USA > Iowa > Fayette County > Past and present of Fayette County, Iowa, Volume I > Part 27
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ELGIN GERMAN BAPTIST CHURCH.
The German Baptist church at Elgin has a history peculiar to itself, and is a striking illustration of development along scriptural lines, coming to those who are seeking for light and believe in the word of God as the foun- tain of truth. In the fifties a number of families emigrated from Switzerland and settled in the vicinity of Elgin, most of whom had been members of the Reformed church in their native country. Surrounding them here, and speak- ing the German tongue, were Lutherans, Dunkards and those of no religious faith, but no Baptists.
During the sixties several congregational ministers, among others the Rev. Henry Hess, preached among them and organized a church of this de- nomination, and among the members were Rudolph Miller and wife, John F. Miller, Sr., and Hon. C. Miller. This church, however, was dissolved in the latter part of the sixties. After this dissolution, the parties named with C. Freiberghaus, Sr., and wife, with John Hiltbrunner and wife, these last two families having been members of the Free church in Switzerland, called Rev. Jacob Baumann to preach for them. He was an ordained minister of the Free church of Switzerland, and had been preaching with marked success since coming to this country in 1864, and he continued his labors with them until 1879, coming from his farm, twelve miles distant, every other Sunday, receiving for his services no other compensation than that which comes from a duty performed to his fellow men. His faithful labors were blessed in the conversion of many souls.
In 1873, Hon. C. Miller, J. F. Miller, Sr., C. Freiberghaus and wife, John Hiltbrunner and wife, after a careful study of the word of God, became
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convinced that it taught the baptism of believers only, and this by immersion, and requested of Rev. Baumann that he should baptize them, which he did. These were soon brought in contact with the German Baptist church at Musca- tine, whose pastor, Rev. J. Meyer, was often called to assist Rev. Baumann in his work. They also organized a Sunday school with Hon. C. Miller as superintendent. He served in this capacity about twenty-five years, when he was relieved at his own request. In 1900, Hans Kaiser, the present efficient superintendent, was chosen his successor. This school has always done most excellent work. Early in 1879, the number of baptized believers having in- creased to forty, were organized as the First German Baptist church of Elgin, Iowa, and incorporated as such under the laws of Iowa. Hon. C. Miller was elected as first deacon, and still serves in that position. On February 2, 1879, Rev. J. F. Hoefflin became pastor. He served until 1881. During his pastor- ate the membership increased to fifty-five, and a parsonage was built. He was followed by Rev. William Shunke, who was pastor for thirteen years, until 1894. During this time one hundred five were added to the church. His successor was Rev. R. J. Hack, from 1894 until 1902. Under his leader- ship one hundred sixteen were received into the church. The present fine church building was erected, the parsonage enlarged and all branches of the work improved. Rev. C. F. Stoeckman became pastor of the church in 1902, giving the church faithful service until 1907, when he was called to the First German church in St. Paul and Rev. J. G. Draevel took up the work which he is carrying on very successfully at the present time. The work of all these ministers, ably assisted by a united church, has been a great blessing in the community. There have been many removals, but the membership is now over two hundred, and the property is valued at eighteen thousand dollars. It engages in all the work of an active church, having besides its Sunday school, a Baptist Young Peoples' Union of one hundred members, with J. F. Miller, Jr., as president, a Woman's Mission Society, which holds monthly meetings presided over by Mrs. C. L. Freiberghaus. The church clerks have been Frederick Muehlethaler, Melchoir Luchsinger and Carl Hackman.
Music is furnished in the different meetings by a choir and band.
This church is connected with the German Baptist conference of Iowa, which is doing a grand work among the German-speaking population of the state.
EXTINCT CHURCHES.
A church was organized in 1870 at Taylorsville by Rev. F. Kidder, who served as pastor. Its existence, however, was a short one.
Clermont church was organized in 1875 by Rev. J. C. Douglas and F. Y.
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Whitmore. Its pastors were Rev. J. B. Edmondson and Rev. M. H. Perry. Its existence was of brief duration, several of the active members soon mov- ing to other parts.
The church at Randalia was organized by Rev. M. H. Perry in 1878, and the recognition council was composed of Rev. M. H. Perry, Rev. F. Kidder and F. Y. Whitmore. Its pastors were Rev. M. H. Perry and Rev. J. O. Dean. It later disbanded and letters of dismissal were given to the members remaining.
In 1865, a few persons met at the home of Mr. Charles Hanson, in Jefferson township, and after a season of singing and prayer, it was decided to organize for Sunday school and other Christian work, and out of this grew a Baptist church which existed for several years and had as pastors Rev. A. WV. Hilton, Rev. Sherman, Rev. Sprague, Rev. R. H. Shafto, Rev. J. O. Dean, Rev. L. Ellingwood and perhaps others. This organization, however, has not reported for several years.
FREE BAPTIST CHURCH, OELWEIN.
On March 27, 1875, the Free Baptist church of Oelwein was organized with eight charter members. The organization was effected in a small school house situated a short distance west of where the Chicago Great Western sta- tion now stands. At a meeting held in the following month, Rev. C. B. Messer was engaged as pastor. During the first year, the membership was increased to thirty-four and a church building was erected costing one thou- sand two hundred dollars, which they continued to occupy until 1892 when the property was sold and a new church and parsonage combined was built on the corner of First avenue, East and First street north, which, however, was destroyed by fire on December 1, 1909, and arrangements are now made for a fine, new, brick structure which, it is expected, will be completed during the year 1910. As far as can be learned, the church has had eighteen pastors, the present one, Rev. J. J. Tatum, beginning his labors in 1908. It has al- ways been an influential Christian body and has done and is still doing most excellent work for the Master in the community.
There was also a Free Baptist church organized in an early day at the home of W. T. Wade in Banks township but no records are obtainable re- garding it.
BAPTISTS OF JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP.
A Primitive Baptist church with twelve members was organized in Jeffer- son township in 1854, Rev. Guthrie coming from Linn county to assist in the organization. Rev. J. B. Burch was pastor for many years, and it still has
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an existence with occasional preaching services. This body also did work for several years in different parts of the county.
In this history no account has been taken of itinerant and evangelistic work done by Rev. P. Colgrove, Rev. F. Kidder, Rev. A. W. Hilton and others, which has been of great value to the general Christian work in the county. Neither should the estimate of good done be measured by this fact that weak church organizations have fallen by the way. Out of the ranks of the mem- bers and among those who have lived in the county have come many workers in other fields who have done and are now doing valiant services for the Kingdom. Among them, Rev. Alva Bush, a pioneer settler in Putnam town- ship, who after leaving this county established and for many years conducted the Cedar Valley Seminary, now one of the recognized schools of the state; Col. Alonzo Abernethy, at one time state superintendent of public instruction, afterward principal of Cedar Valley Seminary and for many years on the board of regents of the State University ; Rev. N. B. Rairden, for some years general secretary of the Iowa Baptist State convention and afterward district secretary of the American Baptist Home Mission Society for several states ; Rev. J. E. Clough, the most noted of modern foreign missionaries, whose suc- cess among the Telegus of India was the marvel of the nineteenth century, and Dr. F. B. Whitmore, now resident secretary of the Young Men's Chris- tian Association at Nanking, China; besides many others whose work has been in less prominent fields.
BAPTIST CHURCH AT FAYETTE.
On February 6, 1858, several persons of the Baptist persuasion met at the house of M. H. Root, in the south part of Fayette, and determined to organize a Baptist church. Elijah Norton and J. B. Kingsbury were appoint- ed a committee to prepare articles of faith and a church covenant under which they might organize, and agreed to meet one week later at the house of C. C. West to effect the organization. Among its charter members and those com- ing in immediately thereafter were Elijah Norton and Sabra, his wife, J. B. Kingsbury and Hannah, his wife, M. H. Root, Mrs. C. C. West, Mrs. A. Still- well, Mrs. John Grannis, William Bonine and Mary his wife, E. B. Nichols and wife, Rice Kidder and wife, Jonathan Kidder and wife, H. D. and Homer E. Norton.
Elijah Norton was elected deacon and J. B. Kingsbury, clerk and treas- urer. The formal recognition of this as an independent church was made May 16, 1857. Rev. George Scott, of Strawberry Point, rendered efficient
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service in establishing the church and continued to assist and preach occasion- ally until October, 1859, when Rev. Alva Bush was installed as pastor. Dur- ing his stay the church increased in numbers and usefulness, his able and efficient ministrations leading it to its high-water mark of prosperity. After about two years' service he was called to the principalship of Cedar Valley Seminary, in which he spent the remainder of his faithful life.
Afterwards Rev. J. A. Ward, living near Strawberry Point, served the church for several years, but not as resident pastor ; later, during short periods Revs. Woodard, Hilton, Bowers and Perry held regular preaching appoint- ments, reaching to about the year 1876. Up to that time covenant meetings were held regularly on alternate Saturday afternoons, but deaths and removals had then so reduced the membership that they ceased to be active, and on April 2, 1881, they voted to disband, most of those remaining placing their membership with the Baptist church at West Union.
THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH IN FAYETTE COUNTY.
By Mr. and Mrs. John Owens
[Mr. Owens has always been recognized as one of the most active and useful members of this great religious organization, and has been a promoter of its welfare in this county for more than half a century. He witnessed the building of nearly all the churches in the county, and was a liberal con- tributor thereto. He was a member of the building committee that con- structed the church in West Union, and bore his full share in all church expenses, including the entertainment of priests and others at his home until a parish house was secured. In weakness and physical distress, he has super- vised the construction of this history, which involved much writing of letters and comparing of notes with other old settlers. His estimable wife has been equally interested and zealous, and has borne no small part in the compilation and writing of the article which follows. She is the daughter of one of the pioneer Catholics at Fayette at whose parental home the early services of the church were held .- EDITOR. ]
THE CHURCH AT WAUCOMA.
The first Catholic church was built three and one-half miles west of Wau- coma and called St. Rose. It was built of stone, later rebuilt of wood and
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still stands in good condition at present. A commodious priest's house was also built at about the same time. The church was commenced in 1855, and completed in 1856. There was no resident priest at that time.
The first resident priest was Rev. Father Mccullough. He was followed by Rev. Father McGuinness, Rev. Father Harrison, Rev. Father Farley, Rev. Father Lynch, Rev. Father Quirk, Rev. Father McMahan, Rev. Father Hen- nessy, Rev. Father O'Reilly and Rev. Father Hogan, who is the present pas- tor. As this parish grew older and larger, and more Catholics took up their residence in the town of Waucoma, it became necessary to divide the parish, and in the year 1899 a fine new church was built in Waucoma, followed soon after by a modern priest's house, all of which was built by Father Hogan, who is still the pastor, and who is beloved and respected by all.
ST. LUCAS GERMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.
In 1855 the German Catholics in St. Lucas turned their thoughts toward building a church. About the middle of May they raised the logs and there they stood until September the same year. In the meantime they got a letter from Bishop Matthew Loras to get the church built and name it St. Lucas. All went to work, and the building was ready by October 18th, same year. Rev. Father Laurient read the first mass in this little church, which was built of hewed white oak logs. In 1858 there was a frame addition built to it. In 1859 they purchased the first bell and had mass every third Sun- day in the month. The priest who attended them came from Festina. In the year 1870 the first priest took up his residence in St. Lucas. His name was Rev. Schulte. He at once commenced to build the new brick church, forty by sixty feet and twenty-four feet high. When the church was com- pleted he went to New Vienna. In 1871 Father Frey came and he at once commenced to build the first parochial school. At present there are about two hundred and fifty children taught by the St. Francis Sisters. In 1882 Rev. Frey was removed and Father Boeding was sent instead. In 1883 he built an addition to the brick church. It is claimed by a good many people that this is the nicest church property in the county. Father Boeding enjoys the pleasure of being the pastor at the present time.
CLERMONT CATHOLIC CHURCH.
In the year 1855 the Catholics of Clermont built a small log church about five miles north of the town. Mass was celebrated occasionally by Rev. Father Mccullough, from Waucoma, and Father De Kelley (a nephew of Bishop
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Loras) of Dubuque. In 1856 the little log church was abandoned and was used for a school house until destroyed by fire in 1857. In the meantime mass was celebrated in the home of Peter Cummings, in the town of Clermont, until a new church was built under the supervision of Father Nagle, of McGregor. The ground was purchased from Peter Cummings and as a token of regard for him Father Nagle had the church called St. Peter's. Father Nagle con- tinued to have charge of the church for twelve years. Then Rev. Quigley, of Elkader, took charge of it for about a year, when Rev. J. J. Smith was appointed resident pastor and started to build a parsonage, but was removed to Emmetsburg before the house was completed. Rev. M. O'Carroll suc- ceeded Father Smith in December, 1872, and finished building the house at a cost of five thousand dollars. He remained five years, when Rev. E. O'Sullivan took charge, the parish being in a flourishing condition. A new and up-to-date church was talked of and a committee was appointed to solicit funds, the church to cost about eighteen thousand dollars. Rev. John Hackett took charge of the parish just as the work of building the church was begun. The church was finished and dedicated in 1882. Father Mur- phy and Father Brennan were two young priests who attended this parish, each a short time, then were taken sick and died. Rev Bernard Coyle was pastor from 1892 to 1897. He was succeeded by Rev. Charles McCabe, who remained five years. Then came the present pastor, Rev. Father Far- relly, who is a young man who has endeared himself to all people regardless of religious belief. The first resident priest, Father J. J. Smith, is still living at Emmetsburg, Iowa. Ex-Governor William Larrabee has always been a generous donor, giving freely to all their buildings, also giving a fine bell and an elegant pipe organ.
WEST UNION CATHOLIC CHURCH.
The West Union Catholic church was built in 1870. The first mass was celebrated in it November 13th of that year. Father Harrison, of Waucoma, was the priest who attended at that time. Prior to this mass was celebrated in private houses, occasionally by Father O'Byrne, of Elkader, Father McCul- lough, of Waucoma, Father Nagle, of McGregor, and Father Quigley, of Elkader. It was next attended by Rev. J. J. Smith, of Clermont, who was succeeded by Rev. M. O. Carroll, who remained five years, but resided in Clermont. After his removal Rev. E. O'Sullivan, of Clermont, took charge for a short time. As the parish was thought to be in a flourishing condition, and sufficiently able to have a resident priest, they asked for one and Rev. Father
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McMahan came and made his home with John Owens. He was succeeded by Rev. Father Burns, who immediately purchased a house and in about a year built an addition to it and that is the residence of the pastor at the present time. He was succeeded by Father Cooney who remained but a short time and was followed by Rev. James Mulligan, who remained their beloved pastor for sixteen years. He was succeeded by Rev. Father Regan, a young man who commands the esteem and respect of all who know him and is the pastor at the present time.
THE WADENA CHURCH.
In 1870 a Catholic church was built in Wadena. Father Quigley, of Elkader, was the priest attending at the time the church was being built. This church was attended by the priests who resided at Elkader until Father McMahan came to West Union to reside and he then took charge of the church. The latter was succeeded by Father Mulligan, of West Union. Dur- ing this time a change was made and the resident pastor of Volga City took charge of the church at Wadena. In 1909 a fine new brick church was built. It was dedicated September 8th of the same year. Father Heatherton, of Volga City, is the beloved pastor at the present time.
FAYETTE CATHOLIC CHURCH.
The Catholic church was built in Fayette in 1878. Prior to that time mass was celebrated in private houses and in the town hall. Father Burns, now pastor at Rockwell, Iowa, was resident pastor at West Union, and at- tended the little parish of Fayette. He took hold and with zeal and hard work, both the priest and the people uniting their energies, they succeeded in build- ing the present commodious church. It is always attended by the pastor from West Union, Father Regan being the present pastor there.
OELWEIN CATHOLIC CHURCH.
The first Catholic church was built in Oelwein in 1876, and was attended by a priest from Fairbanks. On October 25, 1890, Father P. S. O'Connor was made resident pastor. In the following year he built a new church seventy-five by thirty-six feet in size at a cost of eight thousand dollars. This is now entirely inadequate to accommodate the congregation, and they are building a new church at a cost of sixty thousand dollars to be ready for oc- cupancy in November, 1910. The dimensions are one hundred and thirty-five
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feet by sixty-six feet, Gothic style of architecture. The material used in building is St. Louis pressed brick, trimmed with Bedford stone and finished in oak. Marble altars and all interior furniture to match. It will seat twelve hundred persons. The parochial school was built in 1904, a three- story building of pressed brick, trimmed in stone, with steam heat and all modern sanitary improvements. The size of the building is seventy-one by fifty feet and cost twenty-seven thousand dollars. From 1890 to the present time Father O'Connor has been the resident pastor. It has been his privilege and pleasure to watch the growth of his congregation all these years, and to work unceasingly for all these modern new buildings of such magnif- icent designs. It is hoped he may live many years to enjoy his new church which is now under construction, and which is costing him much anxiety and hard work.
WESTGATE CATHOLIC CHURCH.
The Westgate church was built in the year 1887. The first pastor was Father Hogan, followed by Father Brogan, who was succeeded by Father Malloy ; the last and present pastor is Father Murphy. Westgate has never had a resident pastor. All of the above named priests have resided in Sumner, Bremer county, Iowa.
THE HAWKEYE CHURCH.
The Catholic church in Hawkeye was built in 1893. Rev. James Mulli- gan, the pastor of West Union church, was the priest who superintended the building of the church and was its first pastor. He was suceeded by Father Regan, who is the present pastor ; he also resides in West Union.
PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH, FAYETTE.
The Protestant Episcopal church was organized early in 1864. Dr. D. Alexander, Thomas Fowells and others were active in the enterprise and on July 12th of that year A. N. Goodrich executed a deed of lots 8 and 9, block 3, of Fayette, to the "wardens and vestrymen of St. Paul's parish of Fayette county and state of Iowa," Mr. Goodrich donating one of the lots and re- ceiving thirty dollars for the other. Mr. Fowells and Mr. Goodrich were vestrymen; the names of the wardens we have been unable to ascertain.
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Building operations were at once commenced and the structure, not large but inviting, was enclosed and ready for occupancy in the fall. Jay Cooke, of Philadelphia, presented the church with a bell of most beautiful tone, and Rev. Jacob Rambo, a returned missionary, became rector, and a very creditable congregation was gathered. He was succeeded at the end of two years by Rev. Mr. Allen, who in turn was followed by Rev. Sidney Smith. Services twice a month were held by Rev. Mr. Strong, of Davenport, and others, but no permanent rector was secured. For some years there was no service, and at length, by direction of the Bishop of Iowa, the building was removed to Oelwein and the lots were sold July 5, 1892, to John Graf.
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF FAYETTE.
By Rev. J. L. Paine.
The First Congregational church of Fayette was organized December I, . 1855, a most bitterly cold day, at the home of M. N. Sykes, about two and a half miles southwest of town. Mr. Sykes then lived in a log house, but later built a commodious brick residence, which for many years was the home of J. B. Rogers. It was nearly a mile west of "The Old Wilcox Place," where the Methodist church was organized nearly six years before. Nine persons com- posed the gathering : three ordained ministers, Revs. S. D. Helms, J. Sampson and R. Ramsey, who constituted the council to recognize the infant church, and six persons who were to constitute its membership, viz .: M. N. Sykes, Diana Sykes, B. N. Johnson, O. S. Campbell, Mrs. Campbell and Lucretia Currier. M. N. Sykes and wife, on their first arrival in the vicinity, had united temporarily with the Methodists (June 14, 1853), desiring, as he ex- pressed it, "a place to board until the Congregationalists could set up housekeeping." Mr. Sykes, who was the moving spirit of the church, was a small, sparefaced man, eminently spiritual in his nature, just and generous in his everyday life, a veritable "pattern of piety" to all the world.
After the articles of faith were read, they were duly signed and Mr. Helms was engaged as pastor for one year, services to be at the Sykes home and Mr. Helms devoting half his time. At the end of the year services were moved to the stone school house nearly a mile west, at the township corners, and Mr. Helms served the church two years longer. The revival spirit of 1857-8 reached their church and community and resulted in accessions to the membership, including Charles Hoyt by letter, A. M. Currier and others on profession of faith. In 1858 services were moved to Fayette and were held at first in the historic "old log school house," later to the school room on Main street and thence to the one on Water street.
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Following the three years' pastorate of Mr. Helms, Rev. Sanford Halbert was employed for one year, and again Mr. Helms, who resided at Lima, where a Congregationalist church had been formed in 1857, supplied the pulpit, dividing his time between Lima, Fayette and West Union, though services after a time became somewhat irregular, the Civil war absorbing general at- tention. In the spring of 1863 Rev. Thomas N. Skinner, from St. Lawrence county, New York, came as pastor and remained about a year and a half, when Rev. J. J. Hill, one of the famous "Iowa Band" formed at Andover Theological Seminary in 1843, was secured and commenced work November I, 1864. In the spring of 1865 a Sunday school was organized in connection with the Baptists and continued thus until 1871, when it was reorganized as a Congregational school and has continued so since. In the fall of 1865 ser- vices were moved to the brick hall over the Fox furniture store, and the next spring to a room in the three-story building on Water street, for some years the home of T. D. Peterman. After the erection of the brick school house services were held there.
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