who weare
welcome tograce
We at Grace are committed to making a difference in the Piedmont Valley, the Dakotas, and throughout the world in the name of Jesus Christ. Not a small task! Luckily, we have a church full of Disciples who are ready and willing to do ministry each and every day.
The Holy Spirit has moved through Grace in different stages since the original church was built in 1890. In 2006 we found ourselves in a new church building, with many new faces, and many new opportunities for ministry. With that sense of calling and excitement, we welcome you to our church family and pray that you will find a home with us.
If you are wondering where you fit into God's calling for our world, or whether or not God is calling at all, we invite you to come and join us as we work, struggle, play, and learn together.
ourhistory
The first Methodist Church services were held in Piedmont in the year 1881 by James Williams, District Superintendent. He continued to hold services in various homes, the Dobe School and at Sacora until 1883. Circuit preachers were common those days and moved every year.
In 1889 money was given to build a church. Land was donated by Capt. C. V. Gardner. His brother helped build the church in 1890. The altar was on the west end and a wood heater on the east. The Piedmont Church was incorporated on July 23, 1890. On February 28, 1913, the bell tower was put on the church. On July 11, 1913 Rev. Stevens dedicated the church bell.
In 1960, Rev Harvey Sanders, District Superintendent, was assigned to the church. He described the church like an aged sick elephant, looking for a place to lay down and die. There were only 5 at church and only 3 persons at annual conference. Henry and Sylvia Allison were appointed to serve the church. During the 60's, they got things moving for remodeling and the building committee made plans to build Sunday school rooms. He got a call from Bill Nissen who said, "I have a dozer free today, should we start the basement?" Volunteer labor was used to complete several Sunday school rooms. In 1986, a second remodeling took place which gave the church a fellowship hall, enlarged the sanctuary, changed and enlarged the education rooms, added bathrooms and moved the kitchen to the ground floor. The fellowship hall was used for the first time on Dedication Sunday, May 15, 1988. Primary volunteer labor was used to do the building. This brought together many of the members, both old and new.
A parsonage was built later and Darrell Leach and his family were the first ones to live there. In the summer of 2005 the parsonage was completely remodeled for the next lineage of Grace UMC pastors.
In 2001 it was voted to buy land for a new church. A fund raiser was held later and the building committee put the old church up for sale.
On may 10, 2004, work started on the new church property. John and Chris Boylan donated the land where the new church was to be built, and in all the new church property (both donated and purchased) amounted to over 9 acres. Jim Semmler built the new church, and we moved into the beautiful new sanctuary for worship in December of 2004.
Grace continues to be a place of worship, mission, praise, prayer, and fellowship. As our history continues in our new surroundings, our prayer is that these things will continue to drive our ministry in the name of Jesus Christ into whatever future God has in store for us.