17 Sep 150 Years for McCallum UB Church

Ron Watterly (right), senior pastor, McCallum UB church (Delton, Mich.)

On September 15, the folks at McCallum UB church, aka The Church in the Wildwood, celebrated 150 years of serving Christ.

The church was started by Rev. Michael Morthland and was part of the Yankee Springs circuit for many years. The group held meetings in a one-room schoolhouse .2 miles south of the current location until a building was finally obtained. The land was donated by the McCallum family (hence the name) in 1921. A building was disassembled, moved from Charlotte, Mich., by rail, and reassembled in 1922 and 1923. It was dedicated by Bishop C. A. Mummart on July 8, 1923.

The church has had 44 pastors. The current pastor, Ron Watterly, has served there since 2004.

The day of celebration began at 10am with the singing of Sunday school songs, special music, and scripture read by special guest Rev. Morthland (Pastor Ron). There was a reading of old minutes concerning the acquisition of land and the building.

At 11am there was more singing, history, special music, and a challenge by Pastor Ron on “What It Means to be United Brethren.” The service closed with the baptism of Helen Osgood and the reception of Helen and her husband, David, into the membership of the church.

There was a carry-in at noon followed by a Gospel sing and ice cream and pie afterward.