USA > Iowa > Black Hawk County > History of Black Hawk County, Iowa, and its people, Volume I > Part 42
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The following men have been pastors of this church: Jacob Shoeffle, H. Kleinsorge, H. Hintze, C. Pfile, Jacob Keiper. C. Berner. J. Harlacher. C. Egge. George Eckhart, W. H. Bucks, Witte. N. Schuck. J. Bossart, J. Brauer. E. J. Schultz, W. Jonas, Jacob Knoche, E. Schroeder, A. L. Hauser, J. Abrams, G. G. Zellhoefer August Goetze, J. H. Bauernfeind, E. G. Lang. Connected with the church are the following societies: Sunday school. Young People's Alliance. Junior Y. P. Alliance. Women's Missionary Society, Ladies' Aid and Mission Band.
UNIVERSALIST CHURCH
In the year 1867 Universalist services were held for the first time in Water- loo by Rev. R. G. Hamilton, then working at Cedar Falls. These meetings were continued for about a year. Among the men and families prominent at these meetings were: A. T. Lane, H. W. Jenny, W. F. Brown. W. A. Cutler. J. C. Cropper, Wellington Russell, N. Doty. R. S. Leland. George Leland and G. W. Morgan. These were the organizers of the original society. After Reverend Hamilton left for Clinton, Iowa, there were no regular services held until 1873, but the society was maintained by means of socials and gatherings of various kinds. In the above-mentioned year Rev. J. J. Austin came to Waterloo and in 1874 organized the Universalist Society. In the following year a lot was bought at the corner of Fourth and Mulberry streets. Services were held in a building near the site of the Security Savings Bank. In 1889 a brick church was built on the lot purchased by the church. Rev. L. S. Porter was the pastor at the time. The church was dedicated in 1889. Prominent among the workers at this time were: F. E. Cutler. W. F. Brown. A. T. Lane, Judge J. D. Platt, R. S.
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Leland, F. C. Platt, Mrs. A. T. Weatherwax, D. S. Johnston, D. M. Bailey and C. F. Brown. It has been said that Rev. R. G. Hamilton was the first preacher. Just before the erection of the church they were served by Rev. James Gorton and the ministers since that time have been: Rev. L. F. Porter and Mrs. Porter, B. F. Jones, J. M. Getchell, A. R. Tillinghast, F. H. York, Effie K. M. Jones.
UNITED EVANGELICAL CHURCH
This society resulted from a division in the German Evangelical Church. A few families on petition were granted a mission by the conference on April 1, 1899. Rev. T. M. Evans was sent here to take charge. Services were held in the Free Will Baptist Church. Among the prominent people in this new organ- ization were: H. S. Brown, Mrs. R. N. Brown, W. J. Fautch and wife, Anna Myers, Isaac Moore and wife and Theodore Peck and wife. Reverend Evans was here for four years. A lot was bought early in the year 1900 at the corner of Logan Avenue and Dane Street, for which $2,600 was paid. A brick church was built the same year, costing $4,000. It was dedicated January 27, 1901, by Bishop R. Dubs of Chicago. In 1902 a parsonage was built for $1,800. Rev- erend Evans was followed by Rev. Jacob Auracher, and then Rev. J. E. Stauff- acher, followed by J. M. Bamford.
The societies are: Women's Missionary, Marian Band, Young People's Mis- sionary, Keystone League of Christian Endeavor, Junior Society.
This church is now called the Logan Avenue United Evangelical Church and is under the pastorate of Rev. J. M. Bamford.
CHRISTIAN CHURCH
The Christian Church of Waterloo was organized in 1896 and meetings were first held in the old Free Will Baptist Church, corner of Lafayette Street and Park Avenue. Many efforts had been made in the years previous to this to organize a Christian Church Society, but there were not enough members inter- ested to make it successful. Rev. Frank Platt finally organized the church and was the first pastor. He was followed by Revs. G. A. Lockhart. Weimer, Joseph S. Roley, Lawrence Wright, Edward Wright, L. C. Moore.
The Christian Church was moved to the corner of South and Fourth Street West in 1908 and $6,000 spent in remodeling the building. There are now 375 members.
UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
About the year 1900 a number of people conceived the idea of a United Presbyterian Society in Waterloo. On November 9, 1902, Rev. Fred Elliott held services in the Y. M. C. A. Building and these were continued throughout the winter. In March, 1903, an organization was effected and articles of incorpora- tion filed. P. L. A. Ferguson and James Innes were the trustees and James Gardiner, David Wilson and William Galloway were the elders. A lot was se- cured at the corner of Wellington and Second streets and in May, 1903, a tent was raised on this ground and services held therein until the dedication of the
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new church on November 11, 1903. The building cost $11,000. Rev. Elliott was the first pastor and Rev. M. G. Munn is in charge at present.
WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
The Westminster Presbyterian Church was organized on Sunday, October 8, 1905. The organization was made primarily to accommodate the increasing number of people on the west side of the Cedar River. Rev. S. R. Ferguson, Capt. A. R. O'Brien, Rev. C. H. Purmort, and Blanche Stewart held services first in a tent located on Washington Street, opposite the park. This was done with the full cooperation of the First Presbyterian Church and its pastor, Rev. Samuel Callen. These meetings were very popular and encouraged the workers. They finally decided to circulate a petition to be signed by those in favor of the new church and to be presented to the Waterloo Presbytery. Over one hundred names were attached and Smith Bradley and A. O. Tabor were selected to present the petition to the Presbytery meeting at Greene, Iowa, on October 3, 1905.
The petition was presented and granted. A committee, consisting of Rev. F. T. O'Connor of Cedar Falls, Rev. E. E. Hastings of Grundy Center, Rev. Samuel Callen of Waterloo, Rev. C. H. Purmort of Des Moines, Rev. S. R. Ferguson of Cedar Rapids and Mr. Harry Hurst of Waterloo, was appointed to organize the church. The committee met on October 7th at the Y. M. C. A. and decided that the organization services be held in the First Presbyterian Church on the following day, Sunday, which plan was carried through without interruption, Rev. E. E. Hastings preaching the sermon.
The new organization then planned to hold their services in the assembly room of the Y. M. C. A. The Sunday school was organized on November 2, with Mr. A. O. Tabor as superintendent. Rev. William Burton Sandford began work as the first pastor on December 1, 1905. On January 1, 1906, the church changed its place of meeting to the basement of the West Side Library, where it continued until the completion of the handsome new church building in 1907. At a meeting held in the library on March 15, 1906, it was voted that a lot on West Fourth Street be purchased and that the church raise the funds to build a home thereon. The ground for the new structure was broken early in July and on Tuesday, September It, the cornerstone was laid by the pastor. The church was dedicated April 26, 1907.
Rev. W. B. Sandford is the present pastor.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHI
The First Presbyterian Church of Waterloo was organized in a small log schoolhouse on the west side of the Cedar, September 17, 1854, by Rev. N. C. Robinson, of Cedar Falls. There were six charter members, namely: George Ordway, Mrs. George Ordway, Mrs. Marilla Beauchine, Mrs. Alvira Barrett, Zimri Streeter and Mrs. Charlotte Lake. Reverend Robinson continued to preach until late in the autumn of 1854. The society was incorporated on Janu- ary 10, 1856. The first church building, which was also the first in Waterloo, was finished and dedicated in November, 1856. A few years later the church became heavily in debt and was compelled to sell its property. This caused a slump in
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St. Joseph's Catholic Church. Westminster Presbyterian Church.
Grace Methodist Episcopal Church. Walnut Street Baptist Church. "A Church for the People."
A GROUP OF WATERLOO CHURCHES
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HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY
the interest and for a long time no preaching was held by the people. With the coming of Rev. Stephen Phelps in 1864 the spirit was reawakened and under his direction the second building was constructed and dedicated in November, 1867.
During the ministry of Rev. C. H. Purmort plans were made for a new church building. The present location on the east side of the river was secured and the cornerstone was laid in September, 1890. The building, which is one of the handsomest in the city, was dedicated September 13, 1891. Mission work is conducted by the church in extensive manner. Ground for this work was secured on Courtland Street, near Elm, from E. N. Ware, and also a lot on Commercial and West Twelfth. The latter has since passed into the hands of the Union Con- gregational Church. Two lots are also owned in East Park Place. In October, 1905, about eighty members withdrew from the church and formed the West- minster Presbyterian Church, an account of which is given in the description of the latter church.
The pastors who have occupied the pulpit of the First Presbyterian Church in Waterloo are as follows: N. C. Robinson, 1854-55; James Philips, 1855; Moses Robinson, 1855-56; Wilson Jones, 1856; James Harrison, 1856-58; William Lithian, 1858-60; Potterfield Blakely; Stephen Phelps, 1864-69 (first regular pastor); A. B. Olney, 1869-70; W. W. Thorp, 1870-73; I. E. Carey, 1873-75; S. H. Baird, 1876; George Carroll, four months; McQueston, 1877-80; E. N. Barrett, 1881-86; C. H. Purmort, i887-99; Samuel Callen, 1899-1905; Herbert W. Reherd, 1906-10; John R. Macartney, 1910 -.
EPISCOPAL: CHURCH
The first Episcopal service ever held in Waterloo was on August 3, 1856, at which time Rt. Rev. H. W. Lee, then bishop of the Diocese of Iowa, preached. Services were held in the morning at Capwell's Hall on the west side and at the Grout Schoolhouse on the east side in the afternoon. In the evening a meeting was held at Capwell's Hall and an organization effected under the name of St. Thomas' Parish. The names of the persons subscribing to the articles of asso- ciation were: Charles Fiske, James S. George, J. C. Hubbard, J. H. Wilkins, William Haddock and Edmund Miller.
The first clergyman was Rev. Benjamin R. Gifford, who came in 1857, the people holding services in Day's Hall on the east side. Gifford remained until 1859. Services were also held in Capwell's Hall and occasionally at the court- house until the completion of Russell's Hall, when that was leased. Rev. W. F. Lloyd came to the pulpit in 1860 and stayed until 1864. At a meeting on April 6, 1863, the name of the parish was changed from St. Thomas to St. Mark's. After this Rev. Henry C. Kinney conducted occasional services, also working at Cedar Falls. Rev. W. T. Campbell came in October, 1866, and remained a year. Rev. S. D. Day was next, coming in June, 1867. The church building was erected during this time. The first services held in the new church were in Feb- ruary, 1869, Reverend Day preaching the first sermon. In 1871 he was suc- ceeded by Rev. J. E. Ryan and in 1877 came Rev. F. M. Bird, next W. C. Mills. Then the parish was without a rector for several years, or until 1885, when Rev. C. S. Percival began his work. Regular services practically ceased at the resig-
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nation of Reverend Percival. A new church was organized on the east side under the name of Christ Church. The application for the new parish was signed on January 6. 1881, by T. W. Place, H. D. Williams, J. D. Miller, M. W. Ruvane, H. Eccleston, G. Wilson, O. Gable, A. I. Breckinridge, J. W. Krapfel. J. W. McNiel. Matt Parrott. This application was granted. The articles of incorporation were signed by the above and also the following: J. L. Cooley, Joseph Ponsford, C. A. Farwell, II. D. Hatch, E. Stevens, Joseph Dunham, R. A. Whitaker, C. H. Emmons, G. F. Dunham, H. C. Harper.
On April 19. 1881. a lot was bought on East Fourth Street and a church building erected and completed in September, 1882. The first service was held on October 2, 1882, by Rev. G. A. Chambers. The church was consecrated April 28, 1886.
Reverend Chambers resigned in October. 1889, and was succeeded by Rev. W. F. Lloyd in November. 1889. who remained in charge until his death in 1892. The rectory adjoining the church was built during this time. Rev. E. J. Evans came next, then M. J. Bywater, then E. E. Madeira. In 1901 Rev. I. M. Merlin- jones came and in December, 1903, Rev. George W. Hinkle assumed charge and is still active.
St. Mark's Church was reopened in the winter of 1903. Rev. F. L. Platt was appointed pastor. The new church was erected in 1913, at the corner of Denver and Fourth streets West. The church has had a good growth in the last few years and now has a membership of 227 communicants. Reverend Hinkle has charge of the church.
CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH
This society was organized November 12, 1908, with a charter membership numbering eighty-three. The church was formally recognized as an independent Baptist Church by a council which met in Waterloo September 10, 1909. A con- crete church building was erected at the corner of Fourth and Allen at a cost of $20,000. A. H. Nickell was the first pastor.
SONS OF JACOB-JEWISH CHURCH
In August, 1905, the congregation of the Sons of Jacob were organized. The charter membership was fifteen. Rey. L. Babrow was the first minister called. Three years later Reverend Rabinowich came to Waterloo. In the fourth year Reverend Smolensky came. In May, 1909, the society bought the Christian Science Church on West Fifth. Rev. I. Lamansky is the present pastor.
GREEK CHURCHI
In the fall of 1914 the Greeks of Waterloo organized a church of the Episco- pal Denomination. Rev. Chrysanthos Kaplanis is the pastor. Plans have been made for the construction of a church building.
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HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY
CHURCH OF THE SACRED HEART
Until 1908 West Waterloo had no Roman Catholic Church, all the Catholics worshipping at St. Mary's and St. Joseph's. However, in the above-named year a congregation was formed, receiving the name of the Church of the Sacred Heart, to which Rev. Fr. J. J. Hanley was appointed pastor. Plans were drawn for a church building and in August of 1909 the cornerstone was laid and the building completed the same year. The cost was close to seventy-five thousand dollars. Rev. D. J. Lenihan is the present pastor.
The parochial school is treated in the chapter on education.
UNITED BRETIIREN
In 1910 when Reverend Graves moved to Waterloo the United Brethren Church was unknown in the city. No church of this denomination existed here and many knew nothing of such an organization. After looking over the situa- tion it was discovered that a lot owned by the Calvary Baptist on the corner of Fourth and Allen streets could be purchased for about eight thousand dollars. This was at once secured and a congregation of eleven members organized. They proceeded to built a $25,000 church and a $3,000 parsonage. Within a year the buildings were dedicated and the membership increased to 100. The church has grown steadily since that time and is one of the best organized for Christian work of any in the city.
COLORED CHURCHES
There are two colored churches in Waterloo: the African Methodist Episco- pal, with Rev. I. W. Bess as pastor, and the Baptist Mission, Rev. R. A. Broyles. The former society has eighty members and the latter forty-five.
OTHER SOCIETIES
There are other smaller church societies in Waterloo. many of them branch- ing from the leading churches. The principal ones are: the East Park Presby- terian, Northminster Presbyterian, Free Methodist, St. Paul's Methodist Epis- copal, Linden Church, First Lutheran, St. Luke's English Lutheran, First Brethren, First United. Church of the Brethren, Christadelphian, Calvary Evan- gelical, Union Congregational, Plymouth Congregational, Antioch Baptist (col- ored ). Champlin Chapel, Seventh Day Adventists, Calvary Baptist.
CHURCHES OF CEDAR FALLS
METHODIST EPISCOPAL
The Methodist Society of Cedar Falls was organized in 1851, in a log house between Cedar Falls and Waterloo. In 1853 the Cedar Falls Circuit was formed and S. W. Ingham, Sr., was placed in charge with a Mr. Smith as junior preacher. After many changes in the pastorate Cedar Falls was in 1857 separated from the
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HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY
rest of the circuit and Rev. Rufus Ricker was appointed pastor of the station. Hle left before the year expired and M. W. Sawyer, a local preacher, filled out the year. The first church building was erected during the pastorate of Rev. David Poor, who was appointed in 1860. This small frame structure occupied the corner of Sixth and Franklin, where the Congregational Church later was erected. After short periods of service by Landon Taylor and L. D. Tracy, John Bowman was appointed in the fall of 1862. During his time a brick church building was put up at a cost of $16,000. Roderick Morton was the next pastor from 1864 to 1866 and was followed by J. G. Dimmitt. pastor for eighteen months. E. L. Sherman completing the year. R. W. Keeler came next. then in order, D. Sheffer, A. B. Kendig. R. D. Parsons, J. H. Rhea, F. K. Young. W. F. Paxton, S. W. Heald, Horace E. Warner. J. E. Ensign. J. C. Magec, R. T. Hurlburt. E. J. Lockwood. F. W. Luce. A. M. Billingsley, D. W. McGurk.
During the pastorate of Reverend Magee the present church was constructed. The building is located on Eighth and Washington streets and is made of gray stone. It cost $30,000. The work on the building was begun in 1893 and com- pleted in 1895.
The membership at present is the largest of any Protestant church in the city. Rev. John Wesley Holland is the pastor.
ST. PATRICK'S CATHOLIC CHURCH
The first mass celebrated by this society was in January, 1855, by Father McGinnis at the home of Andrew Mullarky. It was at the time of the birth of Elizabeth E. Mullarky. In May of that year Bishop Loras and another priest visited Cedar Falls and provided for regular services, which were conducted for several months by Father Brady, and then by Father Slattery. In 1856 Father Shiekis took charge and the next year a church was built on Washington Street just above Seventh. Father Shields died in 1870 and he was succeeded by Father Mclaughlin, then Father Gunn, who remained three years and added a parsonage to the church property. His immediate successors were: Revs. O'Dowd. M. Flavon and Denis Ryan. Next came Reverend Smith. during which time a $14,000 church was built. The cornerstone was laid August 11, 1876, and the building was dedicated November 4. 1876. Rt. Rev. John Hennessey preached the dedicatory sermon. Father Charles MeCabe came in 1878 and remained here for eighteen years. He bought the school property, built the school and brought the Sisters of Charity from Dubuque to take charge of it. Father Bernard W. Coyle succeeded Father MeCabe. Father L. Donlon came next in order. The membership is now more than four hundred. Rev. J. C. Wieneke is the pastor.
BAPTIST CHURCH
This society was organized in the summer of 1854 by Rev. L. Knapp, who held regular services for about two years. On July 31, 1856, the society held a meeting at the schoolhouse and organized for the purpose of seeking recog- nition from the other churches, which they succeeded in doing on August 28th. Reverend Dean, of New Hartford. preached here until November 21st, when he was replaced by Rev. W. K. Walton, who continued until November 21.
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FIRST METHODIST EPISCOPAL, PRESBYTERIAN, CONGREGATIONAL AND FIRST BAPTIST CHURCHES, AND HIGH SCHOOL, CEDAR FALLS
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HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY
1860. Rev. H. E. Bailey came next and then Rev. A. G. Eberhart, the latter's time ceasing November 27, 1867. The society had been using the old school- house, which they had bought, but during the service of Reverend Eberhart a church was built and dedicated in 1863. Following Eberhart came Elders D. M. Mason, Starr and W. H. Stifler, covering about eight years. Rev. G. W. Wis- selius served for a short time in 1876. Rev. L. T. Bush came next, then Rever- ends Williams, William W. Onderdock, J. W. Mccullough, Richmond R. Smith, P. C. Nilson, H. B. Mabie. The society sold their church building in 1900 and constructed a new church the following year. Rev. J. D. Vannoy is the present pastor.
DANISH BAPTIST CHURCH
This society was organized in 1878 and the church building was constructed in 1882. The society has had a steady growth since and now has a very strong membership. Rev. I. Fredmund is the pastor.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
The Presbyterian Church of Cedar Falls was organized on March 18, 1855, under the administration of Rev. J. M. Phillips. There were but seven original members. Reverend Phillips remained until October 18, 1858, services during this time being held in Mullarky's Hall. Rev. William Porterfield came next and stayed three years. He was not popular with the congregation, although it was during his pastorate that the church was built and dedicated. In 1861 Rev. Stephen Waterbury became pastor and he was followed by Revs. Albert True, D. Russell, S. M. Griffith, A. Compton, A. B. Goodale, John Wood, Donald Fletcher, W. E. Mack, Edward Warren, T. C. Potter, S. Hall Young, Samuel Callen, R. R. Marquis.
The present building is the third in which the people have worshipped and was dedicated Sunday, December 11, 1910. This edifice. with manse, cost $40,000.
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
This church society was organized on Sunday, July 8, 1860, after a meeting of Congregational ministers the previous day. There were seventeen members, including six men, in the first congregation. The sermon was preached by Reverend Holbrook and the fellowship of the church extended by Rev. H. M. Gates. In 1860 Rev. L. B. Fifield became pastor and remained for ten years. In 1862 the church purchased the building which had been erected by the Meth- odists. The church received financial aid from the Home Missionary Society until 1872, when through the efforts of Reverend Gibbs, the society became self- supporting. The new church was begun in 1888 and completed the following year at a cost of $13,000. The building committee was composed of William C. Bryant, E. Townsend, H. H. Clay, James Hurst and James Miller. After Rev- erend Fifield came the following pastors: Revs. Charles Gibbs, S. W. Beach, I. E. Snowden. The church has no regular pastor at the present time. Roger Leavitt is superintendent of the Sunday school.
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HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY
ST. LUKE'S PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH
St. Luke's parish was organized in the spring of 1855 by Rev. James Keller at the schoolhouse. Rev. James Gifford came next and preached alternately here and at Waterloo. Rev. Walter Lloyd followed in 1861 and remained three years, being succeeded by Rev. H. C. Kinney. During the latter's pastorate the church was built. Rev. Ezra Isaacs occupied the pulpit for a short time in the year 1873. Rev. F. Humphrey came next and has been followed by Revs. Esta- brook. Walter F. Lloyd. Williams, Hoyt. Van Fleet. Block, Charles 1 .. Biggs. Rev. J. S. Cole is the rector at present.
GERMAN LUTHERAN CHURCH
A society of this denomination was organized at Cedar Falls in the sun- mer of 1865 by Rev. B. Durschner. Services were held in the Presbyterian Church for a year and in the autumn of 1866 a church building was erected for their own use. In the spring of 1867 Rev. L. Lish became the pastor and he was followed by Revs. B. Foelsch, C. Mehrtens, Barkow. E. Pett, A. I. Hahn.
NAZARETH DANISH LUTHERAN CHURCH
This society was organized in 1871 by Rev. A. S. Nielsen. In 1872 a church building was projected, finished, and dedicated on September 7. 1873, the cost being $4,000. Rev. J. Jensen was the next pastor and then, in turn, came: Revs. A. S. Hansen. P. I. C. Hansen, N. Hansen, H. P. Jensen. The present church building was erected in 1910 at a cost of $15,000. The pastor is Rev. E. Provensen.
BETHLEHEM DANISHI LUTHERAN CHURCH
The church was organized in 1898 and the church building put up on the corner of Main and Fourteenth streets in 1900. Two years later the parsonage was built. The first pastor was Rev. A. Dan. Then came Rev. N. P. Graven- gard. The church now has a membership of more than two hundred. Rev. Johannes Christiansen is the pastor.
GERMAN EVANGELICAL CHURCH
The Cedar Falls German Evangelical Church was organized in 1857. The first meetings were held in the up-stairs of George Hieber's house, on Washing- ton Street between Sixth and Seventh, later known as the Henderson House. In 1861 the society built its first church on the corner of Franklin and Ninth streets. Rev. Henry Hinser was the pastor at the time. This building served them until 1876. During the pastorate of Rev. J. Bemer the building on the corner of Ninth and Clay streets was erected. This charge included several families in the country districts, some of whom later attended the Fairfield Church six miles west of Cedar Falls, which church was built in 1872 through the efforts of Rev. J. Nuhn.
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