Two building programs have brought changes to the church in the last 13 years. The present annex was completed in 1953 at a cost of $15,000. In this program, the kitchen was moved to the south end of the annex basement and equipped with gas range, refrigerator, sinks and dish washer. The old kitchen area was used to house the heating plant which serves the annex. An assembly room with dividers, table and chairs, two classrooms and two restrooms were built on the main floor. The Reverend Theron R. Castleman was the minister during this building program and Mr. Harvey Davis was chairman of the building committee. In 1965 the building, with the exception of the annex, was rewired. The basement under the original structure was changed by lowering the ceiling, new lighting was installed and the old stairway moved from the center of the building to the north wall. Recessed lighting in the sanctuary replaced the original fixtures and the chancel was extended the full width of the sanctuary. The study was enlarged and an infant nursery was built over the old stairway area. Folding doors were placed in the basement and the “overflow” area for increased division of the Sunday School classes. As mentioned above, the Bozeman organ was rebuilt with the most notable changes being the moving of the console to the east wall in the chancel and the replacing of the exposed pipes from the front of the organ to the rear of the pipe room. Mr. Paul Fletchall was chairman of the remodeling program and Reverend Charles R. Armstrong was the minister. The budget for this program of improvements and repairs was $12,000. A Bell With A History Although every church is 1960 – Choir & Director Myron Westfall
thought to have a bell and would not, therefore, merit any particular mention, the history of the bell in our tower cannot be easily passed by. It wasn’t until the building of the frame church in 1861 that the Methodists were called to worship by a bell. The log structures had no tower for a bell and perhaps the economy of the
church would not permit the purchase of such extras. But when the frame church was built in 1861 a bell was purchased. When that building was removed in 1903 and sold the bell was not a part of the sale, but proudly placed in the bell tower of the new (our present) church and is still in use. The writing of Mrs. Bozeman is again quoted, as she tells of the bell. “The old church had never had a bell, but it was decided that the new one should. In due time it came, was hung and when its clear notes were rung out on the air, it filled the hearts of all with joy and gladness. The women of the church were asked or offered (not know which) to raise the money to pay for it. All took part, one of the most active workers was Mrs. Protzman, grandmother Elliotte of the Elliott family. Thomas Jaquess and John
St. Paul’s UMC History
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