
"but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin."
1 John 1:7
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About Grace
The first Methodist meeting in the Spencer area was
on November 3, 1867. Circuit pastors served it.
On September 1871 Rev. Charles Winter, the first resident
pastor, was installed. Services were held in the schoolhouse,
the only frame building in the village, which was located
on West Fourth Street..
In 1873 a 30 x 45 ft. frame house of worship was built
on the corner of East 2nd and Mill St.. Pledges were
made to cover the indebtedness, but due to a plague
of grasshoppers the pledges could not be paid in full.
Because of this, the building was sold at a Sheriff's
sale. However, the next year the trustees made a loan
and paid the bills so the building could again be used
for services.
On February of 1877 this building burned to the ground.
Other Iowa churches came to their aid to help rebuild.
Until it could be rebuilt, the church rented a vacant
store building on the west side of Main Street between
Third and Fourth. The organ had been saved and was used
in this building.
In 1879 another church 30 x 50-ft. was built on the
site of the present church. In 1881 a 16 x 24-ft. parsonage
was built. This church building was sold for $800 when
more room was needed.
The next structure was of brick and was completed in
1907 at the same location. It was 61 x 93-ft. and had
a Sanctuary and balcony with a seating capacity of 800.
It was named "Grace Methodist Episcopal Church.
The Gethsemane window cost $1000. A new organ was donated.
A short time later a tunnel connected the Lincoln Boys
Club, located directly south of the church.
When the membership of the church reached 1700 a new
building was necessary for the Christian Education work.
In 1958 construction was begun for a new building west
of the church. It has 29,000 square feet and three floors
housing classrooms, Fellowship Hall and stage, the Chapel,
Fireside Room, Wesley Room, nursery, kitchen, numerous
storerooms and restrooms. The lower floor has a large
youth room with a kitchenette as well as many classrooms
and restrooms.
The present church building was begun in May 1967 and
completed in 1968. It has an 8600 sq. foot Sanctuary
which seats 640 people with an additional 65 seats in
the choir loft. The 2580 sq. foot Narthex adjoins the
Sanctuary, has additional seating room for 300 and includes
the library, offices and the Gethsemane lighted memorial
window. The 112 foot bell tower rings bell music at
noon. An elevator was installed when the second floor
BenTena Room was added in 1992 which makes the second
floor and basement handicapped accessible. The BenTena
Room has its own kitchen and seats 125.
A portion of the basement was remodeled in 2001 for
the installation of handicapped accessible showers and
restrooms.
An unfinished portion of the basement provides room
for future expansion.
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