It was the original platting of the Village of Loyal in 1870 when the first firm foundation of the Methodist Church was laid. Before coming to Loyal Township, Rev. John Graves, a minister at Wautoma, platted the land for a church.

The Loyal-Greenwood charge of the Methodist Episcopal Church had been set aside in 1870. At the annual conference in the fall of 187 1, Rev. Samuel E. McLain was appointed to serve the charge.

According to the records he must have worked to organize a church by December 3, 1871. The charge to which lie was assigned included the area beyond what is now Christie, north to Longwood, east to Riplinger and then to Dorchester. Then the boundary turned south to McMann's Comer, better known as Mannville and followed back in the general direction of Christie.

Rev. McLain traveled these trails along with the help of many local preachers, both ordained and self-appointed, but not officially recognized. The original charge had a transfer of members from the Neillsville circuit. There were 51 who transferred, as well as 9 others who transferred by letter on or before that December 3rd.

A young minister right out of school, Rev. John J. Garvin was sent to the charge in 1875. It was at this time that the first church was built. During the original platting of Loyal, a Deputy Surveyor, Wm. Welsh, dated it February 13, 1874 and duly recorded it in the name of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Loyal and Greenwood Circuit, Chippewa District of the West Wisconsin Conference.

Money was scarce but people were there to lend a hand. Some gave lumber, others gave saw logs. John Graves sawed the logs as part of his subscription. A bee was held to haul the stones for the foundation. Later another was held to do the lathing. The foundation was laid by local masons and local contractors built the 30 x 60 foot structure with 14 foot posts. The plastering was done by two other men.

In 1879 the Greenwood-Loyal charge was separated and Loyal became a charge with York Center. Since there was no parsonage in Loyal, they joined with Spencer. The following year Loyal was supplied with a minister from Greenwood, but later was put back with Spencer. Several ministers were assigned here but none stayed long.

It was at Fall Conference in 1883 that G. N. Foster was appointed to the Loyal Charge. During his first winter, with very little money in circulation, plans were made for building the first parsonage. Again there were donations of lumber, paint, building paper and labor. Money was collected for the saw bill, plaster, doors, hardwood and such. At Conference it was reported that the parsonage, worth nearly $800.00, had been built and nearly paid for. There were 130 members at that time. It was at this time that York had a new church at a cost of $225.00 with $140.00 indebtedness.

In 1887 the annual conference at Mineral Point appointed Rev. L. W. McKibbin to the Loyal Charge. He was an architect by profession and is credited with designing the present church. In the conference report it was noted that in the Eau Claire District, school houses were being closed to church usage, so a tent was purchased (don't know if the Conference or Loyal Charge purchased the tent).

The Rev. S. A. Hoffman was assigned to Loyal in 1893. He came from the German Evangelical Conference. Although he was reported as being handicapped in finding English words to express himself, it didn't hinder his efforts in adding over a hundred probationers with a greater number of them becoming members in full connection.

By this time the congregation had outgrown their place of worship. In the fall of 1894, the trustees decided to build a new church. The subscriptions started with enough success to warrant the commencement of building. The old building was sold for a sum recalled as $250.00. The new owners had to move it to the other end of town as soon as weather permitted. It was then used as an opera house and a community building. It later burned in 1905.

The building stone for the basement was dug at Noeldner's hill and piled in die fall, ready to be hauled by teams of sleighs during the winter. Much of the labor was again donated. The wall was built by Joseph Mack and Rev. Hoffman who had been a stone mason in his youth. They competed to see who could put die largest rock in place alone. The wood used in the construction was from timber locally grown. It was again sawed by the Graves Saw Mill, at this time owned by die son of John Graves. The finner mill work was done by Etta Brothers who did all kinds of wood turning and finishing at the time.

The Loyal Tribune Headlines in their September 16, 1896, paper read:

CHURCH DEDICATED

++A DEBT OF $950.00 WIPED OUT++

NEW M.E. Church in LOYAL

The first paragraph of the news article read as follows: "As if in consideration f the services consecrating o the new temple to His service, the Lord held back the clouds that looked so threatening on last Sunday morning and there was a good congregation at morning, afternoon and evening services of dedication day. The extreme harmony of the occasion was somewhat marred by the failure of the windows and pews to arrive in time to be put in place. The old and uncomfortable pews that were of necessity substituted for the new and elegant ones were, however, crowded to the uttermost and the large audience forgot their discomfiture in their intense interest in the services." 

Dr. Forbes was the main speaker for the dedication services. He must have had a great effect on the audience because at the close of the morning service there was a indebtedness of $950. Rev. S. A. Hoffman and Rev. G. N. Foster began a campaign of subscriptions and shrunk the debt by $517.00 at the close of the morning session. During the day G. W. Allen and Rev. Hoffman took it upon themselves to go out and raise $ 100.00 each from among those who were not present. In the evening the two ministers again continued their pilgrimage through the audience until the last dollar was either pledged or in sight.

"If it had been prophesied by anyone a year earlier that Loyal would, within so short a time, be able to build and pay for a church of this kind at a cost of $4,000., he would have been called crazy. Yet there it stands, a lowering reality, the pride of the village and especially of those who have contributed of their meager means to its erection." The Ladies Aid Society was the largest contributor. There were a couple $ 100.00 donations along with 75 gifts ranging from $.50 to $5.00. Rev. Hoffinan's manual labor was estimated by others to amount to about $250.00 at the rate of $1.25 per day in giving the figure of $4000. for the cost of the church.

In 1914 when Rev. Thomas Harris was the pastor, the parsonage was completely rebuilt. The Rev. W. P. Powell's were the first to occupy it.

The Rev. V. C. Kegley came in 1930, but passed away in 1931, the first death of an appointed pastor. During a service in 1934, when 26 were received into full membership or as preparatory members, there was also a dedication of a new pulpit Bible in memory of Rev. Kegley. Mr. and Mrs. O. W. Trindal presented the Bible for dedication.

The church property had under gone changes from time to time (1936- 1939) and one of the changes was the appointment of Rev. Raymond J. Fleming. During his stay the walls and ceiling were covered with NuWood. For a time the emblem of the Epworth League had adorned the wall behind the altar. New lighting fixtures were also added at this time. Rev. Myron Taylor continued modernizing the church with the installation of restrooms in the basement. A garage was also built for the pastor's automobile.

Rev. Lee Holmes and his family graced our church in 1946. His son Virgil followed in his father's footsteps by beginning his studies for the ministry. In time lie was a student pastor at York Center and Lindsey churches.

There were numerous improvements made at this time: the rejuvenation of the church basement by repairing and redecorating the and covering the cement floor with tiles, remodeling the kitchen and installing an electric range and adding an oil heater to the main room of the basement. Many memorials were given toward the purchase of a new electric organ.

The Rev. and Mrs. Willard Mecklenburg only spent a year here before continuing their ministerial work in Alaska. They sent many reports of their work, giving the feeling of another missionary working from our church.

In 1960, we received an appointment of a family with young children, Rev. and Mrs. Paul Doering. Sheila was well known for her English goodies and the choir had the pleasure of their voices and other musical talents, including Rev. Doering's violin solos. Construction of an educational unit, addition, and moving of the parsonage were in Ole planning stage for several years, but did not reach reality during their stay. Several members of the church were honored during this time, namely, Mr. and Mrs. Ray Prior, J. R. Thomas, Herbert White, Mrs. Mardia Castner and Mr. and Mrs. Richard Giese. It is believed that the new front was put on the church in 1965.

The next couple to become a part of our community were the Revs. Lelan and Ellen Shaw, both ordained in ministerial work. It was at that time the actual construction of the new educational unit began. The Shaws were replaced by Rev. Conrad Mickelson in the fall of 1968.

Rev. Mickelson served our churches until 1971 and added a touch of music with marimba solos during the morning worship services.

Now it is time for the 100th anniversary and the Rev. Gene Carlson was here to help plan for the occasion. During Rev. Carlson's stay several events took place. First the burning of the mortgage for the education unit and then the dedication service. In 1976 a public address system was installed in memory of Claude and Sara Catlin.

Rev. Steve Groves

Rev. and Mrs. Steve Groves were appointed to our charge in 1990. fit in with everyone in the Community. Rev. Steve getting involved with other groups outside the church and Sharon always there ready to lend a helping hand whenever asked.  Pastor Steve set up the food pantry along with Social Services, running it out of the parsonage.  New pew Bibles were purchased and the biggest event of all, starting the plans for a new church.  Rev. Steve Groves was appointed to the Colfax-Tainter Charge in 1996.

Our best built and most beautiful churches would be nothing if it weren't for those dedicated people who put their hearts and souls into keeping the churches going. The best laid plan is nothing without someone there to take hold and make things work. If the young children are not taught from little on and continued to be taught the Gospel of our Lord, our churches will cease to exist. Although one never stops learning, it seems like everyone has to have that little push. This is where our Sunday School Classes come in. Horace Draper was probably the first Sunday School Superintendent. Later his son Fred, Fred's wife Amy and their daughter Bernice continued the work Fred's father started. Another important position is die Sunday School Secretary (now Chairperson of Education), whose job was to order supplies for the various classes.

A special highlight of each year, starting with the early days until present, is the Christmas Eve program. Sometimes they get very elaborate and others may only be singing, but the meaning is still the same.  Vacation Bible School is held every year after the public school is out for the summer.  The children put on a program in the evening of the last day of Bible School.  The Sunday School children participate in the Sunday worship service once a month with special music.  It takes dedicated people to keep this all going.  Last but not least is the confirmation class.  The youth are in the seventh or eight grade.  The class is taught by the pastor of the church.  They usually attend class for a couple hours each week.

We can't forget the Men's and Women's groups of the church.  The women's organization started in January of 1905 and was called "Ladies Aid."  In 1941 the name was changed to WSCS or Women's Society of Christian Service.  They had a total of 62 charter members.  It was amazing what these ladies could do in the kitchen.  With all their hard work they managed to donate many things to the church.  There was money donated toward the rug fund.  A carpet sweeper was purchased for $6.95 and a kitchen range for $7.50.  In 1944 the bazaar supper was canceled because of the war and the rationing of many items, one of which was meat.  They were only allowed 180 meat stamps and that wasn't enough to purchase meat for the supper.  The cost of a meal was $.60 for adults, $.35 for school children, and $.25 for pre-school children.  Loyal was credited with being the first Women's Society in the district to subscribe to the the "Penny a Day Movement Fund".  They sold greeting cards, Christmas cards, creme shampoo and vanilla to earn money for the item they donated.  In about 1933 the knives and forks were stolen from the kitchen.  The Ladies Aid held a spoon shower to replace the items. Sometime after 1971, the name was changed again. It is now called the United Methodist Women. Prices for the meals have increased, but the women are still raising money and donating it back to the church. They serve meals for weddings, funerals, special occasions and entertain other community church groups. They now attend World Day of Prayer with other churches in the community.

The men weren't going to let the women outdo them as they also did many things to cam money. At first most of their spare time was spent in die woods making fire wood for the furnace in the church. The Men's' Club was chartered in 1956. They had the responsibility of finding pastors or speakers in the absence of the regular pastor. Some of the social events they have sponsored are the Father-Son Banquet, New Year's Dinner, Pancake Suppers, Homemade Ice Cream Socials. They also served for the Mother-Daughter Banquet. In 1932 adults paid $.30 and the children $.15 for the pancake suppers. They've had spaghetti dinners, chicken pie suppers, organized auctions and basically did most of the repairs that had to be done on the church. Most of the funds raised have been given to the youth attending fellowship camps, ministerial and missionary students and missionaries in the field as well as places of need on our own church comer. This would include helping with the clean-up of old brick and other debris when the new front was put on the church.

There was also the Epworth League or Youth Fellowship or the Adult Christian Fellowship. It is believed that Rev. Hoffman organized the Epworth League along with W. J. James who had been assigned as assistant pastor. These groups have given their support to the church. The elegant pews of polished oak as well as the cathedral style windows of, leaded stained glass arrived after the dedication. The Epworth League and the G.A.R. each gave $13.00 for memorial windows which is believed to be the cost of the entire window according to other prices at that time. The Methodist Youth Fellowship (MYF) had many worthy fund raising projects and took part in district conventions and sub-district rallies. In recent years, car washes were a means of raising money along with a spaghetti dinner and dessert auction. Other activities include; roadside cleanup, bake cookies for shut-ins, lead the Sonrise service on Easter Sunday, serve the Easter breakfast and take part in the live Nativity at Christmas.

The Adult Christian Fellowship was organized in 1946. This was basically a group of young married couples. They spent their time helping others, such as sending CARE packages overseas, sending young people to camp, donating clothes and household supplies to families who had had a fire and to the needy. There is no longer a Adult Christian Fellowship group.

Ruth Zepplin & Joan Smith

The Choir and Church Musicians were a big part of the church from the very beginning. It would be impossible to name all who sang in the choir or who may have been the directors. It is believed to have been Mrs. J. M. Philpott who played the first organ. On the twenty-fifth anniversary, Pearl Holmes, Mrs. Sadie Klinne, Mrs. Hoffman, D. V. Richardson and J. M. Philpoft made up the choir for the dedication program of the present building. Fred W. Draper was very handy with his hands and could make beautiul church furniture out of old organs. Two of the things lie made were the baptismal font and a table. James Colby held the record for having sung in the choir the longest, but Byron and Ruth Zepplin must now hold that record. Byron sung for 46 years, retiring in 1997 and Ruth still sings in the choir. But Ruth - did retire from directing the choir in 1997, serving in that position for 46 years. Ruth Zepplin and Joan Smith have both been honored for their dedicated work, Ruth as choir director and Joan for her years of service as Sunday School Superintendent. It takes a lot of dedication from many people to keep a choir going. There is practice every Saturday afternoon with extra practice for other occasions.