Amity Church Celebrates 150th Anniversary

The members of Amity Church invited the public to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of its founding. On August 24th, the annual Sundae Sunday event was held. During that time memorabilia was displayed. Past Ministers and members were invited to share memories of their time in the church. Maidrite and grilled pork sandwiches were served, as well as pie and soft serve ice cream with toppings. The turnout was better than expected, with approximately 250 friends served. The crowd included past and present members, as well as many from surrounding communities. This event is the church’s only fundraising event.

Amity Church was initially organized in the Bennett School. When the question of starting a church in Grant Township was first discussed, many were skeptical of its success, but the faith of the founders proved strong enough to hold it up the first years. The name “Amity,” meaning friendship, was proposed by John Galloway. It harmonized with nearby Salem and Tranquility Churches.

The first Amity Church was built in 1879 at a cost of $2500. It was a frame building 34’ X 54’ with a balcony. The tall spire with a large golden globe at the top and lighted by several large chandeliers were features of the old building. It had a seating capacity of 300. James Murray donated an acre of ground for the site of the church. That location was central for those wishing to establish a new church.  It was also on one of the main roads of the day called the Eldora Trail. There were still no towns of Dinsdale, Reinbeck, Lincoln, or Gladbrook.

The first parsonage was built in 1882. Rev. Hamilton made a practice of walking to and from the Creswell farm (1 mile east and 3 miles north of Amity) on Sabbath morning, coming to church with the Creswell family. Later he bought a horse. In 1904, a new parsonage was built on the site of the old one which cost $1800 and much donated labor, another half-acre of ground being donated by Mr. Murray.

In 1879, the Amity Sunday School was reorganized with the consolidation of many of the Sunday Schools formerly held in the country schools in the area. In a few years, the enrollment reached 250 with an average attendance of 120.

The present church building was erected during the pastorage of Rev. Christian Haupt. In the Spring of 1914, the old church was torn down. The new church was ready for dedication on December 20, 1914.  The actual cost of the new building was about $9100.  Most of the material from the old church was used for the new.  About 500 wagonloads of new materials were hauled, and all of this was done by members and friends of the congregation. The walls were built of brick hauled from the Reinbeck Brick Factory.  In 1973, an addition was added to the north side of the church. There is also a handicap entrance on the west side of the church which allows access to the basement area.

Although the belfry was built in 1914, a bell was not installed until 1938 when Dr. Haupt found a suitable bell from a church being disbanded. The bell weighs about 1000 lbs. and was taken down when the new roof was put on in 1990. The bell is now displayed on the south side of the church.

Amity is currently being served by Darryl Widmayer, C.R.E.