BISHOP HELPS CHURCH CELEBRATE 150TH ANNIVERSARY

More than 150 people packed into the Zion United Methodist Church last Sunday morning to celebrate 150 years and to hear the message from Bishop Ann B. Sherer.

Sherer gave the message entitled, "Settling for Less," and told the faithful gathered that Christians are called to do more and not settle for less.

Also on hand for the celebration was East Missouri Annual Conference District Superintendent Mary Ellen Meyer and State Rep. David Schwab.

Schwab presented the congregation a proclamation from the Missouri House of Representatives.

Current pastor the Rev. Conway Briscoe said that this is one of many anniversary activities the church will hold throughout the year. The church has dubbed the celebrations "Marching to Zion 1848-1998."

"It was a powerful experience to stand in the midst of 150 years of history, and see the future that is calling us," Briscoe said of Sunday's service.

"There really was a sense on Sunday of a moment in time," he added.

Next month the church will be on the Mississippi Valley Scenic Drive on April 25 and 26. The sanctuary will be open and historical photos will be on display. People will also be welcome to tour the church grounds.

On Aug. 2, the church will hold a day-long homecoming for everyone. Many people, including former church members and pastors, are expected to attend.

Zion United Methodist Church of Gordonville began in 1848. German settlers started the church. They got off the boat in Cape Girardeau and they continued west to Gordonville.

Briscoe said the landscape probably reminded them of Germany.

The current church building was built in 1876. The congregation wanted to build a church on a hill. The bricks used to build the church were made on the church grounds. The clay pit used to make the bricks is still on the premises, Briscoe said.

In those days the men sat on the north side of church and the women sat on the south side of church. This changed in the 1930s when the pews were redone and the partition that separated the sexes was removed.

The language used in the church was still German until the outbreak of World War II, Briscoe said.

Briscoe said that the church will undergo another change this summer when the sanctuary will get new carpet, hardwood floors and a new coat of paint.