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Church History |
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Even from its construction in 1958, the church was deliberately designed and built to be handicapped accessible. Original hopes were to build Sunday school and a larger sanctuary at some time. When that dream was carried out the original church would become a Chapel. The addition, which became know as Fellowship Hall was begun in June of 1964. As of this date, the larger sanctuary has never been realized. Faith Evangelical United Brethren Church became know as Faith United Methodist Church with the merger of the United Brethren Church and the Methodist Episcopal Church in April, 1968. For many years, Faith shared a pastor with Buffalo United Methodist Church, also in Cedar Rapids. Pastors of Faith are, in order of service: Herbert L. Sunderman, Elmer C. Brown, Wilbert Trusheim, Max Hall, Gilbert Dawes, Marsha Accord, Tom Mohan, Kathleen R. Moore, Al Milligan, and currently Kathleen R. Moore Not much else was recorded about the early days of Faith, but with the appointment of Gil Dawes to Faith, the church's theology and mission took a radical change in direction. Gil believed that a study of the Bible and preaching based on specific texts should lead a congregation to faith in action. He instituted morning and evening study groups and focused on the teachings of the Old Testament prophets and the Gospel writers. Gil taught Liberation theology, which he had learned and experienced as a missionary in central America and it became clear that the congregation was being led toward involvement with Central America. By 1983 the church was working with the Committee on Solidarity with Central Americas. In June of 1984 they were hearing about the Sanctuary Program. The Sanctuary Program was and "underground rail road" of sorts for political refugees from Central America. In October of 1984, the church voted to become a Sanctuary Church. Living quarters were prepared by enclosing the northeast corner of Fellowship Hall, installing shower and laundry facilities, and by soliciting furnishings. Among these furnishings were rollaway beds for the church monitors who would insure that a refugee would never be left alone in the building. The church was constantly aware that housing a refugee could lead to violence or arrest by government agents, so the congregation arranged to have an English speaking representative present at all times, in case of trouble. In September of 1986, a refugee from El Salvador became a resident. Guillermo (not his real name) lived there 14 months, learning to speak, read, and write English. His stories were horrifying. Among other events he shared with the congregation was the witnessing of his mother being burned to death. The horrors and fears of the refugee resounded within the congregation and strengthened their resolve to protect his life. A plaque designating Faith as the first sanctuary church in Iowa is to the left of the doors leading into the Sanctuary. It remains a proud reminder of that mission. In 1987 Gil went with a group to El Salvador to participate in a repatriation movement that would help people move back to the homes from which they had fled to escape persecution by the government death squads. Being a blue-eyed, light-haired person, he was asked to walk at the head of the procession in the hopes he would not be fired on by snipers. On his head he balanced a load of diapers, which were part of the donations those participating in the movement had sent to the Salvadoran people. Fortunately, the tactic worked and he returned safely home. (forward for additional history) Faith United Methodist Church |
