Our Story

A Brief History Of Community United Methodist Church - Elm Grove, Wisconsin

By Jennifer Klett, church historian

2009 We Turned 60... A Year in Review

A Methodist Church?

In 1948, a small group of people met to discuss the need for a Methodist church in the Brookfield, Elm Grove area. World War II had ended three years earlier, and the baby boom was underway. Parents felt their children needed “Sunday” schooling. There were no Protestant churches in the area, which was quickly becoming suburbia.

A survey taken later that year revealed there was a real desire for such a church. In 1949, a site committee evaluated three possible locations, and concluded that a three and a half acre parcel at Watertown Plank and Highland Roads was best. Appropriately, the site was part of Mission Hills subdivision.

Humble Beginnings at Leland School

On Sunday, September 25, 1949 the first service and “church” school was held at Leland School. The congregation sat on folding chairs in the school lunchroom. Leland School, once located just south of the Elm Grove Women’s Club parking lot on Watertown Plank and Sunny Slope Roads, would become the church’s home for the next six years. The school no longer stands.

On October 10, 1949, 37 charter members were listed. Nearby St. Edmund’s Episcopal Church lent their small electric organ for services. The growing congregation of over 300 members celebrated a church groundbreaking in the rain exactly five years later in 1954. The next year a cornerstone was laid, and parishioners and neighbors watched the raising of the church’s 80 foot spire.

“Ageless Colonial Charm”

Community Methodist Church held their consecration service in their new church on October 16, 1955. A donated original painting, Madonna and Child, which still hangs in the church today, was displayed over the baptismal font. A 1953 building brochure stated that the architects had “caught our hearts’ vision of a church with the welcoming warmth of ageless colonial charm.” That vision was to mimic New England churches which served as inspirational centers of community life.

Scripture also tells of worship being community based: “let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together . . . but encouraging one another” (Hebrews 10:24-25).

In an interesting turnabout in 1958, Leland School used the church’s fellowship hall for its third grade due to overcrowding at the school. The church expanded that same year with a new east wing education unit consecrated on October 12. Sunday morning worship expanded into two services to satisfy demand.

Steady Growth

In the ‘60s, an associated pastor was added, eventually becoming full time in 1964. In ’68, another education building expansion was consecrated. Community Methodist Church added “United” to its name after the 1968 merger between the Methodist and Evangelical United Brethren Churches.

Community United Methodist Church celebrated its 35th anniversary in 1985. Original members were honored and sat in the front pews at the September 23 worship service. The church had grown to over 1,000 members with 500 children enrolled in Sunday School.

2002 Building Expansion

The first large construction project in 33 years was finished in 2002. The completion of the $2 million expansion and renovation was dedicated on September 15 in a service to help honor our past and celebrate our future.

One of the distinguished attendees was Mr. Ralph Findley, an original member of the church and a major benefactor of the expansion. Mr. Findley was also a member of the 1949 site committee that decided the location of the church.

50th Anniversary of Consecration in 2005

Throughout 2005, the church celebrated its 50th anniversary of the church consecration, culminating with a special golden anniversary service and reception on October 16. It had been 50 years to the day since the original consecration, and some of the same elements were repeated in the commemorative service, such as bulletin quote, meditation, hymns, and call to worship. Historical photographs were hung in the library. The wall of pastors was displayed. The church itself was spruced up and chimes were replaced and working after many years of silence. To the delight of parishioners, Rev. Ron Retherford invited former pastors back to preach, including Revs. Gordon Sorensen, Billy Bross, Rebecca Aist McFee, Robert Harding, Jean Ehnert Nicholas, Marc Well Nagel and Thad Rutter. In fact, Rev. Sorensen’s sermon was entitled, “Come on in Folks – Out of the Rain” in reference to the church’s first pastor, Rev. Guy Nelson, who jokingly said those very words during the church’s rainy groundbreaking in 1954. “There we shall worship together in quiet devotion,” foretold a 1953 building brochure. That has certainly come to be and continues to be. Today, grandparents, who were young adults when they first joined the church, now worship side by side with their children and grandchildren.

Church Turns 60 in 2009

While honoring its past, Community United Methodist Church also looks to its future, according to Rev. Retherford. "What a wonderful testimony our history proclaims," he said. "Truly, our faith in Jesus Christ that is empowered by the Holy Spirit continues to:

-Invite all people to join our family of faith,
-Nurture each other toward Christ-like maturity, and
-Serve the needs of our neighbors at home and abroad."

He added, "For sixty years, our members, leaders, staff and pastors have faithfully shared God's Living Word here in Brookfield, Elm Grove and beyond. Just image what God will do among us in the future."

May our open hearts, open minds and open doors welcome all who come here as we reach out to the lost, least, and lonely and share the Good News of the Gospel. Alleluia!

Church turns 60 years old, Stephen Ministries progress

Community Church quietly turned 60 years old in September.  No formal celebration was planned as the church observed the 50th anniversary of its consecration recently in 2005.  The church’s ministry was expanded this year with 14 Stephen Ministers being commissioned on January 11.  As of May, 13 of the 14 ministers were already assigned to care receivers.  Stephen Ministry is a program that trains laypersons for caring Christian ministry during difficult times.  The program was made possible by the generous donation of the Frank Haack Memorial.  Member Rich Steffens testified to the compassion and effectiveness of the program as a care receiver when he spoke during a service in January.

Pastor Sue Lee leaves, Pastor Janet Hartzell begins

 Associate Pastor Rev. Dr. Kyung-Sook “Sue” Lee announced she was leaving to serve as pastor of the Methodist Church in Evansville, WI.  She had earned her Doctor of Ministry in Preaching in March.  Parishioners were very saddened by the news.  Pastor Sue had brought some needed stability to the church with her four years of service and strong preaching skills.  Previously, the church had two associate pastors that only stayed one year each.  “It seems that there aren’t words to express what’s in my heart,” she wrote in a May 29 letter to the congregation.  Pastor Sue thanked many people in her last sermon on an emotional morning June 28.  A reception at the church followed.

Soon after in December, Rev. Janet Hartzell joined our staff as a half-time Associate Pastor, splitting her duties with the United Methodist Church in Whitefish Bay, WI.  She is a married mother of two sons and lives in Brown Deer.  Welcome Rev. Hartzell!

 Other news from 2009 included:

-A parish nurse, Jennifer Friess, RN, was added, in addition to a new family wellness series in January.                                                                                         

-Sgt. Nicholas Hirthe, serving his third tour in Iraq, was home on leave in February and visited a Sunday school class.  He answered many questions and even demonstrated pushups for the class.  Nicholas is the son of members Linda and Perry Hirthe.  The congregation demonstrated their gratitude with a standing ovation when Nicholas was announced at the second service. 

-Special music concerts were held at the church.  Organist John Scheaffer performed a concert in April.  “Give me Jesus” music Sunday featuring Angela Mortellaro (daughter of Music Director Martnie and her husband Bob Mortellaro) was in May; and Midwest Vocal Express performed in October. 

-On the internet, Community Church compiled an online member directory on its website, which was greatly expanded last year.  Pastor Ron Retherford also started a web log that referred people to the church’s website. 

-In September, Christopher Freedy completed the “God and Me” Boy Scout program with Pastor Ron. 

-The Prayer Shawl Ministry, active since 2005, knit and donated 41 shawls to shut-ins and others in need. 

-Over 40 people participated in the first Community Service Day.  Activities included work for the United Methodist Children Services, Waukesha Food Pantry, Interfaith Senior Program, and several elderly homeowners unable to do yard work and light home maintenance.  The event finished with lunch at the church. 

-OWLS (Older, Wiser, Livelier Seniors) celebrated their fifth year and are still going very strong. 

-In October, Ann Lang received a special recognition pin and certificate from the United Methodist Women for exceptional service. 

-Active membership slightly declined to 798 members, down from 812 in 2008.                                                                                     

- The one-day Mission Gift Festival is growing with December 2008 totals at $15,800.  For December of 2009, a total of $17,770 was raised.  The festival began only seven years ago in 2003 to enable church members to conveniently give to charity instead of buying traditional Christmas presents for loved ones.  The first year raised over $7,000 for five charities and has been increasing ever since and expanded to eight charities.

 17 Baptisms in 2009:

Elizabeth Berrall, Nathan Dietrich, Claire Fink, Cooper Haas, Parker Hight, Emelia Hoium, Harrison Hoover, Savannah Korona, Tanner Krajcir, Teagan Lange, Aston Omer, Owen Patterson, Lindon Purpus, Allison Renk, Olivia Stuart, Marcus Tanner, Norah Watry

10 Deaths in 2009:

Gloria Brooks, Catherine Eimerman, Elizabeth Engstrom, Roger Harris, Marilyn Herbert, Frances Hunt, Violet Kelpin, Russell Rehn, Betti Woodin

24 New Members in 2009:

Ginger Campion, Ellen Mary Cook, Kendall Cook, William Cook, Martha Dobbs, Sandra Dykstra, Steven Dykstra, Zachary Dykstra, Denice Hamilton, Barbara Hecox, George Hecox, Gregg Melby, Kristy Melby, Angela Patterson, Ronald Patterson III, Jennifer Purpus, Scott Purpus, Michael Rocque, Jenna Sherry, Steven Sherry, Karen Smith, Susan Unger, Mary Warren, Sharon Welch.    Top▲