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Church celebrates its 50th anniversary

JANESVILLE — In 1958, the leaders of Cargill United Methodist Church were moving from downtown Janesville to the city’s far east side.

They asked members who lived on the south side if they’d like a faith home of their own.

That was the beginning of Asbury United Methodist Church.

Now, 50 years later, Asbury is celebrating its anniversary.

At 10 a.m. Sunday, the community is invited to celebrate with the church, 1810 Kellogg Ave. Refreshments will be served and the church will dedicate a time capsule bench.

The celebration began in June with the theme of “Living, Loving and Laughing.” During that first month, the charter members of the church were honored. They include Faye and Claude Eakins, Phyllis Grangaard, Virginia and Jesse Scarborough, Virginia Schumacher, Marjorie and August Weber, Eileen Wolfe and Jean Zeilinger.

The first meeting of the church was held in Lester and Virginia Schumacher’s home.

From 1958 to 1961, those founding members and others worshipped in the Teamsters Hall on the south side. In 1961, a hall was built on a 5-acre property at Oakhill and Kellogg avenues.

The first pastor was the Rev. William Morton.

In June 2008, the Rev. Ann Spindt, who had served the church for 8 years, transferred the spiritual mantle the Rev. Wendee Nitz.

Asbury in involved in a variety of community ministries including ECHO and the GIFTS men’s homeless shelter.