoon sermon, “Our Christian Heritage” in an inspiring and convincing manner and the service was augmented by Hymns and an anthem, “Green Cathedrals” by the present choir who are the Misses Lois, Vera and Lucille Freeman, Katherine and Velere Phillips, Ardith Westfall, Patsy Morrow, Shirley Shupe, Yvonne Gall, Patsy and Colleen Copet and Messers Dale Baldwin, and Wm. Metzger; Miss Marjorie Hofteizer organist and Mrs. Kenneth Graves director.

The evening service opened with a song service by both choirs and the audience directed by Mrs. Russell Andrews, a selection by the choir,” [unreadable]”, Dale Baldwin soloist, Offeratory and Offering, closing worship, Kodochrome slides (colored) with Rev. Raymond Fleming quoting appropriate verses of scripture and beautiful poems in keeping with the slides. And so closed a wonderful day for the Spencer Methodist Church a completions of 51 years of service to the Master, a day of meeting and greeting old friends, that will go down in history.

Little Miss Cheri Sue Schilleman, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. V. A. Schillerman, was the youngest there, being just 74 days old; the eldest lady was Mrs. Sarah Bombard, 83 years young and Mr. Ernest Messer of Unity the eldest man, 79. Rev. Fleming, the present pastor, is due much credit for advice and service in planning the affair also Mrs. Grace [unreadable] as general chairman, and announcer for the program: Mrs. A. J. McIlhattan, Mrs. Marvin Engel, program committee; Music, Mrs. Russell Andrews; Invitations, Mmes H. Prehn, A. Phillips and A. Tesmer; Publicity, A. J. McIlhattan; Refreshments, Mmes E. Westfall, and Mary Hofteizer; Historical, Mmes. Glen Shupe, Marion Facklam, Mrs. Ben Burnett and Mrs. Rizpah Crowell of King, Wis., who could not be present was a big help furnishing [unreadable]; Anniversary booklets, Art Phillips and B. Baldwin; Decorating, Mrs. Wm. Metzger; Receptonists, Mr. and Mrs. A. McIlhattan and Mr. and Mrs. David [unreadable]; Ushers, Messers. Baldwin and Phillips; Registrars, Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Engel.

Out of town guests were Mr. and Mrs. (Hazel Vanderhoof) Marty Hein, Mrs. Guy Vanderhoof and Alfred Vanderhoof, Chippewa Falls; Mr. and Mrs. (Calla Da[unreadable]) Frank Schofield of Miller S. D.; Rev. and Mrs. Ellery Beal and children Maynard and Priscilla of Viroqua; Mr. and Mrs. Joe Neuman and Mr. and Mrs. Harley Christianson, Mr. and Mrs. Harvey [remaining text missing from copy used for transcription]