Saturday, June 21, 2025
ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: STEPHENSON RIFE ATTORNEYS
First UMC Celebrates 200 Years
In 1825, seven early settlers gathered for a prayer meeting in Jacob Shank’s cabinet shop in what would become the city of Shelbyville. From this humble beginning, First United Methodist Church grew into a spiritual and social anchor for the community, shaped by faith and a willingness to adapt.
Early worship services were held in homes and makeshift spaces like Sleeth’s chair shop or the courthouse. By 1831, the newly named First Methodist Episcopal Church was granted a plot on West Mechanic Street and erected a small 30-by-45-foot frame building. The congregation expanded quickly and by 1850 had launched plans for a larger, two-story brick church on West Washington Street. That new sanctuary opened in 1852, with oil lamps and wood stoves lighting the way for its 250 members. There were no musical instruments used during the early services. When a small reed organ was bought, a controversy ensued, with some of the older members of the church insisting that musical instruments were the work of the devil.
The decades that followed brought continued growth - and colorful stories. When a bell for the church proved too costly, Isaac Sorden reportedly floated livestock down the Metamora Canal to Cincinnati, sold them, and brought back the bell himself after borrowing additional funds. That bell was still in use in 1952. In the early 20th century, membership swelled to 862. The church underwent two major renovations, once in 1900 to accommodate a large organ and again in 1907 for redecorating.
In 1952, the congregation voted to build a new campus just west of the existing church. Construction began with an Educational and Activities building, followed by a sanctuary completed in 1968. When the Educational building opened in 1958, the Chambers stove in the kitchen was a special color to match the yellow ceramic blocks. That stove was used until the 1990s. The campaign for a new sanctuary began in 1965 with a goal of obtaining $190,000 in pledges. When that goal was not reached, the discouraged committee members considered calling off the plan. But young Bobby House donated his money toward the building. John Duffy told Bobby’s dad, Herb House, they could not keep the money, but Herb insisted. That act renewed the vision, and the committee successfully raised the funds.
Over the years, youth groups flourished, turkey suppers became a signature tradition, and the congregation entered a modern era. That spirit would continue to define the church across generations.
Part II will be published in tomorrow’s edition.
If You Go: First United Methodist Church is celebrating its bicentennial, tomorrow, Sunday, June 22. A worship service is 9:30 a.m., followed by a luncheon and fellowship. The church is inviting the public - especially those who have been members - to join the event.
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NOTEBOOK:
The county highway department will be closing W 600 N between N 600 W and N. London Road beginning Monday, June 23. The closure will last about 10 weeks, which may overlap into the beginning of the school year. It will reopen as soon as possible, but it couldn’t be started until now since the contractor had other projects that took longer than expected due to the recent wet weather conditions, county officials said. The last address accessible from the east is 6255 W 600 N. The last address accessible from the west on 600 N is 6466 W 600 N. All the
addresses on N 630 W, N PR 660 W and 6000 – 6275 of N 700 W will also
only be accessible from the west.
Due to the Heat Advisory for Shelby County, the Shelby County EMA will have cooling centers open for anyone who needs relief from the heat. Locations and hours are posted here.
HOOSIER NEWS: Two tornadoes touched down near Lafayette as part of a line of storms that swept across several states June 18, the National Weather Service's Indianapolis office has concluded. The strong thunderstorms that knocked out power across Indiana the afternoon of June 18 spawned two EF0 tornadoes west and northwest of Lafayette as they skipped along a path across much of Tippecanoe County, the NWS said June 19. Most of the damage in the county was from straight-line winds, but the two tornadoes damaged trees and caused minor damage to two houses, according to the weather service. The tornadoes were a third to half a mile in length with estimated maximum winds of 75-80 mph, the NWS said. (IndyStar)
NATIONAL NEWS: The Stanley Cup has gotten banged up by the Florida Panthers, with the bowl of the trophy now cracked and the bottom dented. The 131-year-old silver chalice has been scuffed before and was even dropped during a boat parade this decade. (AP/Numlock)
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SHS Courier Archive Highlights
Oct. 3, 1957, Part II
A picnic was held at Morrison Park for new faculty members and their families. Two faculty members from the previous year had not returned: Esther Kinsley and Harold Wright.
GAA members, with their sponsor Betty Ramey, attended a camp-out at Camp Clifty. Highlights of the trip had been a campfire and a Sunday School lesson.
Home Economics Club members had served coffee and cookies at a faculty meeting in the library. The eighth grade cooking classes baked the cookies, and they were served by Betty Fuller, Donna Kelsay and Judy Kremer.
The SHS Booster Club, comprised of a record 175 girls, elected officers: Carol Ann Ballard, president; Marge Bailey, vice president; and Jewell Smith, secretary-treasurer.
In answer to Miss McDonald’s question, “Why is it sometimes an advantage for a dog’s hair to stand on end?”, Karen Hirschauer responded, “Then he won’t step on it!”
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This Day in Shelby County History
News around Shelbyville and the surrounding area as reported on or about this date in history. Selections are curated by The Addison Times from Shelby County Public Library Genealogy Department materials.
2005: Negotiations continued between the county plan commission and developers who had proposed a housing subdivision near Pleasant View. Setbacks and lot size were issues central to the debate. The developer had reduced its proposal of 651 housing units to 422. Dave Fagel, who owned the “earth home” near the north end of the proposed subdivision, confirmed that he had a verbal agreement to sell his home and six acres.
1995: Shelby County Savings Bank announced plans to open a branch in Morristown, which had been left a one-bank town when Bank One closed its branch in January. National City maintained the other existing bank.
1985: Developers announced plans for a 32-unit condominium project at Lake Shelby to be called The Peninsula.
Ray Emerick of Shelbyville caught a 6-pound, 15-ounce, 23-inch bass - the largest smallmouth registered in Indiana in 15 years.
1975: Twenty-five city employees in the street and sanitation department voted unanimously for union representation. Employees were to meet with Indiana Local 62, American Federation of State, County and Municipal employees to discuss a one- to three-year contract.
1965: Downtown merchants announced an upcoming three-day 1-cent sale by 23 participating businesses. A 21-inch console model television in an all-wood cabinet, an 8-transistor portable radio and a 7-transistor portable radio would be given away as prizes.
1955: A second meeting was held at the courthouse to discuss the possible establishment of a school for those with developmental disabilities. An Indianapolis principal spoke about how children with disabilities could still be taught to “take his place in society through specialized training.”
1945: Early canning of peas had gone well, Reece Canning (Waldron) and Otto Billman & Co. (Morristown) officials announced. Farmers were receiving as much as $72 per acre for the peas. The upcoming late pea crop, however, was expected to be less profitable.
1935: Boys under 16 years of age were permitted to use Porter Pool free for the day, sponsored by Kaufman’s Fruit Market. The boys still had to obtain the free ticket from the fruit market prior to admission.
1925: A local man employed at the Spiegel Furniture Company filed for divorce, saying his wife of one year was going to dances and dancing with other men, all the while “knowing that he did not dance,” The Republican said. He also said she smoked cigarettes at times.
1915: Local farmer Sherman Havens donated his cherry crop to the Gordon Childrens Home.
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OBITUARIES
Marcia J. Geiling, 62, of Shelbyville, passed away Thursday June 19, 2025, at IU Health Methodist Hospital. She was born June 23, 1962, in Shelbyville, Ind., to Paul Wagerman and Luverne (Dixon) Jacobs.
Marcia attended Southwestern Jr./Sr. High School. She was involved with Girls Scouts of America as a child. After high school she became a stay-at-home mom and took great pride in raising her family. She was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church. Marcia would often be found with her iPad watching her shows and videos. She especially enjoyed watching Survivor and American Idol. She would also enjoy taking pictures and videos of her family and the times they spent together. Her greatest joy came from spending time with her family and grandkids and making memories together.
She married Barry Geiling on December 20, 2001, and he survives. She is also survived by her daughter, Brandy Camposano; her sons, Jonathan Merrick, Brandon Jacobs and Charles Merrick; her daughter, Amber Zetina and her step-son, Brandon Geiling; her grandchildren, Alex, Selena, Enrique, Nash, Dahlia, Eli and Liam; her siblings, Barbara Steele, Bobby Merrick, Debbie Hammer, Rhonda Logsdon, Ellie Pindell, Paul Jacobs, Jr. and Lisa Browning; her half-sisters, Traci Samsel and Tonya Harmon. She was preceded in death by her parents and step-son, K.C. Geiling.
A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date. Funeral Directors Greg Parks, Sheila Parks and Stuart Parks are honored to serve Marcia’s family. Online condolences may be shared at www.murphyparks.com.