History of the Blue Springs Methodist Church
compiled by Henrietta (Tobyne) Smith &
presented at the Old Settlers Reunion
on December 9, 1909 - the 40th Anniversary of the Church
presented at the Old Settlers Reunion
on December 9, 1909 - the 40th Anniversary of the Church
The first history we could get of the organization of a Methodist Class and Sunday School at Blue Springs, Nebr., dates back to the year 1858, when Rev. J. H. Johnson and a young man by the name of Foster organized the first Sunday School and Methodist Class [ J. W. Foster was assigned to Beatrice in 1859, being the first pastor ever sent to that place. His circuit included Blue Springs and perhaps some other points on the Big Blue. He reported at the Conference in 1860 fourteen members].
These meetings were kept up a regular intervals, the members meetings in the homes of the members in fall and winter and in the grove during the summer time, until the year of 1859 or 1860. In the year of 1860 a preacher by the name of Mason, who lived on Salt Creek in Lancaster County, came to Blue Springs on horse back and held services once each month.
In the year 1861 Rev. John B. Maxfield, who located up the Blue River a short distance north of Blue Springs held regular services. Rev. Maxfield's wife died and there was no cemetery so she was buried on their farm, but later moved into the present cemetery. [ Orpha (Summers) Maxfield 1839-9/26/1860 is buried in the Blue Springs Cemetery ] After the death of brother Maxfield's wife, he broke up housekeeping and lived among the members of the class, who were Rev. J. H. Johnson and family, Mr. & Mrs Parsons, Mr. & Mrs. William Tyler, Miss Mary Johnson, Dr. & Mrs. Levi Anthony.
In 1862 Rev. Davis, Presiding Elder, and King and Kendal, Pastors in charge. The members of this class were the same as the preceeding year with the addition of Miss Retta Anthony who became Mrs. Frank Graham, Lizzie Anthony who became Mrs. Porter and Mrs. R. A. Wilson. During this year prayer meetings were instituted and were held in the homes of the members of the class. The young people often went to Beatrice to attend the Quarterly Meetings.
During this year a very successful Sunday School was carried on in a small log cabin down near Blue Springs with James (of Grandpa) Hollingworth as Superintendent and Dr. Anthony was assistant. Members of the young ladies class were Miss Rita Anthony, Miss Lizzie Anthony, Miss Gray, Miss Weltha Tinkham, Miss Mary Johnson, Miss Rosa Hinenger, Miss Sarah and Miss Jane Cochran, Mrs. Viney and Miss Mira Shelley as teacher. Members of the young men's class were Frank Graham, James Thomas, Robert Shelly, Wm. Wilde, and Thaddeus Edward Armstrong. There were older people's classes, an intermediate and primary class.
During the year 1863, Rev. McLaughlin was pastor in charge. During the years 1864 & 1865, Rev. Tinkham took charge of the work at Blue Springs. At this time, the Indian troubles in the West began, Civil War was going on the in the South and the grasshopper raids caused some to leave their homes. Others went to fight the Indians and some enlisted in the U. S. Army. So will all of these things going on there were but few left to keep up the church and Sunday school.
In 1874 the preacher in charge, Rev. Geo H. Wehn, wrote to a former pastor, Rev. H. P. Mann, to find out if there was some kind of a record of the Blue Springs Church and received this reply:
"Palmyra, Nebr., April 22, 1874 - Brother Wehn: I am glad to send you any assistance I can covering the Blue Springs circuit. I was sent to Beatrice circuit then consisting of the following appointments: Beatrice, Blue Springs, Mud Creek, Swan City and Swan Creek.
The Blue Springs charge had fallen in such a disorganized condition that the membership did not exceed six in number. They were: Mrs. J. H. Johnson, Ritta Graham, Wm. Tyler and wife, sister Amelia Wilson and Sister Viney. Brother Tyler and wife and Wilson were absent the first year leaving only three. Brother Mudge and wife moved their membership to Blue Springs and I appointed Brother Mudge as class leader.
In 1874 the preacher in charge, Rev. Geo H. Wehn, wrote to a former pastor, Rev. H. P. Mann, to find out if there was some kind of a record of the Blue Springs Church and received this reply:
"Palmyra, Nebr., April 22, 1874 - Brother Wehn: I am glad to send you any assistance I can covering the Blue Springs circuit. I was sent to Beatrice circuit then consisting of the following appointments: Beatrice, Blue Springs, Mud Creek, Swan City and Swan Creek.
The Blue Springs charge had fallen in such a disorganized condition that the membership did not exceed six in number. They were: Mrs. J. H. Johnson, Ritta Graham, Wm. Tyler and wife, sister Amelia Wilson and Sister Viney. Brother Tyler and wife and Wilson were absent the first year leaving only three. Brother Mudge and wife moved their membership to Blue Springs and I appointed Brother Mudge as class leader.
At the end of the second year the Beatrice circuit was divided and the Cub Creek appointment was cut off, making the Blue River the dividing line. Blue Springs was retained in Cub Creek circuit by the conference of March, 1863. I was appointed to the Cub Creek circuit which was made up of the appointment at Blue Springs, Sicily Creek, Swan Creek and Turkey Creek on Plesant Hill. In the third Quarterly meeting Plum Creek and Wolf Creek were sent over to the Cub Creek circuit by request of G. W. Elwood of Beatrice.
In the Conference of 1869, Cub Creek circuit was divided and Saline and Blue Springs were organized with T. B. Lemon as Presiding Elder and I was appointed pastor in charge. The Blue Springs class consisted of Thomas Harpster, class leader, the brothe H. Z. Mayne, leader of the second class, which often met a Brother Tobynes. Wm. Tyler was steward. The stone part of the church was built to the roof that year. [ this church was located in the center of the block were the new fire station now stands]
In the Conference of 1869, Cub Creek circuit was divided and Saline and Blue Springs were organized with T. B. Lemon as Presiding Elder and I was appointed pastor in charge. The Blue Springs class consisted of Thomas Harpster, class leader, the brothe H. Z. Mayne, leader of the second class, which often met a Brother Tobynes. Wm. Tyler was steward. The stone part of the church was built to the roof that year. [ this church was located in the center of the block were the new fire station now stands]
Services were held in the stone church for more than a year with nothing between the congregation and the roof but overhead joists. The roof was finished in 1870, however it would be two more years before there were any seats except rough planks around the sides of the building.
