Merger reunites churches split during Civil War era
The former Park United Methodist Church building is now home to Beacon United Methodist Church of Hannibal. Contributed photo
MARY LOU MONTGOMERY
Two historic Hannibal Methodist churches merged in mid 2024, and as the year ended, the blended membership designated a new name for the church: Beacon United Methodist Church of Hannibal.
The church serves the former congregations of Park United Methodist Church, located for the last half a century at 2335 Palmyra Road, and First United Methodist Church, historically located downtown, at 901 Broadway.
Three and a half years ago, just as the Covid epidemic was letting up, the Rev. Kim Parker came to Hannibal to serve the two congregations.
“I inherited two churches,” she said, “both had wonderful people.
“I knew Park was scrambling financially, but they had such a great location.
“The First Church had a lot of endowments,” she said, but the membership was dwindling.
“I was told early on that First Methodist couldn’t leave that building,” or they would lose those endowments.
“I made a call to the foundation and asked for the wording in all the endowments. I found we could move and even change the name, but we could not cease to exist.
“I prayed for 30 days. I had this vision.
“I had a dream, literally, where we were all in one building and it was the Park Church, an extended front porch situation,” she said. “This would make better sense; lots of land, behind the high school and middle school, and in a neighborhood.
After conferring with Bishop Farr, Rev. Parker was convinced that merging the two church was the right thing to do.
1953 study
“I stumbled upon a study done in 1953, which evaluated all the Methodist Churches in Hannibal, to give suggestions.” Park Church was still located downtown, on the northwest corner of Center and Fifth streets.
“The recommendation was for First to sell their building and move out toward the high school.”
It was recommended that Park should make an addition to its building.
Ultimately, “Park’s building wasn’t usable, (there were) problems with the roof. Park moved out by the high school. Somebody gave them the land.”
“Somewhere in that translation,” she said, “First did not do anything.”
Merging
The seriousness of the situation became evident soon after Rev. Parker arrived in Hannibal three and a half years ago. She asked the members of Park, “Where do you see your church in three years?”
One member said they saw Park sold to the YMCA.
“When I got to Park, I didn’t know how much longer it could (financially) stay open.”
Merging the two churches made sense, knowing the potential of space Park had to grow and and to add on. “Park has a playground outside,” Rev. Parker said. “ First didn’t have anything that said kid friendly.”
Change is never easy.
Prior to the Civil War, “Park went Methodist Episcopal South, and First went Methodist Episcopal North,” Rev. Parker said.
Now the two congregations have reunited.
“That language of reconciliation is powerful to us; we spilt (prior to) the Civil War and we’re back together again.”
The leadership of both churches was ultimately on board with the merger.
“Can each church let go of something that is dear to them, to create a potential new future that is inviting, to allow other people to find Jesus?
“Moving forward, we had to figure out how to pull it off, and celebrate what Park and First bring. Grieving the past, celebrating the good old days; and celebrate the potential we have to shape faith for the newer generations,” she said.
“Our phrase is ‘better together.’
“The building is not the church; the people are the church,” she said.
A new name
The First church building was sold to Carrie Griffen for an adaptive reuse, as a music studio and event hall. That’s when a discussion began over the naming of the new blended church.
Church leadership talked to some experts on logos and branding, and they batted around a number of names.
Finally, someone suggested the name Beacon.
“Everyone went, whoa!” Rev. Parker said. “The name really comes from being a light, the UM has moved to that in the last year. We are really excited about that. We can definitely offer inclusive; everybody can find a place to belong.”
The new name reflects their Vision Statement:
“Together we aim to share Christ transforming love, inspire hope for the future, and make a real difference in the world.”
Lighted steeple
As part of the mission of the new, blended church, they put a light on the steeple, allowing it to be seen from the Huck Finn Shopping Center, west of the church. They also installed a Carillon, which plays music at noon and at 5 p.m.
“The swing of the church has moved to a neighborhood church,” Rev. Parker said, “There is so much potential. A lot of love. Both churches have been very friendly and encouraging. And we have a hospitality group that is making a difference.”
