Bemis United Methodist Church

In 1908 Judson Moss Bemis, founder of the Bemis Bro. Bag Company, provided for a the construction of a church without cost to the community. Mr. Bemis was in attendance as the chuch was dedicated on April 19, 1908 as the Union Church. At this time an endowment of $600 per year was set up as the passtor's salary. This endowment continued until 1974. The structure of the church is Old English architecture. The materials were cut in Boston and shipped to Bemis by railroad to be assembled on site. The front entrance has a gable roof over arched openings; the side walls have engaged buttresses. Mr. Bemis' son, Albert, a graduate of MIT in Boston, hired architects from the Boston area to help in the design of not only the church but other structures in the Village. Some say the sanctuary ceiling reminds them of the shape of a boat. The church was originally used by the Baptists, Methodists, Pentecostals and followers of the Church of Christ. Over time, due to enlarging the Mill, a population increase caused the church to need an addition. The Chapel was added in 1922 and was built of concrete and stucco.