Knowing where we came from is so important for knowing who we are
In 1847, the North Madison Methodist Church was organized by the consolidation of the Pressburg and Fairmount Societies. Pressburg was a small town located on and around the northwest part of the McQueen farm, and probably there was a small town located near the Fairmount Cemetery by that name. A lot was purchased about one block south of the present North Madison Post Office for $50 and a building was erected in 1849. At first, the church was a part of the Canaan Circuit, later of the (Old) Paris Circuit. In 1875 or earlier, the North Madison Circuit was formed. We have shared ministers with Mt. Zion, Pleasant, Olive Branch, Lancaster and West Madison.
In the early 1920's under the evangelistic ministry of Rev. W. C. Calvert, the church prospered with a phenomenal growth in conversions and membership. In 1925 the building was remodeled increasing the building size by double. In the 1950's, with wild industrial and residential growth on the hilltop, it was necessary to expand again. The Indiana Conference purchased a 2 1/2 acre site in a developing neighborhood and offered it to us as a gift, if and when we would relocate and rebuild. After much prayer , consideration, and hard work, we broke ground on June 16th 1958. On the second Sunday in January, 1959, we moved into our new church home. We started the morning service in the building on Orchard Street, then each person present took an article of furnishing or equipment and moved to the new building at 7th street and Allen Street. There we re-assembled and continued our morning worship.
Fifteen years later, this $60,000 building was almost paid for so we had a celebration on the last Sunday in March. Bill Hatchel, who had been our minister during the construction years, was the guest speaker. That day there was building fund collection taken which would have made us debt free. The following Wednesday was the April 4, 1974 Madison hilltop triple-tailed tornado. It left in its wake a demolished fellowship hall and much other damage to our church home. This time there was no time to worry, just work. From the help of the Conference, Friends, Insurance, Bank and God we rebuilt and added a much larger fellowship hall, a kitchen, nursery and four classrooms. Our debt was paid off by January 17, 1986.
In 1988 due to large attendance, a questionnaire was sent to the congregation regarding change in four areas: Sanctuary, Education Wing, Fellowship Hall, and Kitchen. In October of 1989, a presentation was made for a new building Numerous fundraising projects were held, to raise funds for the new building. Those fundraisers added 1,000.00 to the building fund. On November 5th, 1989, a ground breaking ceremony was held. In 1991 the consecration service of the our present building was held with Rev. Mark Fisher and Dist. Superintendent, Jack Miller Officiating.
Our history would not be complete without mention of Mt.Zion. That church, was part of the North Madison Charge since 1875, and was located just south of Rykers Ridge School. It was built in 1868 on property donated by Jacob Grebe, and is now a home. Phil Graham stated in their celebration service in 1968 that we will remain as long as there are loyal people on Rykers Ridge who are attracted to us. On June 11, 1972, the last service was held, the door closed, and the building sold. Phil was right- Mt. Zion does remain! Most of the members came to North Church; our church parlor, "The Zion Room" is named in its memory.
In the early 1920's under the evangelistic ministry of Rev. W. C. Calvert, the church prospered with a phenomenal growth in conversions and membership. In 1925 the building was remodeled increasing the building size by double. In the 1950's, with wild industrial and residential growth on the hilltop, it was necessary to expand again. The Indiana Conference purchased a 2 1/2 acre site in a developing neighborhood and offered it to us as a gift, if and when we would relocate and rebuild. After much prayer , consideration, and hard work, we broke ground on June 16th 1958. On the second Sunday in January, 1959, we moved into our new church home. We started the morning service in the building on Orchard Street, then each person present took an article of furnishing or equipment and moved to the new building at 7th street and Allen Street. There we re-assembled and continued our morning worship.
Fifteen years later, this $60,000 building was almost paid for so we had a celebration on the last Sunday in March. Bill Hatchel, who had been our minister during the construction years, was the guest speaker. That day there was building fund collection taken which would have made us debt free. The following Wednesday was the April 4, 1974 Madison hilltop triple-tailed tornado. It left in its wake a demolished fellowship hall and much other damage to our church home. This time there was no time to worry, just work. From the help of the Conference, Friends, Insurance, Bank and God we rebuilt and added a much larger fellowship hall, a kitchen, nursery and four classrooms. Our debt was paid off by January 17, 1986.
In 1988 due to large attendance, a questionnaire was sent to the congregation regarding change in four areas: Sanctuary, Education Wing, Fellowship Hall, and Kitchen. In October of 1989, a presentation was made for a new building Numerous fundraising projects were held, to raise funds for the new building. Those fundraisers added 1,000.00 to the building fund. On November 5th, 1989, a ground breaking ceremony was held. In 1991 the consecration service of the our present building was held with Rev. Mark Fisher and Dist. Superintendent, Jack Miller Officiating.
Our history would not be complete without mention of Mt.Zion. That church, was part of the North Madison Charge since 1875, and was located just south of Rykers Ridge School. It was built in 1868 on property donated by Jacob Grebe, and is now a home. Phil Graham stated in their celebration service in 1968 that we will remain as long as there are loyal people on Rykers Ridge who are attracted to us. On June 11, 1972, the last service was held, the door closed, and the building sold. Phil was right- Mt. Zion does remain! Most of the members came to North Church; our church parlor, "The Zion Room" is named in its memory.
