In 1857 several German families settled in this community.  The Rev. E. H. Kriege visited these families, preaching the Gospel to them, followed by the Rev. Louis Harmel from Decatur.  The first organized meeting of these early settlers and their Christian leaders was held at the home of Henry Best, and in 1868 the South Fork congregation was officially organized.  The first Quarterly Conference was held in 1868 at the hoem of William Kettelkamp.

 By 1869 the congregation had increased to such an extent that private homes were no longer adequate for church meetings.  At a meeting on May 5, 1869, the groups decided on the building of a church.  Two acres were deeded to the congregation by the Krummel family and construction on the church edifice was begun.  In 1871 William Kettelkamp, Sr. deeded two acres to the congregation, upon which the present Kettelkamp Cemetery was established.

 Two of the first to become local preachers from the South Fork congregation were Fred Kettelkamp and August Kettelkamp, who received their license to preach in the year 1869.  The first ordained minister to be appointed to the South Fork Church was the Rev. E. H. Kriege, in 1870, who served for three years.  During the pastorate of Rev. F. R. Koenig, second in the line of regular appointments, a four room parsonage was built.  Not until 1884 was the other half of the first parsonage added.

 Yearly increase in membership necessitated a larger house of worship and the church annex was planned while Rev. C. J. Stueckeman was minister.  His sudden illness delayed the building, and it was not until March, 1893, during the ministry of Rev. C. W. Schultze, that the contract was let.  This building was completed in November, 1893.  The church bell, still in use, was presented to the church in this year by Mr. Eugene Vandeveer.

 South Fork celebrated its Fiftieth Anniversary in 1918 during the ministry of Rev. A. H. F. Hertzler.  Also during this year, the present parsonage was built.  Until 1925 the South Fork Methodist Church was a member of the St. Louis German Conference.  At this time, however, the South Fork church merged with the Illinois English Conference.  Up until this merger, the church services were conducted in the German language, but after the merger the services were all conducted in English.

 Improvements in church property have constantly been made.  In the earlier years the outmoded coal oil lamps were replaced by acetylene lights, which in turn gave place, in 1918 to a Lalley Electric Lighting System.  In 1941 the present R. E. A. system was installed.  Also, in 1940, the present modern two-car garage was constructed.  About this time, too, the present basement was dug under the church, which has since served for Sunday School classes and other group meetings and banquets.

 Among the major church improvements of the last decade are the following:  complete redecoration of the church interior; installation of beautiful stained glass windows; an electric organ; a church altar and communion rail; and the erection of a large neon-lighted cross, replacing the old church steeple.

 From the time of the first missionary preacher to the South Fork congregation in 1867, twenty six ministers have comprised the preaching staff of South Fork.  The twenty-sixth is the present pastor, Rev. Jack K. Christian, who is now beginning his fifth year of service to the congregation.  Throughout the years eleven young men from South Fork have dedicated themselves to ministry, and five young women have become ministers’ wives.
 The present membership is 185 persons.

Taken from "Nokomis Centennial Booklet 1856-1956".