Willow Valley United Methodist Church

History curated and credited to Orlen Richards

As far as information can be found, this church was built in 1868. John Statser built the church with the aid of the community. The land was given by George Matthews. Rev. Simon Spyker, a Congregational minister, became the pastor about that time and resigned in 1890. He owned the farm and lived on what was known as the Bernie Brewer Farm, now owned by Wiedenfeld Acres II. His body now rests in the Willow Valley Cemetery (on County Hwy BA, Richland Center, WI 53581).

The first record of an organized group using the church was the Freewill Baptist group in January of 1877 beginning January 23. The first minister was hired to preach once every 4 weeks for $150 per year. No health insurance, travel expense or retirement. The Harry Marshall house, now owned by Charles Paulson, was built for the pastor to live in.

Several denominational groups used the church at the same time. The Freewill Baptist Church used this church from 1877 to 1894. The Congregational Church record shows they used the building from 1864 to 1894. The Free Methodist held services from 1894 to 1895. It was reported that the Mormons used the church a few nights for their services.

Many ministers came and went during these early years and also served in other area churches including Neptune (closed), Smyth Hollow (closed), and Loyd (closed in 1970). The Methodist Episcopal people used the church for services from 1908 to 1928 with most of the ministers coming from Sextonville or Reedsburg. Rev. L. E. Peckham was one minister who retired in Sextonville and lived there until his death in 1947. In the summer of 1928, while Rev. Peckham was serving this church, it was decided to close the church due to lack of adequate interest and support. At this time, some of the Ithaca families started to attend and join the United Brethren Church (Peace United Methodist Church) in Richland Center. The union church trustees during this time were John German, O. E. Richards and Tellus Truesdale. In 1930 and 1931, a reorganization of the church took place and Ithaca headed a circuit of Loyd and Smyth Hollow churches.

In 1930, 3 women, Mrs. Lelia Grover, Ms. Maude Helmer, and Mrs. Freda Poole, reorganized the Sunday School and persuaded Clyde Richards to become Sunday School Superintendent, a position he held until his death in 1959. Wayne Grover was student pastor during the summers of 1930 and 1931 while he was studying to be a pastor. He was a local youth, living in the brick house across the street, who had been led into the ministry because of his association with the Christian Families of the community.

August 21, 1926 the union society was dissolved and the church became a member of the United Brethren Conference. Many improvements were made along the years all done with much involvement from local community individuals and businesses. In 1913, the old belfry was replaced with a new entry and steeple. In 1931, the church was raised up and a basement put under it and a new furnace installed. In the fall of 1931, a house located just north of Ithaca was purchased for $500 and moved just south of the church for an additional $400. A new floor was added to the church in 1934, a gift of the Ladies Aid. In 1936, new pews were purchased. In 1943, the interior was redecorated which included lowering the ceiling, new wiring, and new light fixtures in the sanctuary.

In the 1950s, the office, class rooms and rest rooms were added and the kitchen remodeled. In the mid 1980s, the enclosed entrance was added to the front of the church. A wheel chair ramp was also added to allow wheel chairs to come into the sanctuary; however, it didn’t allow access to the lower level. In 1999, the administrative council elected to purchase a new parsonage in Sextonville for the use of the pastor. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, additions were made to the church building, including the elevator to allow wheelchair and handicap access to all floors of the church.

Between 1967 and 1970, the Ithaca United Brethren Church, alongside the Sextonville and Loyd churches, merged into a single congregation at the Ithaca building and was renamed “Willow Valley United Methodist Church.” This transition was happening concurrently with the merge into the United Methodist denomination. The current pews in the chapel came from the Sextonville church.

Many people have gone on to full time ministry because of this congregation. This incomplete list includes Wayne Grover, Don Sumwalt, John Sumwalt, Frank Thompson, Collen Benneker, Gladys Brown, and Alice Richards. Many have also gone on mission projects.

The Sunday School and Bible School, including Growing in God, have always been a very important part of this church’s life. In 1952, average Sunday school attendance was 70. The interesting aspect down through the years for this church has been community realizing there was a need for a church and have helped support it in building programs as well as being involved in church activities. Seven different denominations have used this building for worship; the most recent three have all been through mergers (United Brethren merged with the Evangelical church to become the Evangelical United Brethren, then merging with Methodist to become United Methodist). The Ithaca Evangelical United Brethren was also one of the earlier sites of women-led clergy. Sara Mouer and Mayte Richardson served as the joint ministers of the Ithaca Evangelical United Brethren in the early 1950s.