File:Methodist Church, circa 1910 - Hebron, Indiana (4159011044).jpg

Methodist Church, Hebron, Indiana.

Date: Circa 1910 Source Type: Postcard Publisher, Printer, Photographer: P. S. & Company Postmark: September 15, 1911, Valparaiso, Indiana Collection: Steven R. Shook Remark: The Methodist Episcopal Church seen here was to be dedicated on December 7, 1890, by Reverend Lewis Curtis, but dedication was delayed until December 28, 1890, due to construction be incomplete.

This church replaced a older one room, wood framed church that was constructed in 1857 at a cost of $1,000 on the same site. When the new church was constructed, the wood framed church was moved to southeast corner of the same lot.

The church seen here was greatly expanded and remodeled in 1928 at a cost of $17,500. Another addition to the church took place in 1956 at a cost of $36,000 and included a three story wing.

The following news item appeared in the November 27, 1890, issue of The Tribune:

The new M. E. church, which is to be dedicated on Sunday, Dec. 7, next, is of modern style. The main building is 55 by 32 feet, and the sides inside are 14 feet, while at the end it is 20 feet. There is at the east side a lecture room 16x30, to be used for small meetings, etc. The height of the building outside is 32 feet, and the tower 75 feet. The lecture room is connected with the main room by two sets of double folding doors with large transoms, which, in addition to the other windows, give light from every side. The windows are memorial ones, with a few exceptions. The memorial ones on the west side are in memory of A. E. Flint, Jno. Gidley, Peter Rich, and Sarah Rich. On the north is a large sash window which has three memorials, one in memory of Melton S. Bryant and Cynthia Bryant; one in memory of Connor Dowd and Cynthia Dowd; and one for Glen W. Bryant. On the east side is one window presented by L. P. Scott, and one in memory of Jos. McAlpin. Back and above the pulpit is a large round window in memory of J. and E. Byers and one in memory of Florence L. burgess, and a large three-sash one in memory of Willis P. Bryant, Simeon Bryant and Hattiet Bryant. The inside of the church is finished in southern pine and black walnut, and varnished, and will be heated by two large stoves and lighted with six large hanging lamps. It will seat about four hundred, exclusive of the lecture room, which will seat about 75. It will be completed at a cost of $3,300. The contractors are J. and M. Wilson, of this place, and the mason work was done by Jos. Burgess. The elegance of the edifice is a creditable testimonial of their good workmanship.

Sources: The Tribune, Chesterton, Porter County, Indiana; November 27, 1890; Volume 7, Number 33, Page 8, Column 2. Column titled "From Our Neighbors. Hebron Visited By A Destructive Fire, The Work of An Incendiary. Description of the New M. E. Church To Be Dedicated December 7th."

The Tribune, Chesterton, Porter County, Indiana; January 8, 1891; Volume 7, Number 39, Page 1, Column 2. Column titled "Dedicated to the Lord. The New M. E. Church at Hebron A Structure To Be Proud of, and Almost Paid For."