Alexander, Alexander UMC

Collection — Container: Alexander UMC Box

Identifier: KUMA-01-1320

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection includes church records and other documents from 1909-2012 from the Alexander UMC, which was founded in 1903. At various points in its history, the church also went by the names Alexander United Brethren Church in Christ and Alexander Evangelical United Brethren Church. At the time of its closing in 2012, the church was part of the Kansas West conference of the UMC. Box contains 5 folders. Folder 1: Alexander UMC, 2006-2012 Contains list of all ministers 1915-2012; closing documents; member transfer lists; agenda, minutes, reports, and recommendations related to closure; Charge Conferences from 2006-2011. Folder 2: Alexander UMC, 1969-1986 Contains Charge Conferences (full and partial) 1969-1986, apportionment lists, planning guides, policies, membership audits, United Methodist Women (UMW) documents, committee and board member lists, parsonage reviews, correspondence, and one undated photograph of the “new” church (constructed 1963). Charge conference minutes from March 4, 1969, include motion to sell old parsonage, and motion to recommend name change from EUB to UMC. Folder 3: Alexander Evangelical United Brethren (EUB) Church, 1909-1968 Includes brief history of church (undated); new (1964) church dedication programs; Women’s Society of World Service (WSWS) documents; fundraising proposal; title reports; sales agreements and warranty deeds; loan notes; correspondence; 1949 amendment for Articles of Incorporation (name change from “The United Brethren in Christ Church” to “The Evangelical United Brethren Church”). Folder 4: Title abstract for Lots 17 and 18 in Block 17 (2 lots on corner of Kepner and Walker) in Alexander KS, dated Aug. 9, 1962 Folder 5: Title abstract for East 40 feet of Lot 13 and all of lots 14, 15, and 16, in Block 17, in Alexander, KS

Dates

Record Keeping: 1903-2012
Other: Majority of material found in 1909-1986, 2006-2012

Creator

Alexander United Methodist Church (Alexander, Kan.) (Organization)

Biographical or Historical Information

Alexander United Brethren Church in Christ was established in 1903 with eleven charter members. A building and parsonage were erected in 1909; the church was dedicated by Bishop C. J. Kephart on June 4 of that year. The church was first served by itinerant ministers; the first full-time resident pastor, Rev. J. E. Wilson, came in 1915 (or in Fall 1914, depending on source), and stayed two years. Membership reached 100 in number by 1910 or 1911. A union with the Evangelical Church was formed in 1956, resulting in the name change to Alexander Evangelical United Brethren Church (EUB). Concerns about crowded conditions and the poor condition of the original church building led to a decision to build a new church. In 1957 and 1959, lots were acquired across the street. A groundbreaking ceremony was held May 20, 1962, and the cornerstone was laid nearly a year later, on May 19, 1963. The last full service in old church was held Nov. 10, 1963. Nov. 17 was "moving day" to the new church, when the members walked across the street, holding hymnals and singing. The first full service was held Nov. 24. The formal dedication was held Sunday, March 15, 1964, officiated by Dr. Paul W. Milhouse, Bishop of the Southwestern Area of the EUB Church. More than 200 were in the congregation that day. In August, 1966, the Alexander EUB and the McCracken Methodist Churches were brought together in a Yoked Parish relationship, with one pastor serving both. The Alexander congregation bought the new parsonage, located one block west of Main. Alexander EUB became part of the United Methodist Church (UMC) in May 1968. Some documents suggest that another yoked relationship was formed about 2008 with the Bazine UMC, possibly lasting until the Alexander church closing in 2012. With service attendance down to six to eight members, the decision was made in 2012 to close the Alexander UMC. The final service was held on June 24, 2012. Members moved to La Crosse UMC, McCracken UMC, or Bazine UMC. The Alexander church is mentioned in: · Kansas Conference, UB, 1914, p. 39; 1921, p. 32; 1922, p. 20. · Kansas Conference (UB) EUB 1956, p. 125 · Kansas Conference, EUB 1967, p. 58

Note written by Sarah St. John

Extent

1.00 boxes

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Church documents from Alexander UMC, Alexander, Rush County, Kansas.

Arrangement Note

Contents are arranged in date ranges, with each folder beginning with undated or vaguely dated material, followed by more specifically dated documents in reverse chronological order.