Federated UCC Church

The Jewell Federated United Church of Christ

In 1920, the Methodist Church (organized in 1883) and the Congregational Church (organized in 1883) federated and worshiped together in the Congregational Church building. Further federation between the two churches came in 1938, when some of the indebtedness was cleared up and the church property was deeded to the federation. On December 8, 1920, the two Aid Societies merged. The federation grew in 1933 when the Christian Church joined the federation.

News published January 27, 1921 in The Jewell Record:

Sunday services as follows: Sunday School at 10:00 o'clock. Morning worship at 11:00 o'clock. The sermon topic will be, "The burden Bearer." There will be special music at this service. In the evening at 7:30 o'clock, there will be a song service introductory to the evening sermon which will deal with the topic, "The Forgiveness of Sins." It is expected that a large chorus choir will assist with the music at this service and during the special meetings which will be held during the week following. Rev. G. A. McKinley, Pastor

News published July 27, 1938 in The Jewell Record:

Negotiations are being closed this week for a transfer of ownership of the Congregational Church property, lots and church building, to the local Federated Church of Jewell corporation.

When the Methodist Church and the Congregational Church joined together several years ago, organizing the Federated corporation, the church property was owned by the Congregational Church and the parsonage property was owned by the Methodist Church. Since then, the Federated corporation has purchased the parsonage property and now is similarly buying the church property. The Federated corporation originally was a consolidation of the Congregational and Methodist churches of Jewell; and to the federation the Christian Church of Jewell was included later, making the present Federated corporation a combination of the three former congregations.

Drawings of the churches which became part of the Federated UCC had been posted
in the hallway just to the south of the Sanctuary and Fellowship hall.

News published November 2, 1949:

The Federated Church of Jewell is completing its first year of a building program and will continue the project toward the new church goal.

During the late 1940s, memers of the Federated Church and their pastor, Dr. E. W. Nye, began discussing the possibility of building a new church building. To reach this goal, yearly Harvest Festivals were held for several years. Before her passing in the spring of 1950, Mrs. Myrtle O'Conner willed her home to the church to be used as the parsonage. The new church was dedicated on April 15, 1956 with the Rev. Millard Riley as speaker. About 500 people were present for the dedication.

In January 1957, the Board and the Building Committee voted to finish the education wing. Work was started immediately. On May 18 the educational wing was used even though it was not completely decorated.

In April 1957, the new Hammond organ was purchased and installed. Much of the work on the chapel was done in January 1958. The Boys High School class gave a lighted picture, "The Head of Christ". Memorials were used to purchase the cross and candlesticks as well as the back drop. The altar and altar rail were built and finished by donated labor.

In August 1959, plans were made for laying out a parking lot. In August 1960, the congregation voted to surface the parking lot with crushed rock. Storm sewers, sidewalks and a cement parking area were laid out by some of the men of the congregation under the direction of Russell Wilcox. The debt for the parking lot was paid off in January, 1964.

In September 1959, the Unified Budget was adopted and has been in use since that time. In early 1961, the grounds were landscaped with trees and shrubs. In January 1963, carpeting was laid in the sanctuary which was completely paid for by February, 1966. At the annual meeting in 1964, a new constitution was adopted which became effective on January 1, 1966.

On September 18, 1966, the last of the debt on the church building was paid off. Plans were completed for a mortgage burning ceremony on November 13, 1966.

Pastors who have served the Jewell Federated Church
1919-1921 1921-1924 1924-1926 1926-1930 1930-1934 1934-1936 1936-1938 1938-1941 1941-1950 1950-1951 1951-1958 1958-1961 1961-1964 1964-1968 1968-1973 1973-1978 1979	Rev. Darley Rev. McKinley Rev. M. B. Phillips Rev. Jonas Priestley Rev. Frank Stover Rev. Charles Duxbury Rev. McDaniel, Sr. Rev. Kenneth McDaniel Dr. E. W. Nye Rev. E. D. Forssell Rev. Mark Wetteland Rev. Geo. Bever Rev. Robert Waters Rev. Noel Orcutt Rev. Carl Dille Rev. Tom Rehling Rev. Harold E. Schaible


1979 Federated UCC Cookbook