A Tale of Two Churches

Quentin UCC has a very long history, dating back to a time just  before our country was founded, when a Sunday School began to meet together regularly in the town of Rexmont. While we have traditional roots, our history gives evidence that we are not resistant to change, but rather move with the changes.

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Templeman Church

March 17, 1878 the Templeman Union Sunday School was organized in a school building in Rexmont.  It began with fifty-four members and grew steadily.  In response to the growing membership they erected a Chapel.  The cornerstone laying was held on September 26, 1886 with the dedication of the Chapel following on January 30, 1887. The Sunday School remained a very important part of the Church.  It started the church organization, built the building, and continued to grow.  In May of 1948 the Church was relocated to another foundation slightly north of the original location.

St. Pauls Church

The cornerstone of the first St. Paul’s Church  in Quentin was laid on July 1, 1877. Three times in its history St. Paul’s “passed under the rod.”  On the morning of September 30, 1896, a fearful storm from the south struck the church building and leveled it to the ground.  A new structure was built similar to the destroyed one with the exception of a lower steeple, side galleries, and a few other changes.  But, during a thunder shower on the night of July 6, 1907, at ten o’clock a bolt of lightning struck the steeple.  A fire followed which destroyed all but the organ, Bible, Communion Table and several pieces of furniture.  A week of prayer attended the dedication of the new church building which took place February 16, 1908.  finally, on Sunday, January 15, 1961 at 9:30 PM members and friends were confronted with the tragic news that their beloved Church was on fire.  Destruction was almost total; and members were advised against the already weakened walls. The church began to hold Sunday services in the Quentin Fire Hall while they planned for a new building to worship in.  Out of the sorrow and ashes sprang the present church building and on Sunday, January 19, 1964 the people traveled from the Quentin Fire Hall, to their newly completed, beautiful house of worship for the dedication service.

The Union

Ten years later on January 3, 1971, another major change had taken place when Templeman and St Paul’s united together to form one congregation, and named it Quentin United Church of Christ and since then has continued to minister to folks welcomed many new folks from our community.

Not only do we minister to our local community, but through our denomination we are able to minister in a variety of ways beyond our doors.  Quentin UCC supports homes for youth and the elderly, we supports a vital camping program, and church related colleges and Seminaries along with campus ministries. Through our basic support of our world missions we supports 150 missionaries in 35 countries along with extensive programs in agricultural assistance, medicine, education, self-help, technical assistance, training, food and nutrition, relief and development. Our mission is to support, nurture and change lives by imparting the timeless love of God to all in an ever changing world. That is our story and we hope you might become a part of that story as well.