THE GERMAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL This church was organized February 20, 1858, and its first pastor was Rev. Ulrich Von Gunten.  The first services were held in a building on Brady and Fifth streets, which was the old English Methodist Episcopal church.  The first trustees were Israel Hall, C. M. Peck, John Hornby, James Bradshaw and William Cook.  The present church edifice was soon after built on the corner of Sixth and Warren streets.  In the pastorate Rev. Von Gunten was succeeded by the following:  J. M. Winkler, 1859-60; Peter Helwig, 1860-61; George Haas, 1861-2; M. Kaumermeyer, 1862-3; J. M. Winkler, 1863-4; Charles Heidel, 1864-5; Charles Haltkamp, 1865-6; Frederick Heinz, 1866-9; Philip Hehmer, 1869-72; Christ Peisch, 1872-73; J. G. Leist, 1873-5; Charles Halerhorst, 1875-6; Gottfreid Bonn, 1876-9; Henry Diener, 1879-80; William Winter, 1880-1; R. J. Tillman, 1881-3; John P. Miller, 1883-6; John C. Rapp, 1886-90; A. H. F. Hertzler, 1890-93; William Schoenig, 1893-8; George Ebzerath, 1898-1902; Charles J. Moeller, 1902-6; John C. Behrens, 1906-8; A. J. Luebbers, 1908.  The membership of this church for several years has greatly diminished, owing to the fact that the children of the members prefer attending the English churches.  The membership now is only about forty, with fifty in the Sunday school.  Just east of the church and on the same lot, is the parsonage, which was built in 1881. Debbie Clough G-erischer G-erischer Family Web Site http://gerischer.rootsweb.com/ Assistant CC, Iowa Gen Web, Scott County http://www.celticcousins.net/scott/ List Manager for: IASCOTT-L * G-erischer-L * D-encker-L Fitzpatirck-L * V-lerebome-L * Huntington-L * Otis-L * Algar-L EIGS-L * Pickens-L * McNab-L * Patris-L - Rankin-L