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| You don’t have to ‘go West’ to find a frontier – just Michigan |
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FRONTIER, Mich. — One does not have to go West to find the frontier. In fact, just a bit north of a point on the map where the borders of Indiana, Michigan and Ohio join, is the sleepy unincorporated community of Frontier, Mich.
There you will also find the Frontier United Methodist Church, a lovely brick country chapel with a history dating back to 1895. Many churches find their beginnings with a small band of believers meeting in a home for Bible study and hymn singing. The little Frontier church is no different.
On Nov. 15, 1895, a group of 19 people gathered in a private home to discuss their dreams of becoming an organized congregation. They agreed to unite with the Methodist Episcopal Church and an official “class” was formed.
On Dec. 15, these study gatherings expanded to include preaching. Services were soon moved to a rented hall in the business district of the community. There were no plans at this time to build a chapel, yet within two months, discussions for such an edifice had begun. A little over one year later, on May 12, 1896, the cornerstone was laid for the current structure.
Today, the congregation has a membership of 52. The church’s outward appearance has not changed much except for an addition on the back to accommodate an inside stairway and restrooms, and a handicapped-accessible ramp.
Forty-seven ministers have led the flock over the years, including the current pastor, Rev. Donald Lee.
Proving that it is possible to keep up with the times while maintaining a rich heritage, the Frontier United Methodist Church has recently added a digital piano, an audio-visual system and the accessible ramp.
Other ministries of the church include the Lifeline Food and Clothing Bank, a cooperative ministry with 12 other area churches. The pantry serves 250 families each month. Weekly Sunday School classes and a Sunday evening Bible Study round out Frontier’s educational ministries. An active United Methodist Women’s (UMW) group meets monthly.
Other activities include a potluck dinner every first Sunday of the month, an “Out-To-Lunch” fellowship at area restaurants on the third Sunday of each month and a Widows fellowship, N.A.O.M.I. (Never Alone Offering Ministry Instead), every fourth Sunday.
Frontier United Methodist is a musical church with a choir, organist, pianist and people who love to sing. Visitors will find all the warmth, charm and hospitality of a typical rural American “frontier” church. |
| 4/7/2010 |
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