THE HISTORY OF OUR CHURCH

The history of worship services in Wayne Township date back to 1826 with services being held in log cabin homes of various individuals.  The first actual minister in the township was one Reverend Emmett, one of the circuit riders that made Methodism a staple of faith in the Midwest.  These early ministers did so much for so little, often from two hundred to six hundred miles per year for as little salary as sixty dollars. 

The thriving community in Wayne Township grew into an actual town and as West Point developed, they felt the need of a church.  So in 1837, a church was erected.  For seventy years, the church was an anchor point for the growing town serving not only the needs of her congregation, but being the only church building in the township for that period of time, the church was used by other denominations as well. 

The present church was dedicated in December of 1907.  Interestingly enough, immediately following the dedication, Mr. Edgar Van Meter and Miss Belva Whitehead were united in marriage, the first in the new church.  Officiating were Dr. George Switzer and Rev. Leo Kennedy with Rev. Kennedy continuing to serve as the first minister in the new church.  Rev. Kennedy was the original ?Easy Rider? before Peter Fonda made the role famous in the 1969 movie inasmuch as Rev. Kennedy rode a motorcycle about often riding it to worship services on Sunday morning.  In 1923, a basement was added in order to meet the needs of a growing church membership that needed the space for fellowship space and classrooms.  

The hard times of the great depression broke upon Indiana but West Point church continued to thrive.  Records show that the average attendance in 1933 was 90, with a record attendance of 124 being recorded at a worship service that year.  That record stood until 2007 when it was broken with an attendance of 147.  Multiple ministries were engaged during those difficult times; ministries that became not only the life blood of the church, but which served the needs of so many in the community who were struggling. 

On a Sunday morning in May of 1964, a gaping hole at the south side of the church greeted the congregation.  Construction had begun the week before on a new education wing for the church beginning with an extension of the basement under which the new wing would stand.  A new and more effective stairway was added and the kitchen enlarged with new lighting added to benefit the ministries and worship opportunities of the church.  In October of that year, West Point Church was honored when Bishop and Mrs. Rains were in attendance with Bishop Rains conducting the consecration service for the new addition to the church, dedicating it to the service of the Lord.  Four years later, West Point Methodist Church became West Point United Methodist Church when the Methodist Episcopal Church united with the Evangelical United Brethren Church to become the new United Methodist Church. 

The church building has served us well over the years with some downs, but with several ups.  In September of 2007, the centennial of our church building was celebrated with nearly every member and persons affiliated with our worship community contributing to make the celebration successful.  District Superintendent, Rev. Kate Walker was in attendance that day preaching an excellent sermon.  But in 2005, church leadership had to begin to come to grips with the fact that the old church was no longer adequate to meet the growing and changing ministry needs of the community of West Point.  After much deliberation, expanding the current facility was ruled out as impractical and a steering committee was formed to explore options to purchase property upon which a new church could one day be built.  That committee was comprised of Mrs. Jay Blessing, Mrs. Rae Ritchie, Mr. Phil Katter and Mr. Jerry Harbath, administrative council chairperson.  In March of 2007, a charge conference was held with Reverend Michelle Cobb, District Superintendant, and Reverend Jeff Smith, the pastor in attendance.  The members of the church voted to empower the steering committee to enter into negotiations with Mr. Andrew Gutwein to purchase nearly 28 acres of ground near the current church location and just behind where the old West Point high school once stood.  The vote was unanimous, which prompted Rev. Cobb to comment that such a thing was unprecedented in her ministry experience.  In July of 2007, a mortgage was acquired for $175,000 to purchase those 28 acres.  As of this writing in December, 2008,this mortgage amount has been reduced to $69,149.95.  We feel that God is clearly at work in our midst.

What will our future history be?  Who can know.  But we do want to be West Point's church and not just a church in West Point.  We see a community center raising up from those twenty eight arces which the community can use.  We see play ground equipment and playing fields which represent a safe environment for our youth to congregate and play.  Won't you join us in our vision?