A History of Tyler Memorial United Methodist Church
Tyler Memorial United Methodist Church began its ministry on May 30, 1907. The cornerstone for the Tyler Memorial United Brethren Church was laid on May 12, 1915.
On September 19, 1915, the new building was opened and dedicated, free of debt, with a total membership of 105. The cost to build the church in 1915 was $8,000. The current sanctuary Is the same building.
In 1918, the basement underneath the sanctuary was dug by hand to provide the soldiers stationed at Camp Sherman—a former army training camp just north of town—a Christian place to fellowship instead of the downtown bars during WWI.
In 1946, the United Brethren in Christ and the Evangelical Church denominations merged to form the Evangelical United Brethren denomination. The former welcome mat at the Church Street entrance had “E.U.B.” on it.
An education wing was added to the rear of the building in 1957, with construction completed in 1959.
In 1968, the E.U.B. and the Methodist denominations merged to form the United Methodist Church. The stained-glass window above the Church Street entrance reflects this affiliation with the letters “U.M.”
The sanctuary was remodeled and reconsecrated on May 18, 1975.
In 1981, an elevator, central air conditioning for the sanctuary, and new glass entrance doors were installed. A dedication service was held on January 11, 1981.
A fire on December 18, 1983, caused extensive damage to the building. The sanctuary floor, where the piano now stands, needed to be rebuilt, causing the pillars in Albright Hall to be arranged in a haphazard formation. The chancel was enlarged.
Around the time of the fire, new chandeliers and wall lights were installed. A new Baldwin baby grand piano was purchased in 1985, and a new Allen organ in 1989.
In 1987, central air conditioning was installed in the education wing and the fellowship hall below.
The steeple was added to the building in 1997 with memorial money given by various persons, and lights were added to shine on it at night.
A new lighted church sign replaced the old wooden one outside at the corner of the building (Church & Mill Streets) in 2001, funded by the bequest of Faye Bean.
In 2003, video production equipment was installed, and a new audio-visual booth was built.
Tyler Memorial United Methodist Church celebrated 100 years of ministry on October 14, 2007.
In 2011, the church remodeled the restrooms on the upper level to make them handicapped accessible.
Eighteen (or more) persons have gone into some form of full-time Christian service from Tyler Church.
Through all the years of mergers and changes, feeding people physically and spiritually has been part of who we are. We invite you to join us!
Pastors of Tyler Memorial United Methodist Church
1907-Present
Rev. George W. Tyler (1907)
Rev. Frank Saunders (Student Pastor) (1907)
Rev. C.W. Hendrickson (1907-1909)
Rev. J.C. Gibson (1908-1909)
Rev. George W. Tyler (1909-1910)
Rev. T.C. Harper (1910-1911)
Rev. J.S. Seaman (1912-1913)
Rev. C.W. Speakman (1912-1913)
Rev. George W. Tyler (1913-1921)
Rev. Harry Welch (1922)
Rev. J.H. Conkel (1922-1927)
Rev. E.A. Parkinson (1927-1928)
Rev. M.R. White (1928-1944)
Rev. Lloyd W. Tuttle (1944-1959)
Rev. Robert J. Miller (1959-1961)
Rev. Edwin Johns (1961-1962)
Rev. Robert A. Long (1962-1967)
Rev. Ralph Hudson (1967-1970)
Rev. Jay Smoke (1970-1972)
Rev. Raymond A. Merz (1972-1978)
Rev. Estell E. Kauffman (1978-1982)
Rev. Donald W. Rossman (1982-1991)
Rev. Richard D. Jones (1991-1995)
Rev. James A. Groves (1995-2010)
Rev. Rick Birk (2010-2012)
Rev. Donald Mundy (2012-2016)
Rev. Samuel Mincey (2016-2020)
Rev. Garry Hogue (2020 –2021)
Rev. James (Jim) Wade (2022-Present)