EDGEMONT – The Edgemont United Church is having a centennial celebration this year and the church will have an open house to celebrate its milestone on Sunday, July 19, where all are invited to partake in the church building’s 100th anniversary. Long time member, Debrah Anderson, shed light on what visitors can expect while visiting the church during the event.
“There will be a short history and recognition presentation,” said Anderson. “And there will be conference ministers representing UCC, Methodist and Lutheran. And we are going to recognize people who have been with the church 45 or more years.”
The history of the first church of Edgemont dates back to 1892, soon after Edgemont’s founding, when a Presbyterian church was built due to strong public support for a primary building of worship. Previously, services were being held in the La Casa Opera House. The Rev. G. W. Cummings was the first pastor in the new church which was, simply, a frame building covered with lap siding, a bell tower at the southwest corner, and a cow pasture to the west of the building bound by barbed-wire fencing.
“There will be a meal downstairs,” continued Anderson, concerning the event, “and displays to look at like quilts and then different photos and books from the past.” Visitors will be able to tour the three-story building, the bell tower might make it four, and view the interior architectural design. Just short of a flyingbuttress structure on the exterior of the building, the interior vaulted ceiling is reminiscent of the medieval gothic cathedrals of Europe.
The church had a yearly transition of pastors, until 1917 when the Rev. Alan M. Fairbanks served until 1926. He became very popular among the members and townspeople and the church flourished until it was clear the that the old church was too small. It was during the Rev. Fairbanks service that the building as we know it today, a much larger church building than the first, was built and dedicated as the First Congregational Church of Edgemont on May 16, 1926.
But it wasn’t built without the purchase of a $700 next-door lot by the Ladies Guild, a grant from the Congregational Building Society, and donations. “The South Congregational Church of Britain, Connecticut,” said Anderson, “took on the project as a mission outreach. They also donated the beautiful baptismal fount. The stained-glass windows, and most of the furnishings of the church were donated in memory of loved ones.”
Church member Arthur Bartlett, a contractor and builder, donated his plans, time and supervision toward the construction of the church. The driving force in overalls was the Rev. Fairbanks leading the way among many free-will, hands-on laborers with whom the church might never have been built.
The United Congregational Church in Edgemont is a Shared Ministry (Methodist Church combined) and Edgemont Community Church (Lutherans combined), and is located at 401 4th Avenue crossing Mogal Way. The event and Sunday services begin at 10 a.m. on July 19, and you may call the church with question at (605) 662-7898.