Detailed History of Faith UMC

1954-1998

In the 1950s, Dr. A. B. Smith, the District Superintendent, felt the need of having a Methodist Church in north Fargo. So, on January 1, 1955, the "North Side Church" held its first service in Ben Franklin Junior High School with Dr Smith conducting the service. The ministers were C. Maxwell Brown and Walter N. Pilgrim; Music Director, Vincent Dodge; Organist, Clara Pollock; Pianist, Mrs. Jack Carter.

On April 10, eighty-five transfer members from First Methodist Church chartered the North Side Church at their Easter morning worship with Dr. A. B. Smith officiating with assistance from Dr. C.A. Armstrong and Rev. George 0. Parish. Later that spring the congregation named the new church "Faith," the Board of Trustees took an option on land on 19th Avenue North and Dr A. B. Smith was appointed the first pastor The Women's Society of Christian Service (presently United Methodist Women) and the United Methodist Men's Club were established.That September, Faith purchased and moved the wooden American Lutheran Church building (now Peace Lutheran) on 12th Avenue and 10th Street North to site. Volunteers did all the work to make the little church "livable."The first service held in the new church was on Sunday, November 13, with Pastor Smith conducting the service, Mrs. Smith directing the choir with Mrs. Jack Carter accompanying. Several area churches donated items to help us start out; three families a month did the janitorial work.

By 1956, the Chancel choir and two junior choirs were singing. And in 1957, Scout Troop 214 organized with Dick Teichmann named Scoutmaster the Faith Church newsletter "Life With Faith" was started.The Organ Committee formed and funds were raised to purchase new organ in 1958. In 1959, a new parsonage was built at 2007 10th St. N on two back-to-back lots.The groundbreaking service for the new sanctuary was April 7, 1963; the last service in the old church building was held on November 17.

In 1964, transformation of the old church into an educational unit began in January. The Men's Club, along with other volunteers, remodeled upstairs level into six classrooms.Ground was broken for the new education building on May 25, 1975. Seventy people were involved in choirs - Sanctuary Choir, Angel Choir, Caroler Choir, Youth Choir and Worship Choir And on Palm Sunday, 1976, the new Education building was dedicated.

In April 1980, our 25th Anniversary was celebrated with an afternoon reception, exhibit of pictures and memorabilia, a banquet and program at NDSU Union, a breakfast honoring special guests charter members and visitors; worship featured former pastors and a mass choir.Faith Handbell Choirs started in 1983 and in 1984 the United Methodist Women published a cookbook commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Methodist Women's organization as well as the Bicentennial of the Methodist Church.The Faith United Methodist Foundation was organized and incorporated in 1985.The year 1988 brought a new electronic organ for Faith Church and a Live Nativity was presented to the community at Christmas time, which continues to the present.After a successful fund raising effort, the consecration of our asphalt parking lot was held on September 8, 1991.

A long range planning committee was formed in 1992 to develop the future plan for Faith. The plan was presented and approved at the 1993 Church Conference.Major repairs occurred in 1994, which included replacement of the furnace, fellowship hall roof and windows.

Faith's 40th Anniversary was celebrated in April 1995 with a potluck meal and program. The Property Development Task Force was formed. A Cross & Flame sculpture was designed and created by Carlo DiCicco for the south side of the building. The introduction of "Farley, Faith's Church Mouse" occurred in 1996; also the carpet in the sanctuary was replaced and Faith's Rich Heritage was published.At the time of publishing Faith's 1999 Pictorial Directory, the membership was 347.

The church is very busy! Along with worship and Sunday School for all ages each Sunday, coffee fellowship is held following the service and provides a welcome opportunity for members, visitors and friends to visit. The work areas and committees are active and productive; the youth group meets bi-monthly for mission work as well as fun. The United Methodist Women meet monthly and sponsor two rummage sales and a mini-bazaar; two circles, Esther and Rebecca meet monthly. Leisure Club offers a time of food and fellowship the last Wednesday of each month. Bible Study is each Wednesday as well as rehearsals for the Sanctuary Choir and two hand bell choirs. The Prayer Chain is a valuable tool in the ministry of Faith upholding special needs of our people.The Membership Work Area compiled a multi-colored informational brochure about Faith Church for members and visitors in 1997. It also conducts orientation meetings for prospective members and has as one of its goals, receiving new members at least two times a year Membership also began the "Visitation Ministry of Faith" in the spring of 1998 to minister to people in our congregation.

We are a solid church financially, keeping not only local obligations current, but contributing to mission work in our broader community, our church in Fargo-Moorhead and out into the world.Faith's Trustees are busy as well in their stewardship of our property: new sanctuary roof (hail); renovation of the Wesley Room; electrical upgrades in the sanctuary and plans for painting of trim areas outside the church as well as the parsonage.In addition to the ongoing church activities, Faith sponsors Troop 214, Boy Scouts of America, under the leadership of Ken Elfstrum (scoutmaster) and Dick and Marge Witz, who have been a part of the troop since 1957. Faith's facilities are also used by a 4-H Club and several support groups.As you'll read about elsewhere on this web site, 1998 ended on a tragic note with a fire that destroyed half our church with heavy smoke damage to the rest of the structure. It took the better part of a year, but we did rebuild.

Faith United Methodist Church continues to be the place where Faith is the substance of things hoped for . . . the evidence of things not seen.