Deal Me In

Fenton United Methodist Church

Date Visited:  June 23, 2019

Stop:  #12

After visiting the Fenton House, we walked back to our car and drove a short distance to our next destination, the Fenton United Methodist Church (about 0.2 miles south of the Fenton House).  The further south we drove, the more crowded the streets seemed to get.  We noticed families and groups of people walking around, many congregating down by the river.  The Fenton Fire Hall (the former firehouse converted into a trendy restaurant) was abuzz with people eating and drinking on the roof.  We didn’t know what exactly was going on, so we parked in the church parking lot and got out to visit the historical marker, figuring at some point, we would find out what was happening in Fenton this perfect Summer day.

The Fenton United Methodist Church is an enormous brick structure easily identifiable in downtown Fenton.  From the historical marker, we learned that the church was built in 1853, 16 years after Reverend Washington Jackson formed a Methodist congregation, and on land donated by Levi Warren.  A new brick church was built in 1869 after the walls of the original church collapsed while a basement was being added.  The new church burned to the ground in 1929, so for the third time, the congregation began construction of a new church (in 1930).  Because of numerous delays caused by the Great Depression of the 30’s, the church was not dedicated until 1939.  Kathy and I have noticed a very common theme to all the historical churches we have visited around the world, whether they are in Germany, Ireland, Philadelphia, or in our home state – their history always seems to include a series of fires or other catastrophes that have resulted in the church being rebuilt over and over again.  The Fenton United Methodist Church followed this same theme.

We walked around the grounds and took various pictures, and I ultimately ended up across the street in order to get pictures that included the whole church.  There was a small plaza in front of the Fenton Community and Cultural Center that had three gentlemen sitting at a table playing cards.  There was an open chair, so I took a seat and prepared to play a couple of hands.   Kathy took advantage of the photo op and snapped a couple of pics, one of which is shown below.  Even though I had been dealt in, there was very little action and no conversation, so I took the hint and excused myself from the table.  We stood around long enough to see other prospective players get the same treatment, so at least I walked away assured that I wasn’t the only person shunned after being dealt in.

Kathy and I got back in the car and headed further south on Leroy Street to get to our next destination.  As we were approaching the bridge that crossed the Shiawassee River, we finally found out why there were so many people milling about – there, next to the bridge, was a big banner advertising the annual River Fest.  There were booths lined up selling food and crafts, and in the park between the river and Fenton City Hall, there was a gazebo with a rock band playing music, and a hundred or so people sitting on the grass with food and drinks, enjoying the beautiful day and the great music.  Once we parked our car, we walked around and enjoyed the sounds and the smells.

River Fest is an annual fundraiser run by the Keepers of the Shiawassee, a volunteer group whose mission is to develop the river as a paddling trail extending 100 miles from Holly to the Shiawassee Flats.  The River Fest music festival featured music, a cardboard canoe race, vendors, arts and crafts, games and activities, a fishing tournament, and kayak demos.  Lots of fun for all, and for a great cause.  It was pure luck that we got to experience this fun event – thanks to our quest!!!

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