| |
Formerly the Community United Methodist Church from 1897 to 1974. The cornerstone was laid September 20, 1893, and the church was dedicated on May 9, 1897. It is an excellant example of modern ecumenicty and co-operation on the community level. The present congregation comes from a merger of the Edina Methodist Episcopal Church, the Edina Methodist Episcopal South and the Edina Presbyterian Church. This merger was first consummated in September of 1918 as a loose type of federation, but soon withdrew to continue on their own as an independent congregation. A pipe organ was placed in the church in 1909. The congregation was materially assisted by the great philanthropist, Andrew Carnegie, in that project.
The era of the Community Methodist Church was ended on July 19, 1974 at 11:30 a.m. when it was destroyed by fire. The blaze started in an old barn to the west of the church and quickly spread. Firemen from seven nearby communities gallantly fought the fire for several hours and were able to confine the major destruction to the church, although buildings on all sides were threatened. The only item from the Community Methodist Church that survived the fire was the clock. The clock was in for repair at the time of the fire. The loss is a sorrow to all who cherish the happy memories of the Community Methodist Church, although with enthusiasm and strength the congregation was busily engaged in the step-by-step process to erect a new church. The new church building was dedicated in 1978 and became the Edina United Methodist Church.
|
