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Late 19th Century and most of the 20th Century: The year 1880 saw a new parsonage built largely through the efforts of Rev. S. M. Dayton. Built just south of the church, this parsonage is the one still existing today. In 1893 Rev. W. E. Searles came as the new pastor. He was a native of this area, some of his relatives were members of the church. A man of a keen sense of humor, he used to say that the problem was not of his getting along with his relatives, but of their being able to get along with him. During his stay, he was assisted by Evangelist Harry Wilkins in revival meetings in both the Avoca and Wallace churches. During the 1880's the balcony, where the choir and organist were, was removed, as was the high pulpit which was reached by a flight of spiral stairs. A platform was built across the front of the church. The pulpit was placed in the center at the front of the church. The choir sat at the north end and the south end was used by a Sunday School class. The altar was built in front of the pulpit on a low platform. The altar rail was supported by beautiful, hand-turned spindles, as were the rails in front of the choir and the south corner. The rails, spindles, and base upon which the spindles were placed, were made of solid walnut. Recessed steps in the platform were opposite the south door with a railing along them. In the mid-1880's, Rev. C. R. Buck helped the young women of the church form the Hymenopter Society. Members presented musicals, held ice cream socials and teas to raise money for a silver baptismal font, a communion service and pulpit furniture. The walnut pulpit chairs are still used, as is the baptismal font. In 1890 money was raised for cushions for the pews and by 1903, the women had earned enough money for new stained glass windows. These were purchased from a Rochester firm and installed in 1904. About 1911, the kitchen and back dining room were added. Material for these rooms was obtained from the Hemlock Church which was razed when the congregation of that church joined this church. The years 1914 & 1915 saw electric lights replacing the oil lamps and in 1915 the Sunday School room was carpeted. About this time embossed sheet metal was placed on the side walls and ceiling of the sanctuary. During the years other groups were organized and contributed to the total life of the church. The Sunday School was a thriving organization with classes from preschool-aged children up to and including adults. The Epworth League had a large membership of young people and at one time supported a Chinese boy while he was attending Peking University. During World War I, he was employed in Washington, DC as an interpreter for the United States War Department. En route home, after Armistice, he visited Avoca and spoke at both the Sunday morning and evening services. Many changes have been made in the church building in more recent years. During the 1950's the front of the church was renovated. A more conventional type of architecture was used. Steps leading to the platform were placed in front of the center of it. Solid wooden panels extended along the edge of the platform from the lectern to the north side wall and from the pulpit to the south side wall of the church. These were all painted white with brown bases and tops. The same type of solid panels were placed on the lower platform for the altar. A red velveteen curtain was hung at the outer edge of the recessed arch which was built in the center of the wall back of the platform. An altar was placed in front of the red curtain, which provided space for a Bible, a Cross, two candelabra, and the collection plates. A Hammond organ was installed and the woodwork as well as the walls were painted. A new carpet was purchased for the rostrum and lower platform as well as a runner to the rear of the church. During the 1960's a basement was excavated under the Sunday School rooms. This space was used primarily for Sunday School classes and a study for the pastor. Later the front porch was enlarged and a roof was built over the steps and porch. The Bicentennial Year has seen storm windows placed over the stained glass windows which would not only help preserve them, but make the church warmer. After the merger with the United Brethren Church, the church is now called The United Methodist Church. The Wallace and Avoca churches shared a minister at that time. Both had an active United Methodist Women's Society. Sunday School meets before the church services in Avoca. The church is striving to better the lives of its members and be of service in the community.
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