Our Church

Beliefs

God

There is but one living and true God, everlasting without body or parts, of infinite power, wisdom, and goodness; the maker and preserver of all things. The Godhead is a unity of three persons, of one substance, power and eternity – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Jesus

The Son, who is the Word of the Father, took man’s nature so that both Godhead and Manhood were together ibn One Person. He truly suffered, was crucified, dead and buried, to reconcile his Father to us, and to be a sacrifice, not only for original guilt, but also for the sins of men and women.

Scripture

The Holy Scripture contains all things necessary to salvation.

Sacrament of Communion

The Juddville Methodist Church practices “Open Communion.” All who are seeking God’s grace and a closer walk with Him are welcome. Yet as scripture states, if you are holding hate or discord in your heart against another, you should refrain from taking Communion until you have sought to reconcile.

Our Story

1858

John and Matilda's Judd mission of beginning a Methodist Church settlement in Michigan was achieved in 1858. The Methodist Episcopal Church of Judd's Corners organized February 21, 1858, under the direction of Reverend S.W. Wooster, in the Owosso District. The church met in the log schoolhouse, which was the custom of the early settlers until they could build a church. The first members were: John Judd and wife Matilda, their sons, Edwards and John, Mr. John Bowman and Jane (Judd) his wife Loren and Jane Bensley, Julius and Mary Kellogg, Elisha and Hepsah Coons, Moses A. Pixley, John and Betsey Meeker, Lorenzo Brigham. this group was left in the chard of Reverend Jesse Bradford who was the active pastor for a period of five years. In 1859 the church was reorganized and became part of the Corunna Circuit. Reverent L.H. York succeeded to the pastorate and D.W. Hammond acted as supply.

1860 - 1870

In 1860 Reverent Sam Wilkinson serviced as pastor. The Civil War started in 1861 and Reverend J.H. Cornalia arrived to serve as pastor, and in 1863 Reverent Thomas Wakelin served. During the years 1864-1867 the English Settlement Church, three miles east of New Lothrop supplied the ministers. One of these ministers was Reverend A.S. Fair, who often preached at the school in Judd's Corners. In 1867 Reverent Albert A. Allen was pastor of the church. It was during his pastorate taht Edward Judd was issued an Exhorters License on May 12, 1867 for the Methodist Episcopal Church. Reverent Joel B. Goss came in 1869 was most likely the minister when the church building was started. In the spring of 1869 people began to feel the need for a place of worship. One acre of land upon which the church property now stands was purchased of Edwin Judd. Records show that in 1869 and 1870 financial pledges were made to the church building fund ranging from $1 to $50. In 1871 the contract was given for building the church. The church when completed was known as the Methodist Episcopal Church of South Hazleton. Trustees at the time were: W.W. Warner, Alfred Cummins, A.F. Morton, John Judd, Sidney Bush, G.H. Cameron, Emery Lewis and F.F. Brewer. In 1874, five years after the purchase of the land, the church was fully completed and dedicated. Within a few years the parsonage was built. The total cost of the church property being $1600.

1872 - 1890

Following Reverend Goss, the church was served by reverends: A. Whitcomb (1872), Thomas Wakelin (1873), D.M. Van Dusen (1875), Duncan M. Ward (1878), and Edward Steer (1879). Reverent Ward was the first occupant of the new parsonage. During the early history of the church the ministers period of service was limited to one year, Which explains why there were so many changes of ministers. During the 1880s the church ministers were reverends: Wager, Lamsing, Bartruim and Hodge. In the spring of 1883 one-fou8rth acre of land adjacent on the west side of the church property was purchased from John M. Fitch for horse and buggy shed, which were built that same year. About 1888 an 800-pound bell was purchased and installed in the church. The bell is still in use after more than a century of service. Trustees were: John Harmon, R.A. Harmon, F.H. Ruggles, L.D. Stanhope, S.S. Bush, Edward Chaffee, John Snyder, H.A. Hamlin and O.F. Noe. Ministers serving Juddville Methodist Church during the 1890s were reverends: Hodge, Riley, McIntosh, Graves, Tedman, DuPuis, Sloan, Bacon, Carmichael and Fish. Juddville Methodist Church has always been blessed with faithful and worthy laymen who had the best interest of the church at heart.

1911-1918

In 1911 the one-year time limit regarding the length of pastorates' service was removed. So, in 1911, Reverend Henry Schofield came to serve the Juddville Episcopal Methodist Church as pastor and was in charge until 1917. Many pleasant memories were connected with Reverend Schofield and his family's time at Juddville Church. It was during Elder Schofield's pastorate that the church was found inadequate for its size and in need of repair. Under Schofield's supervision the church was remodeled and enlarged. Some of those serving as trustees and building committee at that time were: W. B. Moore, Seldon Rogers, Donald McKay, Aaron Hartshorn, George Lawcock, and J. W. Fair. Reverend Schofield left the church in good financial and spiritual condition. Reverend Trask followed Reverend Schofield as pastor and distinguished himself as being Juddville's first minister to drive an automobile. Next was Reverend Garmon. He was the last minister to occupy the parsonage. After 1918, the parsonage was used for church and community meetings and was referred to as the Church House. During the 1880s the church ministers were reverends: Wager, Lamsing, Bartruim and Hodge. In the spring of 1883 one-fou8rth acre of land adjacent on the west side of the church property was purchased from John M. Fitch for horse and buggy shed, which were built that same year. About 1888 an 800-pound bell was purchased and installed in the church. The bell is still in use after more than a century of service. Trustees were: John Harmon, R.A. Harmon, F.H. Ruggles, L.D. Stanhope, S.S. Bush, Edward Chaffee, John Snyder, H.A. Hamlin and O.F. Noe. Ministers serving Juddville Methodist Church during the 1890s were reverends: Hodge, Riley, McIntosh, Graves, Tedman, DuPuis, Sloan, Bacon, Carmichael and Fish. Juddville Methodist Church has always been blessed with faithful and worthy laymen who had the best interest of the church at heart.

1919-1940

Up to 1919 Juddville Methodist Church was united with the Northwest Venice and the charge was known as the "Juddville Appointment". The 1920s era ushered in a laxity in Sabbath observance. and as church notes state, empty church pews were much in evidence, causing many rural church problems. Much of this was blamed on the "Automobile Age". Owing to these conditions Northwest Venice was placed with Vernon and Juddville with New Lothrop, thereby enabling them to support a minister. This arrangement was terminated in 1937, when Juddville church was joined with Lennon. Reverend Chapman was the first pastor after Juddville was placed with New Lothrop Methodist Church. Juddville and New Lothrop shared a pastor from about 1920 to 1937. Next in line were reverends: Joseph Talbot, Cheney, Ten-Brock, Slates, Pailthorp, Asplin, and Risley. It was in 1937 that Juddville Methodist Church was switched from sharing a pastor with New Lothrop Methodist Church to the Lennon Methodist Church. It was during Reverend Carless pastorate that the church was again improved. It was re-roofed, repainted and redecorated inside and out} at a cost of approximately the same amount as the first church was built. On September 8, 1940, a Homecoming was held in commemoration of the improvements made that summer. Reverend E. L. Carless acted as Master of Ceremonies for the 1940 Homecoming. The addresses for the day were given by Superintendent R. M. Atkins at 11 :30 a.m. and Reverend Ben Slates of Ortonville, former pastor here, at 2:45 p.m. Remarks were also given by Reverend Risley of Webberville. A cooperative dinner was served at noon. Reverend Trask followed Reverend Schofield as pastor and distinguished himself as being Juddville's first minister to drive an automobile. Next was Reverend Garmon. He was the last minister to occupy the parsonage. After 1918, the parsonage was used for church and community meetings and was referred to as the Church House. During the 1880s the church ministers were reverends: Wager, Lamsing, Bartruim and Hodge. In the spring of 1883 one-fou8rth acre of land adjacent on the west side of the church property was purchased from John M. Fitch for horse and buggy shed, which were built that same year. About 1888 an 800-pound bell was purchased and installed in the church. The bell is still in use after more than a century of service. Trustees were: John Harmon, R.A. Harmon, F.H. Ruggles, L.D. Stanhope, S.S. Bush, Edward Chaffee, John Snyder, H.A. Hamlin and O.F. Noe. Ministers serving Juddville Methodist Church during the 1890s were reverends: Hodge, Riley, McIntosh, Graves, Tedman, DuPuis, Sloan, Bacon, Carmichael and Fish. Juddville Methodist Church has always been blessed with faithful and worthy laymen who had the best interest of the church at heart.

1943 - 1950

Reverend Dwight Lawson followed Reverend Carless in about 1943 and served Juddville and Lennon churches for four years, during which time new stained glass windows were put in the church and hardwood floors laid. It was during Reverend Lawson’s pastorate that Tommy Warren, a young man reading on Riley Road, was converted and decided to go into ministerial work. In 1947 the Lennon church decided they wanted to be alone, so the District Superintendent sent Juddville Church Reverend U. G. Ostrander, a retired minister, who served the church for about one and a half years. He was obliged to give up the work due to ill health. in 1950 Reverend William Combelleck, a retired minister living at Vernon was sent as the next pastor. In 1950 further improvements were made on the church property at the cost of $1 , 100.00- Reverend Combefleck proved very satisfactory, but he too retired from a regular charge.

1951 - 1953

Reverend Homer VanBuren came in 1951. In the spring of 1952 tentative plans were discussed for building an addition to the church. Rev. VanBuren, Mrs. Floyd Wamer, Lynn Reed, Fred Ward, Ward Fair and Dale Brooks acting as building committee submitted a proposed building plan to the Board. Trustees at that time were Stanton Judd, Sr., Fred Ward, Mack Knox, Laverne Bulemore, George Crowe, Lynn Reed, Howard Conklin, Charles Kurney, Rowland Allen, John Jacobs, and Cleland Beamish. In September of 1952 a Homecoming was planned under the direction of Reverend VanBuren. The September 28, 1952, Homecoming was well attended* Dr. W. O. Moulton, Flint District Superintendent at that time, presented the sermon at the morning worship service. About 175 people were served a basket dinner at noon in the church house. Immediately after the 1952 Homecoming, fund-raising was for a basement addition to the church. By March 1953, Charles Juntunen of Owosso was engaged as building contractor and Clarence Golombisky of Venice Center was hired to do the excavating. Work was commenced the week of March 16, 1953, and by Easter the church was up on blocks. Services were held, after Easter, in the church house until the first Sunday in August when ttE church was back on its foundation. Included in the new addition were five new church school classrooms, a large dining room, a kitchen, and office space under the stairs. A new cloakroom, two new restrooms and larger annex were on the main floor. With fall weather commencing, a heating plan became the concern of the Building and Finance Committee. The Woman's Society soon began plans for equipping the church kitchen with cupboards, sink, stoves, etc. December 29, 1953 was set as clean-up day at the church. The 76-year old Methodist church house (formerly known as the parsonage) was sold to Chester Kozlowski, a local resident who moved it just west of the church property.

1955 - 1960

During 1955 asphalt linoleum flooring was installed in the kitchen, dining room, and some of the classrooms, Juddville Methodist Church had a basketball team and won the Owosso Church League trophy that year. Again in 1956 the Juddville Methodist Basketball Team was awarded the winning Owosso Church League trophy. The much-needed basement addition and material improvements that went with it were accomplished under Reverend Homer Van Buren, who served the church on a part- time basis from 1951 to 1957. Reverend and Mrs. Van Buren and their children Judy and Tommy were fêted with a farewell party in June 1957. At the beginning of conference year in June of 1957 Juddville and New Lothrop Methodist parishes agreed to share a full-time pastor. Reverend Lloyd V. Menerey served the churches about a month. Then he and his family moved to Indiana where he accepted a student charge, so he could continue his education. In August 1957, Reverend N.D. Cotrone began his duties as pastor for the two churches coming from Iowa. During 1958 the partition and roll down doors were removed from the back of the church. It was during this remodeling session that Reverend Cotrone receive a head injury when he was hit with a brick while the old chimney was being torn down. He was hospitalized for several days. In 1959 new folding doors for the annex were installed. In June 1960 Reverend Cotrone, his wife Flora, and daughter Marsha left to go to Alger, Ohio, so he might continue his education at Delaware, Ohio.

1961 - 1962

The Reverend Frank Leineke, originally from Flint, but who had been serving in Virginia, came with his wife Lois, and three children, Diane, David, and Frankie to commence his duties as pastor at Juddville and New Lothrop. A religious censes of the was taken in the fall under Reverend Leineke’s direction. ln August 1961 Mr. and Mrs. James Boehm, and son Bobby, were féted when 150 people honored them with a farewell party, as they left to make their home in Ohio, where Jim furthered his education at the Methodist Theological School. Twenty-two people joined the church on Palm Sunday of 1962, after attending membership classes for six weeks, taught by Reverend Leineke. Forty-five members joined the church during Reverend Leineke's two years pastorate. In June 1962 the Leineke family move to Ironwood in the Upper Peninsula where Reverend Leineke accepted a charge. The Reverend Forrest Pierce, from Lake Benton, Minnesota with his wife Fern, and their two daughters, Carol and Faye, was appointed to the church at the Detroit Conference at Adrian in June 1962. At the membership roll call on March 17, 1963, there were 149 members. George Crow had the distinction of being the member for the most number of years having join the church July 26, 1908, when Reverend Henry Schofield was Pastor.

1964 - 1976

In June of 1964 Reverend Paul Amstutz came as pastor, with his wife Jean, and his children, David, Danny, Helen, and Robert. He was the pastor for seven years, from 1964 to 1971. Sixty-four people joined Juddville Church under Reverend Paul Amstutz the name of the church was changed during the pastorate of Reverend Paul Amstutz. On April 23, 1968, the Evangelical United Brethren Church merged with the Methodist Church forming the United Methodist Church. The church became known as Juddvjlle United Methodist Church. In June of 1971 Reverend Clifton Furness along with his wife, Jerrie, and daughters, Myrna and Elaine the pastor for the Juddville United Methodist Church Reverend Furness was the pastor of Juddville and New Lothrop United Methodist Churches from 1971 to 1976. There were many noteworthy events during Reverend Furness's pastorship. One that continues today is the observance of Rural Life Sunday, which was started in 1974. There were twenty-two Baptisms at the United Methodist Church during the pastorate of Reverend Furness. Sixteen individuals were received into membership during that time. Sixteen marriages involving Juddville people were performed during the pastorate of Reverend Furnes James Boehm, mentioned under the pastorate of Frank Leineke, returned to the ministry in June 1975 to serve the Newaygo United Methodist Church, Reverend Boehm was ordained Elder June 11, 1976, at the West Michigan Annual Conference, Albion, Michigan. Reverend Furness served as his sponsor at his ordination. In June 1976 Reverend Furness and his family moved to take the pastorate of Lake Fenton United Methodist Church.

1977 - 1983

Reverend Donald Brown was appointed to the New Lothrop/Juddville charge with his wife, Doris. In July 1977 Reverend Brown had open heart surgery at Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. Combined services with New Lothrop were held during July and August. Reverend Tom Butcher of Owosso and Reverend Louis Alderton, a retired minister from Kansas, filled the pulpit during Reverend Brown illness and convalescence. Reverend Susan Garment was appointed in 1978 to the New Lothrop and Juddville pastorate. She and her husband resided in the New Lothrop church parsonage with their children Bill, Joann, and Jay. Under the direction of Reverend Susan in 1979 the Juddville United Methodist Church attendance grew from an average of 50 to an average attendance of 80 people each Sunday. In June 1980 Reverends Stan and Susan Garment were accepted by the Navy as Chaplains and Reverend Verne Blankenburg, his wife, Marilyn, and children, Carrie and Tad was appointed to the New Lothrop/Juddville charge.

1983 - 1997

Reverend Robert Henning was appointed to the New Lothrop/Juddville pastorate in June of 1983 with his wife, Barbara, and children, Christie and Mark. He and his family came from the Ann Arbor Free Methodist Church. They helped celebrate the 125 years of worshiping in Juddville Church. In 1890 Reverend Robert Henning after serving Juddville and New Lothrop United Methodist Church for seven years said goody-bye. He and his family moved to Williamston. Henning accepted a position in the Jackson prison system where he plans to teach and counsel inmates. During the interim the Reverend William Omansick of Chesaning filled the pulpit. In mid-October Reverend Mary Tame was assigned the charge of Juddville and New Lothrop United Methodist Churches. She had a college- aged son and daughter. She came from the Frenchtown United Methodist Church in Monroe. Highlights for Juddville UMC in 1992 included a cerebration held on September 12, with a parade, hog roast, games and speeches. Irene Turk and the Twin Township Historical Society played key roles in this celebration. A Historical Marker was dedicated and placed at the Juddville Schoolhouse. The Juddville United Methodist Church said good-bye to Pastor Mary Tame in 1997 when she left to serve a charge at the North Branch United Methodist Church.

1997 - 1999

Pastor James Downing, his wife, Sharon, and two children, Zachary and Cassandra arrived from Munising and Trenary United Methodist Church in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Pastor Downing served Juddville and the New Lothrop Methodist Church after the destruction of the New Lothrop Church due to a structure fire on Nov. 25, 1996, Reverend James Downing went on a medical disability leave. Reverend David Russell filled the pulpit at both churches during the month of January and two weeks into February. Reverend Russell continued to fill the pulpit at each church on alternation Sundays into the first part of March. Reverend Downing's doctor requested he further restrict his activities as far as his job was concerned. During this time the pulpit was filled by various other pastors and lay speakers. Starting August 1 6, 1999, Reverend Downing was placed on permanent disability leave. Reverend Clifford Furness was appointed to serve the charge through October 24, 1999. Guest pastors served as pastor for Juddville United Methodist Church and New Lothrop United Methodist church beginning in November until a permeant minister was available.

1999 - 2017

Pastor Olaf Lidums arrived December 6, 1999, Pastor Olaf Lidums took over for Pastor Downing. Roll call was held on Membership Sunday and recognized 69 members. Five new members joined Juddville Church. In 2003 Reverend David L. Fleming and his wife came to Juddville and New Lothrop United Methodist Churches to serve as pastor. Reverend Dr. Janet Engler served Juddville United Methodist Church and the New Lothrop United Methodist Church from the end of 2011 through 2013. At this time Juddvjlle and New Lothrop United Methodist Churches decided to no longer share a pastor. Danny Bledsoe came to serve as the Juddville United Methodist Church pastor in June of 2013 and stayed until June of 2015. From July 2015 until March 2017 Pastor Dan Wallington served Juddville United Methodist Church. The Church welcomed the Wallington's, Pastor Dan, his wife Melissa and children, Autumn, Daniel, Sara, Isaac, and Caleb. Juddville United Methodist Church's current pastor is Wallace Pete Crawford. He came to serve Juddville United Methodist Church in May 2017.