CASSOPOLIS — Independent Dailey Church, which gospel singer Mahalia Jackson helped grow in 1956 after it survived an April 29, 1945, fire, celebrates its 125th anniversary Saturday, Aug. 27, and Sunday, Aug. 28.

Saturday there will be fellowship with friends and original recipe ice cream from 6 to 8 p.m., followed by music and a worship service from 8 until 9.

Sunday morning at 9:30 there will be a worship service at the former Union Protestant Church.

The original church on the northwest corner of Dailey Road and Dunning Street in LaGrange Township, which had been expanded on the west side in the 1930s, burned in 1945 during a Sunday worship service.

The present church was dedicated in 1948, with an addition put on in 1956 and damaged when a speeding vehicle rammed into it 30 years ago in 1981.

The Rev. Mark Filonczuk, who arrived July 15, 1985, was pastor during the centennial of June 22, 1986.

Other former pastors include the Rev. Bradley Heiple (Feb. 8, 1981-July 1, 1985), the Rev. Lowell Gerber (Feb. 1, 1978-Feb. 1, 1981) and the Rev. Douglas Ohime (Feb. 1, 1976-June 24, 1977).

Current pastor the Rev. Dr. David Waid first appears on the roster of ministers who have served since the fire from 1970 to 1973.

The church organized in 1886 as non-denominational, despite efforts to make it a Methodist church.

The first board of trustees elected in May 1887 consisted of Thomas Higgins, William Condon, William H. Hain, Emmett Dunning and Charles Kimmerle.

Trustees signing articles of incorporation were Bina Wiley, Mary E. Spaulding, Titus Tietsort, Horace Cooper, Mary Hass, J.N. Webster, Edward Anthony, John Tompson, William Cady, John Hain, Emily Hain, Mary J. Kimmerle, H. Collins, George B. Crawford, Mary A. Hain and Ella M. Kimmerle

Dailey Church stayed unaffiliated until joining the United Church of Christ in 1963.

The initial frame building was put up during the summer of 1886 across from Union Cemetery for $1,600 on land given by Henry Kimmerle.

Seating and the pulpit were made at Jones Mill, a furniture factory north of Cassopolis.

After the fire, the congregation met at Salisbury School until the familiar brick, stone and masonry structure was placed on the same foundation at a cost of $16,000.

The two-story addition of 1956 added a nursery, sanctuary overflow, a choir room, a pastor’s study and a parsonage.

A concert at Cassopolis High School by gospel singer Mahalia Jackson contributed to the fundraising effort.

Part-time pastors and theology students led the congregation until Nov. 24, 1963, when the Rev. William H. Schobert was called as the first full-time pastor.

In 1986, the church had about 80 members, led by elders Devon Truex, Harold Maxwell and Carl Brewster and Trustees Thelma Maxwell, Woodrow Moore, James Mesko, Bart Huron, Betty Anderson and Paul Albert.

According to a Christmas Eve 1995 reminiscence by Katherine Kimmerle Follett, the “beautiful little church” early on was simply known as Kimmerle Church.

Great-aunt Mary Kimmerle King, would pick up Katherine’s family in her “cutter” — a horse-drawn sleigh — for Christmas programs.

“The only sounds were the jingle bells on its harness and our singing of carols,” she wrote. “As we entered the church, the organist was playing the big, old foot-pump organ. It was around 1915, before the church had electricity, so a kerosene lamp stand stood beside the organ to provide light for the music.”

The Christmas tree, topped by a golden star, was festooned with ropes of cranberries and popcorn, with “many small candles burning brightly at the end of each branch. What a wonder there were not more fires in churches in those days, especially at Christmastime.”

Children’s gifts included dolls, books and hair ribbons for girls and whistles, jackknives or tops for boys, and an orange for each child. “A great luxury in those days,” according to Follett, a genealogist from Cassopolis who by then lived in Goshen, Ind.

“I also remember the wonderful dinners we had at that church and how my cousin Isabel Hain Hartranft always brought her big wooden hand-crank freezer full of homemade ice cream.”

Kimmerle Church had been so called because of the donation by her great-grandfather,

Henry. Union Cemetery came about when her great-great-great-grandfather, John Pettigrew, a Revolutionary War soldier, died in 1838 and a burial place was needed.

Son-in-law Joseph McPherson provided it. When McPherson moved to Indiana, he deeded the land to the LaGrange Township Board of Health.

In the early days, most people buried in what has also been known as Brookside Cemetery were related to Follett.

Her father was born in the first house to the east in 1884.

When he was young, the brook was larger and he told of catching trout.

Dailey received its name from the last name of the first railroad section boss. It came into existence about 1850.

There had been a number of preachers of different denominations who conducted religious services in one or another of the schoolhouses about the village.

As early as 1851, the Christian Church of Christ organized a branch of that body in the Mechanicsburg schoolhouse, but no permanent organization of a church occurred.

In the winter of 1885-1886, the Rev. Isaiah Wilson, pastor of the Methodist Church in Pokagon, held a series of meetings in a Dailey hall owned by Levi Vail.

Seven houses built by Vail, a store keeper as well as a carpenter, were still standing in the mid-1980s.

The Rev. Wilson’s meetings developed enough religious interest that the community felt a church building was needed. He wanted it put in Dailey organized as a Methodist church.

However, a considerable element of residents thought it should be erected on a plot across from Union Cemetery as a non-denominational church.

Unable to resolve the dispute, each group set about preparing to erect a building on the site of its choice early in 1886.

Union Protestant Church, undenominational, went up where it is today, on ground donated by Henry Kimmerle, grandson of Grover Kimmerle of Cassopolis.

So what happened to the rival church? It prospered and even enjoyed a larger congregation, but something happened after a few years and it disbanded, its building sold to Tom Rourke, who turned it into a dance hall.

A Mrs. Mallow, a subsequent owner, tore it down and used the materials to construct a house on Pokagon Road near Hampshire Road, where it was still standing in 1986.

Early in the summer of 1886, plans were bought from Philadelphia church architect Benjamin D. Price.

A contract was issued to George Rivers, a Cassopolis contractor and carpenter, for his low bid, $1,600.

Excavation had previously been made. The foundation was “laid up,” largely by volunteer labor directed by Orrin A. Dever and Jack Brennan. The only paid help was one stonemason. It was unusual to see a rural church with a full basement and furnace at that time.

According to the Cassopolis Vigilant, “It was one of the most beautiful country church buildings anywhere and, with its beautiful setting, was admired by all who saw it.”

Articles of incorporation were adopted May 28, 1886, and filed with the county clerk June 3, 1886.

The fire of April 29, 1945

The Vigilant of May 3, 1945, reported on the fire: “…while approximately 70 persons were listening to the sermon, a lady, trout fishing in the stream below the church, noticed smoke and flames coming from the roof at the back of the building. She came up quickly, whispering to Mr. Hass sitting close to the door, who in turn reported it to Henry Smith, the janitor.

“Both men left the building to investigate, Henry driving hurriedly to the Ickes farm to call the fire truck, while Mr. Hass entered the church to report the building on fire. Instantly, nearly everyone was on their feet, but with quick presence of mind, Mr. Bosch of near Gary, who with his wife and sister-in-law were also in the church, spoke quickly and quietly that everyone take it easy and pause for a few words of prayer before leaving the building, which calmed everyone.

“All then left the building in a quiet and orderly manner, several stopping to pick up song books, Sunday school supplies, etc. Rev. Bogar walked calmly down from the pulpit with a large church BIble and his own in his arms.

“Seeing that the building was still safe to enter, everyone then began carrying out all the loose contents. The fire truck from Cassopolis responded, but due to the height of the building could only reach the bottom flames with chemicals. The water hose was then strung out to the creek, but only succeeded in pumping mud which quickly clogged the hose.

“The fire gained rapidly on the dry shingle roof and soon the whole building was on fire. The Edwardsburg fire department also responded but were too late to save any part of the structure. Huge billows of smoke attracted many for miles around and soon cars were parked thickly on both sides of the road watching the burning of one of Cass County’s old landmarks. Before the building was entirely burned, permission had already been secured to hold services in the Salisbury schoolhouse until some other place was available. …”

After several meetings of those interested in the church, a majority expressed support for rebuilding. A committee consisted of Frank Pollock, Adrian Parker, Russell Jones and Gordon Hain.

Later, Joseph I. Lindsay agreed to preach as interim pastor and joined the committee. Mrs. Mary Morse, Board of Trustees treasurer, fulfilled that role for the building fund.

Architect W.P. McLaughlin of Grand Rapids was asked to submit a design for a building of brick, stone and cement.

His inspection of the old foundation revealed it had been so well constructed that it was repairable.

Plans were drawn to allow the new church to be placed upon the original foundation.

Construction of new church

Basement walls were repaired. An eight-inch reinforced concrete slab was poured on top of the walls. Joists and sub-flooring were laid before winter set in in 1945.

Volunteers did the work for the most part. Hardwood dimension materials were cut from logs donated by Ralph S. Hain, Max Morse and George Haslenger.

Dowagiac Saw Mill Co. did the cutting at no cost.

Nothing was done during the winter except to find sources of material supplies.

Work resumed in the spring. Construction went as rapidly as supplies and labor were available.

The first service in the new church took place in the basement amid shavings and material scraps on Thanksgiving 1946.

The Christmas program that year also took place in the basement.

On Feb. 2, 1947, the congregation met for public worship for the first time in the sanctuary of the church in spite of the fact it remained a long way from completion.

“That God was good and that the people were liberal were attested to by the fact that 33 months after fire razed the building, the congregation was able to be back, worshipping in a building that when completed would be as fine and up-to-date as its predecessor.

Today that same building stands as a monument to the faith of a few and the generosity of many, as fine a small rural church as one could find crossing the whole United States.”

As soon as the embers of the old church cooled, friends far and near were expressing their desire to aid in its rebuilding. No committee for solicitation of funds was ever formally appointed, but all who were interested talked with friends and received whatever contributions were offered.

Only on two occasions was it necessary to borrow money to keep the work going. The building was dedicated free of debt, like its predecessor. Total cost, including furniture and equipment, was $16,000.

It was suggested that due to the lack of parking space, and that all the trees had been lost in the blaze, additional ground west of the church would be desirable.

Frank Pollock was approached on the matter and expressed his willingness to donate 90 feet adjoining the west line of the church lot.

This was cleared and the sides of the road graded off so cars could be parked there, as well as across the road south of the church.

While the building assumed shape, the congregation was said to be organizing into a cohesive body and growing with the passing days, according to the program prepared for the centennial.

Soon after Joseph Lindsay (May 1945-October 1948) assumed pastoral leadership, he suggested that an organization be formed with a membership roll and that officers be provided for along scriptural lines, so there might be a continuing, controlling body.

In keeping with that objective, a constitution was adopted on Oct. 23, 1946.

The dedication Sept. 26, 1948

The Vigilant of Sept. 30, 1948, reported, “The new Union Protestant Church north of Dailey was dedicated to the worship of God in a most impressive service last Sunday at 2:30 p.m. A congregation that filled the sanctuary of the building and the basement, with an overflow outside the church, heard Rev. Theodore M. Greenhoe preach a most searching sermon on the subject, ‘A Global Church for Global Darkness.’ The pastor, Joseph I. Lindsay, read the words of dedication, while his brother, Dr. E.C. Lindsay of Goshen read the prayer of consecration. Rev. R.V. Wood, for many years pastor of the Edwardsburg Presbyterian Church, now of Alma, read the scriptures and Rev. Lester C. Bailey of the local Methodist church pronounced the benediction. Mrs. G. Elwood Bonine, accompanied by her daughter, Mary Charlotte, sang ‘Bless This House.’ Rev. Wood preached in the morning service at 11 o’clock, using as his theme, ‘The Church with Rings,’ to the edification of the congregation that filled the sanctuary. ’…The gift of the pulpit, costing $125, was that of Mrs. Alice Noble, a widow, who crocheted to pay the entire amount. …’ “

The above gift is the only one mentioned specifically in the newspaper, but there were many more, both by individuals and groups. Mat Taggart, a Cassopolis bell collector, gave the 900-pound bell.

The new addition

While under the leadership of the Rev. Dale Scott (student pastor) in 1954, it was realized that more room was needed for Christian education and a parsonage.

In April 1955, the following were appointed to a building committee: Oliver Anderson, chairman; Eleanor Haslanger, secretary-treasurer; Rose Anderson, Pearl Bement, Mary Morse, Russell Anderson, Walter Bauer Jr., Ben Bement Sr., Ralph Boughton, Charles Dohm Jr., Chet Hoyt, Woodrow W. Moore, Eston Prather, Kenneth Maxwell, later Isabel Hartranft and Lowell McMillen replaced Chet Hoyt. Harold Moon acted in an advisory capacity.

Architect G.G. Worden of Kalamazoo was hired to draw up plans. Rev. Donald Tepe followed Rev. Scott. Under his leadership, the plans were approved.

In December 1955, a pledge campaign was made to finance the addition.

A groundbreaking ceremony took place on May 6, 1956.

As with the first church, the only hired labor was a stonemason.

The addition measured approximately 34 feet by 40 feet.

The basement contained a furnace that would be enclosed with cement blocks.

The rest of the basement was one large room.

On the first floor were four large rooms: one large one which can be used for overflow from the sanctuary; one in the nursery, equipped with its own washroom; and a choir room and pastor’s study.

The second floor became an apartment-parsonage. It contains four rooms, several closets and a bath. There is a large attic over the second floor.

One outstanding event which took place to raise money for the addition was the coming of Mahalia Jackson in 1956 for a concert at the high school.

Her services were procured through Mrs. Tepe, who made the acquaintance of Miss Jackson in Chicago.

The public address system was installed in 1957 during the building of the addition.

The basement was completely remodeled in 1980.

Affiliating with a denomination

By fall 1963, there had been a feeling for some time that this church should affiliate with a denomination, given a number of advantages, rather than being entirely independent.

After a great deal of investigation and thought, and after studying the beliefs of various denominations, it was decided Nov. 24 to join the United Church of Christ (UCC).

In April 1964, Dailey Union Protestant Church was accepted into full fellowship in the Southwest Association of the Michigan United Church of Christ, at a meeting held in St. Peter’s United Church of Christ in St. Joseph.

The church called the Rev. William H. Schobert to be its first full-time pastor. He began serving in February 1964. A new constitution was adopted in April 1964.

In 1965, Frank Pollock made another gift of land to the church. This parcel adjoins the church property on the west. There was also a piece across the road to the south. This gift was made to furnish additional parking space and space for a parsonage.

Louis O. Miller of Cassopolis in the spring of 1965 donated plants and shrubs and gave his time to landscape the yard. This was the first time anything had been done along this line. In years to come, as others donated plants, flowers bloomed in front of Dailey Church from early spring until late fall.

Damage to the church was sustained on April 2, 1981, when a car traveling an estimated 100 mph missed the stop sign and plowed into the southeast corner.

The crash killed two Elkhart, Ind., men. The impact dislodged several large cement blocks at the front of the church and caused some minor damage inside.

On Oct. 1, 1967, the church’s 80th anniversary was celebrated with a dinner at Brookside School.

Former ministers the Rev. Donald Tepe (June 1955-December 1956), the Rev. Albert O’Rourke (September 1963-January 1964), the Rev. William Pohly (September 1957-June 1959) and the Rev. William Schobert (February 1964-August 1968) attended.