Like most institutions, records of the early years of Culver Wesley UMC are few at best. We do know the first evidence of purchase of land for a parsonage was in 1856. The first church building was built in 1868. It was a wooden frame structure located in the village of Marmont on the southwest corner of Main and Washington Streets. The siding for this building was cut from a single poplar tree in Maxinkuckee and rafted across the lake.
Early leaders of this church body were Dr. Lorenzo Wiseman and song leader John Buswell. Dr. Wiseman's granddaughter, Ruth Lennen became the church's choir director in the 1960's. This was the root of a rich music heritage still in place today.
Culver Methodism grew until the original structure was inadequate for the congregation's needs. A remodeled and enlarged edifice was dedicated in 1899. The church was turned on its base. A basement and additions on both the east and the west side were added. The entire works received a brick veneer and a clock tower was added.
In 1898 the church membership rolls stood at 61. By 1904 this number had climbed to near 100. The Sunday School averaged 75 pupils. Youth groups totaled over 40 members. The Ladies Aid Society (the fund raisers) was the strongest group of the church. They still are today - evident the Thrift Shop. The charter for the first Men's Class was granted in 1914. Today we call this the Men's Group at Wesley.
The present building at the North School Street was opened in 1955 under the leadership of Rev. Kendall Sands. The membership at this time stood at over 600. The seeds of growth were giving Culver Wesley the vigor and strength to serve the community and its citizens by "Serving Christ In All We Do."
-Written by Latham Lawson
