USA > Iowa > Pottawattamie County > History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, from the earliest historic times to 1907, Vol. I > Part 14
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Later Rev. A. Ravoux writes from Council Bluffs under date of August 29, 1847: "We spent three or four hours near the great camp of the Mormons, which is situated in one of the most beautiful regions of the Missouri. Dur- ing the spring they cultivated a large tract of land and expect an abundant harvest. They possess a considerable stock of animals, and they number from eight to ten thousand souls in the eamp or within a circle of ten miles.
"The same day about sundown we reached Council Bluffs, where we passed the night. I baptized two children and gave instruction at the house of Mr. Benoit. There are at least forty Catholic families in Council Bluffs." Much more might be quoted but this is sufficient to show that even after the Indians had left, and the Mormons were in full control, a root of the church planted ten years before remained and continued to grow.
During two or three years from the departure of the Pottawattamies, the advent and exodus of the Mormons and tide of California emigration, things
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here were in a state of transition and no church seemed to be firmly estab- lished, and although three of four priests had been assigned to this place, Rev. Jeremiah Tracy was the first to erect a church since the old Indian mission. It was he that commenced the brick church that stood on a part of the ground now occupied by the Merriam block and was used until the completion of the St. Francis Xavier church on the corner of Fifth avenue and Sixth streets.
Rev. William Kelly was pastor here from April to September. 1863, and Rev. James Power from June, 1864 to June, 1865. He completed the church and was called to duties in the St. Joseph diocese.
Rev. John Daehsacher resided here from June, 1865 to October, 1869. He built a plain residence, introduced a bell, probably the first church bell in the city, was constant and faithful in all his duties. During ten months in 1869 he had eighty-two baptisms. He also attended St. Boniface church in the Plumer settlement and in other places and was recalled to his diocese in Omaha.
The next to fill this important position was Rev. B. P. McMenomy. His fame had preceded him and he was received with warm enthusiasm, which ripened into lasting respect. Immediate steps were taken to make his abode comfortable, the church was enlarged and embellished. and a parochial school established on the northwest corner of the church grounds.
In 1871 the Sisters of Charity of B. V. M. were introduced from Dubuque and in 1873 commenced the St. Francis Xavier academy on its present site, which from the beginning has made wonderful progress, and now ranks among the best schools for the higher education of young ladies.
The rapid increase of the congregation made it advisable to sell the old church property, from which was realized $25,000, and with this and other contributions he proceeded to build the fine structure that now adorns the northwest corner of Fifth avenue and Sixth street. This building was com- pleted in 1888 at a cost of $50,000 and one year later a fine parochial resi- denee was erected adjoining on the west at a cost of $9,000, while three years previous St. Joseph's school for boys was built on the opposite corner east, at a cost of $6.000. Father MeMenomy was one of the most highly respected of any of the clergy that have lived here, not only by those of his faith, but by all. With the expiring year of 1892 he was laid to rest on Walnut Hill, Decem- ber 31, 1892.
Succeeding Father MeMenomy came the present pastor. Very Rev. Pat- rick Smyth. He, like his predecessor, was born in Ireland, received his edu- cation in All Hallows College. Dublin, was ordained on June 24, 1871, for the diocese of Dubuque, Iowa, and shortly after set sail for America and arrived in New York on the 14th of August, 1871.
It was here in his new land on the day following, in the church of the Holy Innocents, he celebrated his first holy mass. He then proceeded to Du- buque and was appointed assistant to Rev. R. A. Byrne at Holy Cross. Since coming among us he has endeared himself to his congregation as well as won the respeet of the entire community and all the institutions connected with the church feel the influence of his helping hand.
A meeting of the German Catholies of Council Bluffs was called and
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assembled on May 9, 1886, attended by the following men : Peter Weis, John Murgen, Rudolph Toller, Henry Toller, Peter Tholl, Jacob Neumayer, Peter Beck, Joseph Miller, Jacob Apple, Joseph Schmidt, Dr. G. W. Emonds, Her- man Roblings, P. J. Emig and Albert Schott. Peter Weis was called to the chair and P. J. Emig appointed secretary, and it was resolved to organize a congregation for the German Catholics and build a church.
The second meeting assembled on May 30, 1886, and Peter Weis as chair- man, called the meeting to order, when a committee was chosen as trustees, con- sisting of Peter Weis, chairman; John Mergen, treasurer; P. J. Emig, sec- retary ; Rudolph Toller; Jacob Neumayer and Joseph Miller, and the com- mittee was instructed to seek a suitable building site and report at the next meeting, and also solicit subscriptions for money. The name of St. Peters Association was selected.
On April 24, 1887, during high mass in St. Francis church, celebrated by Rev. Adolph Wesseling, O. S. B. of Atchison. Kansas, Right Rev. Bishop Cosgrove of Davenport, Iowa, published the separation of the German Catholics from affiliation with St. Francis Xavier's congregation, and announced the selection of Father Adolph as pastor for the new Catholic church for the Germans. The committee reported in favor of the site now occupied, which was approved. The bishop gave his approval, arrangements were made with Father MeMenomy to use the old church during the construction of the new.
The construction of the building was commenced and prosecuted with vigor. The present pretty church with its tapering spire, and flanked by the parochial buildings makes a pretty picture and speaks well for the taste, piety and enterprise of the members, while its chime of bells emits tones for which these bluffs and ravines have listened for a thousand years.
The attendance at St. Francis academy continued to increase and in 1904 a four story addition was made, in which is a large auditorium. An average of three hundred pupils receive instruction here, many coming from a distance and boarding at the institution.
The attendance of boys at St. Joseph's is not so large, averaging seventy- five.
In connection with St. Peter's church are parochial schools for both girls and boys, with an average attendance of seventy-five, in which the sexes are about equally divided.
THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
It is seldom we are able to get historical facts at first hand after a lapse of fifty-six years, as in this case, where we are permitted to interview the ven- erable founder of the Congregational church here, and learn from him person- ally of its first establishment. In 1851 the Rev. G. G. Rice, under commission of the Home Missionary Society came here, and in conjunction with Rev. Win. Simpson, Methodist, rented a room of Isaac Beebe, which they furnished cheaply and proceeded to hold meetings and also a Sunday school. Rev. Simp- son was of the Methodist persuasion, and they alternated in their use of the room, and got along amicably.
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In the spring of 1852 they bought a hewed log house for one hundred and twenty-five dollars of a man that was starting for Oregon, and raised the money by subscription to pay for it, and this became the first Protestant church in this county. In 1852 Rev. Simpson was given a charge in the eastern part of the state, and Rev. Moses Shinn was sent to fill his place. In the spring of 1853 the first Congregational church was organized, and the two congrega- tions separated, the Methodists built their little frame church on Pierce street, and the Congregationalists purchased a small frame warehouse and fitted it up on Broadway a little west of Glenn avenue, where it was used until a small briek church was built on Pearl street, where the Brown block now stands, which was completed and dedicated in 1856.
In the organization of the church in 1853 it consisted of the eight follow- ing charter members: Rev. G. G. Rice, Martha C. Rice, J. D. M. Crockwell, James Harrison, Mary L. Harrison, Louisa Turley, Rachel Nichols and Dorcas A. Crockwell.
Of this number, all but the pastor and his wife were born in the west and came from three different denominations. While in their little rude cabin, Father Rice baptized the first infants in the Protestant faith in this commun- ity. Here also the Council Bluffs association of Congregational churches was organized and here for the first time the Congregationalists of the south- western part of the state of Iowa gathered in fellowship. This association has since grown to be one of the strongest in the state with such churches as Creston, Red Oak, Shenandoah, Atlantic. Tabor and Glenwood in its fellow- ship.
The congregation continued to worship in the briek on Pearl street until the completion of the one on Sixth street and Seventh avenue. During the construction, after being enelosed, it was demolished by a tornado, thus delaying its completion until 1870. Up to 1869 the church had been assisted by annual contributions from the American Home Missionary Society, in which year the church became self supporting. During the fifty years of its existence, the church has been served by the following pastors: Rev. G. G. Rice, from '51 to '58; James S. Haskell, 1859 till September. This man was a wag. Could preach a good sermon, make a beautiful prayer, play a strong game of poker, was a fine sleight of hand performer and ventriloquist and could not resist the temptation to occasionally astonish the natives with his tricks, and finally landed in a circus, where he rightfully belonged. Harvey Adams, '60 to '63; W. W. Allen, '63 to '65; J. B. Chase, '65 to '68; H. P. Roberts, '68 to 71; H. S: DeForrest, '71 to '76; Cyrus Hamlin, '77 to '84; G. W. Crofts, '85 to '92; John Askin, '93 to '97; W. W. Wilson, '97 to 1901; James Thompson, '02 to '05; O. O. Smith, D. D., to present time of '07.
The most marked periods of growth were during the pastorates of Revs. Adams, Chase, DeForrest and Crofts.
Dr. O. O. Smith, the present pastor, has served with great acceptability since May 1, 1905. The present membership is three hundred and eighteen, with a flourishing Sunday school.
Grown out of this church is the Woodbury Avenue Mission People's Church, Rev. Burkhart, pastor.
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There is a growing sentiment among the membership in favor of a new church building more centrally located.
The Rev. Mr. Rice, in addition to his church work has always taken a lively interest in public affairs. He was a member of the first city council in 1853, and is still with us, wearing lightly his eighty-eight years, and now is largely engaged in fruit raising.
THE REORGANIZED CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST LATTER DAY SAINTS.
This small church is one of a vast body that seceded years ago from the Mormon church, and have built up churches all through western Iowa, and are in no way affiliated with the dominant church, the head of which is at Salt Lake City.
This has a membership at this time (1907) of two hundred and ninety- seven, with a Sunday school and also a literary society connected with it.
One peculiarity of this little church is that it is self sustaining, never asking assistance from outside, nor resorting to the schemes practiced by other denominations for raising money.
Notwithstanding this it is slowly but steadily growing. The present pas- tor is the Rev. Samuel Harding.
FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF COUNCIL BLUFFS.
This, like most churches here. began with a mission.
It was first organized in 1891. by Rev. Monroe, with a membership of seventy. The first meeting place was in an old vacant store building on the corner of Broadway and Twenty-third streets, where services were held for three years, then moved to Broadway and Seventeenth streets. Dr. Carter preached one year, from '92 to '93, was followed by Rev. E. W. Allen till '95 when the tabernacle was built. Rev. R. W. Abberly preached until '96 and was succeeded by Rev. S. M. Perkins, from '96 to '99, then Rev. W. B. Crewel- son until 1903, when W. B. Clemer took charge and continued until 1907. The church has made very rapid growth, having at this writing a member- ship of six hundred, about five hundred within the city and about one hun- dred in the country immediately adjoining, also a prosperous Sunday school of over two hundred and a well trained choir. The pulpit is vacant but a supply has been secured and will arrive and take charge in the near future.
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
In the settlement of a new country it is but natural for persons of the same religious faith to mingle and organize for mutual benefit, both religiously and socially. The first settlement of this county and city differed from that of most new communities in being all of one church, a body just as distinet from other organizations as were the Jews on leaving Egypt. And although persons of other religious views were tolerated, so overwhelmingly Mormon was the entire community, that there was little use for Gentiles (as all others
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were termed) to attempt to organize churches until the great body with its leaders had moved on. Neither was it a good field for missionary work, as they had our Bible, and no people on earth were more familiar with its contents and teachings than they, so that if you attempted to teach them, they would turn the tables and teach you, and further, they had the advantage of receiving revelations from time to time, an advantage not claimed by other denominations.
It was not until 1856 that it seemed worth while to attempt the organi- zation of a church, which was accomplished by Rev. John Hancock and thirteen others. The salary of the pastor for the first year was raised by subscription, many of the largest contributors to which were not even professors of religion let alone members. On the 12th of October, 1856, the church was organized and a room in the second story of the Empire block was seeured and cheaply furnished, which served until 1861. This was over what is now Camp's drug store, and the alley in the rear of the block got the name of Presbyterian alley.
The church prospered and by 1861 it was able to build a small frame about twenty-five by forty feet on Pearl street, where the waterworks office now is.
In 1857 a lot had been secured where the present church now stands and a foundation commenced when the financial crash came, and the building was suspended for some years, the congregation continuing to worship in the little church on Pearl street.
In 1859 Mr. Hancock was released for one year on account of ill health. In 1860 he resumed his work for a while, but was obliged to give it up. and for a time the church was without a pastor, till Rev. Wmn. MeCandlish suc- ceeded him for a period of two years. He again was succeeded by Rev. J. HI. Clark. During 1865, work that had been suspended on the church on the corner of Willow avenue and Seventh street was resumed, and the building enclosed and basement finished, in which the most successful services were held in which many were added to the church. Up to this time Mr. Clark exercised a greater influence in the community than any elergyman that preceded or has followed him, and it was a severe shock to his church as well as to the people generally, to learn that he was guilty of gross immorality, for which he was promptly dismissed.
Following this the pulpit was supplied by Rev. Wm. Hamilton of Bell- view, Nebraska, until the arrival of Rev. Thomas Cleland in August. 1866. His pastorate continued for sixteen years, during which time four hundred and sixty members were added, besides completing the church building, which had cost $17,270, of which amount $1,823 was supplied by the Ladies' Society of the church.
Sixteen months intervened between the resignation of Rev. Mr. Cleland and the employment of his successor, Rev. Alfred F. Bates of Lima, New York. Many candidates were heard during this period and for three months the pulpit was supplied by Rev. Henry McKeekin. Rev. Mr. Bates remained with the church from October, 1883 to January 16, 1887, but refused to accept a call as pastor. It was during Mr. Bates' ministry that the church began to feel the need of more room, and after consideration it was determined to tear
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down the old building and build anew, using the material as far as possible in building the new and more modern structure.
This was carried out and resulted in the construction of the building as it stands to-day. Rev. Stephen Phelps came to the church in 1887 during the building of the new church, and it was completed during the first of his ministry, which lasted until July, 1896. During his ministry three hundred and seventy-five members were added to the church.
Following Rev. Phelps, Rev. W. S. Barnes accepted a call and remained as pastor until September 1905.
During his ministry two hundred and ninety-five names were added to the church roll and the membership reached four hundred and sixty-nine.
Rev. Marcus P. McClure accepted a call and assumed the pastorate in November, 1905 and at this time (1907) is actively engaged in the work. Number of communicants in 1907. four hundred and eighty.
Many of our most honored and prominent citizens have belonged and are at present members of this church and many more have passed away.
The second church of this denomination is the outgrowth of the "Har- mony Mission," started in the 80's by the ladies of the northern part of the city, who succeeded in establishing a chapel on the corner of Frank and Harmony streets, where services were held by pastors of different denomina- tions, who, for a time, received no compensation, and although many of its founders have long since passed away, the little mission survived, and in 1889 was organized as the Second Presbyterian church, with Rev. George Williams as pastor, who was succeeded by the following pastors: Rev. Grosman, Alex- ander, Sarchet, Armstrong, Litherland, Hostetler, and Rev. Grant B. Wilder, the present pastor. In 1898 the mission building was sold and the proceeds applied towards building the pretty church on the corner of Pierce and Brace streets and later a parsonage was added. The first elders were Dr. David Hutchinson and E. Morehouse. A. M. Hutchinson, E. Morehouse, R. N. Mer- riam, C. M. Burgess and F. L. Hayden are the present trustees ; present mem- bership, one hundred and forty.
In addition to the above, a mission has been established on Eighteenth avenue between Ninth and Tenth streets in Bethany chapel, in charge of Rev. John Kroonsmeyer.
SALEMS SOCIETY OF THE EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION.
Was organized in 1858. This society is composed of German speaking people. Their first pastor was Rev. J. F. Schourber. Their first church build- ing was a small brick on the southeast corner of Broadway and Stutsman streets, where they worshipped for several years, after which they secured a small brick building on the southwest corner of Glenn avenue and Pierce street, where they worshipped for many years under different pastors, who, up to the present day, number twenty-six.
The church prospered and in 1893 the present church was built on the same ground at a cost of $6,000, and in 1906, under the administration of Rev. G. P. Cawelti, a neat, modern parsonage was added at a cost of $3,100
ISES TORE OS .
JEFFERSON STREET, WEST FROM CHICAGO STREET.
7
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The present number of communicants is one hundred and forty-four, with a Sunday school of eighty-two pupils with sixteen officers and teachers.
Also connected with the church is a Young People's Alliance in good work- ing order and a Ladies' Aid Society of thirty members engaged in missionary work.
During the year 1906 the members contributed for all purposes twenty- eight dollars each.
The present pastor, Rev. G. P. Cawelti, is hopeful for larger results in the future.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.
Was organized January 18, 1868, with ten constituent members, being W. J. Midler, Florence Midler, W. H. Smith, F. D. June, Frances E. Smith, Thos. H. Stewart, Ursula Bragg, Julia Wiggs, Margaret Smith and Nancy S. Thrall. Rev. T. S. Thickstun was called as its first pastor, and assumed charge in August, 1868, remaining with the church for thirteen years. During his pastorate a lot on Willow avenue was purchased, on which a chapel was built and dedicated in February, 1869. At this time the church numbered but twenty-nine. Later this lot was sold, and the lot on the northeast corner of First avenue and Sixth street purchased and the present building erected.
It was dedicated, free of debt, in June, 1879.
In April of 1876, a Scandinavian church was set off from the first to do work among those of its own nationality.
Subsequent pastors were as follows: Rev. J. G. Lemen, L. A. Hall, D. H. Cooley, James H. Davis, V. C. Rocho, Milford Riggs and F. A. Case.
The present membership is five hundred and twenty, with a Sabbath school of two hundred and seventy scholars.
SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH.
In September, 1906, a part of the members of the First Baptist church, living near the mission known as the Thickstun mission, aided by Alex Tip- ton, who had taken up his residence in its vicinity, concluded to organize an independent church. Previous to this services were held Sabbath evenings and occasionally on Sundays when a suitable person could fill the pulpit. Being encouraged by those outside, the church invited Rev. W. J. Bell to become pastor, which he accepted, and his work began February 1, 1907, as assistant pastor of the first Baptist church, and on April 4th following an independent church was organized with fifty-seven members, forty-one of these bringing letters from the first church. The organization has largely increased and a Sunday school established, in which great interest is taken, and in September, 1907. the membership of the church reached seventy-two and the Sunday school increased from seventy-five to one hundred and five. Have greatly improved the church building and pay bills as made.
CHEVRA B'NAI YSROLL.
A Hebrew church was organized in 1904 with J. Galinski as the first president with eighteen members, also a Sabbath school of twenty-five mem-
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bers. During 1904-5 the society erected a church on Mynster street at a cost, including the lot, of $6,600.
The present president is Geo. Whitebook.
THE COUNCIL BLUFFS HEBREW SOCIETY.
Was organized in 1880 and incorporated in 1882. The first officers were Benj. Newman, G. H. Mossler, Simon Eisman and others. Their meetings were in various halls until they purchased Temple Emanuel on North Seventh street, which they subsequently sold to the Swedish Baptists.
They will hold their meetings this year in Grand Army hall.
Its ritual is the Hebrew Reform.
THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
Rev. Wm. Simpson was sent out by the Methodist Episcopal conference in 1850, and in '51, in conjunction with Rev. G. G. Rice, Congregationalist, they rented a room of Isaac Beebe (a Mormon) and proceeded to hold regular services, alternating in use of the room for a year of so, when Rev. Simpson was removed to the eastern part of the state and Rey. Moses Shinn was sent to fill his place. By 1854 the society had become strong enough to build a small church of their own, and Rev. Goodfellow took charge for a time, and after him Rev. Todd.
This little church stood on the south side of Pierce street, where the west part of Hafer's large shop now stands. Mr. Todd was the most popular min- ister wo had had up to that time and had been very successful in building up the church. During the winter of 1859-60 they had quite a revival and sinners of all degrees were invited. Among these was an eccentrie character named Marshall, always called Major, Bayliss. a brother of S. S. Bayliss of the Pacific House, and a liberal patron of its bar. Pious converts succceded after many efforts in getting him out to attend a revival meeting. The ground in front of the church was somewhat steep, and that night was sleety, and in coming out he fell and fractured his hip. He said this was the first time he had been sober for ten years, and if he got over that, he vowed he would never be sober again, and he came pretty near living up to his resolution.
This little church did duty until the brick on the corner of Broadway and First supplanted the Ocean Wave. This was built during the pastorate of Rev. Joseph Knotts, at a cost of $25,000.
During the early days of the church the singing was according to the old style, being led by one, and the congregation joining. Following Rev. Knotts came Rev. C. C. Mabic, whose administration was successful in bring- ing the membership up to one hundred and fifty-five with twenty-three proba- tioners and a Sunday school of two hundred and twenty-four with a library of five hundred and seventy-five volumes. In 1869 S. Guyer was succeeded by Rev. P. F. Brezee. He was followed by Rev. R. M. Smith, who remained two years and was succeeded by J. G. Eckles. In 1876 L. M. Walters was called and served three years. In '79 and '80 Rev. M. D. Collins was in charge. and in '81 Rev. Brezee was again pastor, followed by Rev. J. Z. Armstrong;
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