The Giard Methodist Church is the latest Clayton County property to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The church received its designation in February—the culmination of a four-year process.

“It’s a celebration,” reflected Bob Meyer, a member of the congregation who contributed both historical information and photographs to the application.

According to Preservation Iowa, the church is locally significant under Criteria C as Giard’s only high-style architectural edifice as well as the only church in the community. “Built in 1902, the building is influenced by the Gothic Revival style most evident in the pointed-arch stained-glass windows and its original towers that emphasize the vertical line. This design choice was likely dictated by the overall popularity of the style for civic, institutional and residential buildings.”

Giard had a long religious history pre-dating the current church, noted Meyer.

Circuit rider John Mann, who was from Sherrill’s Mound, organized the first Methodist Society in Giard in 1848, as German immigrants came to the area. Residents first met in people’s homes, then a schoolhouse, before growth required the construction of two churches. One was built near Froelich and another at Giard.

What Meyer called the “old white church” was built in 1868, behind where the current church stands. Its bell was cast in England.

“When they went to cast it, there was a settler who lived north of here, Peter Farley, and he had $50 in silver coins. He sent them with them when they cast the bell because he heard that it would give it a much sweeter tone, and it did,” said Meyer. “The people noticed it right away.”

That same bell was transferred to the new church when it was built in 1902 at a cost of $7,000. The work was done by local builder William Fuelling, who Meyer said built several other Giard structures.

Citing research by historian Jan Olive Full, who assisted the church with the National Register designation, congregation member Suzanne Kaber said the brick is believed to have come from a plant in Monona.

“But she was very confused where the limestone came from, because there’s quarries all around here,” Kaber added.

The church had two towers at the time it was built. One was taken down when it was found to be leaning.

“So they tore that tower down and we just have the present day tower,” Meyer said.

Another notable feature of the church is its stain glass windows, which came from Belgium. Some of the windows were donated by the Hartwick family, who was influential in building the church. Meyer is a descendent, and following in the footsteps of his grandfather, has been an organist at the church for nearly 40 years.

“People say, why do you care about the church? Well, it’s kind of like it’s been in the family,” he said.

Meyer isn’t the only one with long-time familial connections. Noted Kaber, “We actually have four generations, some of us here, from great-grandparents that started here. There are several families.”

Tradition is strong overall at Giard Methodist Church. Regular Sunday services continue, now utilizing lay speakers.

“And we still ring the bell every Sunday,” remarked Kaber.

There have long been special Christmas Eve services, along with Fourth of July picnics.

Congregation member Kathy Koether expects an even bigger event this year, in celebration of the United States’ 250th birthday.

“There were always Halloween parties, Fourth of July, snack suppers,” she recalled.

“And the ice cream socials were always a big hit,” added Meyer. “We’d string lights all around the yard, and the kids were all involved.”

Kaber has a photograph of the Monona High School Band playing outside. And she said music teacher Marian Beimfohr would hold recitals at the church in the summer.

This history—and the church’s place as a cornerstone of the community—is why the congregation pursued a National Register listing. They wanted to protect that and the building.

“We wanted to continue to keep it and let other people see how historical and beautiful everything is,” Koether shared.

All of this is why, starting in February 2022, the National Register application initially sought the Giard Methodist Church’s designation as a community center. It even made it through the state level and onto national review before a change in leadership forced the group to pivot to the building’s architectural significance.

“There had been a change of staff, and they were really hesitant at that time to approve anybody for historical status. They decided it would need to change categories. Jan was willing to go back to the drawing board and start all over again with an architectural background,” according to Koether.

She credited Full’s persistence and due diligence.

“She got every detail right and wanted it confirmed—facts—when she wrote that application, and Suzanne and Bob provided her with lots of pictures,” Koether said.

“Now,” remarked Meyer, “just think where we’re at. We’re on the National Register.”

Kaber thinks back to those who contributed to the church over generations. The National Register designation honors them. “They’d be so proud,” she said.