Ben Forbis part of team for church addition

By Editor | November 17, 2010 |

“Many hands make light work” is an old adage that, according to Ben Forbis, chairman of the Emmanual Methodist Church Board, is true … to some extent.
As the poem that accompanies this story indicates, the church stands on the prairie land in Sefton, north of Brownstown, as it has for over a century.
In these days of extravagant, beautiful and ornate buildings, part of the charm of the Emmanuel Church in its country setting is the refreshing simplicity, which it has retained all these many years.
The church has been maintained structurally without fault, but has not been modernized, as most have. Surprisingly, the restroom facilities were two old-fashioned outside toilets, which again, have been carefully maintained and cleaned.
However, about 10 months ago, a woman in the congregation, Norma Willms, suggested it would be nice if the church had an indoor restroom.
Others agreed it would be nice, and it followed that a kitchen and dining area would also be convenient for the congregation gatherings.
Forbis, a lifetime member of the church, started the ball rolling, and gained the help and participation of the whole congregation. A recent open house that attracted about 60 people was held to celebrate the new addition.
Meet 82-year-old Ben Forbis as he shares their story.
Forbis stated that in his 82 years, he has never attended any other church, although his work with the telephone company took him out of the area a lot over the years.
He was named after his grandfather, Benjamin Franklin Forbis.
“I was born and raised just down the road from the church,” he said, “and I live now just a ways the other way down the road.”
Jim Green pastors the little church, which has 32 members in the congregation.
“Everybody helped (with the addition),” Forbis said.
The kitchen is small, but convenient and efficient, and equipped with needed appliances for meal preparation. It has serving windows through to the dining area, which contains tables, and seating for the congregation, 12 tables and 48 chairs.
The dining area has an exit door and windows, including a large high window, which affords a view of the trees and sky, for illumination and the enjoyment of nature’s beauty.
The dining area also has a piano, “which (our) pianist, Betty Mill, found for us. She also donated the painting that hangs above it. It was a wedding gift for her and her late husband, Jessie, 42 years ago. She gave it to the church on their anniversary,” he said.
Church pews are also placed along two walls, which provides extra seating. Adding to the comfortable, homey setting is an old-fashioned rocking chair, which, Forbis said with a smile, “is mine.”
Smaller rooms off the dining area can be used as Sunday school classrooms.
The restroom is attractive and roomy, and contains a baby changing station.
Bennie Forbis, In Person
Although he was reticent talking about himself, Forbis said that while he lived in Vandalia at one time, he was still a farm boy at heart, and he had chickens and goats.
He oversees Forbis Cemetery, which was established in 1887. The Evangelical Church and parsonage buildings that were nearby are gone, but the cemetery remains.
He served in the Army, in Germany during World War II,. His life’s work was with the telephone company, working mainly in Southern Illinois. He mentioned co-workers George Meseke and Wally Bertram.
He enthusiasticallytalked about the addition to the church and the members’ participation. He said how it was difficult to figure how much of an addition they could afford.
“It took from Feb. 1 to Oct. 13,” he said, the delay caused by “lots of rain” and problems. The ground contains a lot of water.
“The original part of the building is set on that flat rock, like you get from Missouri. It has set there for 128 years,” he said.
“At one time, the building was jacked up and the flat rocks raised, and the building set back down. That was necessary due to some of the rocks sinking down.
“I didn’t want the addition to look like it had been added on,” he said, and that was accomplished, showing no obvious evidence of a dividing mark with the new addition.
“Everybody helped,” he said. “Carol Henna and Connie Green redecorated the sanctuary, the cross was built by Chuck Wagner, Jim Green built the podium and assisted Carol and Connie in the sanctuary, Jim Skinner Construction built the addition and Willard Fulk raised the pre-made rafters."
A stained glass garden window in memory of Mary Louis Koonce also was hung and illuminated by Jim Green.
A Little Church History
The Emmanuel (meaning God Is With us) United Methodist Church is on the site of the former Mt. Zion Evangelical German Church building and parsonage, built in 1887.
A church building was eventually built by God’s people in the lower part of Sefton Township on ground deeded by Morris German to the congregation for the purpose of building a church. It was to be used as a church for as long as the doors would open for services.
The Emmanuel Church was built in 1889. In 1922, the building was purchased from the Evangelical Association and dedicated into the Methodist Conference.
And Today…
The exterior of Emmanuel United Methodist Church has retained the simple lines and look, with only the small stained glass window over the door; the setting has remained natural, with the lawn and trees the only adornment.
And most important of all, the congregation worship and work together, They will truly enjoy a blessed Thanskgiving, strengthened by their shared faith and care for one another.