USA > Minnesota > Redwood County > The history of Redwood County, Minnesota, Volume I > Part 43
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The dedication of the church took place November 16, 1915, Bishop J. J. Lawler officiating and preaching the sermon at the Solemn High Mass. Rev. Valentine Schiffrer, former pastor, celebrated Mass. The services of dedication concluded in the afternoon at 2:30 o'clock with solemn benediction and the Rev. James Klein, of Sleepy Eye, Minn., preaching the sermon. Many clergy from the neighboring parishes were present at the dedica- tion. The English language is used in preaching the sermons. The parish now contains seventy-five families. The societies con- nected with the church, or more or less closely affiliated with it, are the Altar Society, Catholic Order of Foresters, Knights of Columbus and the Sewing Circle. In the fall of 1897, when Father Woods was appointed resident pastor, the parsonage was erected. It is a modern frame building, with hot water heating system, electric lights, water and other conveniences, and cost $3,000. In 1905 two lots were purchased across the street from the church for $450, to serve as the site for a parochial school. The school has not yet been built but its erection will probably be an event of the near future. Religious instruction is given to the children every Saturday afternoon and Sunday after High Mass, forty- five children attending. The pastor of St. Catherine's also at- tends the church at Bechyn, Renville county, Minn., every second and fourth Sunday of the month, that parish consisting of sixty- five families.
The Church of St. Ann, Wabasso, Minn., was organized by Father Woods of Redwood Falls, in 1900, the year in which the village of Wabasso was incorporated. The charter members were from parishes in the townships of Sheridan, Redwood Falls, Mor- gan and Willow Lake. The most prominent families were rep- resented by the following members: George Goblirsch, John Goblirsch, George Mahal, Joseph Salfer, Theodore Daub, John Daub, Adolph Etle, Conrad Etle, Mrs. John Johanneck, Robert Collner, Robert Collner, John Collner, John Huber, George Citz- man, George Bray, Carl Brau, Bernard Manderscheid, George
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Mandel, Anton Welsch, John Stodick, Joseph Brix, Joseph Gutter, John Frank, Joseph Hammerschmidt, Frank Hagert, John J. Hoffman, Mathias Schueller, Adam Cins, John Zeren, George Baun, Wenzel Frank and John Koller. The last-mentioned was one of the most active organizers and his funeral was one of the first held in the church. The church edifice, a frame building 37x80 feet in dimensions, was erected in 1900, the year of or- ganization, the first services being held September 9th of that year, with Father Woods as the officiating priest. Father Dues- check took charge in the winter of 1901 and remained until the fall of 1902. He was succeeded by Father Stuckelmat, who in turn was succeeded in 1907 by Father J. H. Leydeckers. The lat- ter remained in charge of the parish until July, 1910, when the present Father Francis Roemer became pastor. In 1902 the pres- ent parsonage was built-a two-story frame structure, 32x36 feet, with an L, 16x16 feet in dimensions. The parish is in a flourishing condition. The societies more or less intimately connected with the church are the Altar Society, the Roman Catholic Benevolence Society, the Foresters, the Christian Mothers' Society and the St. Monica's Society.
St. Mary's Church, of Seaforth, Minn., originated in the year 1880, when the first Mass was said in the town of Sheridan. The church was erected in 1886 and is a building valued at $2,500. The parishioners being mostly of German nationality, sermons are preached in both the German and English languages. The pastor for the last eight years has been Rev. Father Roemer, who also served the churches at Wabasso and Vesta, his residence being in Wabasso. The societies affiliated with the church are the Catholic Order of Foresters, the Christian Mothers' Society and the Bo- hemian Society.
Our Lady of Victories Church, Lucan, Minn. In 1871 a little community of settlers in Westline township, Redwood county was known as the Murray Settlement. A few devoted members of the Catholic church met at the home of Martin Murray in the south- east part of section 13, Rev. Father Alexander Berghold coming from New Ulm by team occasionally to hold divine services. In 1879 Rev. Father Johnson of Ghent, Minn., held regular services there the first Monday of each month. From 1889 to 1894 monthly services were held at the home of J. B. Zeng, Sr., by the Rev. Father Vanderlager from Morgan, Minn., as pastor, J. B. Kollec, secre- tary, and J. B. Zeng, Sr., treasurer. During the years of 1895 to 1899 monthly services were held in the schoolhouse of district No. 79, Granite Rock township, then located in the northeast cor- ner of section 29, Rev. Father Dash of Tracy, Minn., officiating. The parish was organized in the spring of 1899, Joseph McGough donating five acres of land in the southeast corner of section 13, Westline township as site for the church. That summer a frame
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building, 32x56 feet, costing $1,700, was erected on the land, Rev. Father Wood of Redwood Falls being in charge. The church thus organized had forty-eight charter members and officers. In the fall of 1893 Father Wood was succeeded by Rev. Father Emil Polasek from Lamberton. September 6, 1903, at a special meet- ing of the officers of the church held at the home of Thomas Reed, W. G. Costley, secretary, John Zeng, treasurer, it was voted that a division of the parish was advisable on account of the recent organization of the present villages of Lucan and Milroy. Sixty-five per cent of the members being located nearer Lucan, they bought the church building and in the fall of 1904 moved it to its present location in the village of Lucan. The rest of the members organized the present parish of St. Michael in Milroy, with John F. Cain, treasurer, and Thomas Reed, secretary. In the fall of 1903 Rev. Father Valentine Schatz took charge of the Lucan parish. A year later, in the fall of 1904, the present parish house of Lucan, a fine two and a half story square frame house, 32x36 feet, was built at a cost of $3,500. Father Valentine was succeeded by Rev. Father F. Schafar, the present pastor. The present membership of the parish is about eighty. The following is a list of the charter members and officers: Joseph McGough,* John Casserly, Sr., Peter Casserly, J. B. Zend, John Zeng,* Mrs. John Cull, John Dobias, Sr., James Dobias, John Dobias, Jr., Patrick Curtin, Sr.,* Patrick J. Dollan,* John F. Cain, Martin
Murray, John Ourado, Sr.," George Brey, - Brey, W. G. Castley,* Michael Kollar,* John Koytine, S. Kartak,* J. S. Moli- tor,* Frank Ouskey,* Jacob Marshack,* Charles Kollar, Andrew Petrack, Thomas Murphy, John Casserly, Jr., John Kollar," Hugh Reed, Joseph Casserly, Thomas Reed, James Casserly, Mike Ma- honey,* William Shanley, Sr., Daniel Redding, Charles Brau, Mike Skoblik,* Pat Bulger,* Thomas Walsh, Charles Gahagan, Andrew Grundler, Andrew Kollar, J. B. Wagner,* Joseph Wagner,* James Cain, Sr., George Bauer,* and Nels Larson .* Those whose names are marked with an asterisk (*) went to Lucan. Those who went to Milroy were Mrs. John Cull, John Dobias, Jr., John F. Cain, Martin Murray, Hugh Reed, Joseph Casserly, Thomas Reed, Daniel Redding and Charles Gahagan. The others had died or moved away. In connection with the church there are several societies-a Young Girls' Sodility, a Men's Fraternal Society and an Altar Society. The church building is valued at $4,000 or more.
St. Joseph's Church, of Clements, Minn., was built in 1902, the first Mass being said January 4, 1903. The parishioners, num- bering forty-five families, are mostly of German nationality, and both the English and German languages are used in preaching the sermons. The present pastor, Rev. John Schulte, O. M. T., who resides at Wanda, Minn., has served this parish since Novem-
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ber, 1915. The church building is valued at about $5,000. The affiliated societies are: St. Thomas (Ben's) Society, St. Aloysius (Young Men's) Society, St. Elizabeth's (Women's) Society, and St. Cecelia's (Young Ladies') Society.
Church of St. Michael, Milroy, Minn. The history of this church up to 1904 is identical with that of Our Lady of Victories, at Lucan, Minn. In September, 1903, at a special meeting of the officers of the church, it was voted to effect a division of the parish, which took place accordingly in the following year, the parish of St. Michael being organized with John F. Cain, treas- urer and Thomas Reed, secretary. Among the first members of the parish were Mrs. John Cull, John Dobias, Jr., Martin Murray, Hugh Reed, Joseph Casserly, Daniel Redding and Charles Ga- hagan.
Norwegian Lutheran Synod.
This denomination is represented in Redwood county by six churches, located respectively in Belview, Rock Dell, Delhi, Springdale, Walnut Grove and Revere.
Rock Dell Lutheran Congregation was organized November 28, 1872. Its first pastor was Rev. J. E. Berg, who resided at Sacred Heart, Minn. Its first board of trustees consisted of T. Mostod, T. Iverson and H. A. Bakke, T. Mostod serving also as secretary. Religious services were first conducted in a log house rented from T. A. Rudy, which at present is used as a horse barn. Rev. J. E. Berg served as pastor of the congregation for thirty years. In 1902 it severed connection with the Sacred Heart congregation, and together with Belview congregation, called Rev. A. O. Aasen, who served as pastor for twelve years. The present pastor is Rev. M. F. Mommsen. In 1890 the congre- gation built a church at a cost of $4,000, which was at that time one of the finest country churches in this section. At the or- ganization about fifty souls joined the church, while at present sixty-five families, or 350 souls are members. A parochial school has been maintained from the beginning and about 400 persons have been confirmed and admitted into the church. In 1913 a fine parsonage with modern improvements, was built in Belview at a cost of $6,000. Besides meeting the current expenses, the congregation has given large sums to missions and charitable in- stitutions-last year (1915) to the extent of $2,500. Of those who joined the church at the beginning, ten are still living
Norwegian Lutheran United.
The only church of this denomination in Redwood county is that located in Sundown township.
Sundown Scandinavian Lutheran Church, in Sundown town- ship, is one of the older churches of the county, the congregation
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having been organized May 22, 1874. Some of the pioneer mem- bers were R. Jensen, L. Hajem, M. Bredvold, C. Peterson, O. Olson, J. S. Johnsen, L. Bredvold, J. Bredvold, J. M. Christensen, and J. Lawrence, with families. The congregation was organized with a membership of eighteen, meetings being held in residences and schoolhouses and presided over by itinerent clergymen and evan- gelists. The first three pastors lived at Westbrook, coming to Sundown once a month. The settlers were poor and the pastors shared the hardships of their flocks. In 1886, when more pros- perous times had arrived, a church building was erected in which the congregation has since worshipped, the Norwegian language being used, except a few sermons each year preached in English. The congregation at present numbers 294 members. In connec- tion with the church there are two Ladies' Aid Societies and a Luther League. Since its organization the congregation has had but five pastors. The Rev. Lars Lund served from 1874 to 1876; L. O. Pederson, 1878 to 1881; C. J. Jacobsen, 1882 to 1901; R. K. Fjeldstad, 1901 to 1912; L. R. Floren, November 9, 1913, who is still pastor, being also the pastor of St. John's Lutheran church of Springfield, Minn., where he resides. Among the earliest records of the church there appears the following: Births-Anne Sophie Lorents, Niles Gustav Waag, Laura Pedersen. Deaths- Christian Josias Meyer, Ludwig Alfred Bredvold. Marriages- J. W. Johnson to Annie Molberg, R. Jorgensen to Maren Johnson. The church has meant much for the moral, intellectual and social life of the community, elevating and ennobling the people.
Norwegian Lutheran Free.
Three churches of this denomination help to sustain the re- ligious life of Redwood county, one being located in Lamberton, one in Milroy and another in Lucan.
Swedish Lutheran.
Redwood county has two Swedish Lutheran churches-one in Springdale township and the other at Belview.
Immanuel Lutheran Church, of Belview is one of the com- paratively recent acquisitions to the religious life of the county, the first meeting having been held in the Norwegian church in Belview, at 2:30 p.m., January 7, 1911. The pioneer members of the church were as follows: Axel Frederick Hultquist, his wife, Josephina Maria, and their six children; Adolph Gunnard Mattson; Carl Anders Tillman, his wife, Hulda Gustava Tillman; Carl Oscar Tillman; Leander Johnson, his wife, Matilda Chris- tina Johnson, and their three children; Clara Sophia Johnson, Emma Maria Johnson; Axle Engberg, his wife, Alma Caroline
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Engberg, and their two children; Johan Edward Engberg; Axle Wilhelm Mattson, his wife, Hilma Christina Mattson, and their three children. David Joseph Carlson, his wife, Elsa Maria Carl- son, and their one child; Charly Bergquist, his wife, Josephina, and their one child; Swan F. Peterson, his wife, Sadey Peterson, and their five children; Ludwig Roseburg, his wife, Hilma Sophia Roseburg; Niles Johan E. Nelson, his wife, Matilda Elizabeth Nelson, and their one child; Ralph Verner Nelson; John Larson, his wife, Hildur Larson, and their nine children; Carl G. Telle- son, his wife, Emmeli Telleson, and their three children; Otto Edwin Carlson; Anders Johan Sundine, his wife, Hilma Sundine; Elin Maria Carlson and Alber L. Nelson. Rev. S. A. Lindholm was elected vice pastor January 6, 1911, until a regular pastor could be procured, but resigned January 9, 1912. The congrega- tion elected Rev. A. F. Lundquist the same day (this being their yearly meeting) to fill Rev. Lindholm's place, so that Rev. Lind- quist served as vice pastor from January 9, 1912, until the regular pastor came. The latter was Rev. L. A. Lindahl, who took charge of the congregation August 17, 1912, and was installed August 23d of the same year. From October 31, 1915, to April 23, 1916, there was a vacancy, which was filled when the present pastor, Rev. Emil E. T. Anderson, took up the work of the church. The church edifice was built in 1914. The congregation now numbers 154 members. Both the Swedish and English languages are used, the former for the morning and the latter for the evening service. The church has no parsonage, the pastor residing at Gibbon, Minn., where he serves another congregation. A confir- mation school is held two hours a week on Saturdays, eight months in the year. The church, however, is in intimate harmony with the public school. It is a religious and social center for the Swedish people and, by intermarriage, for those of other nation- alities. The first birth and baptism was that of Kenneth Adolph Peterson, son of R. A. Peterson, M. D. and his wife, Evelyn. The first funeral was that of John Peter Friberg, who died August 20, 1911.
Danish Lutheran.
There are two Danish Lutheran Churches in Redwood county -one at Brookville and the other in Three Lakes township.
Fredsminde Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church, Brookville. The pioneer members of this church are Lars Walter, of Sleepy Eye, Minn., Hens Jensen, H. M. Jensen, M. Jensen, Theodiore Jen- sen and Rasmus Hansen, all of Evan, Minn. The first meetings of the congregation were held, about 1877, in what is known as Soren Hansen's schoolhouse. In 1891 a church edifice was erected, which is still in use, and which is valued at $1,500. Its auditorium has a seating capacity of 125 persons. The preaching services,
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which are held twice a month, are conducted in the Danish lan- guage. The first birth and baptism recorded are those of Alice Matilde Jepsen; the first marriage, that of Lars Mogensen to Caroline Larsen ; the first death, that of Peter Andersen. Rev. L. Hansen was the first pastor of the church, serving as such from 1877 to 1882. He was followed by Rev. S. C. Madsen, 1883 to 1893; Rev. H. L. Dahlstrom, 1893 to 1895; Rev. J. C. Borgaard, 1896 to 1899; Rev. J. K. Jensen, 1900 to 1902; Rev. N. P. Lang, 1903 to 1907; Rev. H. W. Bonde, 1908 to 1912, and Rev. H. M. Hansen from 1912 up to the present time In addition Mr. Hansen serves three other congregations. The church services are con- ducted in the Danish language. A Ladies' Aid and a Young Peoples' society are affiliated with the church and take an active and helpful part in its good work. Since 1909 a parochial school has been held in a public school building for one month each year, taught by a theological student from the seminary of the denomi- nation. The studies include the Danish language, Bible history and the catechism. In connection with the church there is a li- brary of 300 volumes.
Bethany Danish Lutheran Church, located near Gilfillan, Minn., had its origin in 1902, when the first meetings were held in Gilfillan public schoolhouse. Its pioneer members are J. B. Hansen, John Nielsen, Hans Christensen, J. Christensen, J. C. Hansen, Carl Christensen, and Hans Knudsen, all of Gilfillan, Minn. The present church building, erected in 1904, is valued at $2,000. Its auditorium has a seating capacity of 200. The congre- gation now numbers eighty members. There is a Young People's Society connected with the church, the members of which are active and useful in religious work. The Rev. J. C. S. Borgaard was the pastor in charge from 1898 to 1899, the subsequent pas- tors being Rev. J. K. Jensen, 1900 to 1902; Rev. N. P. Land, 1903 to 1907; Rev. H. W. Bonde, 1908 to 1912; Rev. H. M. Jan- sen, from 1912 to the present time (1916). The services are con- ducted in the Danish language. The first birth and baptism recorded on the books of the church were those of Ethel Sylvine Kjargaard; the first marriage, that of Hans Peter Christensen to Lena Nielsen, and the first death that of Niels M. Nielsen.
Methodist Episcopal.
Of this denomination there are seven churches in Redwood county, located respectively in Redwood Falls, Lamberton, Wal- nut Grove, Sanborn, Nettynyynnt, Milroy and New Avon.
First Methodist Episcopal Church, Redwood Falls, Minn. This church is an institution of many years' growth, dating back to October 27, 1867, when Rev. Nathaniel Swift, who had charge of the Redwood Falls circuit belonging to the Mankato district,
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started a class of eight members in an old building belonging to A. Northrop, which had been previously used as a saloon. From that time on the church has had a steady and healthy growth un- til it now has a membership of over 500 persons. The first church services were held in a hall on Second street. Later they were transferred to a schoolhouse on Jefferson street. A parsonage was built as early as 1870, but it was not until 1876 that the first church edifice was erected, at a cost of $3,000, the material for it being hauled by team from New Ulm, which was at that time the nearest shipping point. A new parsonage was built in 1888. Within a few years after the old church was found too small to accommodate the growing membership, and, accordingly in 1894-5 the present edifice was erected. This is a splendid structure, valued at $20,000, and among the equipment is a good pipe organ. The body of the old church was utilized in the new building and practically comprises the class-room wing of the present structure. The foundation and basement, now used as the dining parlors, was completed when the great financial panic of 1893 swept over the land. Business was at a standstill and so, for a time, was the Methodist church. Services were held in the basement for several years until brighter financial skies gave courage and means to finish the belated work. The church is now numerically and financially strong, and is fully organized. It has a flourishing Sunday school with an enrollment of about 400, which, with an Epworth League of sixty members provides for the training in Christian activities of young people. There are two Ladies' Aid Societies, a Woman's Foreign Missionary Society, two Young People's Missionary organizations, namely : the Standard Bearers and the King's Heralds, and a Methodist Men's club for regular meetings during the winter months, which gives occasional sup- pers and invites noted speakers from abroad to address it. The predominating nationality of the congregation is American and the services are conducted in the English language. Among the pioneer members were Edward and Catherine March, Charles Folsom, E. Folsom, D. L. Hitchcock, P. D. Hitchcock and wife; Catherine McMillen and William Z. Ruter. The following is a list of the pastors : N. Swift, October, 1867 to 1868; C. F. Wright, 1868, who died October 5, 1869; D. W. Hammond, 1869 to 1871; A. Mc Wright, 1871 to August, 1872; L. P. Smith, 1872 to 1875; E. Goodman, 1875 to 1876; George Galpin, 1876 to 1877; E. H. Bronson, 1877 to 1878; S. M. Davis, 1878 to 1879; C. H. S. Dunn, 1879 to 1881; John Pemberton, 1881 to 1883; W. L. Demorest, 1883 to 1884; C. Bristol, 1885; F. A. Cone, July, 1885 to October, 1885; George Geer, 1885 to 1887; F. A. Cone, 1887 to 1891; A. J. Williams, 1891 to 1892; L. L. Hanscom, 1892 to 1895; R. C. Gross, 1895 to 1896; J. F. Porter, August, 1896 to October, 1896; T. A. Jones, 1896 to 1897; Geo. H. Way, 1897 to 1899; C. H. Stevenson,
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1899 to 1900; G. W. Lutz, 1900 to 1904; F. B. Cowgill, 1904 to 1905; H. V. Givler, 1905 to 1907; E. V. DuBois, 1907 to 1910; M. G. Shuman, 1910 to 1911; N. deM. Darrell, the present pastor, since 1911.
The New Avon Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1915 by the Rev. N. deM. Darrell. The old Methodist church building at Wabasso, vacant for some ten years, was moved to the southwest corner of the southeast quarter of section 12, New Avon township and thoroughly renovated. The church is in a flourishing condition, maintains a splendid Ladies' Aid Society and Sunday school, with sixty-five members. The Rev. Darrell is still in charge and during the coming winter, services will be held every Sunday.
Milroy Methodist Church, Milroy, Minn. This church was erected in 1904 and was formerly located on the opposite corner, on the present site of the B. Schmid residence, being afterwards moved to where it now stands. Among the pioneer members of the church was J. B. Christiansen and family. The members of the congregation are mostly of American birth and the English language is used in conducting services. The present pastor is Rev. William A. Mulder, who serves also the churches of this denomination at Amiret and Porter, Minn., his residence being in the former place. A Ladies' Aid Society is connected with the church and takes an active part in its works of benevolence.
Presbyterian.
There are eight Presbyterian churches in Redwood county, located at Redwood Falls, Delhi, Morgan, Wabasso, Seaforth, Vesta, Underwood (school district 66) and Underwood (school district 36).
The First Presbyterian Church at Redwood Falls was organ- ized March 9, 1867, by Rev. A. G. Rulifson, district secretary of the committee on Missions. James Harkness, Mrs. Maria Harkness, Birney Flynn, Mrs. Josephine H. C. Flynn, Mrs. Mary A. Davidson, Mrs. Lucinda W. Teppera, Lawrence O. Root, Mrs. Eliza C. Root, on profession, and Mrs. Matilda Hall, by letter, were received as members and pronounced duly organized as the First Presbyterian Church of Redwood Falls to be connected with the Presbytery of Dakota. The services were held in Behnke's hall on Second street until 1870, after which time the schoolhouse was used until the new church was ready for occupancy in 1871. The membership did not increase for some time, as there were only five members when Rev. S. D. Westfall became pastor in 1869. The first year of his pastorate, however, twenty-one mem- bers were added to the church roll. During Mr. Westfall's pastor- ate a church building was erected on Bridge street. The building
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of a new church seventy miles from a railroad was an event of importance at that early day. It was not only that the people were a long way from any means of transportation, except by team, but that they seemed still farther from the four or five thousand dollars necessary to erect a church building that would be a credit to the community. The Redwood Falls people gave as generously as their means would permit, Mr. J. W. Paxton raised a considerable sum through eastern friends, and generous help was also received through the board of church erection. The ladies gave of their funds for the plastering. The lumber was hauled by ox teams from Mankato. The first service was held in the new church in September, 1871, but the building was not finished until the following year. The total cost was about five thousand dollars. Mr. Westfall preached in the afternoon at Beaver Falls and had some support from that charge. Following the resignation of Mr. Westfall late in 1871, Rev. W. B. Cham- berlain was secured as stated supply in 1872 and preached for two years. Rev. H. A. Dodge became pastor in 1875 and remained five years. For two or three summers during the time, Mr. Dodge preached in the schoolhouse at Paxton in the afternoon. Rev. William Marsh of Illinois followed Mr. Dodge in charge of the church, but, owing to poor health, was obliged to leave within a few months and for a time the church was supplied by Rev. M. Loba. Rev. R. E. Anderson accepted a call to the church at the beginning of the new year. January 28, 1882, the church building burned, entailing a severe loss on the church and community. Nothing was saved except a few seats and a basket of books. The Gazette of the time said: "It was the most complete and attrac- tive public building in the village." Fortunately, it had been insured by the ladies for $3,000 and this proved a great help toward the building of a new church. Services were held in the courthouse until the fall of 1883, when the present church was ready for occupancy. It cost about $7,000. Rev. J. G. Rhieldaffer, D.D., accepted a call in 1886. At this time the church became self- supporting. During this pastorate the lecture room was finished, the church was seated, a furnace put in, and other necessary im- provements were made. The largest accession of members up to this date at any one time was twenty-two, added during this period. Rev. John Sinclair, having supplied the pulpit for six months, received a unanimous call in the spring of 1892. There was a marked improvement in many lines of church work during Mr. Sinclair's pastorate, especially worthy of note, being the increased interest of the young people in the work of the church and the advancement made by them in those things which are es- sential to its progress. A salient feature of the church work dur- ing Mr. Sinclair's pastorate was the purchase of a bell, which had been wanted by the congregation for a long time, but how to get
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