The "Little Church" Museum
The little church that now sits in the Max Pioneer Park, originally served as the home of the Max M.E. Church from 1901 until 1909, when it became the first home of the Max United Methodist Church. It was, in fact, the very first building in Max to be used exclusively as a house of worship. Prior to 1901, the Max M.E. congregation met in the town school, and before that, in a sod school house and private homes. In 1918, the cornerstone for a new church was laid, and in 1920 this church was sold to the Max People’s Church. After more than 100 years of service, the last sermon was delivered in this little church in 2003. In 2004, the Max Community Club undertook to move the church to its present location in the Max Pioneer Park, to be used as a museum to preserve the history of Max. On Sept. 4, 2009, after five years of planning, the church was finally moved to where it rests now.
Although we would love to have you come visit our "Little Church" museum, until that time, please enjoy these photos of our museum.
The “Little Church” is open for visitors during special community events, and by appointment.
Although we would love to have you come visit our "Little Church" museum, until that time, please enjoy these photos of our museum.
The “Little Church” is open for visitors during special community events, and by appointment.
Some views of the interior of the "Little Church," prior to placing the museum displays inside. Click on the smaller images to enlarge them.
And some of our museum displays...
1889 Etsey Parlor Organ
“In 1890, Mr. & Mrs. John Moreland of Almena, Kansas, purchased this organ for their daughter’s 12th birthday. Their daughter, Grace E. Moreland later married my father, Wm. R. Nicholson in Nov. 1898 and through all the years of her married life, this organ was always in her home. It was her pride and joy. My mother, Grace Nicholson had five daughters. All took music lessons to play the organ. My father played the organ too, and as he was a good singer, he always practiced playing his songs and singing them to be ready for church services. Father passed away in 1945 and two years later Mother sold her home. Ann Benge purchased the organ from Mrs. Nicholson at the sale.” (signed – Bula Nicholson Adkinson, 1993)
The Nicholson family lived on Main street in Max for many years, and it was here that this 1889 Estey Triumph Model, Parlor Organ once resided. On May 31, 2011, this grand old reed organ was donated to the Max Community Club by Mr. Jim Baney, to be placed on display in the Little Church Museum.
The Nicholson family lived on Main street in Max for many years, and it was here that this 1889 Estey Triumph Model, Parlor Organ once resided. On May 31, 2011, this grand old reed organ was donated to the Max Community Club by Mr. Jim Baney, to be placed on display in the Little Church Museum.
The Donna Perkins Memorial Bench
Built by hand by Donna's husband, Harold, and donated by him. Benches such as this one would often be used in many of the old country churches for visiting speakers, song and worship leaders, and other visiting dignitaries to sit on during the service.
1908 Kimball Upright Piano
This 1908 Kimball Upright Piano was purchased in 1910 by the Max Methodist Church, shortly after purchasing the building that now houses it, the “Little Church” museum. When the Episcopal congregation left Max in 1908, it sold the building to the Methodist congregation. In the building at the time was an old organ, worn out and in need of repair. The Methodist’s sold the organ and with the proceeds, they purchased this piano. It has remained in the church building ever since. When the Methodists built a new church in 1918, they also purchased a new piano, and the old building and the piano inside were moved first to the rear of the church lot, then across the street, and then several blocks away – each time with the piano inside. Finally, the old church building was moved to its present location, again with the piano still inside, where it is now used as a museum with the original piano still inside.
This old piano has had many, many hymns played on it over the 100-plus years it has been in this old church building, accompianing the voices of the faitful members of several different congregations as they lifted their songs of praise to The Lord.
Although the old piano is now silent, the memories it brings to mind are not.
This old piano has had many, many hymns played on it over the 100-plus years it has been in this old church building, accompianing the voices of the faitful members of several different congregations as they lifted their songs of praise to The Lord.
Although the old piano is now silent, the memories it brings to mind are not.
Frame and Collection of Photographs Donated by Glen Lemon. The four photos of the Max High School that appear on the top right corner of the frame were donated by Neal Kirkman. Neal also donated two old Benkelman Post articles: one, an announcement of the engagement of his parents, and the other an obituary of Freida Brynoff.
Kay Powell Lebruska donated her old Max High School cheer leader outfit, letter sweater, and letterman jacket, as well as other memorabilia . Jim Baney donated the large glass display case, and also the antique pitchfork and rake. Other Max residents also donated several items of Max memorabilia for the museum. Glen Lemon, local area historian, donated many items, as well as his time and vast knowledge of the area to help bring this museum to fruition. The two small school desks originally sat in the small schoolhouse in Sandwich, Nebraska, and are fine examples of the type of school desks used in the Max School at the turn of the 19th century.
A written history of Max is available to thumb through, that contains many photos. A photo album is also available, as are many old Max High School yearbooks dating from the 1940's and 1950's.
This beautiful black velvet dress, dating from the 1930's-1940's, was once owned and worn by Mrs. Ocie Bartlett, a long time resident of Max. This dress was recently donated by Mrs. Kay Powell Lebruska, and is currently awaiting display in the "Little Church" museum.