Methodist Episcopal Church South -- Harrisburg

The Michaels, Clark, Forgey, and Briggs families belonged to the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Elijah Michaels was a preacher of this denomination. Like most churches with only a few members they met in members homes. By the time the Christian Church had a building they had outgrown most homes.

The Christian Church offered the use of their building to other groups. The Methodist Episcopal Church South accepted the offer and held church on Sunday afternoons.

They wanted their own building. They organized and formed a building committee. According to Linn County Deed records the Methodist Episcopal Church South purchased land on the corner of Fourth and Kesling and built a church there. A few years later they built a parsonage north of the church.

About 1915 the Methodist Episcopal Church South united with the Methodist Episcopal Church uniting the congregations of both Methodist Churches. They then became known as the United Methodist Episcopal Church. The Church of God had been meeting in homes until this time. The Church of God made arrangements to meet in the former Methodist Episcopal Church South building.

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