A final name change occurred in 1968 when the Evangelical
United Brethren denomination merged with the Methodist Church to form the
United Methodist Church. The Salem United Methodist Church not only had a new
name but, because of the merger, another United Methodist congregation within
five blocks. Trinity UMC is located on Third Avenue SW.
The construction of Interstate 380 in 1974 dissected the
neighborhood and removed many of the homes and businesses surrounding the
church building. The construction of the new highway literally took away
Salem’s neighborhood. Also, there were concerns that the church building might
deteriorate because of the vibrations from the road. Sometime later several
acres of land were purchased on F Avenue NW as an option for a new location.
In 1979 Salem experienced a painful schism. The division
resulted in the pastor and several members leaving to start a
non-denominational church near newer housing developments on the northwest side
of Cedar Rapids.
In 1988 another division in the congregation occurred. After
a ministry assessment was made, the majority voted to sell the land that had
been purchased on F Avenue NW. Again, more households left Salem to become part of other congregations. With the decision to
stay, three buildings were purchased along Second Street SW.
About this time Salem’s Rev. Gale Hawhee, pastors from two
nearby Presbyterian churches, and a small group of people from each of their
congregations brought the Walk to Emmaus movement to Cedar Rapids. Salem hosted
133 Walk to Emmaus weekend retreats along with dozens of Chrysalis Flights for
youth within its building.
In 2004 the Crosswinds United Methodist Church, a new church
start, joined with Salem. Salem received many of the Crosswinds members as well
as 9.6 acres of land on Blairs Ferry Road NW.
The Flood of 2008 was the worst disaster in Iowa’s history
and one of the five worst in our nation’s history. Along with the terrible
destruction throughout the city, many of our own members lost homes and
business. Likewise, it devastated Salem’s facilities. Salem’s buildings,
gathering space, furnishings, equipment, and base of operations were destroyed.
The church office was also destroyed, including all the data, information, and
history. Two-and-a-half weeks after the flood the staff changed radically with
a new pastor and no associate pastor, discipleship director, or contemporary music director. The
chaos interrupted many of the ongoing congregational ministries and displaced
the Walk to Emmaus community after 133 walks at the Salem site.
After the flood Salem received gracious hospitality from
Lovely Lane United Methodist Church, Echo Hill Presbyterian Church, and Kenwood
Park United Methodist Church. These congregations shared their space so Salem
could continue to gather for worship.
In 2009 Salem voted to accept the voluntary buyout from the
city and not return downtown. After considering many options, Salem determined
there were two potential places for its new location: the southwest side of
Cedar Rapids (the area where New Creation UMC was located) and the land already
owned on Blairs Ferry Road on the northwest side.
Just before Easter 2010 New Creation UMC offered their 8.3
acres and phase one building to Salem for the cost of their remaining mortgage.
They had decided to close after eighteen years and in the face of death they
chose resurrection for New Creation and for Salem. Two months later, Salem
voted to accept the gracious offer from New Creation.
Salem then experienced a fresh start in it's new location
with an intentional focus on rebuilding the ministry teams that lead prayer,
outreach, discipleship, ministry and mission.
