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LINN GROVE METHODIST CHURCH

100th Anniversary - October 1, 1967

The Linn Grove Methodist Church, located one mile north of Prole and five miles south of Norwalk, has served as a landmark, community center and a place of worship for a century.  A church group was organized in 1852 under the leadership of Whitley Allen and met at that time in a log cabin which was located where the Linn Grove Cemetery now is.  In 1866 a frame building constituting the main auditorium of the present building was built at a cost of $2,000 under the pastorate of D. B. Clary.  It was dedicated in 1867 by Elder Dimmitt.  It was rebuilt in 1892 during the pastorate of the Rev. H. C. Preston at a cost of $500 and rebuilt again in 1903 during the pastorate of the Rev. C. W. Proctor at a cost of $2,500.  This addition was known at that time as the Epworth League room.  Later, in about 1916, the dining room and kitchen were added.  At first this church was part of the Hartford circuit and was served with other churches, often as many as twelve, by one man.  The Hartford circuit was divided and Norwalk circuit was formed.  Since then Linn Grove has been a part of either the Norwalk or Spring Hill circuits.  The Board of Trustees for the first year of its existence as written in the Articles of Incorporation were: S. L. Burlingame, Samuel Crow, Ashley Johnson, W. S. Baldwin, Joshua Burkhead, Hiram Lamb, James Wheeler and Jonathan Allen.  Through the years the history of Warren County and this church and its people have been closely connected.  Many of the men and women who have been leaders in the county were attendants at Linn Grove country church where a Sunday School and worship has been constantly maintained.  Our present minister is Rev. James B. Nicholson, who, with his life, Alice, two sons, Jim and Howard, and daughter, Teresa, live in the parsonage in Norwalk.  In 1963 Rev. Nicholson transferred to the Iowa Methodist Conference, after living and serving as pastor at a number of Methodist Churches in Southern Mississippi where he lived all of his life.  He received his B.S. Degree at University of Southern Mississippi and his B. D. Degree at Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas.  He was appointed to Truro-Peru Federated Parish before being pastor to Norwalk, Linn Grove and Spring Hill churches.  At the beginning of the year of 1966 a building fund was started. Through efforts and interests our project is still being launched for a new Linn Grove Church building on the present memorable landsite.  It is through God that we give thanks for our church that has served us through the century.  Everyone is invited to share their blessing and experiences with us Sunday, October 1, 1967, as we celebrate our 100 year landmark.