Again the congregation became too large for the building, so in 1891-1892 the present church was built. Two acres of land were purchased for a building site. Bricks for the construction of the church were hauled by sleds from Shakopee over the ice on
Spring Lake and onto Lydia. The trips were long and cold, but the workers were all volunteers, each anxious to be a part of the new church.

The new church in 1892 had plain glass in the windows. The windows had green shutters. Entry to the vestibule consisted of a wooden platform with steps from three sides.

Inside the vestibule was the bell rope. Fond is the memory of the first ringing of the bell. The people for this occasion gathered outside in the front of the church to hear the bells sent out its pleasing tone into the countryside reminding everyone of the church of God. Money for the bell was given by a non member of the church with the stipulation that the bell ring daily as long as he might live.

From the vestibule there was an entrance into the Sunday school room and another entrance into the side and back of the sanctuary. A large sliding door with counter- weights that lifted up word separated the school room from the sanctuary. Two entrances to the basement dugout were made. One a floortrap with a protective rail around it was in the northwest corner of the school room, the other was an outside entrance on the west side of the building.

Before the basement had been excavated and finished, there was only a dugout with enough room for the furnace and a little fuel. As our faithfull janitor grandpa Schultz one fall day made preparations for winter, he found a family of skunks had made their home in the furnace. With undaunted courage grandpa picked up a piece of firewood and made an attack. The skunks retaliated with their major weapon. The air became think with scent, but the piece of firewood kept hitting the black and white intruders. Those that were not killed ran for their lives. The odor in the church was so objectionable that church services were discontinued for a month. When grandpa Schultz was praised for his courage, it was found the scent of the skunks had little effect on him.

Because of the weather conditions, the board of trustees felt the need of a shelter for the horses, and a barn was built northwest of the church. In 1934, after automobiles were popular, this was removed.

With the beginning of both the Lydia and Jordan churches, the parsonage was in Jordan. Do to the distance between charges, the Parsons message was given on alternate Sundays at each church. The other Sunday a layleader led the service.

Since most of the congregation were immigrants from Germany, the sermon was in German as very few could understand the English language. In about 1915, English was introduced, and one Sunday was german, the next English, the hymns being sung in English. On those days in which English was used, the text was always read in german for the benefit of those who knowledge of English found it difficult to understand. In about 1918 we became an English speaking church.

We have always been a singing church. Our first hymnals were in German, followed by “Hymns of Praise,” graduating to the Methodist Hymnal in about 1933 or 1934.

Methodism is founded in melody, and our church is no exception. From the earliest days in the Heins’ home, we have been a singing church. Perhaps if you listen closely enough, You can hear the faint strains of “Jesus, lover of my soul,” or some other well loved hymn echoing through the halls of bygone years. In the informal worship services at the Heins’ home, singing play predominant role. An old “foot pedal” organ accompanied the singing in the Heins’ home, and also in the first church. The organ in the first church was moved to the new church in 1892 and was used until 1902 when a new organ was purchased. In about 1923 we switched to the music of the piano.

From time to time over the past 100 years, choirs have been organized to deepen the musical appreciation of the congregation. It is remembered that the choir of 1912 – 1913 presented a successful cantata in both the Jordan and Lydia churches. With this melodic background, or present choral organization will continue to lead us in singing praises to God.

Music in the life of the church can never be underestimated. It is the poetry of the soul expressed in a harmonic way.

In 1928 electricity came into the community. The lighting system until this time was blau gas which necessitated lighting and extinguishing each light individually in the church. On Christmas Eve 1928, we celebrated our first view of the electric Christmas tree lights and electric lights in the sanctuary.

In the early 1930’s our form of communion took a different form. Before we had the large communion cup and the loaf. At this time, we changed to the communion service with individual glasses. The communion steward at this time cut small squares of bread for the plate and took home the communion service afterward to wash the glasses and store the service until the next usage as there was no water in the church or storage place for the service. The communion service was difficult to move from place to place so Mrs. Charles Labbs, who was the communion steward, had her son Clarence build a chest for storage and carrying so that all items could be moved without damage. This chest is still in use and provides a compact and usable storage chest in the church.