History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, Part 29

Author: Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn. cn
Publication date: 1920
Publisher: Winona, Minn. : H.C. Cooper
Number of Pages: 1222

USA > Minnesota > Wabasha County > History of Wabasha County, Minnesota > Part 29

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Presbyterian .- The first Presbyterian church of Lake City was organized December 31, 1856, with Rev. Silas Hazlett as acting pastor, and B. C. Baldwin, A. V. Sigler and Mrs. Hazlett as members. B. C. Baldwin and A. V. Sigler were elected elders. For nearly a year and a half the church held union ser- vices with the Congregationalists, in the old Congregational church erected by the contributions of both societies, the pastors of the two churches alternating in the services. In 1858 the Presbyterian church rented what was then known as Skinner's Hall. This was in the third story of a store-building situated on lot 2, block 14, fronting on Washington street. In 1859 the church erected a church edifice on lots 4 and 5, block 58, which had been presented to the society by Mr. Samuel Doughty. The church building, which originally cost $900, was removed in 1863 to High street, just north of Lyon avenue, and in 1876 was repaired and enlarged at an additional cost of $850. In 1862 the trustees purchased lot 1, block 56, and erected a parsonage at a cost of $800, and in 1878 it was enlarged and repaired at a further cost of $650. Among Mr. Haz- lett's successors in the pastorate were the Revs. Porter H. Snow, William Speer, D. D., John Valeen, John A. Annin, Hugh W. Todd, John L. Howell, James M. Pryse, W. J. Weber, Samuel Wyckoff and J. W. Ray. The Sunday school was organized January 1, 1860, with A. T. Guernsey as superintendent, who held the office 18 years. For nearly 30 years the church took an active part in the religious life of Lake City. In February, 1888, the building was destroyed by fire, and in the following August, the organization voted to unite with the First Congregational Church, owing to the depletion in its membership on account of removals and deaths.

First Congregational Church .- This was the first church society organized in Lake City, the date of organization being August 8, 1856. Lake City had then about 300 inhabitants. In the following year, 1857, the society erected a church edifice, in which they worshipped until 1879, when it was destroyed by fire. The present building was dedicated May 4, 1881. About 1892 Rev. E. B. Chase became the pastor, and served eight or nine years. He was followed by Rev .W. E. Warren, who served nine years. His successor was Rev. W. C. A. Wallar, who was pastor from 1911 to 1916. The Rev. Albert Wilson, D. D., occupied the pulpit from 1916 to 1918, and was succeeded in 1919 by the present pastor, Rev. William A. Mulder. From time to time the building has been re- paired and improved, some improvements being made the present year, 1920. The present membership of the church is about 225, while there is a flourishing Sunday school having an enrollment of about the same size. There is a fine Young Peoples' Society, a Ladies' Aid, and a Young Ladies' Club of about forty members. A vested choir is maintained, which, with the aid of a pipe organ, has raised the musical part of the service to a high standard.

First Baptist Church .- Baptist meetings were held by Rev. Edgar Cady from July, 1857, to December of the same year, when the First Baptist Church of Lake City was organized, December 13, 1857, with 21 constituent members. Up to 1871 there had been 225 additions to the membership, by baptism or by letter and experience, and the church had then 64 members, the others being accounted for by death or removals. The Baptists worshipped first in Gaylord's Hall, the present church edifice being erected in 1859, on Garden street, near Chestnut. Since that time it has been rebuilt, and is a neat frame structure, having an auditorium with a seating capacity of 120 to 125. In addition there is a large room used for the Sunday school, so contrived that the partition separating it from the auditorium can be opened up on special occasions, and the two rooms made practically with a total seating capacity of 175 to 200. A new heating plant was installed in January, 1920, and the church has been provided with electric lights. After the Rev. Edgar Cady, the Rev. A. P. Graves became pastor, in August, 1859; Rev. G. W. Freeman, September, 1862; Rev. G. W. Fuller, April, 1865; Rev. H. H. Beach, June, 1872; Rec. E. C. Anderson, November, 1876; Rev. A. Whitman, December, 1880; Rev.

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W. K. Dennis, October, 1882. A full list of the pastors has not been obtained. The more recent ones have been : Rev. Mr. Gambel, Rev. (Miss) Alma Reiber, Rev. G. M. Caldwell, and Rev. J. D. Wylie, who came to the church in July, 1919, and is still serving. The church has now about 60 members, the greater pro- portion of whom are active workers. This represents a noticeable increase in recent years. Since Mr. Wylie took charge the Sunday school has doubled its membership, having now about 75 class members, and is in a very thriving condition. It is a branch of the church that has always been maintained, though at times the church services have been suspended. The Young Peoples' Society and the Ladies' Aid are doing active work, as also is the Gospel Team, a men's organization which works in various parts of the city, holding prayer and gospel meetings in private residences and other places, wherever there is a favorable opportunity for doing religious work.

St. Mark's Episcopal Church .- The first Protestant Episcopal services were held in Lake City in the fall of 1857, at which time Bishop Kemper visited the place, preached and baptized. Subsequent visits were made by the Bishop, by the Rev. E. R. Wells, of Red Wing, and in 1860 by Bishop H. B. Whipple. In 1862 the parish was formally received into union with the council, but no vestry was formed until December, 1864. On the fourteenth of that month a meeting was held at the residence of Rev. John W. Shatzel, parish missionary, at which time the vestry was constituted by the election of the following: Wardens, Lyman H. Buck, senior; John A. Junkin, junior; vestrymen, William E. Perkins, John T. Graves, P. R. Hardt, Thomas Gibbs, B. L. Goodrich, William Marsh, Asa Doughty and Matthias Dilley. L. H. Buck was elected secretary of the vestry, and R. S. Goodrich, treasurer. Services were first held in a small schoolroom owned by Mrs. O. E. Walters, and afterward in a hall under the Masonic lodge, from which the congregation removed in the spring of 1864 to Harley's Hall. Here they remained until the completion of the church building in the summer of 1866. Preparations for building were begun in 1863, the sum of $1,600 was raised or pledged, and a church lot 75 by 100 feet purchased. The church was completed early in the summer of 1866, and the opening services were held July 1, but the parish being in debt for the building to the amount of $800, the consecration was deferred until Wednesday, January 16, 1867. The entire cost was about $3,500, and of this sum $2,000 was raised by the society at home, the rest being contributionos from abroad.

By 1901 the need for a new and better building became imperative. Ac- cordingly, on November 8, a parish meeting was called to consider the advisa- bility of building a new church, and a committee consisting of Messrs. Perkins, Murray and Johns was appointed to solicit subscriptions for that purpose. By December 20 the committee reported $6,100 pledged, and with this encourage- ment plans were procured and bids asked for. It was discovered that the lowest price for which a stone church could be built that would meet the needs of the parish was $6,900, and the senior warden and vestry were therefore authorized to incur a debt of $1,000, and work was begun. The building com- mittee of the new church was composed of W. E. Murray (chairman), W. R. Murray, H. F. Johns, N. C. Pike, and the rector, Rev. Charles H. Plummer. W. J. Longcor, of Red Wing, was the contractor. Early in 1902 the old building was torn down to make way for the new. The latter, when completed, proved to be a handsome structure and an ornament to the city. It stands on high ground on the south side of Oak street, and facing the public square. It is of Gothic architecture, constructed of Frontenac stone, laid with the broken ashlar effect, and pointed with cement a shade darker than the stone. The nave of the church is 32 by 52 feet, arranged with two rows of pews, with a broad center aisle, and a narrow aisle on either side next the walls. There are 28 pews, each of which will comfortably seat seven people, and about 40 chairs may be placed in the open space back of the pews. The chancel is 24 by 24 feet, and in addition to the usual fittings, has six chair stalls that will accom-

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modate 40 singers. An alcove to the left holds a small pipe organ. The choir room is to the right of the chancel, and is 12 by 18 feet in size. The tower is of the same material as the church, and is 48 feet in height and eight feet square, and forms the entrance to the church. The old guild room has been retained and refitted, but it no longer opens from the chancel. The side walls of the building are 13 feet high, and the ridge-pole 45 feet from the ground. The furnishing throughout is of light antique oak, except the ceiling, which conforms to the shape of the roof, and is of Georgia pine in natural finish. The building has been provided with electric fixtures and is heated by two furnaces. The windows are all of stained glass, and are memorial, having been donated by prominent members of the congregation in memory of departed relatives. Among the donars are: Mr. and Mrs. William E. Perkins, H. D. Brown and family, of St. Paual, the children of Dr. and Mrs. J. C. Adams, and Mrs. Alice Fox, of Lake City, Mrs. Jennie Ege of St. Paul, Sidney Cross, Mrs. G. C. Stoub, Mr. and Mrs. H. A. Young, the rector, Rev. Charles H. Plummer, Mrs. C. G. Hoyt, Mrs. K. A. Winslow, Mrs. Jean Coons, Mrs. I. H. Steele, Mrs. C. H. Salisbury, Mrs. Julia P. Martin and F. H. Stauff. The Ladies' Guild presented the altar and furnished the carpet for the church. The reredos is the gift of Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Perkins, in memory of Mr. and Mrs. Emerson. The choir stalls were presented by the Young Peoples' Guild. The brass eagle lecturn was given in memory of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Sterrett by their children, and the beautiful bible used with it in memory of their grandchildren. The oak pulpit was presented by E. J. Lange. The total cost of the church and furnishings was $10,750, which includes $1,680 in gifts and memorials. The total amount pledged was $7,300. In addition $190 was raised by Sidney Per- kins for the sidewalk and curb. The last service was held in the old church on the first Sunday after Easter, 1902, and on December 14, 1902, the first com- munion service in the new edifice was conducted by the Rt. Rev. Samuel E. Edsall, bishop of the diocese of Minnesota, assisted by the rector, Rev. Charles H. Plummer. The succession of rectors at St. Mark's has been as follows : Rev. C. P. Dorset, 1861-1862; Rev. J. W. Shatzel, 1863-66; Rev. C. W. Kelley, 1867; Rev. J. C. Adams, 1868-72; Rev. C. H. Plummer, December, 1872, to May, 1884; Rev. William Gardam, May, 1884, to September, 1887; Rev. J. Wayne Jones, June, 1888, to December, 1890; Rev. Edwin Johnson, April, 1891, to April, 1894; Rev. Charles H. Plummer, May, 1894, to December, 1907; Rev. Carroll L. Bates, December, 1907, to March, 1914; Rev. Richard Read, Septem- ber, 1914, to March, 1917; Rev. Charles H. Plummer, March, 1917, to July, 1917; Ernest B. Mounsey, October, 1917, to the present time. Sunday services are held at St. Mark's both morning and evening. The societies connected with the church are the Ladies' Guild, the Women's Auxiliary, the Junior (Ladies') Guild, and the Boy Scouts. There is a chorus choir including men, women, boys and girls, and the musical part of the service is carefully re- hearsed. All branches of the church work are in a flourishing condition, and include a well attended Sunday school.

First Methodist Episcopal Church .- The first society of Episcopal Metho- idsts in Lake City was established in 1857, though for two or three years previous to that year there was quite a strong class of Methodists at Florence, three miles above the city. In September, 1857, the Rev. S. Salisbury visited the Wabasha and Lake City circuit, and preached one sermon in the Congre- gational Church here, which was the first sermon ever preached in Lake City by an ordained minister of the Methodist Episcopal church. In the same fall a class of seven, including Dr. D. C. Estes, was organized by Rev. C. Hobart, and preaching established in Skinner's Hall, a small room with but limited seating capacity, and lighted with tallow candles. The class formed by Dr. Hobart consisted of D. C. Estes, M. E. Estes, Seth Tisdale, Augusta Dollar, Jane Terrill, Eliza Baily and Bidwell Redley. D. C. Estes was appointed leader. Seth Tisdale was a local preacher, and was the first to engage in special revival

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services. The first Methodist Sunday school in the county was organized by Dr. Estes, beginning with four teachers and 16 scholars. Rev. T. Quigley held the first quarterly conference in the fall of 1857, in which year the Rev. J. Gurley was pastor. In the spring of 1858 the congregation moved to a vacant storeroom on Main street, and during that year the pulpit had to be supplied, as Mr. Gurley, who lived in Pepin, Wis., found difficulty in crossing the lake. In 1859, the Rev. E. R. Lathrop was appointed pastor, and under his adminis- tration the society prospered. His successor was Rev. V. Hiscock, during whose pastorate many were added to the church. He was followed in 1861 by Rev. C. T. Bowdish. In 1862 the society was supplied. The pastor from 1863 to September, 1866, was Rev. G. W. T. Gossard, and while he was serving, the society rented a vacant store building on upper Washington street. In 1868 Rev. D. Tice was appointed pastor, and during his first year the corner-stone of the church edifice was laid on the site at the corner of Chestnut and Oak streets. The church was enclosed and the basement occupied by the society in 1869. Mr. Tice's immediate successors in the pulpit were: Rev. H. Goodsell, 1870-71; Rev. C. M. Heard, 1872-74; Rev. J. Door, 1875. The audience room was finished and dedicated in 1876, and the dedicatory services held July 9, that year, the Rev. Mr. McChesney preaching the dedicatory sermon. From 1878 to 1880 Rev. G. W. T. Wright was pastor for the second term. He was succeeded in 1881 by Rev. T. B. Killiam. During 1882 and 1883 the entire debt, which had for years been a burden to the society, was paid, and the society at that time had a membership of ninety persons, and a good Sunday school. The next six pastors, with their terms of service, were: Rev. L. H. Shumate, three years ; Rev. John Pemberton, one year; Rev. S. N. McAdoo, one year; Rev. E. R. Lathrop, one year; Rev. J. S. White, two years; Rev. John Watson, five years. During Mr. Watson's pastorate improvements were made on the build- ing and a furnace put in, at a total cost of about $500. A parsonage was pur- chased about 1894. Under the pastorate of Rev. W. C. Rice, who came to the church in October, 1897, and remained five years, improvements were made on the parsonage to the extent of about $150, and the sum of $580 was spent on the church building, electric lights being installed, new stained glass win- dows put in, and the exterior of the building painted. Through the kindness of Edwin Wrigley five hundred dollars was paid to the church in advance of a bequest, and $360 of this fund used in partitioning anad finishing the lower room into a church parlor, class rooms and a kitchen, the work being com- pleted in May, 1902. Brother Rice's pastorate came in a troubled period of the church's life, and was blessed in that he was able to restore confidence to the church and community, and prevent a division in a time of great peril to the society. Much of the later prosperity of the church must be attributed to his wise and efficient service. He was succeeded by Rev. Charles H. Steven- son, who, after three months' service, resigned, and Rev. D. Paul Rader was secured. His pastorate was suddenly brought to a close by an affection of the eyes, and in June, 1903, Rev. J. C. Craig became pastor. During this period there was a quiet and steady development of the work; repairs and improve- ments in the walks and parsonage were made, the membership increased, the organizations were strengthened, and a spirit of hope and faith prevailed. In October, 1905, Rev. William C. Lee became pastor. While he remained there were improvements made in the parsonage, and removals were compensated for by new members. The annual benevolence was the largest in the history of the church. Mr. and Mrs. Henry Watterson donated car plush cushions for the church pews, at a cost of $300. At the next annual conference the Rev. William C. Lee was returned to Lake City for another conference year. More improvements were made in the church's property in 1906-07. On Wednesday and Thursday, September 11-12, 1907, the church celebrated its semi-centennial by special services, several of its former pastors being present, and the occasion was a notable and enjoyable one for all who were present. The Rev. John

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Pemberton, who succeeded Mr. Lee as pastor, served five years, and during his charge further improvements were made in the property to help the work of the young people and the Sunday school. When he left here he retired from the active ministry. He was succeeded by the present pastor, Rev. Charles H. Miller, who, when he came found a membership of 125, which has been in- creased to 325. A part of this large accession was drawn from the German Methodist Episcopal Church, which, during Mr. Miller's second year, its pastor then being Rev. E. P. Christ, discontinued its own services and united with the English M. E. Church. The society is now one of the strongest and most pros- perous in the city.

The German M. E. Congregation of Lake City Circuit of the German M. E. Church formerly comprised the congregation in the city and three congrega- tions in the surrounding country, representing (about 20 years ago) a total membership of about 170. Services in the city were held in the First M. E. Church once in two weeks on Sunday afternoon. The other congregations were in West Albany Township, Zumbro Falls and Belvidere, Goodhue County. Rev. H. E. Young took charge of the circuit about 1894, and served five or six years, being succeeded by Rev. Daniel Pfaff, who served one year. In the fall of 1901 Rev. Charles H. Miller became the pastor, this being his first pastorate. It lasted five years, and during that time he built a church at Zumbro Falls and another at Oak Center. In the fall of 1906 the Rev. F. A. Meier Bachtol succeeded Mr. Miller and was pastor for six years. He was followed by the Rev. E. P. Christ, during whose pastorate, in 1913, the church discontinued its work in Lake City, the congregation uniting with that of the First M. E. Church. The German M. E. Circuit was then worked from Zumbro Falls, where Rev. Herman Nedtwig resided, and had charge for two years.

St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized June 11, 1888. Of the twelve members who signed the constitution on that day, there are. still living and in membership with the church F. C. Lange, Jno. Ehlers, Jacob Ehlers and Louis Bade. Until the autumn of 1889 the church was served by Rev. W. Fettinger, of West Albany. The first resident pastor, Rev. William Haar, served from March, 1890, to September, 1900. His successor was the present pastor, Rev. William Franzmann, who assumed charge in February, 1901. A parsonage was built in 1892, and the first church bought and dedicated in July, 1893. A schoolhouse was built in 1898, and a regular parochial school established in 1909. The teachers have been as follows: Mr. H. Gurgel, 1909-11; Gerold Zarwell, 1911-12; Agnes Haar, 1912-14; Helen Vick, 1914-15; Josephine Vick, 1915-16; Tillie Uecker, 1916-18.

The present fine brick church was dedicated May 26, 1918, and is one of the largest and handsomest structures in Lake City. It measures 46x102 feet and has a seating capacity of about 700. The trustees at the time of its erection were: John Danckwart, president; John Bremer, secretary; John J. Vollmers, treasurer. Deacons: John Defang and F. C. Lange; organist since 1914, Miss Laurine Vollmers; janitor, Christ Roschen. Building committee, John Roschen, president, John Danckwart, F. C. Lange, John Bremer, John Vollmers, C. W. Pruter, F. Wittenberg, John D. Breuer, John Hink, John Tomforde, Claus Sprick, John Defang; architect, Julius F. Dreger, of Oshkosh, Wis .; contractor, Alb. J. Gutzke, of La Crosse, Wis.

The congregation contains 850 souls, including 600 communicant members, and over 200 families. There is a good choir of about thirty voices, under the direction of Prof. John L. Fenwick. A ladies' aid society was organized in 1895, and has about fifty members. There is also an English branch of the Ladies' Aid, and the Lutheran Ladies' Work Club connected with the church. Twenty-three sons of the church entered the United States service during the recent world war, one of whom died in camp. The others, some of whom were across seas, returned safely home.

The Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church of Lake City was organized October 10, 1869, at convocation called for that purpose, the Rev. P. Sjoblom,

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of Red Wing, presiding. The original number of communicants was 45, promi- nent among whom were L. A. Hockanson, G. F. Edholm, A. E. Edholm, P. Sund- berg and G. Erickson. Services were conducted for a time by two lay preachers, L. A. Hockanson and A. G. Westlong, and the congregation was ministered to at intervals by preachers from surrounding towns in Minnesota and Wiscon- sin. In 1879 the Rev. S. A. Lindholm became the pastor, and he also ministered to churches at Millville and Minneiska. Until 1875 the congregation worshiped sometimes in a small hall, at other times in the Presbyterian or Baptist churches of the city. In 1875 a small church, 26 by 40 feet, was built on Sixth street, three blocks northwest of Lyon avenue, and neatly furnished, and on the oppo- site side of the street a parsonage was erected in 1881. The Sunday school was organized in 1873, and some years later a ladies' society was organized for church aid work and missionary purposes. In 1895 the Rev. S. G. Swenson became pastor and served until 1903. His successors have been as follows: Rev. S. L. Wilson, 1903-1909; Rev. O. J. Nelson, 1909-1913; Rev. J. H. Nelson, 1913-1920; Rev. E. O. Valberg, 1920, who is the present pastor. The church now contains 207 communicant members and 70 children, in all 277 souls. The Ladies' Aid Society, the Girls' Society and the Young Peoples' Society meet once a month and do splendid work. Sunday school is held, besides regular morning and evening services every Sunday, and about 30 children are enrolled in the Sunday school. The work is now carried on half in English and half in Swedish.

Swedish Salem Congregational Church was organized in May, 1885, and the church was erected the same year on Seventh, near Doughty street. Within twelve years the congregation had increased to about 175 members, with a Sunday school of 40, besides which there were two ladies' societies and a young peoples' organization. The Rev. Emil A. Anderson was then pastor. The church had regular pastors until the fall of 1919, when the Rev. Haggquist, who had served for about seven or eight years, retired on account of advanced age. Since then the church has been served by the Rev. A. Carlson, of Stock- holm, Wis., who occupies the pulpit about once every two weeks.

Seventh Day Adventist Church .- The society was organized about 1877, and a frame church, located on High street, near Adams, built in 1893, by which time the society had about fifty members. Services were held regularly every Saturday at 11 a. m., Sunday school preceding. By 1897 the number of members had diminished to about 35. In time it diminished still more until there were but one or two families left, and about three years ago the building was sold to the Conference, which sold it to private persons, and it is now used as a dwelling-house. The few remaining members meet Saturdays at the home of Peter Halgren, on High street, for Bible study.

The Christian Science Church has an organization in Lake City, holding meetings in the city hall at 10:45 a. m., Sundays, and 8:00 p. m., Wednesdays.

The care for the dead reflects to a large extent the higher sentiments of a community and its religious culture. In this sad, yet pleasing duty, the people of Lake City have not been negligent, a fact evinced by the several beautiful cemeteries in the environs of the city. Mrs. John Boody, the first person who died in Lake City, and her child, were buried at Muncie Lake. Several others were buried near the location occupied by the Jewell Nursery. All of these were afterward removed to a plot of ground set apart by Abner Dwelle about the year 1861. Its location, upon the southeast side of the city, separated from the high bluffs only by a ravine, toward which it slopes on one side, is pleasant and convenient, and the taste of its proprietor was ex- hibited in the regularity of its streets and the planting of numerous evergreens. The gradual placing of fine monuments, and the planting of additional trees and shrubbery, have materially added to its beauty.

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History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, Part 29

Author: Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn. cn Publication date: 1920 Publisher: Winona, Minn. : H.C. Cooper Number of Pages: 1222

Author: Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn. cn
Publication date: 1920
Publisher: Winona, Minn. : H.C. Cooper
Number of Pages: 1222