Zion United Methodist Church of Hampshire, celebrating its 170th year of ministry, marked the occasion in a special way after its Sunday service by having members ring its bell 170 times at noon.
Members of the church, 157 W. Jefferson Ave., took turns tugging the rope to make the bell ring.
The bell was cast in 1884 in St. Louis, according to Dr. Thomas Getzelman, a veterinarian who owns Hampshire Animal Hospitals in Hampshire and Gilberts. He is serving as co-chairman of the 170th anniversary celebration.
Area churches all were invited to also ring their bells 170 times Sunday.
“As pastor of Zion United Methodist Church, it’s so wonderful to be here with the congregation to celebrate the anniversary,” Pastor Diana Otterbacher said.
Bishop Sally Dyck, episcopal leader of the Northern Illinois Conference of the United Methodist Church, was in attendance and said she recently had attended other church anniversary celebrations in the area, including for the 180th anniversary of First United Methodist Church in West Dundee.
“It’s wonderful to be here for your anniversary,” Dyck told Zion UMC church members Sunday. “This is a beautiful building.”
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According to church records, Zion UMC began as the German Evangelical Church in 1845. It was located in an area once known as Pigeon Woods near Big Timber and Ketchum roads. The church later moved to its present location. The building was dedicated by Bishop Dubbs in 1885.
“It is exactly 130 years ago today,” Getzelman said, “that our sanctuary was dedicated.”
Dyck said Zion UMC’s first class leader was John Aurand. He donated land in Pigeon Woods for a parsonage, a church and a cemetery. While the parsonage and original church no longer exist, Aurand Cemetery can be accessed by Kelley Road. Zion UMC held a cemetery walk there this past year as part of its anniversary celebration.
The current church building has seen a number of changes over the years. Additions were made on its east and west sides in 1913. In the mid-1920s, the steeple was destroyed by lightning. Indoor plumbing was added in the 1920s and 1930s. A basement was added in the 1950s, and a wheelchair ramp and elevator were installed in 1993.
Eleanor Leitner, of Huntley, said that her late husband Jack’s great-grandfather, George Leitner, was one of the church members who was instrumental in moving the church from Pigeon Woods to its location.
The Leitner family once had a farm in Hampshire and also once owned Leitner Bros. Meat Market in Elgin, where Jack’s father, Ora, was a butcher.
Eleanor said she married Jack in 1951. They had three sons and five grandchildren. Two of their sons, Gary and Craig, live in Elgin, while Steve lives in Poplar Grove.
Hampshire resident Leola Widmayer said she was baptized, confirmed and married inside Zion UMC. She said her wedding reception was held in the overflow room since the church did not have a basement at that time.
Church member Deanne Runge Tamms remembered when Zion UMC participated with other area churches in a community Thanksgiving service that started during the 1960s but is no longer held. It originally took place at Hampshire Elementary School and then moved to Hampshire Middle School.
“It was a wonderful community event,” Tamms said.
Denise Moran is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.