USA > Iowa > Page County > History of Page County, Iowa : also biographical sketches of some prominent citizens of the county > Part 18
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CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF CLARINDA.
On the fifth Sunday of November, 1879, Caleb Hipsley, Samuel West- apher and wife, J. G. Hipsley and wife, T. T. Pendergraft, Joseph Hud- son, C. E. Mayes and E. V. Mayes, met in the old Universalist church build- ing. now the property of the Second United Presbyterian church, and con- stimmated a temporary organization of the Christian church. These peo- ple held services once a monthi until June, 1880. From that time until No- vember 10, 1880, services were discontinued. Then came J. V. Vorter, state secretary of the Iowa Christian Convention and an Evangelist, who held protracted meetings until the 26th of the month, when a permanent organi- zation of the church was completed, with all those mentioned above, except Caleb Hipsley, as charter members, together with the following : C. W. Bis- bee, E. W. Bisbee, Bertha Haver, W. W. Chambers, Louisa G. Chambers, Eva Chambers, Samuel Chambers, Asa Hipsley, Homer Baughman, Clara Baughman, Menzo Terry, A. J. Chambers, Libia Chambers, Mrs. Joseph Hudson, Mollie Stillians, G. A. McNeil, David Stivers and wife, John Ho- zier and William Orr. C. W. Bisbee was elected elder, Samuel Westapher and A. J. Chambers deacons, C. E. Mayes, clerk. From that time on ser- vices were held every Lord's day, regardless of the presence of a minister. There was no regular pastor until 1882 but the pulpit was supplied at in- tervals. On January 15, 1882, J. H. Hughes came from Missouri and held a meeting of three weeks' duration, which resulted in awakening a great in- terest. On December 17, 1882, J. C. White, of Mount Pleasant, Iowa, oc- cupied the pulpit as the first regular pastor of this church and remained one year. He was succeeded by E. C. Russell, who left at the expiration of a year.
In November, 1885, the Universalist congregation concluded to occupy the church themselves and this move made it necessary for the new organi- zation to move into the court house, where they held services until January 1, 1887. In 1885 a lot had been purchased in block 17, the original plot of the city, for five hundred dollars. In November of that year steps were taken to build a church and plans which called for the expenditure of two thou- sand, five hundred dollars were adopted and the money was partially sub- scribed but when the church was dedicated the whole amount was paid.
The building committee was composed of Daniel Pugh, Samuel West- apher. John Kryselmier. F. A. Cook and William Orr. During this year Allen Wilson became pastor and occupied the pulpit one year. It was under his ministration that the church was dedicated. January 1. 1887. The build- ing is a frame structure, pleasing to the eye, has modern conveniences, heated by furnace.and lighted by electricity. Its seating capacity is five hundred.
In 1887. J. H. Ragan received a call, which he accepted, and remained here until January 26, 1800. From this time until March, 1891, there was no regular pastor. From September 10 to October 5, Morgan Morgan hield meetings in the church, which resulted in forty-four additions, and on March 29, 1891, Judson Brown was called and remained one year. He was fol- lowed in September by C. C. Morrison, who resigned after the expiration of
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one year to continue his studies in college. During his pastorate an addition to the church was built, costing one thousand, eight hundred and eighty dol- lars. Through the efforts of Rev. White one hundred and thirty-one mem- bers were added to the church membership,-the greatest up to this time in the history of the church. R. C. Sargent came May 17, 1893, and remained until October, 1896. He added one hundred and seventy-five members to the roll. The church was then without a pastor until April 25, 1897, when a call was extended to and accepted by C. H. White, of Joplin, Missouri. He remained until April 3, 1899. W. D. Clemmer followed Mr. White and stayed one year, when, February 3, 1901, W. T. Fisher answered the call of the church and has been its pastor from that time to the present.
A Sunday school was organized December 5, 1880, with William Orr superintendent. It now has enrolled three hundred members and is desig- nated as the Christian Bible Society. The members of the church number four hundred and thirty-eight. In connection with the main body of the church may be mentioned the Ladies Aid Society, the Christian Woman's Board of Missions, the Christian Endeavor and the Junior Christian En- deavor Societies. The organization is in a very flourishing condition. No more devout people are found in Clarinda than are found in this church, which includes some of the most intelligent, highly respected citizens of the place. Since the permanent organization eleven hundred and eighty-eight names have been placed on their membership roll.
ST. JOHN'S CHURCH ( CATHOLIC), CLARINDA.
This church was organized in 1874, with Edward Ryan, James Sloane, Michael Mahanney, Patrick Sims, John Gilmore, and John Gleason as its first members. The society erected a church building at a cost of one thou- sand dollars, which was dedicated by Rev. Father F. W. Pape. At one time the church had quite a large congregation but has since gone out of ex- istence.
THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF SHENANDOAH.
The First Presbyterian church of Shenandoah was organized Sunday, June 4, 1871, in Mentzer's Hall, by Rev. George R. Carroll, with the follow- ing members, namely: M. H. Gault and wife, Mrs. A. Spillman, Mrs. E. F. Tiffany, Hiram Redfield and two daughters, Helen A. and Mary E. Redfield, Joseph Stokes and wife and W. P. Ferguson, followed by the election and ordination of M. H. Gault as ruling elder.
The services, though simple, were impressive in presence of a congrega- tion of about forty persons. The town at this time was but eight months old from the virgin prairie and contained a population of about two hundred, while the surrounding country was equally new and unimproved.
At this time the Presbyterian church at Hamburg was being supplied by Rev. G. G. Ferguson, and temporary arrangements were effected, nniting the two churches under one pastor, giving to Shenandoah one-fourth time,
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PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, SHENANDOAH
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which continued until September or October of that year. For the next year the church was without any regular pastor, or stated supply, but was occa- sionally supplied by Rev. Lewis McCane, from Hamburg, Rev. McAffee, from Red Oak, and others, during which the church made little or no progress.
In the meantime, however, the town was making rapid progress, and other churches organizing, and it was deemed advisable to move forward and have a resident pastor in connection with some other point. In pur- suance of this plan Rev. A. B. Struthers came as stated supply for one year, from October 1, 1872, until October 1, 1873, during which time services were held in Mentzer's Hall, which was also supplied on alternate Sundays by the Baptists. In this way each church contributed assistance to the other in main- taining good congregations, a union choir, Sunday school and prayer meet- ing. Under these conditions the church made some progress, until inter- rupted by the resignation of Rev. Struthers and the removal from town of a number of families, who had identified themselves with its interests, which again left it in a depressed condition.
After an interval of seven months, during which time the church had no regular services, it renewed its relations with the Hamburg church for one- fourth the time of its pastor, Rev. J. W. Clark, which was continued for one year, from May 1, 1874. to May 1, 1875. During this period the services were held in the Methodist church, then recently erected, through a fraternal arrangement with that church, which culminated in the mutual benefit of both organizations.
For the next two years, from May 1, 1875, to May 15, 1877, the church remained without any minister or regular services, except occasional sup- plies from the presbytery or neighboring churches, during which its condi- tion was critical, and it maintained a merely nominal existence through the Union Sunday school with the Baptist church, which was then in a very simi- lar condition.
The church was now in a very critical condition which, after six years of effort, had made no progress, and seemingly had accomplished nothing. Its earlier organization had been largely reduced by the removal of a number of good families and the withdrawal of its only ruling elder, M. H. Gault, and family, to join in the organization of the Congregational church at Far- ragut, reducing the church to but three resident members and a few Pres- byterian families who, as yet, had failed to join or identify themselves with it. Under these circumstances it was thought best to maintain a nominal or- ganization in anticipation of some future opportunity for a renewed effort. But it is an old saying that "It is always darkest before the dawn," and such it proved to be in this case, as the desired opportunity came sooner than was expected and came about in a most unexpected way.
In March, 1877, Rev. J. M. Morrison came to visit the field but found lit- tle encouragement. and on viewing the situation the conclusion was reached that the opportunity had not yet occurred and that it would be premature and inexpedient to inaugurate such a movement at that time.
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This conference occurred in the office of W. P. Ferguson, attorney, but just at its conclusion J. C. Wilson, a farmer, who had recently moved here from Prairie City, Illinois, where he had been identified with the Presby- terian church, happened to pass by and was called in and informed as to what had occurred. He then stated that his neighbor, W. I. McCulloch, had just returned from Pennsylvania with a Presbyterian wife, who was deeply in- terested in having such a church here. While this conversation was in prog- ress, Mr. McCulloch was seen to pass by and was called in to the conference and confirmed what Wilson had said and then further stated that a Pres- byterian Scotchman, Alexander Wallace, had just recently moved into his neighborhood and had been inquiring about the church here. This had scarcely been said when Mr. Wallace was seen to pass the office door and called in and confirmed what McCulloch had stated and expressed an earnest desire to unite with such a church here. He then continued by informing those present that his father and three brothers, with their families, all Scotch Presbyterians, had located in the neighborhood of Shenandoah and would gladly unite and aid in the support of the church. Thus within an hour and. wholly unexpected, the church's desired opportunity seemed to have providently been realized and its responsibilities at once accepted. This re- sulted in calling a further meeting to be held that evening in Ferguson's office.
At the called meeting there were present W. I. McCulloch, J. C. Wilson, Alexander Wallace, A. B. Chapman and W. P. Ferguson, which resulted in reaching the following conclusions :
First, in view of its past experience it was deemed inexpedient to under- take to revive or reorganize the church except in contemplation of a church or chapel building of its own.
Second, that in view of the limited means in sight for that purpose it was decided to build a chapel twenty-five by fifty feet, to be located on a business lot near the business part of town, so as to be salable at best advantage at some future time if a new church should be needed.
Third, it was further determined to make an immediate canvass and proceed with the chapel building as soon as six hundred dollars was sub- scribed for that purpose.
As soon as this action was known a new and wholly unforeseen problem arose, by at once bringing to light a well matured plan for the organization of a Congregational church, with promised accessions of a number of promi- nent families from the other different churches, and contemplated the sup- planting and absorption of the Presbyterian church. Had the plan been divulged at any time prior to the above action of the church, it would prob- ably have been successful, but after that it was too late. Both parties re- alized that it would be a mistake to attempt to maintain two similar churches in so small a town, and each wanted the other to withdraw.
On the part of the Congregationalists, it was urged that their plans were fully matured at a time when they had supposed that the Presbyterians had practically abandoned the field, that arrangements had been made and ample
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means in sight for a new church building and promised accessions from the other churches to insure its success.
On the other hand it was contended by the Presbyterians, that they had the advantage of an existing organization that had involved labor and ex- pense, and though still comparatively weak and few in numbers, had now a working nucleus with a resident minister, that gave promise of success with- out weakening the other churches.
The result was that neither would yield, so that on the day following the conference before referred to, active steps were taken by both churches to secure subscriptions for their respective new church buildings. That both have finally succeeded has been due to the rapid growth of the city of church- going people. This rivalry between the two churches had a very depressing effect on the Presbyterians, who soon found themselves at a disadvantage and overshadowed by the Congregationalists, with their more pretentious church building. But notwithstanding their discouragements a lot was secured and the work of erecting the contemplated chapel begun and pushed to completion, at a cost of twelve hundred dollars. In the meantime, on April 2, 1877, the church was legally incorporated, in which A. B. Chap- man, E. W. Bechtol, W. I. McCulloch, J. C. Wilson and W. P. Ferguson were selected as trustees.
This was followed by a congregational meeting, May 15, 1877, when a call was extended to Rev. J. M. Morrison as stated supply for half time for one year. The new church was dedicated July 8, 1877, by a committee of presbytery composed of Rev. S. L .. McAffee, Rev. J. L. Jones, Elder E. H. Sears and pastor, J. M. Morrison.
Prior to the dedication, however, the reorganization of the church was completed with a present membership of twenty-four, by the election of Alexander Wallace and A. B. Chapman, elders, J. B. Bearce and John M. Burton, deacons. Thus at last, after a hard struggle and precarious ex- istence for the past six years, the church was fully organized and established, and, notwithstanding that there were seven other churches in a town of one thousand population, has ever since continued to grow and prosper, until it is now the leading church in the Corning Presbytery. Rev. Morrison re- mained as pastor for three years, until about May 15, 1880, when he re- signed and removed to College Springs, and was succeeded November 14, 1880, by Rev. F. X. Myron, as stated supply in connection with the church at Tarkio. The church remained vacant until January 15, 1882, when a call was given to Rev. W. H. McKee, as supply for one year, during which forty- five new members were received, while eleven old members were dismissed to organize a new church at Norwich.
About this time, February 10, 1883, a parsonage was purchased at a cost, including repairs, of thirteen hundred dollars, and soon thereafter, July 8, 1883, a formal call was extended to Rev. T. C. Smith, at a salary of one thou- sand dollars. He accepted the call and was installed as its first regular pastor, October 10, 1883. By this time it was felt that the old church build- ing was inadequate for the growing demands of the church, so at a church meeting June 1, 1884, it was determined to build a new church, to cost about
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five thousand dollars. A new location, its present one, was selected and purchased at a cost of seven hundred and fifty dollars, and plans adopted for the proposed new church
Work was commenced October 10th and the corner stone was laid on the day that Grover Cleveland was elected president, November 4, 1884, with impressing ceremonies, at which addresses were made by Rev. A. P. Hull, of the Methodist church, Rev. J. O. Stevenson, of the Congregational church, J. B. Carter, mayor, W. P. Ferguson, on the part of the trustees, E. K. Bailey for the Sunday school, and response by the pastor, T. C. Smith.
The dedication of the new church occurred on the 25th day of October, 1855, for which special services of a high order were prepared. The sermon was delivered by Rev. J. H. Malcom, followed by a financial statement of the trustees, showing entire cost of lot, building and furnishings to be six thousand three hundred and ninety-seven dollars and fifty-six cents, with a deficiency of one thousand seven hundred and one dollars, which was promptly subscribed and the church dedicated free of debt.
Thus after fourteen years of eventful history, the church had now at- tained a solid financial basis and standing as one of the prominent churches of the city, with a total membership at that time of about one hundred. As this event marks a distinct epoch in the history of the founding of the church, it is worthy of note that of the original charter members but four, Stokes and wife, Nellie Redfield and W. P. Ferguson, were all that remained, and of the twenty-five members at the reorganization and dedication of the old church, seven years later, only six remained, namely : McCulloch and wife, Ferguson and wife, Mr. Wilson and Mrs. Patterson.
Time forbids special mention of individual efforts of many men and wo- men to whom the church owes a debt of gratitude but special mention should be made of A. T. Irwin, who became leader of the choir when he first came to the city in 1882, and which position he continued to hold thereafter for nearly a quarter of a century to the great satisfaction and benefit of the church.
From this time forward to the present the history of the church has been the record of a growing and prosperous church, of which its members have a right to be proud. Rev. Smith proved himself a worthy and able pastor and it was a great disappointment to the church, when, after a pastorate of four years, he resigned May 1, 1887, to accept a call to the church at Clar- inda. For the following eighteen months the church was without a regular pastor except an interval of about four months, supplied by Rev. J. T. Kil- len, until October 1, 1888, when Rev. A. M. Barrett accepted a call as pastor.
In the meantime the church undertook the erection of a new parsonage and to that end secured a location on lots adjoining the church. The work was commenced May 24, 1890, and was completed and occupied March I. 1801, at a total cost, including lots, of two thousand one hundred and fifty dollars.
Since the resignation of Rev. Barrett, July 1, 1894. the regular pastors of the church to the present time have been as follows: J. T. Wyllie, March 25, 1895-June 21, 1896; J. B. Little. December 11, 1896-November 26,
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. 1901 ; J. M. Ross, January 17, 1902-November 24, 1907. Rev. F. H. Shedd became pastor of the church February 16, 1908, and is the present incumbent.
The present membership of the church is three hundred and twenty-six, with an average morning congregation of about three hundred.
Of the original charter members, W. P. Ferguson alone remains in con- nection with the church, but another, W. H. Gault, its first elder, lives near by and is now connected with the Congregational church of this city. The present officers of the church are as follows: Elders-A. W. Murphy, J. L. Murphy, H. L. Jackson, Edgar Faust, J. W. Holmes and A. T. Irwin, who is also clerk of the session. The trustees are: W. I. McCulloch, George B. Biddle, Frank Anshutz, W. P. Hines, Earl R. Ferguson and J. J. Cardwell, who is also clerk.
This narrative of the church would be incomplete without a brief sketch of the Sunday school, which has been its chief auxiliary from the beginning.
The Presbyterian Sunday school is the outgrowth of a Union Sunday school of all the churches of the city, organized in Mentzer's Hall, in the early spring of 1871, with W. P. Ferguson superintendent, and Mrs. Frank Alden, secretary. At the time of the organization, or soon thereafter, the Methodists withdrew to organize a separate school of their own. From the organization of the Presbyterian church, June 6, 1871, and of the Baptist church, soon thereafter, the Union Sunday school was regularly maintained by these two organizations in connection with their church services in Ment- zer's Hall until the completion of the Presbyterian church in the summer of 1875. This union of the two schools continued in entire harmony and good will for ten years, until the completion of the Baptist church in 1881, when the Baptists withdrew, leaving the Presbyterians alone.
In its independent character as a Presbyterian Sunday school it started with an attendance of thirty scholars in six classes, and A. T. Irwin, as superintendent, during which time it continued to grow so that it had an average attendance of fifty for the first year.
From 1883 until 1886, Dr. E. K. Bailey was superintendent, during which time the average attendance increased to eighty. From 1886 until 1894, Mrs. Will Irwin was the efficient superintendent, during which time the school grew and prospered until the attendance rose to one hundred and thirty-five. The vacancy caused by the resignation of Mrs. Irwin was filled by Professor J. M. Hussey, until January, 1894, when A. W. Murphy, the present devoted and able superintendent, was elected. The school has con- tinued to grow and prosper until now it has an enrollment of four hundred and eleven, with an average attendance of two hundred and three. The offering the present year was four hundred dollars. Of the original mem- bers of the Union Sunday school there still remain Mr. and Mrs. Frank Alden and W. W. Ferguson.
Other auxiliary societies of the church are in a prosperous condition and are as follows: Ladies Aid Society, Mrs. J. M. Hussey, president ; Ladies Missionary Society, forty members, Mrs. F. M. Shedd, president ; Young Peoples Society Christian Endeavor, thirty-five members, Ernest Fogelberg, president ; Men's Brotherhood, fifty members.
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The church has every reason to feel proud of its past history and record, and owes a debt of gratitude to the succession of faithful ministers and de- voted members, through whose instrumentality this beautiful temple has been consecrated, fit for the Master's service,
ST. MARY'S CATHOLIC CHURCH, SHENANDOAH.
In the fall of 1870 Father B. P. McMenemy, of Council Bluffs, came to Shenandoah in the interests of his church. There being no church building here, he said mass in private houses for about three years. Also Father Lyons, of Creston, came and held services in the residence of Ed Ryan. The organization of the body was consummated in the spring of 1894. It was composed of Ed Ryan, James Sloan. Patrick Gilmore, John Gleason and others. The Burlington Railroad donated two lots, just west of Van Bus- kirk's mill, for church purposes. A subscription was taken throughout the town and country, to raise money to erect a church building, which was erected on the lots donated. In the fall of 1874 Rev. Father Pape was as- signed to this mission, with headquarters at Hamburg, and services were held here once a month. In 1876 the members held a fair in William's hall, on Elm street, at which enough money was cleared to put the church out of debt. During the progress of this fair Father Pape was transferred to Car- roll, Iowa, and Father Tierney was sent here. He remained six months, when Father Stack became the pastor. During the ministry of Father Stack, the Imogene mission was established, which reduced the membership here from one hundred and fifty to about thirty. Sometime in 1880 Father Ryan was assigned to this charge. He was a good man. To his moral in- fluence, high integrity, his energy and indomitable will, is due the successful establishment of the church at this time from a period of chaos to a firm and sure foundation, and a position among the religious orders of the city which it has ever since held. Being a man of wealth, he consulted with his mem- bers and purchased the lots upon which the present church and parsonage now stand and moved the little church on to the same. He painted and papered the church and fenced the lots, paying for the same himself, trust- ing to his congregation to repay him, which they did as far as they could. In 1881 he held a fair, at which something over six hurdred dollars was made, out of which he was reimbursed, with something left over for the church. A man of sterling worth, to which many of our non-Catholic friends can testify, he was much revered by all. He was taken sick in Jan- uary, 1882, and after an illness of about three weeks, died at his home here February 13, 1882, the coldest, worst day of the winter, and was interred in the cemetery at Imogene.
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