Methodism came to Bates County shortly after the end of the Civil War. It is reported that the first immigrants to return to the county when Order #11 was lifted, Judge Pyle and his family, were Methodists. In April of 1866, a circuit rider, Reverend Callaway, organized a group of 16 people including the Pyle family who became the members of a church assembly, which held services in the frame building used as the county courthouse. Upon completion of the Butler Presbyterian Church, services were held in that building.
In May 1870, a lot was deeded to the Trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Butler, Bates County, for the sum of $250 (taken from the legal description). The land was located on the southwest corner of Ohio and Havana Streets and included all of Lot 1 and the north half of Lot 2 in Block 8 of the original town of Butler. In that year, a brick church was built on this lost, costing $3,500. The church was lighted with an electric light, had a large tower, and a good bell. A two-story parsonage was also built on the lot and consisted of seven rooms.
On May 21, 1871, the church was dedicated by Reverend T. H. Hagerty, Presiding Elder, and Reverend B. F. Crary, D.D., Editor of Christian Advocate, St. Louis, MO. The parsonage and church were both proclaimed free of debt. This church was originally known as the Methodist Episcopal Church of Butler.
And so the little church thrived and grew until the congregation was crowded on Sunday mornings. Rooms were needed for Sunday School classes, dinners, and youth meetings.
According to local businessman and historian Jesse Smith, “There’s no telling how much talk, or how many official board meetings were held to discuss the all-important matter (of demolishing the brick church and rebuilding). But plans progressed, ways and means were provided to begin work, and in 1901 the foundation was laid for this beautiful and substantial church building.” The completed church was given the name of “The Ohio Street Methodist Episcopal Church,” probably for the reason that there was another Methodist Church in Butler, known as the Methodist Episcopal Church South.
On December 1, 1901, Reverend Fitzgerald dedicated the completed church. A newspaper account heralded the church as “one of the finest church structures in the State of Missouri.” The Bishop commented that the church was worth every cent of $12,000, an irony because the cost of the church was estimated at between $9,000 and $10,000. An audience of 948 people, including members of other Butler churches (as well as the members of the Methodist churches), were seated and standing inside and outside of the church to hear the renown speaker, Fitzgerald, preach a one hour sermon on 1 Peter 2:7. A 25-member choir, directed by T. W. Hegg, provided special music and Mrs. W. E. Walton sang a solo as part of the meeting service.
The church pastor, W. F. Jones, had been an influential and inspiring advocate of the new church building, and at the close of Dr. Fitzgerald’s sermon, he made a brief statement of the cost of the structure and the amount required to liquidate the indebtedness. The sum he asked for was $3,000, and in a short time $2,500 was contributed. At the evening service, Dr. Fitzgerald reaffirmed the need for additional financial support, and the congregation responded by giving some $35 or $40 above the amount asked. The consecration and dedication service immediately followed, with the Bishop using the formal liturgy found in the Book of Worship.
Beautiful memorial windows, donated by Mr. and Mrs. W. P. Abell, in memory of their little daughter Edna, and Captain and Mrs. Tygard in memory of their niece Sadie McCullough, were to be a part of the dedication service. However, only the Abell memorial, a stained glass representation of an angel pointing skyward, arrived in time. The second window, representing Christ blessing the children, arrived much later and could not be dedicated at the same time as the church, much to the disappointment of the donors and church membership.
The church became a regional showplace attracting a thriving membership and many visitors.
Prior to the Civil War, a tragic split occurred in the Methodist Church over the issues of slavery, dividing the church into two separate organizations: the Methodist Episcopal and Methodist Episcopal South. The Southern Methodists also had a congregation in Butler and a building on North Delaware. In 1919, twenty years before the two factions reunited nationally, the Ohio Street M.E.C. (this church) and the M.E. South Church of Butler decided to unite their congregation. An acceptable and legal agreement took time and effort to accomplish. To quote Jesse Smith again, “More than 90% of the South Church came over…cheerfully and ‘lived happily ever after.’”
In 1939, at a national meeting in Kansas City, three different Methodist Churches were united into a single Methodist Church. It was at that time the word “Episcopal” was dropped from the name to become the “Ohio Street Methodist Church.”
As the membership of the church increased and as programs expanded, a need to increase the size of the church was apparent. In 1959, an education wing was added to expand Sunday School classroom space and to provide a large kitchen and fellowship hall. When the new building was completed, an open house was held for the public. However, dedication of the new wing did not occur until the building was debt-free on June 21, 1964. The cost of the education wing was $63,500. At the same time, the new parsonage on Parkview Street was declared free of debt and dedicated. Reverend E. A. Neimeyer had served as pastor when the new wing was built and returned as District Superintendent in 1964 to assist Bishop Eugene Frank with the dedication service. The Reverend Raymond Rumbo was the local pastor at the time.
Change occurred again nationally in 1968 when the Methodist and United Brethren churches merged at a convention in Dallas, Texas. This merger resulted in yet another name change to “Ohio Street United Methodist Church.” All other Methodist Churches across the nation became United Methodist and the name continues to this day.
The Ohio Street United Methodist Church has continued to be viewed as a beautiful and historic architectural achievement in Butler, Great care and loving maintenance have been a large part of our church’s tradition. The stained glass windows, considered to be a priceless treasure, were carefully restored and fortified through the generous contribution of Margaret Simpson Haugh, in memory of her parents, Charles and Fannie Simpson. Preceding her death, Margaret made provisions for a perpetual fund to maintain the church’s stained glass windows. In 1981, carillon bells were added to the tower through a contribution of the George Ross family, in memory of their daughter Tammy; and a perpetual fund to maintain the bells was established by the Ross family. Their melodic sound can be heard throughout town in the morning, noon, and evening hours.
November 15, 1998, began the campaign to “Restore and Renew” the building with a “Miracle Sunday” offering of $31,014.05 toward the $135,000 project. A celebration was held the following November 21, 1999, upon completion of a new roof, carpeting of sanctuary and vestibule, renovation of the historic landmark tower, extensive painting inside and out, and paving of the parking lot.
The programs and mission of the church are an even more vital part of the Butler community. Inspiring and committed pastors have been a great part of the heart of the church. However, it is the membership which provides leadership, evangelistic order, and enthusiastic participation. From toddlers singing in the Cherub Choir to senior citizens, working in service to their church and community, the people of the Ohio Street United Methodist Church honor the tradition and dedication of all of those Methodists who have come before them. They work in the Spirit of Christ to provide a foundation of faith symbolized through the church building, but more importantly flaming in the hearts of all the church’s members.
By Louise Fisher and George Ann Fisher – September 30, 2001