USA > Iowa > Buchanan County > History of Buchanan County, Iowa, and its people, Volume I > Part 59
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HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY
to remove the old church to the rear of their lot and build an $8,000 edifice on that site. The plans were adopted and the contract let to Wells Clark to be completed in September, 1867. On the 26th of December, the time was extended a year, and at the end of that time nothing had been accomplished so the contract was, by mutual consent, annulled. By that time the Church Extension Society had induced them to change their entire plans and build a two-story briek church, the estimated eost to be $9,000, actual cost $17,000. It took several months to get a good finaneial start, and on the 28th of May, 1868, the corner stone was laid with appropriate ceremonies. Both the work and financial aid dragged on and it was not until January 13, 1869, that the lower story was ready for occupancy. Dr. F. M. Eddy of Chicago was employed to dedicate the basement, for whose services on that occasion $100 was paid. At these meetings $6,756 was subseribed. With this encourage- ment the trustees determined to push the work forward so that the next Annual Conference already appointed for this place might find a completed church in which to hold its sessions. This was accomplished; the dedication taking place on the 19th of September, 1869. Rev. R. M. Hatfield, assisted by Rev. A. B. Kendig of Dubuque and others, officiated on this occasion. Three days after the dedication the conference met here and over three hundred visitors, among them many noted ministers, were entertained. Again sub- seriptions were taken and again the people responded to the amount of $7,167, which added to previous subscriptions made a grand total of $20,087, more than double the amount originally estimated as the cost of building. Three hundred and eleven names appeared on the subscription lists with amounts ranging from $1 to near $900 or an average of $65 each ; but some forty of these subscriptions were never received and the amount finally col- leeted was $17,050, over $3,000 of a shrinkage. The Ladies Aid Society hav- ing been voluntarily released from their subscriptions of $500. The new seats in the church were rented for the coming year at a public meeting held October 14, commencing 7 P. M., and the public were cordially invited to be present and subscribe. Rev. William Lease was pastor for three years, from 1868 till 1871. The vicissitudes through which this society passed were almost overwhelming with accumulating indebtedness, exorbitant rates of interest ; then during the winter of 1872 and 1873 the ceiling of the new church began to give way and had to be replaced with an entirely new one; then in April, 1874, Rev. W. F. Paxton, the presiding elder of the district, proposed to visit his former home in Pennsylvania and Maryland for the purpose of soliciting donations or failing in that, to procure a loan at a low rate of interest. The trustees embraced the proposition as a drowning man clutches at a straw, and advanced $100 toward his expenses. The mission proved an utter failure and instead of a reembursed treasury it was instead depleted to the amount of $100. Right after this, on May 25, 1874, occurred the "great fire" which swept nearly the entire business portion of Independence out of existence, involving losses aggregating a half million of dollars and left the community in neither condition or mood for paving church debts. Indeed some of the members declared that from a purely financial standpoint it would have been better had the church gone up in smoke with the burning city as in that case the insurance would have satisfied the mortgage, a consummation not visible
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to their eyes, at least from any other direction. But the church was not con- sumed by fire nor had the elements exhausted their destructive forces. Just two weeks later a tornado swept over a portion of the city and lifted the beautiful spire which towered 128 feet above the blackened ruins about it and dashed it in fragments to the grounds, many of the windows were broken and the building otherwise damaged.
But, in spite of all these, and more difficulties of a purely personal nature, the church struggled on until under the efficient pastorate of Rev. Daniel Sheffer, the Ilereulean task of cancelling the mortgage of over four thousand dollars was accomplished on November 27, 1871. And even with this appar- ently simple legal transaction. there arose some difficulty in regard to the notes, whereby the church again was the loser.
Once free from debt, a few years were allowed to pass for recuperations, financially, when the question for a parsonage was again taken up and in 1881, during the pastorate of Rev. Julius A. Ward, a lot was purchased and the present parsonage was erected at a cost of $1,900.
Rev. John W. Clinton followed Reverend Ward in 1883, and during his charge the interior of the church, which by this time presented a somewhat unsightly appearance, was entirely renovated and decorated. Next came Rev. Eugene May, in 1886, a well known and popular lecturer. Under his minis- try the Westburg Church was built. the pulpit being supplied from this charge for some four or five years. Reverend May was followed by Rev. Nathaniel Pye, who remained three years and during his pastorate the church was again renovated, various improvements made, the walls and ceilings were newly decorated, the East Tower was rebuilt, also a new roof, carpets and electric lights were added (the Ladies' Aid Society contributing the inside improve- ments). The next year a fine pipe organ was installed at a total cost of $2,200 for organ and loft. Everything was complete by the 25th of Angust and the noted musician, Clarence Eddy, was called from Chicago to give the dedieatory recitals which continued three successive evenings, for whose services and inci- dental expenses the sum of $236 was paid and the enterprise left them still $800 in debt on the organ. This occurred during the ministry of Rev. M. H. Smith, who took an active interest in the enterprise. He was succeeded in 1893 by Rev. W. W. Carleton, under whose efficient charge the membership was largely augmented. In May, 1895, Mr. Wallace Francis, not a member but a regular attendant at church services, died leaving a bequest of $5,000 to the church, of which his wife had been a consistent member since their advent to this city in 1871. This sum he desired to be invested and the income only to be used for certain incidental expenses, mostly for the music. On October 6, 1896, the Upper lowa Conference again convened at Indiana after an interval of twenty-seven years. This body was now comprised of nearly two hundred and fifty members. At this conference Reverend Carleton was promoted to the presiding eldership of the Cedar Rapids District.
Nothing in the way of improvement of special mention occurred after the installation of the pipe organ until, in 1897, the Epworth League asked the privilege of the trustees and were permitted to fix the lecture room.
In the fall of 1896, Rev. Thomas E. Taylor, by special request, was appointed to the Independence charge, being reappointed in 1897 and 1898. During his
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term extensive improvements were accomplished, the old gallery at the front of the church was removed, new pews, floor earpets and wall decorations were put in, the amount of expense aggregating some one thousand seven hundred dollars, most of which was liberally subscribed by the members. Just at the culmination of all this, their esteemed pastor who had been an active and influential factor in bringing it about was assigned to another charge and great fears were entertained that a new pastor might not be able to meet the requirements of the church from a financial standpoint, but their fears proved groundless. Rev. W. C. MeCurdy, the new minister, proved equal to the task set before him and through his earnest appeals a liberal sum, more than the amount required, was raised at the reopening on January 7, 1900, and the twentieth century being also the semi-centennial anniversary of the organiza- tion found the church out of debt and in a prosperous condition, in which it has continued ever sinee. In 1901, Rev. T. E. Taylor was returned to his for- mer charge here and through the continued efforts of his congregation was retained for eleven years, when he retired and Rev. M. J. Locke was appointed to the place. Ile completed his term of three years and in the fall of 1914, by the unanimous request of his parishioners was reappointed to the place which he now occupies so acceptably.
The only material improvement which the organization has had since those of 1897 and 1898 was the remodeling of the parsonage in the summer of 1911, the result being a commodious, up-to-date dwelling.
The present membership of the church is about five hundred.
Several very prominent public lecturers have been numbered among the Methodist clergymen who have served in Independence. Rev. Eugene May and Rev. W. W. Carleton are perhaps the widest known.
The church has always maintained a good choir. The first musical instru- ment was a melodeon. This was replaced in 1865 by an organ presented by the church ladies. This did not long satisfy the demands of the congregation and in the church records of the year 1867 this resolution appeared : "Whereas, Mr. James A. Poor was requested by the board to lead the choir, therefore, re- solved, that he be respectfully requested to increase the choir to not less than twelve singers." When the new church was about to be completed the necessity for an organ for the audience room became apparent and the committee appointed for that purpose invested in a $400 Estey organ. The choir was transferred to and from the gallery in the front of the church two or three times, until the advent of the pipe organ.
As early as the fall of 1877 the church adopted the envelope system. By this change all seats were left virtually free. The envelope system is a plan whereby an amount specified by the contributors is paid each week, the amount put in an envelope and placed in the collection box.
The Sunday School has always been an important feature of the church's work, this auxiliary of the church organization being established soon after the original elass in the spring of 1851. with N. A. Bassett as superintendent. but a detailed account of the work cannot be obtained. But as early as June, 1863, the school evinced a substantial backing from the faet that during that week $35.92 had been collected by the children. The objeet of these regular weekly collections was not stated but undoubtedly for some special purpose,
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either missionary or to increase the library, which was a prominent feature of the early days, though long since discarded. Six months prior to the date of that particular collection, 400 volumes were reported in the Sunday School Library. Probably the last effort to increase their library was in 1866, when by means of a collection in the public congregation and a strawberry festival over one hundred dollars was raised for this purpose.
The Methodist Episcopal Sunday School had grown correspondingly with the church and at present is an active eooperative branch of the church organization.
The Ladies' Aid Society, another of the church organization, was started probably in 1860 or 1861, the exact date not being obtainable from the fact that in the fire of 1874 all previous records were totally destroyed and the records for several succeeding years can not be found, so of necessity all the early history had to be gathered mostly from surviving members and records of other departments with incidental references to this society. To three women can be attributed the formation of this society. They were Mrs. W. A. Jones, Mrs. William Sampson (the minister's wife), and Mrs. A. J. Bowley.
Although this society was not organized for some ten years after the organization of the church, it must not be inferred that the women were not active in church affairs, for from the earliest records they exhibited a deep interest in all branches of church work.
During all the years of financial strain consequent upon the building and various improvements from time to time the Ladies' Aid Society proved a powerful auxiliary and their courage and zeal never abated. They have always been diligent and faithful to every church duty and every obligation assumed by them. Through their efforts a fine Estey organ was bought and placed in the church in 1869 or 1870. The money for this was raised by the society hold- ing a fair and festival in the old Munson Hall, which netted them $550. After all the church indebtedness was paid there was, of course, less incentive to hard work, but nevertheless there has always been numerous other calls upon their efforts and resources which demand the energetic and loyal support of this society.
The Ladies' Home Missionary Society connected with the church was organized by Mrs. Colonel Springer, of Anamosa, on July 23, 1883. with thirty- seven members and a corps of efficient officers. The organization, probably for lack of definite work, waned and finally entirely subsided for two years. On August 10, 1885, it was reorganized. But thirteen members or about one-third of the original number enlisted in this second effort and with an outlined pro- gram of work from that time to the present the society has increased in mem- bers and efficiency. In all these years they have accomplished much for mis- sions, contributing money, clothing and food both in the local field and answer. ing many outside ealls.
The Epworth League, a young people's organization, connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church, was established in Independence in 1891 with a Mr. James Cook, as the first president. It was a successor to an organization known as the Methodist Alliance, which was organized many years previous. It has always been an active, growing organization and a vigorous auxiliary to the church, assisting both materially and spiritually in all its enterprises.
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PRESBYTERIAN CHURCII
The First Presbyterian Church of Independence was organized Decem- ber 16, 1854, with sixteen charter members as follows: Mr. and Mrs. Albert Clarke, Mr. and Mrs. Asa Clarke, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Wilson, Mr. and Mrs. Wilson Neville, Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Beckwith, Mrs. Elizabeth Thomas, Mrs. Ann Hammond, Mrs. Mary Neville, Mr. Joshua Neville, Mrs. Elizabeth Wilson, Mrs. Sarah Clark. A few of these original members removed by let- ter to churches outside of Independence but now all have gone to the better world.
The beginnings of a church like almost every other enterprise are crucial and this church organization was no exception to the rule. Its founders were men and women of more than, average ability and with a sincere devotion to their cause. Theirs was the formative force which determined the suc- eessful destiny which the Presbyterian Church has enjoyed. In December, 1854, Rev. Joshua Phelps, a Presbyterian minister in Dubuque, was invited to come out and organize a church of this denomination in Independence. The organization occurred in a small briek schoolhouse, long since removed, which was situated directly north of the present courthouse. At the time of organization, Mr. Samuel Wilson was chosen as elder, then in July follow- ing Mr. Albert Clarke was elected to that office. The first board of trustees were: Elsy Wilson, J. B. Thomas, A. B. Clarke, and Horatio Bryant. On July 18, 1855, a call was given to Thomas S. Carver who accepted but only remained a year and was never regularly installed. He was a very brilliant. and scholarly man who came west to see the country but became thoroughly homesick for the East and its advantages and resigned.
On November 24, 1855, a weekly prayer meeting was established and was held for several winters in rotation at the homes of members.
In October, 1856, Rev. John M. Boggs began preaching for the church and a few months later a call was extended to him which he accepted.
Soon after organization, the trustees purchased lot 5, in bloek 4, Stough- ton & McClure's Addition, the lot where the German Presbyterian Church is now located, and in the spring of 1857, a brick building was erected thereon at a cost of $1,700 and was dedicated June 7, 1857 : the pulpit and seats were donated by the Dubuque Presbyterian Church, and on July 27th Mr. Boggs was installed as pastor with a very impressive service; Dr. Phelps, of Du- buque, preached the sermon; Rev. McKane of Scotch Grove, gave the charge to the pastor and Rev. Merrit Harmon of Hopkinton, the charge to the people. Thus was commenced the first and longest pastorate of the church lasting between twelve and thirteen years. In January, 1858, William A. Morris was added to the eldership.
During these early years, and in fact always, the church has had no sud- den and large but rather a quiet. steady and helpful growth. After the war there was intense activity in all lines of business, the city was rapidly grow- ing and the church membership had increased to such proportions that their present accommodations were entirely inadequate. When the first church was built, all or nearly all of the land lying north of it to Main Street and west clear to the river was unoccupied and practically all of it was used as a
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street, and apparently no one had ever thought that their path to church would become obstrueted, but eventually this land which in reality was private property, filled in the entire space and people coming from the west side where the majority of the congregation then resided, had to go clear to the corner of Walnut and Main streets, then south a block and then west, and always the church was crowded with those who preceded them. Under these circumstances the conclusion was easily arrived at that a new church was neces- sary. If the Second Street South Bridge had then been erected, probably the church would have been built on the site of the first church. The German Presbyterians all resided on the east side and were satisfied with the loca- tion and when they organized bought the old church property of the First Presbyterian Society.
Albert and Asa B. Clarke, foreseeing the future need of the church, had some years previous bought the lots where the church is now located and the organization conchided to buy these and commence building as soon as possible. This proposition caused somewhat of a ruetion in the church or- ganization. Many of the membership were New Englanders and had been reared in the Congregational faith; some of these preferred and did remain with their adopted church but many decided to withdraw and organize a Congregational Church. This certainly was a trial of faith and endurance. The plans which the society had adopted called for a large and expensive church and not alone the material aid which the Congregationalists lent but their prompt and efficient church service was greatly relied upon and needed, especially at this time. But they were firm in their determination to or- ganize a church of their own ereed and in the conviction that if it was not vet needed, with the fastly increasing population it soon would be.
The Presbyterians, although the circumstances were very depressing, were just as firm in their determination to build; so in 1868, the construction of the church was begun, but not until June, 1869, was the edifice completed. The brick For the new church was made on the farm of Mr. Samuel Wilson, five miles east of town, and as many teams as could be secured were pressed into service to haul the briek to town. All that took part in this bee was given a royal good dinner which was spread in the old stone store of Mrs. S. S. ( larke. The final service in the old church was held on the 27th of June, and on June 30, 1869, the new church was dedicated. As soon as the con- gregation was fairly established in the new church, Rev. Mr. Boggs who had been in failing health resigned and with deep regret and much reluctance his resignation was accepted, but he continued to preach occasionally until a new pastor was obtained. Rev. W. B. Phelps of Kilbourne, Wisconsin, succeeded Reverend Boggs. His pastorate began on May 15, 1870, and con- tinued until May, 1880, at the conclusion of which time he resigned to accept a call elsewhere. During Reverend Phelps' pastorate more than two hun- dred names were added to the roll and in just five years the "organ debt" of $2,500 was entirely wiped out and without interfering with any of their other obligations. He was succeeded by Rev. J. HI. Ritchey of Wisconsin, who began his labors here July 7, 1880, and remained its pastor until October, 1886, when he resigned to become pastor of a church at Portage, Wisconsin, where he remained sixteen years and until his death.
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On the 31st of October, 1886, Rev. E. M. Barrett of Waterloo, lowa, began to preach as stated supply for one year with the idea in view of making bim permanent pastor, At the close of the year he declined the call but consented to remain and preach for another year, but before this term was concluded he had received a call from the Presbyterian Church of lowa City, which he decided to accept if the Independence Church would release him, which they consented to do. The pulpit was vacant but a few Sundays and in October, 1888, Rev. Frank N. Riale was extended a call which he accepted and on June 4, 1889, was duly installed as pastor, which position he occupied until 1894, when he was forced to resign on account of impaired health occasioned by overwork. Besides his pastoral duties for a congregation of three hundred or more members, he wrote numerous magazine articles for different pub- lications. Ile managed, however, to keep up until some months after the close of his Independence pastorate when he suffered a complete breakdown which took him months to recover from. To Rev. D. W. Fahs was tendered a call and he began his services in March, 1895, in which he continued until when he received a call to the Presbyterian Church of Cedar Falls and in which he still continues. Under his leadership the church, in the year 1900, was practically rebuilt to accommodate the greatly increased membership. The wall separating the lecture room from the main building was removed and replaced with sliding doors, thus permitting both rooms to be thrown to- gether to accommodate unusually large audiences, making the seating capac- ity of the two rooms 1,000. The pulpit, choir and pipe organ were placed in a circular addition built on to the west of the Main Building, new seats, fur- niture and fixtures were bought, a kitchen and class rooms built which greatly added to the convenience and attractiveness of the edifice. Beau- tiful stained glass windows (several of them memorial windows) and frescoed walls greatly enhanced the beauty of the auditorium. The improvements cost $7,650 of which sum $5,310 had been subscribed previous to the com- pletion of the building, and at the first meetings held after its completion $2,400 was contributed which more than covered the necessary amount.
Rev. Theodore Morning, the present pastor, was duly installed on Wednes day, March 4, 1908, and continues his service, an able, energetie man. It is a remarkable fact that in sixty years of its history the church has had but seven pastors.
The first pipe organ in Independence was installed in the Presbyterian Church at its completion in 1869. It was a great wonder in the community. Two organ concerts at a dollar a ticket were given to pay for it. Budley Buck, the famous pipe-organist and composer, was here to play for that occasion. The organ and choir were at first placed in a balcony at the north end of the old church where they remained until Reverend Ritchie's pastorate, when they were placed back of the pulpit and remained until the last mentioned change.
The church has always sustained a reputation, both in and out of Inde- pendence, for excellent choir and organ music, as have all the churches in Inde- pendence-being considered far above the average. But special mention should be made of Mr. John G. Whitney under whose able direction it probably attained its greatest degree of efficiency, if conscientious and untiring labor and length of service counts. At that time it was considered one of the best
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choirs in the state. Ile commenced his duties as choir leader in the old church and continued in that position for twenty successive years, ably assisted most of the time by his two daughters, Mesdames Mary Currier and Florence Wil- liams. In those early days music books were searee and expensive, and Mr. Whitney made his own books, some of which are still in existence and greatly treasured by those who are in possession of them. At the present time the choir is under the able management of Mrs. F. B. Ireland, whose long service as lead- ing soprano and teacher of voice makes her highly efficient as a leader and director. Vesper services and special service programmes have been given of the highest order. During Reverend Barrett's pastorate an orchestra was for the first time introduced and made the services especially attractive.
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