This December marked 140 years since the first Methodist church building was dedicated in the city of Ridgeway. In 1880, Ridgeway had homes and businesses and a school, but no church. People would gather wherever they could to worship and began meeting in a corn crib located close to the Cadle Lumber company (behind where the Ridgeway Hotel now stands.) Rev. Isaac Chivington of the Bethany Methodist church was the first minister and he worked during the week for 16 weeks to organize a church building in Ridgeway which was completed and dedicated on December 4, 1881, debt-free after the congregation donated the last $450 needed. That first church stood where the Methodist church now stands. The congregation grew and in 1898, they decided it was time for a bigger building. They raised money for a new frame building with stained glass windows at a cost of $3000 which was built and dedicated debt-free on January 24, 1900. The original building was purchased by the Yankee Ridge church for $200 and was to be placed in the lot in front of the Yankee Ridge cemetery, but “mysteriously burned” before it could be installed to the dismay of the Yankee Ridge congregation.
The current building has been modified several times over the years, such as digging out the basement in 1954 to provide a kitchen and classroom space. Jackson Hall was added in 1983 thanks to a memorial trust given by Carrie, Mary, Keith, and Roger Jackson adding additional fellowship and classrooms. The belfry was renovated at the same time with funds donated by the family of Glen Yeater. Many weddings, funerals and baptisms have taken place within those walls. There is so much more history in the little books that Peggy Hamilton lent me, but just not enough space to write it all here. (“The Ridgeway Methodist Church, A History of the Church 1881-1968”, “Church remembered in Jackson will”, “St. Joseph News-Press, December 24, 1983, p. 17)
