The Palmer Methodist Church started out according to records in 1861. At that time it was known as the Norwegian M.E. Church of Blooming Grove. Services were held at homes and other gathering areas, because the congregation at that time had no church. On September 26th 1881 Samuel Knutson Hagen deeded property to the Norwegian Methodist Episcopal Church of Blooming Grove for one dollar, to build a church. The location of this church was right next to Knutson Lake. Services were held at this location until 1897. According to archives, all records for the church in Blooming Grove stopped. Then in 1898, the Palmer Norwegian Methodist Episcopal Church begins. Records show that the Blooming Grove and Palmer church were on the same circuit. Information passed down through family indicated that there was a flooding event where the Blooming Grove Church sat. At some point the decision was made that the church needed to be moved to a better location. Also according to information, three graves would have to be moved. On April 2nd 1887 a one acre piece of land was purchased for $23.83 that was across the road and south about 2800 feet from where the church was located. At some point the church was moved. Once the church building was moved across the road, it was no longer in Blooming Grove Township. The new name of Palmer was then given to the church because the church was located close to where the Palmer Creamery and Jackson Store were. The Palmer Methodist Church was active until 1947. In 1949 the church building was moved to 5th street in Madison Lake MN. The Church was active in Madison Lake until 1979. It was then transformed into an apartment building and is still there on 5th street. The Madison Lake Community Church was established in 1947. Local residents Ralph Jacobs and Joe Lillegraven were instrumental in procuring the church from Palmer, a hamlet four miles south of Waterville. It was moved here and set on a newly laid basement foundation on 5th Street, a block north of Hwy 60, on a lot purchased from Paul Fasnacht. In 1952, Charles Flowers, a member from Elysian, built a steeple and Randy Kratz secured a bell for the church.
In 1979, because of a dwindling congregation, the bishop in St. Paul ordered that the church be sold. There were only three parishioners left to sign the deed. Ralph and Lydia Jacobs and Ellen Hedges. The pews, organ, bell and other fixtures went to the Hilltop Methodist Church in Mankato. Jack Hoehn bought the property for $3500.00 and later transferred it to Greg Sticha. He later sold it to a real estate developer. The developer transformed the little church into a residential complex known as the 5th street Apartments. Information provided by Robert Hagen.
