110 year old Mineral County Church needs your help

The history of the United Methodist church in Superior started in the fall of 1913.

When a Methodist deaconess named Isabelle Reeves discovered during a train layover, there was no Protestant church in Superior, she went to work. After returning to Chicago, through her efforts, money was raised for the first Protestant house of worship in Mineral County, a Methodist church.

1915: Our church was built on grounds donated by Chas and Veronica Harmon. The church bell and first organ was shipped from Chicago from Miss Reeves. The new school was not ready for fall classes, so first high school subjects were taught in the newly completed church.

1950: Major remodeling was done by Rev. John Ginter. Church outside appearance remained the same until 2001. As a result of remodeling, the large stained-glass window that was originally located in front of the church building, was moved to front of the sanctuary.

1986: Members of the UMC in Superior found a little surprise during their summertime “Fixup” project. While repainting the bell at the church, which has been used to announce the beginning of worship services for at least 73 years, the volunteer workers found an inscription nobody had noticed before:

Isabelle Reeves

First Licensed Deaconess

In America and the World

Licensed June 4th 1889

1989: Five new stained-glass windows were installed in the United Methodist Church in Superior, in time for Easter. The windows are the work of Gerald “Doc” Kay of Superior. Doc donated his time and effort on the work. The Superior Church was celebrating 75 years of Methodism in Mineral County and was an excellent way to start the celebration and to add to the lasting beauty of Superior’s oldest continuously church-occupied building. The windows are designed around the church season of Christmas, Easter, Pentecost, and one depicting the elements of the Last Supper. The fifth window is the symbol of the Cross and Lamb over the entrance.

2001: The construction of the Handicap Access facility included a new bell tower. This new facility which is a lift that accesses three levels of the church, also required several other changes within the building structure. The church doors are truly “open to all who wish to enter”.

2025: With this upcoming summertime fixer-upper project we are hiring a professional painter to repaint the exterior of the church. This will help maintain and preserve this important historic building for years to come. So we are asking all UMC members and local businesses of Mineral County for donations. Any donation will be graciously accepted. We thank all who have, and are still serving our church community.

As Easter is soon approaching, we reflect back to past Sunrise services on that blest Easter morning. We praise God for all He has provided for each and every person in our beautiful County. But as we all know, that early service in this little valley can be quite cold and cloud covered. 

This year we have decided to have a Good Friday service at Superior UMC, 7 p.m., April 18. Easter Sunday Services in both Alberton and Superior will be at regular times, 9 a.m. and 11 a.m., respectively. Please come and join us.