About the Building

GRANT STREET UNITED METHODIST CHURCHThe Grant Street United Methodist Church organized in 1891 and held their firstservices in the library room of Bovey's Hotel for $200 a year. In the fall of 1892plans were drawn up for the church by a Cleveland architect but the work wentvery slow due to the economic depression. In March of 1894, to save rentmoney, the congregation of 150 started meeting in the unfinished structure withno windows and bare brick during one of the coldest winters on record. Rev.James Walls was appointed pastor in September 1894 and immediately went towork with his congregation to complete the building. It was finally dedicated onMay 12, 1895, with a debt of $5,200 and a membership of 275.The church was at its peak membership during the sixties, at one time havingnearly 500 full time members and 180 Preparatory members. Seen here aredishes that were given to the original congregation of the church in 1895 by theEpworth League and an offering of $300, given with the set of china. TheCookbook dates from 1922.Today, the church is the annex of the Dennison Railroad Depot Museum.