08/23/2026
📚WSMC HISTORY FACTS 📚
**Written by Darrell Winter.
Gretchen Burnison, our church historian has asked me to write about some high points about the United Methodist Church in the 1970’s.
Reverend Paul Custer and his wife, Joy along with their three children were living in the personage next to the church building. Reverend Custer was our pastor and his wife, Joy was telling him when to be at the next meeting, taking care of the children and playing the piano beautifully, keeping house, etc.  She was a very efficient and very vocal 5‘3“ force. In those days, the Pastor‘s wife was expected to look good at all times, have her household in perfect condition and have their children on their best behavior. People would knock on the door any day of the week, any hour and be sure your house was clean and in perfect order. Walk-in, look around and go back home and call the neighbor and let the ladies in the community know what Joy Custer was doing or not doing. Pastor‘s wife was expected to have the ladies coffee’s parties at her house, Bible study groups, etc. and they could see if she was taking proper care of the church property. By the way, she did quite well, but for one incident. There was a waterbed placed in an upstairs bedroom above the dining room without the churches permission and guess what? It developed a leak and ran down through the plaster into the dining room. It caused sufficient damage and caused quite a stir for the church board. It got repaired and eventually everyone got over it. I believe a block ceiling was installed, probably still there! The three children were likely everyone else else’s-rebellious ornery and rebellious. Part of them were teenagers, I believe they had two boys and one girl, don’t remember their ages.
Reverend Custer was a very tall man about 6‘7“, very slender, and maybe a bit of an introvert. Joy made up the difference as an extrovert, mostly joyous and easy to talk to. Reverand Paul was mostly on time and did well in the pulpit. With his tall height, someone in the congregation built a 6 foot riser to set the pulpit on so he could see his notes in sermons, probably Wayne Salmen, who was the best carpenter we had in the church membership. it made Pastor look better up on the altar.
Our church building was mostly full on Sunday mornings, Sunday school for all ages, including adults. Lots of children in the pews who are expected to be quiet and sit still during the service, some did and some didn’t. For the ones that did not, they were taken outside, and the rear end of their pants were warmed up by their father, and then brought back into the pew, after which they were much quieter. For Sunday school, we had teachers for every grade with classes of 6 to 8 children, much different than now, more people living in town in countryside. People didn’t have as many other things to do on the Sabbath, and we were expected to be in church on Sunday mornings, and Wednesday nights were reserved for choir practice and some special church services.
Interestingly, married women were always called by their husband’s name, such as Mrs. Raymond Symes, or Mrs. Lee Scott or Mrs. Wayne Samen.
 we did not use their first names. Men were always dressed in suits with ties or sport coats and ties. Ladies wore lots of hats of all colors and sizes. Some had flowers and birds on their heads, never saw any live birds, but it was hard to tell at times
The Methodist men farmed 70 acres of land 2 miles east of town and all proceeds were given to the church. The profits were good because all labor and machinery were donated, probably see donated also. This fund was drawn on many times for missions, church, repairs, etc. At times the church would borrow money from the bank for large projects. The ladies had bake sales and many other projects to raise money for special needs. They were a very strong and enterprising group of ladies.
Choir was well attended, usually by more than 20 members. The choir loft was crowded with many joyous singers. Many Sundays, we had an organist, pianist, and our choir Director, so much different than now.
Giving for the collection plate was quite generous, but, still at times we were short on budget. By the end of the year, it was always taken care of.
We were fortunate to have many volunteers for all projects and the church day was reserved for worship, much different than now.

Sincerely yours, a happy Methodist,
Darell Winter
