Our History

Alden United Methodist Church in approximately 1885

The Alden Methodist Episcopal Church (ME) was started by the early settlers of Spencer Creek who held church services in their homes. After a school was built in 1867 they met there for prayer, Bible study, and personal accountability and growth, starting by asking each person “How is it with your soul?”. Some people walked seven miles through the woods to attend church.

It was about 1874 that the Michigan Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church began keeping records of a church meeting established here. [in Alden] The class meeting, which met in the homes of group members and perhaps later in the school building, was an informal group which met for Bible Study, prayer, as well as personal spiritual accountability and growth, and was patterned after those begun in England by John and Charles Wesley. Each Class Meeting began by asking each participant, “How is it with your soul?” (from the Alden UMC History book by Rev. Matson)

The Reverend Mr. Owen J. Golden was the first Pastor, arriving in 1874…It was at Alden that he began his ministry, later serving at Mancelona, Torch Lake, Manton, Elk Rapids and Edmore.

July 18, 1884, the cornerstone of the Spencer Creek Methodist Church was laid at the church’s present location. Seventeen families were listed as members. The original church did not have a basement, but it had a shed behind for the shelter of horses, buggies, and wagons. It was heated by a pot-bellied stove and hanging oil lamps provided light. People sat on round-backed wooden chairs. At Christmas huge trees stood in each corner. Members decorated the trees with presents and one year they cut a hole in the back wall between the two windows so Santa could come down a chimney. For years a circular band mended the spot in the South wall.

Improvements were made in 1903 -1906 including a hardwood floor, opera seats, and red plush Chancel chairs. A floor furnace was put in a partial basement. Then in 1927, the building was jacked up and a full basement was added. This allowed space for a kitchen, Sunday School rooms, and room for dinners and social gatherings. Generous donations allowed the church to be completely redecorated with new walls, ceiling, and stained glass windows.

While the church was “up on stilts” Sunday School and Worship were held in the Seventh Day Adventist Church. At this time there were 47 families. In the 1950’s, an addition was built at the back of the church, adding rest rooms, a minister’s study, and making the chancel larger. In the lower level, a new kitchen and furnace room were added. Later additions were made including pews, an organ, and the Carillon.

By 1987 the church had grown to 120 families and a ground breaking service was held May 24, 1987 to begin construction and a total remodeling which turned the nave end to end, added a new entrance, and created more spacious office and classroom areas. During this time, church was held at the Alden Community Center until the project was completed October 1987.

This year 2024, we are celebrating 150 years of ministry in Alden being the hands and feet of Jesus. We hope that you will join us in celebrating our past 150 years of ministry and looking forward to a bright future here in Antrim County.