In 1877, as settlers began to move into the southern part of Carroll County and the northern section of Audubon County, the Rev. M. H. Martin made calls to a circuit which included Arcadia, Willowshades, Signall Schoolhouse, Beulah, and Maple River Junction. Eighteen members formed the Methodist class which met in this area, including the Lewis, Grant, Hutchens, and Ingledue families.

The early congregation had a precarious experience in finding a place to hold its meetings. Various places were used, such as the Gardner residence, a store building until it became too cold to stay, the schoolroom of the Callison's Hall, and later the G.A.R. Hall.

As the buildings of Manning began to form in late 1881, the Methodists moved their congregation to the new town. The first regular service, conducted by Rev. John Elliott, was held November 13, 1881, in the Barber Building. That evening, Des Moines evangelist Rev. J. A. Todd

preached the first evangelist sermon to an audience of 75 to 80 people, who joined together in Gestenberg's Saloon.

Until 1882, the Sunday School was a union organization with other churches in the community. The first classes, with Miss Jennie Parker as superintendent, were held at the Riverside schoolhouse. When the Methodists formed their own Sunday School, Fred Grossman served as the first superintendent.

Members of the church discussed the building of a church in 1881-82, but the size of the congregation prevented them from carrying out their plans. They were able to purchase a town lot in 1882, adding a second lot in 1885.

In 1883, the Rev. and Mrs. W. E. Harvey came to the territory to fill the pastorate of the church. Through the tireless efforts of Mrs. Harvey, a Ladies Aid Society was organized. The church building, still used today, was built at this time, and the Ladies Aid Society provided the pews and pulpit furniture. An organ was secured from the church at Arcadia, which had been discontinued.

The church was dedicated December 19, 1886. Services were conducted by Mrs. Libby, assisted by Rev. Early and the presiding pastor, Rev. I. H. Elliot. A debt of $800 remained; it is said that within 45 minutes, $1,060 was raised, which left $260 in the treasury. The congregation, numbering only 25 the year before, had rapidly grown to 160 members.

The original parsonage was built in 1901; by 1960, the congregation voted to build a new one; and the Rev. Lester Moore and his family moved into the new home in March, 1961.

A number of improvements have been made to the church building over the years. The most major was in 1954, when the interior was completely altered. I n 1966, the basement walls were paneled, the floors tiled, a vanity put in the restroom, the ceiling painted, and rewiring done. In 1975, the kitchen was rennovated.

The Woman's Society of Christian Service, organized in 1940 with 41 charter members, has been active in raising funds for a new organ, new pews and carpeting for the sanctuary. Mrs. Beulah Fink, the first president, is still active in its work. The present woman's group, United Methodist Women, was formed in 1972.

A lot to the north of the present building was purchased in 1977 as a possible building site.

As the Methodists celebrated their first century in the Manning area, a committee was formed with the Presbyterian congregation to investigate the combining of the two groups. Joint Vacation Bible school was first held, with combined services held for special holidays. A plan to unite the Sunday Schools was completed in September, 1979.

The Rev. Donald A. Jones, who has served the Manning church since 1975, is the 50th minister to receive a call here.