Historic Church In Racine Makes Discovery Within Its Walls

Parishoners at First United Methodist, Racine’s oldest church, paused Sunday to take another look back at their past, thanks in part to the detective work of the church historian.

Judith Schulz didn’t realize just how deep her roots were with First United Methodist until she volunteered to serve as church historian a few years ago in advance of the congregation’s 175th anniversary. On a trip to the courthouse one day to examine a building deed signed by church leaders in 1870, the signature of one W.G. Roberts popped out.

“I was silent for, I don’t know how long, because that’s my great-great-great-grandfather, and I had no idea that he was connected to the church,” said Schulz.

That discovery ignited a passion to learn more. By reading the pages of the minutes of decades-old church committee meetings, Schulz made a startling discovery: Buried in an interior wall behind layers of paint, plaster and brick was a long-forgotten cornerstone box that had come from an original church.

In a ceremony Sunday that was witnessed by about one hundred church members and guests, the box was carefully sawed opened and the contents examined.

That long history seems to permeate the sanctuary, says the church’s pastor, Brad Van Fossen.

“There is a sense of being surrounded by generations of god’s saints, and not just the people who are in the room at the time,” said Fossen.

Early church members included S.C. Johnson, the founder of the Racine-based company that bears his name. For Schulz, just being at church gives her a greater connection with the past and a sense of comfort.

“When I come here, this is home,” said Schulz.