Open your eyes and see what good happens at Mace UMC

By Matthew Oates
Hoosier UM News Correspondent

Mace UMC, Indianapolis West District
Pastor: Rev. Hugh Reynolds
Members: 88
Average Attendance: 52
Location: Corner of Church Street and U.S. 136 in Mace

MACE, Ind. - The green-shingled steeple of Mace UMC rises from a cluster of trees that line the west side of town, as if placed to greet visitors as they drive into this Montgomery County community, just east of Crawfordsville.

The church's painted red brick foundation, white siding and green shingles, has served the community in a variety of buildings at the same location since 1839.

There are several ways to enter the church. One is through the fellowship hall, which is home to a remodeled kitchen that once was an old stage. A penny quilt filled with names of church and community members from the 1930s accents the room and tells one small story of the community. But there's another story to this section of the church. Mace UMC's second building was sold to the city for use as a town hall. It was later given back to the church.

After passing a room marked Pastor's Office, which is filled with chairs and boxes, you enter the sanctuary; but watch your step.

Sunday school tables and supplies fill the sanctuary, including the overflow, giving Mace UMC stadium seating which allows everyone to see the pulpit.

According to the Rev. Hugh Reynolds, who celebrates his one-year anniversary at Mace and New Ross UMCs, says the Mace congregation is sensitive to meeting the needs of those in the community. "Anything I suggest they jump right in and say, 'Yes, we'll support it,'" says Reynolds.

One of the numerous outreach opportunities is a Tuesday afternoon worship service at a local nursing home. "You'll just be amazed at how many people show up," declares Reynolds about the participants. "People are very supportive in meeting the needs of others."

Lay leader Dave Crumm agrees that everyone in the church and community chips in when something needs to be done, saying it's a rule of any farming community: Do it when it needs done. "People respond real well in this congregation and community if you have a need."

But there's also a sense of family, heritage and comfort that ties the members all together. Crumm sends out the monthly church newsletter to almost 300 families, even though membership is 88. Members who have moved away still want to know what's going on at their home church. "We get a lot of response back," says Crumm.

With everyone helping where ever they can, through baking, comforting, teaching or singing, Reynolds sums up the mission of the church: "They experience the presence of Christ in a lot of ways."

Last updated on 01/14/2004

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