Since 1883, the people called Methodist have gathered in Early. The church has been a place of worship, service, and fellowship served by appointed pastors and formed by the families who are members. And you are welcome here! Our mission is to make disciples.
Join us!
Mission Statement
We serve our Lord, by sharing the good news of His great love and by feeding others physically, emotionally and spiritually.
Our Staff
Cary was born in eastern Iowa and entered the Sisters of St. Francis in Clinton, Iowa, right out of high school where she began her 25 year career of teaching in Catholic grade schools. She moved to Storm Lake in 1993 and had several part-time jobs as teacher of GED/ESL, working the Welfare Reform Program, and office manager of a crop insurance agency. In 1998, she became Director of Faith Formation at St. Mary's until she retired in 2012. She worked for a year as title clerk at Edwards car dealership in Storm Lake before coming here to Early UMC - which calls "the job of her dreams!"
Our History
Methodist services were first held in schoolhouses in the area.
Spring 1883 – Congregations organized and incorporated the first Methodist Church in Early under Rev. Robert Smylie. The first church was built in 1883 on land donated by the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad Company. This new little structure was demolished by a tornado before it was finished.
1884 – Another church was built immediately and dedicated in September. Cost of building was $2800.
1890 – The first parsonage was built in July.
1910 – Church is remodeled.
1920 – Because of growing membership, a new church was needed. The cornerstone of the new brick church on Third and Walnut Streets was laid on July 25. (The property was where the original school was located and across the street from the 1884 church building.)
1921 – Original church property sold at auction in September 1921 to George Wadsley for $1100. The new church was dedicated May 5, 1921. Debt at that time was $6000 and hung over the church for 18 years. This was caused in part by the business recession and the worst drought the community had ever experienced.
1939 – Sunday, January 8 was “Victory Day” when the bond was burned.
1949 – A new parsonage on adjoining property was built.
1955 – 1962 – Because of the growth and progress of the church, there was a need for better educational and worship facilities. Remodeling the existing church would not be adequate. The congregation approved the construction of a sanctuary, educational unit, and dining area. A Building Committee was established in 1958.
1962 – Because of the need for a new location, Cleo and Sanford Furrow bought and donated property on the northwest corner of town. On August 2, 1962, a groundbreaking ceremony took place.
1963 – On September 8, the old church was closed. The cornerstone of the previous Methodist Church was removed and then inserted in the wall of the front entrance of the new building. Doors of the new home of worship were opened on September 15, built at the cost of $220,000.
April 1968 - The United Methodist Church was created when The Evangelical United Brethren Church and The Methodist Church united to form a new denomination.
1968 – On September 15, the church was dedicated and declared debt free.
1974 – Furrow Memorial Hall was dedicated on June 23. It was given in remembrance of Sanford M. Furrow II by his family to be used for service and fellowship by the members and friends of the United Methodist Church.
Pastors Who Have Served
1883 - Robert Smylie
1883-1884 - J. N. Mills
1884-1886 - Robert Smylie
1886-1887 - J. W. Spangler
1887-1889 - J. J. Gardner
1889-1890 - J W Mahood
1890-Feb. 1892 - E. G. Swem
Feb-Sept 1892 - R. A. Quinn
1892-1893 - D.M. Yetter
1893-1894 - Robert Burnip
1894-1895 - Alonza Brown
1895-1897 - W.F. Gleason
1897-1898 - C. H. Hawn
1898-1900 - James Ballz
1900-1902 - Bennett Mitchell
1902-1903 - W. H. Flint
1903-1904 - F. E. Stafford
1904-1907 - J. L. Whitney
1907-1908 - J. T. Lee
1908-1911 - F. W. Ginn
1911-1915 - G. H. Wareham
1915-1917 - J. L. Shroyer
1917-1920 - W.P. Webb
1920-1922 - M. B. Phillips
1922-1926 - E. J. Plummer
1926-1930 - W. L. Patterson
1930-1936 - J. H. Walker
1936-1941 - W. N. Baker
1941-1943 - Thoburn Speicher
1944-1950 - Harold James
1950-1952 - H. C. Culver
1952-1961 - D. F. Roberts
1961-1964 - Kenneth Cannaday
1964-1972 - Harold Sherman
1972-1973 - G.M. Rosenberger
1973-1977 - E. E. Basye
1977-1985 - R. W. Lemmermann
1985-1988 - Gary Bird
1988-1992 - Kenneth Kent
Interim - Robert Stemme
1992-1997 - Larry Pauley
1997-2005 - Karl Schiltz
2005-2007 Carl Benge
2007-2013 - DeeAnn Klapp
Interim - Russ Burnett
2013-present - Nancy Peterson