USA > Nebraska > Hamilton County > History of Hamilton and Clay counties, Nebraska, Vol. I > Part 61
USA > Nebraska > Clay County > History of Hamilton and Clay counties, Nebraska, Vol. I > Part 61
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In 1907 Rev. W. O. Harper came to the pastorate and labored for six years. It was under his pastorate that the present beautiful edifice for worship was erected. In 1914 Mr. Harper was called to the church at Laurel and Rev. JJ. II. Salsbury, D. D., the present pastor, took up the work. (Since Rev. Salsbury, the church was without a pastor for a while, then secured Rev. Curry.)
DEDICATORY SERVICES FOR
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF AURORA-1910
The new building of the First Presbyterian church was dedicated on Sun- day last, and many who were present said they never saw more enjoyable and appropriate services on such an occasion.
To get the building has been a long hard struggle, with a comparatively small
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, AURORA
OLD METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH AND PARSONAGE, AURORA
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HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
membership, limited resources, but indomitable energy and intense loyalty on the part of members, congregation and friends, a great work has been accom- plished.
This paper may be preserved long after the events of the day have been for- gotten, so it will be well to record that when the church was built, Rev. W. O. Harper is pastor, the session consists of William Steele, B. A. Munson, Robert Curry, F. H. Blacker and A. E. Fisher. The Trustees are R. W. Boyd, E. W. Jackson, Frank Anderson, Geo. L. Burr, F. H. Donner, T. M. Scott and the Building Committee is composed of W. D. De Waters, Albert Thompson and Geo. L. Burr.
Mrs. A. M. Glover has until very recently been president of the Ladies' Aid Society, and Mrs. J. K. Ilupp now occupies that position. Mrs. Wm. Weingarten is Vice president, Mrs. John Work, Secretary, and Mrs. Geo. L. Burr, Treasurer.
Of the Guild, Mrs. Clay Jones is President, Miss Laura Whitmore, Vice president, Edyth Deeter, secretary and Miss Emma Shenberger, treasurer.
The Ladies' Aid subscribed five hundred dollars to the building fund, five hundred dollars toward paying for pews and nearly two hundred dollars for carpets, a total of almost twelve hundred dollars for this organization alone. The Guild Ladies, a smaller body of the younger women of the church, have paid for the electric lights, approximately four hundred and fifty dollars and the pulpit furniture which cost sixty dollars additional.
This makes a total of seventeen hundred dollars directly contributed by the women of the church, and they have helped devotedly and admirably on every other plan to raise money that has been inaugurated by the church. Two thou- sand dollars will not more than cover the amount that we know of that has been secured by their assistance-more than one seventh of the amount of the total.
With our sale of bricks, the auction sale of donated goods and subserip- tions from friends who live outside the county it can be estimated that per- haps another two thousand came from people outside the city or congre- gation. An unusually generous amount came from citizens that had no special interest, save a desire to build up the community and strengthen good influence. To all these we owe a debt of gratitude greater than can be ex- pressed in words.
Memorial windows commemorate those who have had to do with the past history of the church, and who assisted in bearing its burdens, and did their part in continuing the good influence of lives.
Altogether nearly fourteen thousand dollars has been raised and expended. the building alone costing about twelve thousand five hundred. It represents sacrifice on the part of nearly every contributor. All gave until they could feel it, and yet we venture to hope that all are satisfied with the result.
The dedicatory sermon was preached by Rev. Ralph Houseman, of Omaha, and was a very thoughtful address delivered in a feeling manner. The subject was the Christian Church, the approved medium for an authorative message and when he spoke of the Christian being called to "come, "' "Abide" and "Go" the season of the "consecration," "preparation" and "evangelization" we knew he had sounded the heights and the depths of Christian experience. The music both instrumental and vocal was of the best, and we heard many speak of it. The violin duet and the anthem, seemed special favorites. At the last the dedication
Vol. 1-34
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HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
by responsive service of minister and people was short and simple but wonder- fully impressive.
In the afternoon there was a fellowship meeting participated in by the pas- tors of the city and visiting pastors. All had a good word to say, and they said it with ability and spirit of the right sort.
In the evening the program was musical, and was enjoyed by all lovers of music, far more than an ordinary service. Doubtless a thousand people came to hear and about eight hundred and fifty were admitted, about fifty having to stand, Miss M. Dayton, Chas. F. Patrick, Mrs. A. L. Burr and Mrs. O. M. Newman and Misses Bess Whitmore, Edith Forrest, Helen Ruby, Rhea Hupp and others assisted in the rendition of the sacred cantata "The Fatherhood of GOD."
Many, many compliments were bestowed on the fioral decoration, for which the congregation was indebted to Mrs. Dr. Woodard, who brought them down from Lincoln for the occasion.
The enjoyment of the ceremonial would have been greatly lessened had any of our visitors failed to be present-Rev. Geo. Bray, Rev. Ralph Houseman, Rev. E. K. Bailey, Rev. Chas. Fye, Mrs. Woodard, the Baldwins and a host of others. Pleasant memories were awakened by the association and a nice feature of the occasion was the reading of letters from former pastors and friends of the church, all of which were so cordial that we feel impelled to reproduce one as a sample of the others.
San Jose, Cal., Oct. 1, 1910 My Dear Friends of the old First Church,
I am deeply interested in the dedication of the new old first ehnreh. I wish it was not so far to Nebraska, for then I could give myself the very great pleasure of attending your exercises and joining in your felicitations.
I am often made glad in hearing of the harmony and prosperity of the dear Id church. She is yet young, as churches are stated in the east, but in your part of the great west, she is a veritable mother of churches, and she has always been a generous and tender one. I suppose that there is no survivor today from among the goodly few who first organized the church, and who bore the burdens of the early days. Indeed there are but few left of those whom I found in 1884 when I first eame to Aurora, but I am sure that the spirit of the fathers abides with the children. I am sure that the old church, by the blessing of God, still stands for the truth as our beloved Presbyterianism interprets it and for the lifting of men by the grace of the blessed Christ.
My heart warms to the memories of the splendid and devoted lives that have lived in that church, Dr. II. M. Giltner, who organized the church, Father Bell and others who have passed on into the church triumphant are starred names on that old membership roll that should be a pride and ornament in the history of any church in any age or country.
Nor has the church been withont its testing experiences. It has not glided through the years upon a smooth and easy path. But with nnfailing faith and unflagging zeal it has overcome all its difficulties and doubtless it is all the stronger for them now. Today I give you all my affectionate greeting, and com- mend you to God, who is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among them which are sanctified.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF GILTNER
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF GILTNER
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HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
Accept my hearty congratulations. May each year make distinct advances in your growth in spiritual power and in the service alike to God and Man.
Sincerely and truly yours,
GUTIIRIE W. CURRY. San Jose, California.
CHURCH OF CHRIST. C. C. DOBBS
The Church of Christ in Aurora was organized by Elder John T. Smith at the Hamilton county court house on July 31, 1887, with 44 members. After two years of struggle and growth in the court house as a meeting place under the leadership of W. C. Barber, 1887-1888 and L. H. Humphreys, father and Mrs. Dr. Haughey, 1888-1889 they began to consider building a church house. Lots were secured at the corner of eleventh & L streets and under the direction of the church officers, composed of A. W. Ayers, Wm. Kelley, W. S. IIarlan, Nelson Kutch, W. R. Smith and A. E. Hickman, George Daniels assisted by MeCord and Coon erected thereon a splendid brick substructure during the year of 1889. The corner stone of this building was laid Oct. 28, 1889, the ceremony being pre- sided over by A. N. Thomas, then Mayor of Aurora and a loved member of the congregation. There were present the following Ministers : L. H. Humphreys, pastor, and A. W. Harney, pastor at York, Robert Waite, pastor of Presby- terian church, George Knapp pastor of Baptist church. In the corner stone was placed an iron box containing a copy of the Bible, list of those present at B. S. on Oct. 27, 1889, and a copy of the following papers of that week's issue: The Chris- tion Evangelist, Christian Era, Aurora Republican and Aurora Sun. This building was dedicated June 8, 1890, by Elder T. W. Rains, National secretary of the Foreign Christian Missionary Society, with a debt of $11,000, which was liqui- dated during 1903. After this followed years of struggle for these people. Dur- ing the entire time, however, they tried to meet their obligation to their mem- bership and the community by keeping preaching services all the time and pas- toral work as much as possible. The following men served them in this capacity : HI. A. Pallister, A. W. Harney, J. A. Beathe, A. D. Finch, Mr. Read, Mr. Vandever, Mr. IIarter, E. Von Forrell, who labored for them in a continuous pastorate of 6 years, which were years of prosperity for the congregation. Then came the pastorates of B. A. Whiston, Jerome Immanuel, J. A. Burns and A. L. Hill who labored for 3 years with them. During this pastorate Evangelist Meyer's party came here and in a meeting in a tabernacle erected on lots at corner of L & 8th had 400 converts, most of which took membership with this church. It was then decided that the old building was too small and in course of a few months the present lot was purchased and the erection of a $20,000 struc- ture begun during 1912. lIowever, because of drought and other hindrances there followed a period of depression such as usually follows building projects and during this time A. L. Hill resigned as pastor. The Congregation now meeting in the basement of their proposed building called Edward Clutter to the pastorate and soon after the close of his work, Elder C. C. Dobbs, the present pastor was called, beginning his work Jannary 1st. 1915.
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HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
During all this time the congregation was not self-centered, but held many evangelistic campaigns for the winning of souls under such leaders as L. H. Humphreys, A. W. Henry, J. W. Elliott, Lawrence Wright, Melvin Putman. Evangelists Smith, Whiston, Meyers, besides meetings held by regular Ministers. The congregation now has a membership of over 350 with an average of 150 in the Bible school and every day sees the prospect brightening for the comple- tion of their splendid church home.
They have former members and workers in almost every state in the Union and two young men, Paul Trenk and Tracy Munford in Cotner University pre- paring for the ministry.
While all the pastors have done notable work while here, those ministries which are outstanding in memory are that of L. H. Humphrey, who raised the money to start the first building, that of A. W. Harney, whose two daughters and grand-daughters are now members here.
That of E. Von Forrell, who is known state wide as an educator, and that of Alden Lee Hill, who began the erection of the present structure which we hope soon to complete.
CHRISTIAN CHURCH
In May, 1912, the men engaged in wrecking the old ('hristian church building, came across the galvanized-iron box, which was deposited in the foun- dations in lieu of a corner-stone on Monday afternoon, October 28. 1889. The title stone, which was set high up in the front part of the tower, was thought by some to contain the box, but the records of the church revealed the fact that the box was deposited elsewhere. The opening of the box disclosed only a lot of papers, which dampness and mold were rapidly decomposing.
The box when opened at Sunday service at the Tabernacle disclosed the eon- tents to be : The Bible, Roll of Church and Sunday School Members, Articles of Incorporation, Copies of Christian Evangelist, Christian Oracle, Aurora Republi- can and Aurora Sun. In the record book of the church was the following account of the laying of the cornerstone :
"A large crowd assembled to witness the laying of the cornerstone. Mayor A. N. Thomas, who was one of the elders of the church, presided. Prayer was offered by Rev. Crosswaite of the M. E. Church, after which short addresses were made by Revs. Ilarney, Watt and Knapp.
"A. W. Agee, president of the board of trustees, then deposited in the place prepared for it, in the north-west corner of the tower, the galvanized-iron box. The throng then joined in singing, "Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow," and Rev. Baskerville pronounced the benediction."
In one of the Aurora papers is mentioned the breaking of ground for the new church, which was to cost $3,500.00. These old newspapers disclosed some interesting facts of those times, among them that the Blue Valley Sunday School convention was in session and Rev. J. D. Stewart was urging some changes, which have since proven his wisdom. Both papers carried an immense amount of advertising and they were charging at the rate of six dollars a column for it. In those days it was not undignified for a physician or a banker to advertise, for Dr. Steenburg was there with a business card and the First National Bank with a
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HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
good display ad. Siekmann and Bells wanted to sell $2000.00 worth of real estate. Ellis Wood wanted to sell real brick then-ice-cream brick now. R. H. Peard, W. W. Shenberger, W. L. Stark and W. F. Stanley were in the political arena.
Special services were held at the Tabernacle Sunday morning as a sort of memorial. There was special music and some reminiscent remarks and then an eulogy to the old church was given by Mrs. A. G. Peterson, who was one of its founders.
The new church, will be an imposing structure 64 x 92 feet, built of square paving brick to the water table then to some ornamental pressed brick trimmed with stone. Windows stained art glass. The auditorium is the main feature and is surrounded on three sides with a gallery. The building seats about 800 people. Woods & Condner of Lincoln were the architects and the cost of the edifice was about $20,000.00. One-fourth of this amount was raised by sub- scriptions at one Sunday School service.
HISTORY OF THE UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH IN CHRIST OF AURORA, NEBRASKA.
In order to set some right who are unfamiliar with the origin of our church, I wish to say that the first conference was held in the city of Baltimore, Md .. in 1789. It has therefore passed the century mark.
The local church in Aurora, Nebraska, was organized in a build- ing formerly a part of the Hamilton County Court House in Nov., 1885, with the following members : Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Eaton, Mr. and Mrs. Danl. Lauutzer, Mr. and Mrs. W. M. Lakin, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Williamson, Chas. Launtzer and Hattie Launtzer; three of these have been called above and six are still on the church roll.
When first organized the members met and worshipped with the Free Will Baptists, who at that time had no preaching services. A number of the Baptists afterwards joined with the United Brethren and the church property was pur- chased for a consideration of $600.00. The first board of trustees was elected April 16th, 1898, being composed of J. W. Eaton, F. A. Burt and Fred Peterson. The board of trustees at this time is composed of J. W. Eaton, F. A. Burt and Wm. Miche.
Since its organization the following named pastors have ministered to this people :
Rev. C. H. Polhemus, Rev. D. Geil, Rev. Wm. Thompson, Rev John Zimmer- man, Rev. A. L. Zimmerman, Rev. Chas. Fye, Rev. Jennie I. Starkey and Revs. P. H. Schell, Walter Smith, S. M. Snider, W. Beasely, A. S. Beshore and II. H. Heberly, present pastor in 1921.
The church has had a healthy growth and now numbers 176 on its rolls. The Sunday school has grown from a membership of 40 to 165 in the main school with a Home Department of 26 members and a Cradle Roll of 30 members, making a total enrolment of 221. The present superintendent has been in office for the past ten years.
In addition to the Sunday school, the church has a live and working Ladies' Aid Society, a Woman's Missionary Association, a Christian Endeavor society,
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HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
a Junior Christian Endeavor society, a Children's Mission band, a boy's club called the Knights of King Arthur, and a Girl's club.
The charter members of our church believed that the church of their choice has a mission to perform in this community and time has proved the wisdom of their action. Eternity alone will reveal the good that has been accomplished by our own and sister churches in this community.
MRS. CARRIE A. M. BURT.
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH Rev. J. W. Ferner.
The church was organized April 28th, 1872, forty-four years ago. Rev. L. W. Jones of Lone Tree and Rev. D. B. Perry (afterward president of the Doane College for forty years) then of Worcester, Mass., were present to assist those desiring a congregational church in effecting the organization, the following was the call : "We the undersigned residents of Aurora and vicinity believe that the interests of Christ's Kingdom would be promoted by the organization of a Con- gregational Church in this place and desire to unite with such a church at the earliest opportunity." This call was signed by the following persons: Porter C. Culver, Susie J. Culver, Mary E. Kimball, J. H. Farris, Amanda Hagerman, John Matthews, Good Noble, Elizabeth Strain, C. H. Kimball, Ella Farris, Eliza Matthews. The above were the charter members of the First Congregational church of Aurora.
C. H. Kimball and J. II. Farris were chosen deacons and Porter C. Culver, clerk. Trustees were chosen at a meeting held a week later. A. L. Seward was the first Sunday school superintendent, C. H. Kimball assistant superintendent, H. W. King, Secretary, Mrs. John Davidson, chorister.
The first pastor was David B. Perry who was for forty years president of Doane College and did such a great work there that Doane is today on the healthiest finanical foundation of any denominational college in the state. Rev. S. Q. Hanford was pastor for six years and now for a number of years has been the superintendent of our state missionary society and state conference. Rev. W. H. Hopkins was pastor in the ninties and is now superintendent of missionary work over a large territory in the southland. Rev. E. A. Rieker was pastor from 1901 to 1907 and after leaving Aurora was Home Missionary Superinten- dent and at present is the Congregational Bishop ( ?) of the state of Texas. He is virtually that, although the Congregationalists have no such office. Rev. H. H. Price who was pastor a few years ago is now in his second year as president of the State Christian Endeavor Union.
Eleven years ago while Rev. A. E. Ricker was pastor the present commodious church building was erected; a building admirably adapted for Sunday school work and for social functions. It is of Gothic architecture, is all paid for, and ours; a commodious parsonage all paid for. The church is united and harmon- ious and thoroughly equipped for work that is loyally doing its part toward the realization of the Kingdom in the world.
In addition to the record some of its pastors have made there are achieve- ments of its members which stand out quite commendably. Rev. J. D. Stewart was for many years a member of this church, and while active in all its local affairs he did a life work. He organized over 800 Sunday schools out of which
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP CATHOLIC CHURCH, AURORA
ST. FRANCIS CATHOLIC CHURCH, AURORA
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HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
have developed 200 Congregational churches and forty churches of other denom- inations. He organized the church in Arthur, the county seat of Arthur county, which church calls the church of Aurora the Mother Church. Mrs. Henry Stewart and her daughter Ida are now living at Arthur and are another impor- tant contribution of the Aurora church to the church at Arthur and two other churches organized in Arthur county.
Members from this church are now in other states of the union doing valuable service, some as teachers, some as preachers, some as students qualifying them- selves for further service. Some are in Chicago University, some in Chicago Schools of Music, some in State University of Nebraska, some at Doane, some at Hastings. (Since Rev. Ferner, Rev. H. H. Pollard served and in 1921, this congregation has no minister).
HISTORY OF CATHOLIC CHURCH
Catholic services were first held in Aurora at Mr. Furrey's house in the spring of 1878.
During the next two years mass was said a few times in the old court house and then services were held in Mr. Gavin's house by Father Geary, of Central City, regularly once a month for the next two years. There were eleven Catho- lie families in Aurora at that time.
In the year 1882 there were two public school houses, the south one was located exactly where the present church stands and was bought for the use of Catholic services at the cost of $300.00. It was then dedicated and named St. Francis.
Father Geary said mass in the school house until in November, 1888. In the meantime sixteen other Catholic families located in Aurora. In the fall of 1888 Father Adams located here aud said mass every third Sunday for about eight months. He was succeeded in May, 1889, by Father Sproll, who also said mass every third Sunday until October, 1891, when Father Dooley took his place. Ile was succeeded in December, 1891, by Father Turgeon, who remained with us until August, 1892.
During this time there was held the first Catholic Fair which realized $850.00.
The next pastor was Father Dunphy, and he, with others, thought of taking this money and building a parochial residence while others suggested the build- ing a new church, and at the suggestion of the Right Reverend Bishop Bonacum, of Lincoln, they decided to build a new church.
The old school honse was moved to the west end of the present church grounds and for the next sixteen months services were held in this building.
The contract for the present church was let for about $2,800. The building was commenced in the spring of 1893. was finished by the following fall and was dedicated on Thanksgiving Day of the same year by the Right Reverend Bishop.
The old church was sold to Mr. M. W. Walsh for $150.
During this time another Fair was held which realized about $700, and a sub- scription taken up by the pastor netted about $500; this left a church debt of
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HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
$1,300. At this time Father Dunphy moved to Doniphan, from there he attended Aurora every other Sunday until May, 1897.
Father Shine, the next pastor, located at Harvard, coming to Aurora every third Sunday, and at this time paid the church debt by subscription. He ceased attending Aurora in Dec., 1898, being succeeded by Father Brountz, who also lived at Harvard, and took charge of Aurora Parish until May, 1901, but was immediately succeeded by Father Bernard, who said mass every other Sunday until Nov., 1902. Next Father McShane attended, giving same services until Sept., 1904.
There were no services until Dec. of the same year, when it was attended by Father McDonald, of Hastings, or his assistant, Father Healy, and then Father Gilroy, until Jan. 1908. During this time mass was said one Sunday each month, and also many improvements were effected, including cement walks, steel ceilings, carpeting, interior decorations, ete., at a cost of about $800. With the exception of about $175, the church is now clear of debt.
Since January it has been attended every other Sunday by Father Healy from McCool, and we are looking forward in the near future to having a resident priest among us.
SUSIE MOONEY.
(The recent priests in charge of this parish have been Fathers O'Boyle, and McKenna, then Father Hagen, who was here when the old church was destroyed by fire and the present magnificent edifice was erected, and Father Donovan, who has been here since early in 1919.)
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTISTS.
The organization known as the Seventh Day Adventists was formed in Massa- chusets, in February, 1845, under the guardianship of Captain Joseph Bates.
From the sixteenth annual year book we take the following statistics of the numerical, institutional and financial strength of the denomination. Total number of Union Conferences, 16; local conferences, 87; with sixty-six mission fields not organized into conferences. The total membership of this denomin- ation in the world is 87,311. The church in this city was organized about fifteen years ago, (1902 or 3).
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