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Friday's Internet Edition, November 21, 2008.
Galt United Methodist honored as founding church in Galt
Historical society plaque bestowed upon congregation
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Pastor Craig Dale of Galt United Methodist Church dedicates a plaque commemorating the third church in Galt, presented by the Galt Area Historical Society.
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In a ceremony following morning worship on Sunday, April 20, the Galt Area Historical Society presented a plaque to the Galt United Methodist Church recognizing it as one of the first four churches in Galt. The church is located on the corner of Sixth and C streets.
Genie and David Olson, and historical society president Scott Lethbridge were in attendance on behalf of the historical society. Pastor Craig Dale of the United Methodist Church received the plaque and honored all those who have been involved in the history of the church.
Ron Dameron, chair of the trustees in 1978, presented some historical commentary. The city of Galt was originally 120 acres square and was carved out of a Spanish land grant, said Dameron. The town’s layout was done by the Western Pacific Railroad Company in 1869, when it was agreed that Galt would have a church on each of the four corners.
The congregation from Hicksville Community Church moved to Galt in 1880, and the Methodist Church of Galt was founded. The services were first conducted at the Harvey Grove School House, shared Dameron, who said in the old days a Methodist Circuit Rider would come to town to do the burying and marrying, with members of the congregation holding their own services when the circuit rider was not present.
In the late 1800s, the property at C and Sixth Street was purchased and in 1900 a church was built in the traditional style of the time with peaked windows. In the 1920s, a tall spire and a belfry were added. This church structure survived until 1969 when it was torn down.
What is now the fellowship hall was originally used as the sanctuary. The first service of the new church was held on Easter Sunday 1971.
In 1978, a neighbor, Marshall Angrave, in honor of his mother Lorena Angrave, donated funds for building the present sanctuary which included office space on the east side of the building (currently used as the nursery). This new addition was dedicated on Dec. 16, 1979.
In the years since this present church was built, stained glass windows over the entrance doors in the lobby and behind the cross in the sanctuary, as well as side windows, have been purchased with memorial funds. The offices have been moved to a small house on the north side of the parking lot. The two remaining lots, north of the offices, are planned for future expansion.
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