Pictured here is Biggs United Methodist Church as it stands today.

BIGGS, CA (MPG) – Approximately 100 church members and community members turned out for the 150th anniversary celebration of the Biggs United Methodist Church on Saturday, Oct. 19.

The afternoon began with tours through the main church, and the newer education building. Historical documents and newspaper clippings were displayed on tables.

The church was built with locally-made bricks and then later covered with siding for weatherization. Early on, it was discovered that the building was quite cold in the winter months. For a time, the congregants met at the Baptist church until a coal burning stove was placed in the parlor.

The education building houses the Food and Commodities distribution rooms for the benefit of those in need. Distributions happen twice a month, on the second and fourth Tuesdays, under Dorothea Hodges’ direction. There is also a room for an Alcoholics Anonymous group that meets there.

Pastor Martha Waterman receives a certificate of recognition from County Supervisor Tod Kimmelshue.

Pastor Martha Waterman was the first speaker. She commended the present membership for the faith, nurturing, and caring for others that have touched countless lives through the light of Christ. She continued by honoring the legacy of those who laid the foundation that the church continues to stand on today. The pastor concluded by offering a prayer of gratitude for 150 years of worship and hope for many more to come. 

Former Pastor David Brick spoke next. He reminisced about his nine years of being pastor there. He was noted for preaching in a Hawaiian shirt, a practice that caught on among the church membership. Brick spoke fondly of his time with the youth group.

County Supervisor Tod Kimmelshue spoke of the church as a testament to those who built it and to the members today for the work they do in the community. Kimmelshue has assisted with the distribution of commodities on occasion. He spoke highly of that and the many other services to the community that the church members provide. Kimmelshue ended by presenting a commemorative certificate to Pastor Martha.

Food and commodities are distributed twice a month.

After the program, attendees were invited to the sanctuary for a presentation by Peggy Hutsell on the history of the church. The 51 original members hailed from Ophir, Palermo, Gridley and Biggs. In 1874, they held their first quarterly conference and appointed H.R. Land as pastor. He was a circuit rider with five churches, so the congregation only met once a month in the beginning.

To have their own building, several lots were purchased and later sold, until the best location was found. The cornerstone was laid on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 18, 1888.

The building cost $3,000, and the women raised the money. Bake sales and potlucks were held frequently, both for the original building as well as for repairing fire damage that occurred in 1928.

The Getty Hall was added to the building in 1940 to 1943 by Reverend Donald Getty and the education building was brought over from Beale Air Force Base in 1963.

Robin Solansky buries the time capsule in the churchyard.

In 1980, the women’s auxiliary group was named S.M.I.L.E. for “Sisters Methodist in Loving Endeavors.” The women meet once a month for games, fellowship and projects.

Once the history presentation was complete, the group sang several old familiar hymns and then had a luncheon in the Getty Hall.

To conclude the event, a time capsule was buried in the churchyard. There was some discussion about a time capsule that was buried 50 years ago but no one seemed to know exactly where it was.