Deer River United Methodist Church has been an anchor of the Deer River community from 1898, and we have been growing, changing, and seeking to be faithful in this place ever since! According to church records, the Deer River area was, at the time,
“populated with men called ‘lumberjacks’… Liquor being quite a problem, it took much Faith in God and a great deal of courage to organize and build a church.”
The first preaching service was held in a log building that had been used –no surprise– as a saloon. In addition to worshippers, many mosquitoes were said to be in attendance that evening.
The foundation of the Deer River Methodist Episcopal Church was laid in the fall of 1906.
The beautiful curving staircase was added to the church later. Many a school child sat on those steps after school was dismissed for the day. In more recent years, the church entrance was remodeled to provide ground-level entry. An elevator was installed in to make the sanctuary and Fellowship Hall fully accessible.
Of the many, many pastors to serve the Deer River Methodist Church over the years, Rev. Elsie G. E. Hartman was a standout. Rev. Hartman was one of the first female Methodist preachers in Minnesota. She was the only woman in her seminary class of 72 students (at Garrett Theological School in Chicago ) and was not allowed to be fully ordained, only designated as a deacon, or a “supply pastor”. In those days, there was a strong bias against women ministers, and few churches were willing to accept her.
Rev. Hartman served thirty-six years in ministry in the Minnesota Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church and was pastor at the Deer River Methodist Church 1950-1957. She is remembered with great love and affection.
Deer River United Methodist Church today.
