Members of the United Methodist Church of Tyndall gather for the congregation’s final worship service Sunday, May 31. Photos courtesy of Melissa Nedved.

“This has brought me closer to God. It is with grateful hearts that we close and give gifts to other churches and the community. We made the decision to close before the money ran out and let others benefit from our remaining funds,” said Melissa Nedved a 36-year member of Tyndall United Methodist Church.

For 147 years, the United Methodist Church of Tyndall, South Dakota, has been a fixture in the community, its brick sanctuary standing as generations of families gathered for baptisms, weddings, funerals, and Sunday worship. Declining membership and an aging congregation led to the difficult decision to close the historic church.

The decision to close.

“We had fewer than 10 people who were attending worship regularly. It was sad to make the decision to close. I have been attending this church for decades. It is where I was married, where my children were baptized, and where my kids attended Sunday School. But you must have people to volunteer and funds to pay the bills,” said Melissa Nedved.

Nedved spent years serving the church as a lay leader, serving on committees, teaching Sunday school, and caring for the building. Her husband, John, is a lifetime member of the congregation that served right alongside Melissa.

“If there was something that needed to be done, we would do it,”  said Melissa. “I did the newsletters, bulletins, and sometimes preached. John takes care of the grounds and makes repairs. We both do the cleaning.”

In the last few years, the congregation has shared the cost of a pastor with Wagner United Methodist Church, 30 miles away. Wagner UMC paid 90 percent of the salary and benefits expenses. The congregation in Tyndall paid 10 percent.  

Rev. Rydel Samuelson, who has served the Tyndall and Wagner congregations for the past three years, said the church's leadership had dwindled. By the time the closure decision was made, the congregation’s board consisted of just four members. The church's remaining members are predominantly elderly, making winter travel increasingly difficult and limiting participation.

“We have one person who is 93 years old and has been a member in this church for 75 years. Board members were moving away to be with family or into a senior living community,” Nedved shared.

Longtime church member John Nedved and his grandson, Bentley Brabec, light the altar candles before the start of the final worship service at the United Methodist Church of Tyndall on Sunday, May 31.

Gifts to churches and the community.

While the church was not yet out of money, leaders saw financial challenges ahead and chose to act before their resources were exhausted. The decision to close and gift funds back to the community and other churches was made in January.

Wagner UMC received $5,000 for the pastor’s salary and benefits. “The congregation in Wagner has offered so much support to us. They even offered to fund our meal after closing worship,” Melissa said.

The United Women in Faith at Wagner UMC raises funds each year to cover one-half of the costs for each child attending camp. Tyndall UMC gave $2,000 to the camping fund. “That will support six kids attending camp. When the lady from Wagner received the check, there were tears in her eyes,” shared Melissa.

Several years ago, First Presbyterian Church in Tyndall, S.D., and Tyndall UMC shared a pastor. Through this year, youth and children’s ministry was a joint effort of the two congregations. Tyndall UMC gifted $500 to cover costs for Sunday School in the next year.

“They have been like our sister church. In the past, we were yoked together to share a pastor. We still share Sunday School. Classes are held at the Methodist church. Each congregation pays half,” explained Melissa.  

The Cech National Cemetery, where several members of Tyndall UMC are buried, received $2,000 in maintenance funding. The Tyndall Cemetery, another resting place for members at Tyndall UMC, was gifted $1,000 for ongoing expenses.

Tyndall’s Fire Department, Ambulance, and Food Pantry were gifted $3,000 each. “We wanted to give back to the community. All these services are important to members of our church,” Melissa said.

Current pastor Rydel Samuelson joins former pastors Laurie Kidd, Marlaine Dodge, Phil Lint, Mary Lee Lint and Deann Eidem during the final worship service at Tyndall UMC.

Bon Homme Heritage Museum, located in Tyndall, S.D., is a free museum that houses many artifacts and items from county history. Tyndall UMC presented the museum with $2,000 for needed repairs. The congregation will donate several church artifacts, photos, and memorabilia to the museum.  

The remaining funds will be used for utilities and property maintenance while the Dakotas Conference Board of Trustees takes steps to sell or repurpose the building.

Saying goodbye.

On Sunday, May 31, the congregation gathered for a closing worship, led by Rev. Rydel Samuelson. Five pastors who had served the congregation were present for the service: Reverends Marlaine Doidge, DeAnn Hardy, Laurie Kidd, and Mary Lee and Paul Lint.

“It was a great service, but bittersweet. It was awesome to have the church full and see the pastors who have previously served in Tyndall there. After worship, we gathered for a meal in Wesley Hall,” described Melissa. “I am proud of what we did. It has been a journey.”