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Fletcher Chapel Reunion set for Aug. 3
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By Maxine Christensen
“We like to live in a little town where the trees meet across the street,
Where you wave your hand and say “hello” to everyone you meet.
We like to live in a little town and care no more to roam
For every house in a little town, it’s more than a house, it’s a home.”
The Fletcher Chapel Reunion Barn Party will be held Aug. 3, 11:30 a.m. with grilling at 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. Bring something to grill, a side dish to share, and your own lawn chair. Drinks and table service will be provided. The place is the Ross Riggs farm (old Hazel Riggs House) east of Fletcher Chapel - follow the signs. Bring your stories of the old days to share and also any pictures to share.
A Fletcher General Store was built in 1925 by George Selby and Bradley McClelland. Ed Burk was to be the operator, but due to change of plans, it was abandoned for two years. In 1927, McClelland took sick so Drew Selby ran the store with the help of his wife. They lived above the store. Next Robert Bell ran the store until after Pearl Harbor. Frances Render operated it for two years then Basil Norcross took over for awhile. He was replaced by Harry Graham who operated it until about 1953. Tom McDermott and wife Lois and boys Rick and Jerry ran it from 1953-1969, when it closed for rebuilding of Highway 71. Besides selling general merchandise, they handled hardware, feed and gas. In the earlier day, they handled cream and eggs. Skelly gas sold for 24.9 and was delivered by Virgil Brock; there was a gas war at this time with the town of Lyman. They also sold Challenge Feed, Wayne Feed, General tires, buttermilk for hogs, molasses and hog feeders. Rick and Jerry McDermott boys put the hog feeders together for $10 each, and they put together “tons” of them. Specials at the store were white gloves with Fletcher Store written on them at three pair for a dollar. Meadow Gold ice cream was sold as well as Andersen Ericksen milk. Kendle Warne remembers when Bob Bell owned the store and the kids would go in and a lot of times Bell would be resting and tell the kids to “make your own ice cream cones” Kendle said they made real big ones for 5 cents. When he was a kid on the farm, it was his job to gather eggs and then he would get the money for them when he sold them - 35 cents a dozen. People also brought in cream and eggs and would trade out the money for groceries. One night the store was broken into and Tom McDermott took after them with a pickup and caught them.
Wayne McFadden remembers that in the early 30’s a garage was built south of the store by Willis Miller who owned the land and Ora Turner operated it for a number of years, followed by Fred Drager, George Hinsen and B. F. Howard. Turner then again took it over. The people in the garage mostly fixed lawn mowers and small engines until closing.
In 1970, the building was moved across the road because of the widening of Highway 71 and made into a machine shed on the McDermott farm.
McFadden remembers the free movies on Fletcher corner and they were shown in Floyd McFadden’s orchard north of the store. This went on for eight or nine years into the 1950’s. The store was quite a social center where people would come to pick up a few groceries and visit and on Sunday morning there would be as high as 20 people visiting and getting a few items. In the 1930’s, the store bought chickens and eggs and also sold nails, staples, bolts and small tools.
Darla Conn remembers going to school one mile south of Fletcher Chapel. That school now sits in Sunnyside Park. Others who attended were the McDermott, Steffens, Meyers, Nelson, Martins, Petersen and Kirchhoff kids. The school was located next to the highway and the kids at recess time would sit close to the road and when trucks went by stick their thumbs up for a ride. The store was located on the southeast side of a four way intersection - “catty” cornered from the church.
The road where the store and garage and church were located was at one time highway 92, then 100, then 414, then G43, then Oxford Road, and finally 71. The highway commission auctioned the store, garage and grain bins and store equipment for $1,625.
Patty Bissell tells that across the highway from Fletcher Chapel Store was the Fletcher Chapel Church (a Methodist Church). Weekly services were held, Bible School was a big event and nobody cared if they had to use the outhouse to the west of the church for bathroom breaks.
Fletcher Chapel Church was dedicated on Dec. 27,1891, however Methodism was organized in Bear Grove Township 17 years before that. The first congregation worshipped in the No 9 schoolhouse for four years, then the Methodist and Congregational groups built a church on land donated by Charles Herbing, one half mile west of this building at a cost of $1,200 and was dedicated free of debt. Ten years later the Methodists constructed a church for their own use on land donated by Oliver McFadden. Regular services were held for 75 years.
On Dec. 7, 1941 (Pearl Harbor), the 50th anniversary of Fletcher Chapel Methodist Church was held. Pastor was Rev. A. Breeling. The morning service was at 10:30 a.m. with a basket dinner at noon and afternoon services at 2:30 p.m.
Maude Becker wrote a history of the church on its 75th anniversary. “It’s a living thing composed of both divine and human elements. It is the Holy Spirit working through it’s many members.” In building the church contractors together with members from the church began hauling rock from the quarry at Lewis. The lumber also came from Lewis. Members helped with the construction. The pulpit was purchased for $25 and the pews for $193. At this time the only other piece of furniture that was original was the secretary in the back of the room. It was built by Ben Cranston after he purchased a scroll saw. It was built of solid wood and put together with pegs with a decoration on top. The young people had socials in their homes to buy the books. The pulpit chairs, piano and calendar clock were added later.
The largest remodeling job was raising the building and digging the basement. There was a catastrophy as jacks under the building slipped and almost dropped it into the excavation. Aside from wrecking the building it might have killed several men. Other improvements were a new floor and carpet, an enclosed entrance to the basement, the ceiling lowered, and running water put in the basement a donation of the McFadden family. The pot bellied stove was removed and a wood and coal furnace set in a hole in the ground with one large register in the front, and later on a gas furnace was installed. .
The early woman’s organization was known as the Ladies Aid. Much of their effort went toward making money by various means. In 1940, the women organized into the Woman’s Society of Christian Service. The big project of the year was a bazaar and dinner in the fall. The Society also helped with church expenses as well as world wide support of Missionary Work, schools, hospitals, girls resident halls, and other Methodist
Many of the people who called Fletcher Chapel “their town” remember ball games played in the field and lots of watermelon eaten.
The 100th anniversary of “remembering Fletcher Chapel Methodist Church” was held on Dec. 8, 1991. Former members are anxious that some sort of a memorial be erected so that future generations can see the place where their ancestors worshipped. If anyone is interested in donating money to this cause, you may contact Patty Bissell of Massena or Darla Conn at W & S Appliance in Atlantic. Don’t forget the reunion on Sunday, Aug. 3.
Where you wave your hand and say “hello” to everyone you meet.
We like to live in a little town and care no more to roam
For every house in a little town, it’s more than a house, it’s a home.”
The Fletcher Chapel Reunion Barn Party will be held Aug. 3, 11:30 a.m. with grilling at 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. Bring something to grill, a side dish to share, and your own lawn chair. Drinks and table service will be provided. The place is the Ross Riggs farm (old Hazel Riggs House) east of Fletcher Chapel - follow the signs. Bring your stories of the old days to share and also any pictures to share.
A Fletcher General Store was built in 1925 by George Selby and Bradley McClelland. Ed Burk was to be the operator, but due to change of plans, it was abandoned for two years. In 1927, McClelland took sick so Drew Selby ran the store with the help of his wife. They lived above the store. Next Robert Bell ran the store until after Pearl Harbor. Frances Render operated it for two years then Basil Norcross took over for awhile. He was replaced by Harry Graham who operated it until about 1953. Tom McDermott and wife Lois and boys Rick and Jerry ran it from 1953-1969, when it closed for rebuilding of Highway 71. Besides selling general merchandise, they handled hardware, feed and gas. In the earlier day, they handled cream and eggs. Skelly gas sold for 24.9 and was delivered by Virgil Brock; there was a gas war at this time with the town of Lyman. They also sold Challenge Feed, Wayne Feed, General tires, buttermilk for hogs, molasses and hog feeders. Rick and Jerry McDermott boys put the hog feeders together for $10 each, and they put together “tons” of them. Specials at the store were white gloves with Fletcher Store written on them at three pair for a dollar. Meadow Gold ice cream was sold as well as Andersen Ericksen milk. Kendle Warne remembers when Bob Bell owned the store and the kids would go in and a lot of times Bell would be resting and tell the kids to “make your own ice cream cones” Kendle said they made real big ones for 5 cents. When he was a kid on the farm, it was his job to gather eggs and then he would get the money for them when he sold them - 35 cents a dozen. People also brought in cream and eggs and would trade out the money for groceries. One night the store was broken into and Tom McDermott took after them with a pickup and caught them.
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In 1970, the building was moved across the road because of the widening of Highway 71 and made into a machine shed on the McDermott farm.
McFadden remembers the free movies on Fletcher corner and they were shown in Floyd McFadden’s orchard north of the store. This went on for eight or nine years into the 1950’s. The store was quite a social center where people would come to pick up a few groceries and visit and on Sunday morning there would be as high as 20 people visiting and getting a few items. In the 1930’s, the store bought chickens and eggs and also sold nails, staples, bolts and small tools.
Darla Conn remembers going to school one mile south of Fletcher Chapel. That school now sits in Sunnyside Park. Others who attended were the McDermott, Steffens, Meyers, Nelson, Martins, Petersen and Kirchhoff kids. The school was located next to the highway and the kids at recess time would sit close to the road and when trucks went by stick their thumbs up for a ride. The store was located on the southeast side of a four way intersection - “catty” cornered from the church.
The road where the store and garage and church were located was at one time highway 92, then 100, then 414, then G43, then Oxford Road, and finally 71. The highway commission auctioned the store, garage and grain bins and store equipment for $1,625.
Patty Bissell tells that across the highway from Fletcher Chapel Store was the Fletcher Chapel Church (a Methodist Church). Weekly services were held, Bible School was a big event and nobody cared if they had to use the outhouse to the west of the church for bathroom breaks.
Fletcher Chapel Church was dedicated on Dec. 27,1891, however Methodism was organized in Bear Grove Township 17 years before that. The first congregation worshipped in the No 9 schoolhouse for four years, then the Methodist and Congregational groups built a church on land donated by Charles Herbing, one half mile west of this building at a cost of $1,200 and was dedicated free of debt. Ten years later the Methodists constructed a church for their own use on land donated by Oliver McFadden. Regular services were held for 75 years.
On Dec. 7, 1941 (Pearl Harbor), the 50th anniversary of Fletcher Chapel Methodist Church was held. Pastor was Rev. A. Breeling. The morning service was at 10:30 a.m. with a basket dinner at noon and afternoon services at 2:30 p.m.
Maude Becker wrote a history of the church on its 75th anniversary. “It’s a living thing composed of both divine and human elements. It is the Holy Spirit working through it’s many members.” In building the church contractors together with members from the church began hauling rock from the quarry at Lewis. The lumber also came from Lewis. Members helped with the construction. The pulpit was purchased for $25 and the pews for $193. At this time the only other piece of furniture that was original was the secretary in the back of the room. It was built by Ben Cranston after he purchased a scroll saw. It was built of solid wood and put together with pegs with a decoration on top. The young people had socials in their homes to buy the books. The pulpit chairs, piano and calendar clock were added later.
The largest remodeling job was raising the building and digging the basement. There was a catastrophy as jacks under the building slipped and almost dropped it into the excavation. Aside from wrecking the building it might have killed several men. Other improvements were a new floor and carpet, an enclosed entrance to the basement, the ceiling lowered, and running water put in the basement a donation of the McFadden family. The pot bellied stove was removed and a wood and coal furnace set in a hole in the ground with one large register in the front, and later on a gas furnace was installed. .
The early woman’s organization was known as the Ladies Aid. Much of their effort went toward making money by various means. In 1940, the women organized into the Woman’s Society of Christian Service. The big project of the year was a bazaar and dinner in the fall. The Society also helped with church expenses as well as world wide support of Missionary Work, schools, hospitals, girls resident halls, and other Methodist
Many of the people who called Fletcher Chapel “their town” remember ball games played in the field and lots of watermelon eaten.
The 100th anniversary of “remembering Fletcher Chapel Methodist Church” was held on Dec. 8, 1991. Former members are anxious that some sort of a memorial be erected so that future generations can see the place where their ancestors worshipped. If anyone is interested in donating money to this cause, you may contact Patty Bissell of Massena or Darla Conn at W & S Appliance in Atlantic. Don’t forget the reunion on Sunday, Aug. 3.
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