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Hayes UMC closes after 125 years

The Hayes UMC congregation held the last worship service in the building June 7. (photo by Linda Cunningham)

Written: 7/30/2009

By Linda Cunningham
Special contributor
CLAY CENTER—Facing a dwindling active membership and other factors and with heavy hearts, the members of Hayes United Methodist Church decided it was time to discontinue the church in its location and continue its ministry in fellowship with other churches.

The charter had been granted Sept. 6, 1886, for the Hayes Methodist Church located northeast of Clay Center in rural Clay County. Records show that services had been held in homes and schools prior to that, dating back to 1864.

On June 7, 2009, the church was filled to capacity with members, former members, descendants of members, former co-charge members, previous pastors and friends present to celebrate the church’s life and deconsecrate the building.

The congregation recently has enjoyed and appreciated the spiritual leadership of retired pastor Rev. Gerald Martin and lay pastors Ron Jackson and Gary Oetinger.

At the closing service, Martin gave the introduction and welcome. Oetinger read scripture from Psalm 127 and I Corinthians 3:9 and 16, and he spoke on “Temple and Church.”

A sharing time brought laughter and tears. Words like “love” and “abide” were used when choosing one word to describe the church and how it was the people that made Hayes UMC a church.

Salina District Superintendent Rev. Lew Van Der Wege, assisted by Jackson and Oetinger, consecrated and served the sacraments of Holy Communion. Van Der Wege then led the deconsecration service.

On June 14, 35 members of Hayes UMC transferred their membership to Clay Center UMC.