A Trip To The Meadows

A Trip to The Meadows

Harvey Sanderson is a longtime member of Dixboro United Methodist Church. Now retired, he worked many years for the King-Seeley company.

By HARVEY SANDERSON

A story worth telling - a lesson that should be shared - are the events surrounding the visitation to local industrialist, philanthropist Harry B. Earhart, by members of our church prior to the construction of our first building addition (1951).

Mr. Earhart (as we all addressed him) was a wealthy former oil refinery executive whose estate, affectionately known as The Meadows, was located at 4090 Geddes Road, the present site of Concordia Lutheran College.

Although he was a member of the Ann Arbor First Methodist Church, he often attended services at our church, in the quaint little village not far from his home. Naturally he was held in a certain amount of awe and uppermost respect by those in our congregation.

In 1949, when the plans were being laid for the new “church house” at Dixboro, Mr. Earhart let it be known that he wished to contribute financially to the project.

Since my brother-in-law, Dale Parker, and I were neighbors of Mr. Earhart (we live side-by-side on Dixboro Road, near Geddes Road), we were asked to visit the Earhart estate.

It was a cold, blustery Saturday evening as the two of us wound our way up the driveway at “The Meadows; ” our knees were knocking but not necessarily because of the freezing temperatures. With great anticipation we had discussed “what Mr. Earhart might say to us,” but neither of us knew for sure what was going to happen.

We were greeted at the door by a butler and ushered into the library to meet with the former business executive. After some small talk, the discussion centered around our planned building. Ironically, Mr. Earhart asked us what amount we thought he should contribute. It was then, I think, we surprised him.

Our response was, “We sincerely appreciate your generosity but the amount you pledge toward the new building is a matter you alone should prayerfully consider.”

It appeared as if our suggestion at best would be taken under advisement. We left that evening firmly believing in what we had said but wondering if we would indeed receive a pledge.

Our answer was not long in coming as we were summoned back to the estate the next day. In short, Mr. Earhart had decided to pledge a certain number of dollars against the number of volunteer hours by our members and friends toward the building’s construction.

It was a very simple formula — the effort we would put forth would be matched by Earhart dollars. Over 6,000 hours of donated labor, combined with the financial support of Mr. Earhart and others, led to the building being completed and dedicated debt-free May 27,1951.

Mr. Earhart died Oct. 21, 1954, at the age of 83. His foundation acting in his memory, also contributed to the construction of our education building in 1969. But his memory lives on in more ways than dollars can be spent. I respected his way of challenging us in 1949 - complete the building construction ourselves, in fellowship with one another, and the money problems would take care of themselves. This I remember.

Memories of Harry B. Earharl live on at Dixboro United Methodist Church