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The Smithtown Church is a historical site maintained by the Clinton County Conservation Board. The Church and Cemetery are located in the northwest corner of Clinton County at 1223 125th Street, Lost Nation, Iowa. It's just off the Eden Valley Road (County Road Y32)--watch for the signs.
The Smithtown Church remains today serving as a sole reminder of the pioneer village of Burgess and rural Iowa life.
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 Left: Photo from 2008
Below: Photo from 2006 |
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| Smithtown Church Holds Memorial Services and Open House
On Sunday, May 29, 2011, the Smithtown Church opened its doors for its every other year Memorial Services.
A worship service and open house was held at 2:00 p.m. with Tom Davis as the worship leader. Mr. Davis is a lay speaker with the United Methodist Church in Elwood. The original Windsor reed pump organ, which the Paul Burrichter family had restored, was used to provide music for the service. A time of fellowship with refreshments and viewing memorabilia followed the service.
The church is on the National Register of Historic Places, and members of the Clinton County Historical Preservation Commission and Friends of Smithtown Church are working on restoration. The exterior work has been completed and interior work has begun. New hand railings have also been installed for easier accessibility. Bids are currently being sought for restoration of the original tin-type ceiling which has been completely exposed. Also in the past year, the old brick chimney was torn down due to its deteriorating condition and to keep out varmints. Bricks from the chimney are available for $5 each as a fundraiser.
The church, also known as the Sharon Methodist Episcopal Church, is the only building left of what was the original settlement known as Burgess or Smithtown. The site was named after prominent resident and blacksmith/preacher David Smith.
The church was completed in 1874 by the Methodists, and a year later they entered into a share agreement with the local German Reformed settlers to also use the church for Sunday services. All the original fixtures from the early use of the church, including the Bibles, song books, pews, original pump organ, gas chandelier and Communion servers are located in the church even though it has not been used for regular Sunday services since 1920. The church was owned by the Smithtown Cemetery Association until 1970, when it was turned over to the Clinton County Conservation Board for use as a historic site and meeting place.
By Ruth Wilson, photos by Sandra Brady (aka Lois Lane) Thanks!
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Check back next week for pictures and story from the
Smithtown Memorial Services held on Sunday, May 29, 2011.
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 Getting ready for the Smithtown Memorial Services were, l to r: Ruth Wilson, Nancy Varner, Alice Mans, Dottie Burrichter, and Pam Crawford. |
| Getting Ready for Smithtown Church Memorial Services
On Thursday, May 26, a practice was held for the upcoming Memorial Day Services to be held on Sunday, May 29, at the Smithtown Church.
Nancy Varner, a member of the Reed Organ Society, will be t he guest organist for the Sunday Services.
The original organ at the Smithtown Church was totally restored some years ago courtesy of the Paul Burrichter family by Jack Niewoehner of Elkader, Iowa.
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| Smithtown Church Undergoes Cleanup
In preparation for the upcoming Memorial Day Services on May 29, 2011, workers from the ELP Program at Midland School along with community volunteers gathered at the Smithtown Church on Thursday, May 19 to start the cleaning process.
Those participating this year were: ELP students Cole Lineburg, Tyler Mullins, Instructor Ryan Luensman, Tiffany Feuss, & Gabi Martens.
Community volunteers were: Harold & Ruth Wilson, Sondra Cantrell, Alan & Sue Fields, Dottie Burrichter, Connie Browne, Randy Mohr, & Anita Schepers.
Alica Mans has been donating her time working on the landscaping as part of a project for her Master Gardners' certification.
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Memorial services are held every other year at the Smithtown Church. These photos are from the 2007 services.  
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The Smithtown Church has undergone major restoration during the last eight years including a new roof in 2003, exterior painting in 2005, window restoration in 2006, removal of the original chimney in 2010, and  removal of the false ceiling tile in 2011. |
Bob Johnson and his crew removed the false ceiling tile in January of 2011 reve aling the original tin-type ceiling. Work will begin on restoring the original ceiling soon.
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Volu nteers from the area continue to help with cleaning and restoration projects.  |
 One of the many original, unique features of the Smithtown Church--the gas chandelier.
For more information about the Smithtown Church, its history and other historical information, click here for a downloadable, printable copy of the Smithtown Church flyer published by the Clinton County Conservation Board.
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All design and pictures are the sole property of the owner, Leslie J. Schultz. Permission must be obtained to use any pictures or parts of this web site.
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