A brief Church History
of Methodist Temple

Provided by Bob Shepherd

Methodist Temple is the offspring, so to speak of an English Methodist Church (Bayard Park Methodist) and a German Methodist Church (4th Street Methodist). 

The congregation of the 4th Street Methodist Church decided to join the Bayard Park congregation, because of the decrease in size of their congregation.  They joined with the consent of the Bayard Park congregation and with the stipulation that a new East Side Methodist Church be built.

Palm Sunday, 1937

The last church service for the 4th Street Methodist church congregation was held.

 

Easter Sunday, 1937

The first church service for the combined congregation was held.

 

1941

Eleven city lots at the corner of Lincoln an Kelsey were purchased for $10,000 for the new Methodist Church (a 12th lot was purchased in 1954).

World War II delayed the building of the new church

November 14, 1947

The Bayard Park church building was sold to the Church of the Nazarene to be occupied by them on the first Sunday of January, 1950.

 

January 13, 1949

The Ground Breaking Ceremony was held for the new Methodist Church.

 

Sunday, March 20, 1949

The cornerstone for the new church was laid.

 

January 1, 1950

Since the new church building was not ready to be occupied the Bayard Park Methodist Church Congregation met in the Evansville College Auditorium from , until the last Sunday in June, 1950.

 

June 1, 1950

The name of Bayard Park Methodist Church was legally changed to "The Methodist Temple".

 

July 2, 1950

Methodist Temple  held the first church services, in the new building.  800 people attended that service.  Rev. Harry Kisner was the last Bayard Park Methodist Church minister and the first Methodist Temple minister.  Membership was 1,303.  The building cost $304,000.

 

June 3, 1955

The fellowship hall, kitchen, parlor and educational rooms were accepted.   Membership was 1775.  The cost of the additions was $251,000.

 

1956

Fairlawn Methodist Church started as a "Mission Church" from Methodist Temple.

 

June 1964

Aldersgate Methodist Church was organized as a mission Church of  the Methodist Temple.

 

1966

Temple Hills (120 acres) became a Methodist Temple Retreat Center.

 

September 5, 1967

Methodist Temple Day Care Center was organized.

 

December 12, 1967

Methodist Temple membership was its highest, 2259.  Dr. Guy Carpenter was the minister at that time.

 

March 3, 1991

The E. F. Walcker Organ -- Opus 5900, built in Kleinblittersdorf, Germany, was dedicated.

 

1995-1996

Methodist Temple remodeled and added to the plant.  The old fellowship areas were remodeled and the Child Care center was added.

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