History of Richardson County, Nebraska : its people, industries and institutions, Part 36

Author: Edwards, Lewis C
Publication date: 1917
Publisher: Indianapolis : B.F. Bowen
Number of Pages: 1742

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The Ladies' Missionary Society of this church held their first meeting on Sunday evening, July 23. 1876, at eight o'clock, for the purpose of perfecting an organization. The program for that evening was as follows. as gleaned from a report of the same appearing at the time and published in a current number of the Falls City Press :

Reading of scriptures, Mrs. Rodabough ; prayer. D. F. Rodabough ; reading of minutes, Miss F. Kingman, statement of work, Mrs. Spurlock : reading piece, Miss I. Schock; speech, Judge Weaver, and remarks, D. F. Rodahough.

CHRISTIAN CHURCH.

The First Christian church of Falls City had no real organization prior to 1876, although there were many members of that denomination living in the city. In that year W. E. Neal moved here from Maysville, Kentucky, and at once set himself to the task of organizing the adherents of this denomination into a church society. At the preliminary meeting in the Odd Fellows hall. which had been rented for the purpose, three persons were present : Mr. Neal, James Burnham and S. Zimmerman. One week later a second meeting was held and at that time a permanent organization was effected. This new church, which comprised twenty-three members. called Rev. R. C. Barrow as its first pastor and in a short time forty new members were added to the flock. In the same year, a lot was purchased and a church edifice was erected at the cost of twenty-five hundred dollars. This building. which was dedicated in June. 1877, by Rev. J. B. Briney, of Kansas, was remodeled at different times.

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In the spring of 1910 the old edifice was torn down to make way for the new, modern place of worship which is more in keeping with the growth and opportunities of the church. This building was dedicated on February 5. 1911, by Z. T. Sweeney, of New York City. The building contains thirty- nine rooms and is adapted to modern methods of institutional work. It contains rest rooms, parlors, dining rooms, kitchen, club rooms and a large room suitable for gymnasium purposes with shower baths. The entire church plant is valued at thirty-five thousand dollars. It is especially planned for a modern Sunday school plant and recent methods of Bible school work have been adopted. Since the new building was occupied, the growth of the church has been most satisfying. and the past year has been the most successful in the history of the society, more than fifty new members having been added.

The first pastor was the Rev. Charles Lawrence Wheeler and the official board to serve in the new church was made up of the following members: WV. L. Redwood, T. J. Oliver. J. R. Cain. G. R. Grinstead, M. Meliza. J. L. Slocum. J. L. Speece, E. L. Sandusky, O. P. Heck, J. E. Leyda. C. H. Marion, J. R. Wilhite, Dr. O. F. Lang, W. J. McCray, I. B. Whitake.

ST. THOMAS EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

Work was just begun by the church in Falls City in 1860 when Reverend Talbot drove over from Nebraska City and held service. In 1867 Rev. Thomas Betts was appointed missionary in charge of Falls City, Rulo and Salem. As Rulo was a river town it seemed to offer better prospects, so Father Betts took up his residence there and built the St. Peters church.

In 1868 the corner stone of the first church of St. Thomas was laid and Mr. John Lyon was appointed lay reader. On April 20, 1871, the first class of eight persons was confirmed by Reverend Clarkson. In 1873 the first church was completed and Rev. Francis Burdette Nash took charge. In 1877 Reverend Nash resigned and was succeeded by Reverend Jones, who remained about a year, when Reverend Russell, of Tecumseh, was placed in charge. In 1885 Rev. W. V. Whitten took charge, but resigned at the end of 1886 on account of ill health. The Rev. I. A. Russell, who suc- ceeded him, also resigned an account of ill health in 1888, when Mr. Whitten returned and remained until 1892. He was succeeded by Rev. T. B. Whaling. who remained only eight months, and was followed by Rev. I. E. Baxter, who remained until 1898, when the Rev. T. Gardner, of Tecumseh, was placed in charge. Mr. Gardner resigned in November, 1899, and Rev. Wil-

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liam Moody took charge. Reverend Moody was followed by Reverend Smith, who was followed by Rev. G. L. Neide. He, in turn, was succeeded by the present rector, Rev. James Nobel.

Tuesday, June 18, 1901, was an important day for St. Thomas Episco- pal church in Falls City, for it marked the consecration of the magnificent new church, the fruits of the personal sacrifice and united efforts of the people of the parish and their friends. The church had been for many years in urgent need of a new building. The old frame structure, which had done its duty for so many years, had not only become too small, but · was no longer in any wise fitted for its purpose. Realizing the pressing need for a new church, plans were set on foot to this end and little by little the fund grew until at last it was of sufficient size to warrant the beginning of the new church. The new St. Thomas church stands on the corner of Fifth and Harlan streets, just south of the old building, and is an im- posing structure of pressed brick, with a large square tower, rising from the southwest corner. The style of architecture is beautiful and the sim- plicity of the whole is just balanced by the beauty and size of the large stained-glass windows, each a work of art. The interior of the church is especially fine. The wood work is finished in hard pine and the walls elaborately frescoed. The vestry room, the choir, sacristy and all parts are planned and constructed according to the most approved plans.

The bishop and his assisting clergy arrived in the city on the day pre- vious and that evening the order of confirmation was administered to Mrs. Rawley, Miss Willie Gilespie, Miss Amilia Lindeman and Miss Meeker Cain, who were the first to be confirmed in the new church. On the follow- ing day the formal consecration of the church took place. In the morning. at seven o'clock, holy communion was celebrated by the rector, Rev. Wil- liam Moody, and at ten o'clock occurred consecration services. At that hour the church was filled and the procession entered at the main entrance, where it was met by the wardens and vestrymen, and moved up the main aisle in the following order : Bishops Worthington and Williams, followed by Rev. Charles Young, Reverend Moore and Rev. Francis White, of Omaha. Rev- erend Murphy, of Auburn; Reverend Kim, of Tecumseh; Reverend Baxter, and Reverend Mize, of Salina, Kansas; Reverend Randall, of Hiawatha, and Reverend Dent, of Kansas: the full vested choir, the wardens and vestry- men. The procession halted at the altar and warden A. E. Gantt read the instrument of donation and Bishop Williams, in turn, read the instrument of consecration. The morning service then proceeded. Bishop Worthington

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saving the consecration prayers and the morning prayer by Reverend Baxter. The lessons was read by Reverend Murphy and Reverend White and the sermon was preached by Reverend Young. Holy communion was celebrated by Bishop Williams with Bishop Worthington as deacon and Reverend Moody as sub-deacon. Thus the new church was set aside to the purpose for which it was built under the most auspicions circumstances.

The following pastors have served the needs of the congregation: Rev. Thomas Betts, Rev. John Lyons, Reverends Nash, Stoddart, Jones. Rus- sell, Carry, Whitten, Whaling, Johnson, Spencer, Rev. T. Gardner, Rev. William Moody. Rev. G. L. Neide and Rev. James Noble.

BRETHREN CHURCH.

The Brethren churches of all conferences have about one hundred thirty thousand communicants, which number means that more than half a mil- lion people in this country are directly, or indirectly, connected with this church. The Brethren church at Falls City was organized in 1897. Its Sunday school, which is one of the most important auxiliaries of the society, began with an enrollment of nine and has increased each year until the enrollment is now two hundred fifty. The church is in a very prosperous condition and numbers among its members some of the best citizens of the community. The society enlarged their place of worship during the summer of 1915. While the church does not favor a large and expensive building at the present, it contributes more than six hundred dollars a year to various missionary enterprises. In addition to its church edifice, the society owns a very substantial parsonage. At present the members of the society number nearly two hundred and fifty.

SILVER CREEK BRETHREN CHURCHI.

The Silver Creek church, which was the first society of the Brethren denomination in Richardson county, was organized on October 16, 1869. Since this was a rural church, its field for labor was chiefly in the country, its members being in the main farmers. The first love feast and communion service was held at the home of U. W. Miller. On March 6, 1885, this church, by a large majority, voted to separate from the main conference of the church and became affiliated with the liberal conference, representing more progressive sentiment in many ways. Since then the church has pros- pered and is again growing into a strong congregation.

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FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHI.

The First Presbyterian church at Falls City was the second one of that denomination organized in Richardson county. The organization was effected in 1866 by the authority of the presbytery at Highland, Kansas, which ap- pointed a committee, consisting of Revs. J. R. Ramsey, John Lilly and Elder McCollough, who carried on the work. . At this time six persons were re- ceived into the church and E. C. Cooley was ordained elder. Reverend Ramsey was at that time acting as missionary of the Presbyterian denom- ination in this county and supplied the new organization until his removal to what was then Indian Territory. Since he took with him the early records of the society, they were consequently lost, but the records were replaced in 1881 by Rev. W. W. Howell, the pastor, after much hard labor.

Shortly after the departure of Reverend Ramsey, the church became disrupted from various reasons and did not until 1871 have an active existence. In the May of that year a reorganization was effected and Rev. A. P. Wood assumed the pastorate of the church, which position he retained until 1873. From this time forward the church organization was kept up and the congregation grew, and in 1909 the society decided to abandon its old frame building, which was erected in 1873 on the corner of Fifteenth and Harlan streets, and build its present magnificent place of worship which stands on the corner of Twentieth and Harlan streets. The work was begun in May, 1909, and the church was dedicated in the fall of the same year. The property is now worth twenty thousand dollars.

Several ministers have served this congregation during its existence, among whom are: Revs. J. R. Ramsey. A. F. Wood, J. B. Linskey, E. M. Lewis, S. F. Bogn, David Street, W. M. Howell, J. W. Fulton. S. B. Neilson and R. Cooper Bailey.

ST. PAUL'S EVANGELICAL LUTHIERAN CHURCHI. By Lewis A. Meinzer.

Early in September, 1913. the general synod of the Evangelical Lutheran church sent its missionary to Falls City, Nebraska, to preach Lutheran doctrine and, if possible, to establish a mission. Services were conducted in the Electric theatre. On December 3. 1913. Reverend Kanse. the missionary secretary, called a meeting of men interested in the work. At this meeting resolutions were adopted, making the organization perma-

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nent. Officers were elected, and a committee was also elected to proceed at once to purchase lots for a building site.

The committee bought lots 13 and 14, in block 9, of Boulevard addi- tion, on December 13, 1913. The old frame church at St. Mark's congre- gation at Verdon was then secured and moved to our lots. The building came through in good condition and, with a number of improvements, made an excellent place of worship. The church was provided with electric lights and furnace, was connected with city water, and a cloak room was built.

The church was dedicated on March 29, 1914, and on the day of dedi- cation all necessary money was secured and the church stands free of debt. Dr. H. L. Yarger, the president of the general synod, was present on that day and delivered a sermon. A call was extended at this time to Rev. J. Matthiesen, asking him to serve our church as pastor and missionary. Reverend Matthiesen took up his work as the church's first regular minister on May 1, 1914.

The church today has a modern Sunday school, with an enrollment of one hundred and five and seventeen on the cradle roll. We have a church membership of sixty-seven and a baptised membership of one hundred and twenty-five. The officers of the church are: Rev. J. Matthiesen, pastor, and Henry Roesch, Martin Nolte, Andrew Ketter, L. A. Meinzer, church coun- cil. These officers and Rev. W. T. Kashe also acted as the building com- mittee. The order of services is so arranged that we give the German members of our church a German service on alternate Sunday mornings. .\ Lutheran league of sixteen members has been active since July.

ST. MARK'S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH.

St. Mark's, formerly known as St. Marien's Evangelical Lutheran church, had its beginning almost four decades ago. It was early in the eighties when some of the Lutheran people of this vicinity met every two weeks in what is known as the Harkendorff school house for worship. But it was not until 1883 that a congregation was organized, and John G. HIeinzelman, Sr., Henry Jorn, Sr., and William Oswald were elected trustees. Under the guidance of their faithful pastor, Reverend Gromish, they soon realized the need of a church building and a special meeting was called to deliberate upon the proposition in the June of 1883. In this meeting it was decided to build a church thirty-six feet long and twenty-four feet wide, for which subscriptions were to be received. To look after the construction

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of the same, a building conimittee was appointed which consisted of John C. Heinzelman, John F. Harkendorff and A. B. Brenninger. The church was dedicated in the selfsame year.

At the annual church meeting on January 6, 1913, the majority of those present voted in favor of a new church building, since they realized that the old place of worship did not afford adequate accommodations for the rapidly growing congregation. Mr. and Mrs. Falskin were chosen solici- tors and a building committee was appointed which consisted of the fol- lowing: August Falskin, Charles Heinzelman, Edwin Friedly, John and Charles Harkendorff. After the solicitors submitted a favorable report some weeks later, the committee immediately took action. The plans for the new building, drawn by Carl Buthman, of Falls City, were accepted. Mr. Buth- man, the architect, superintended the wood work and the Bohrer brothers had charge of the brick laying. On May 11, 1913, the corner stone was laid, the pastor, Rev. S. de Freese officiating, assisted by Doctor Ludden. It was at that time that the name of the society was changed from St. Marien's to St. Mark's. On October 12, 1913, the large and beautiful new church was dedicated to the worship of God. It is located in the midst of a prosperous community of farmers and will be a landmark for many years to come.

During the past thirty years the following pastors have served the congregation : Reverends Gromish, Neumaker, Miller, Hennig, Mosner, Beuchner, Jenson and the present pastor, de Freese.

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.

While other denominations had gained a strong foothold in the early days of the city, it was not until December 9, 1873, that the First Baptist church of Falls City was organized with thirteen constituent members. At the meeting for the organization of the church, Rev. J. W. Webster was ' moderator and Rev. E. D. Thomas was clerk of the council of recognition. The New Hampshire Confession of Faith was adopted and the church was admitted and took its place in the denomination as a regular Baptist church with Revs. E. D. Thomas and A. J. Jones serving jointly as pastors. Soon after the organization of the society, it was decided to purchase the un- finished building of the Disciples church, and a loan of five hundred dollars was acquired from the American Baptist Home Mission Society. This transaction along with some other matters came nearly breaking up the or- ganization. Until 1880 the church struggled on making little progress, and in

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that year the church building was moved from its location near the Central school to lots just north of the public square. At the same time the mem- bership was increased to fifty. In 1882 and 1883 dissensions arose between the members and the pastor and the society was disbanded. The house was sold and now forms a part of the building which was used for so long by the Falls City News.

It was not until November, 1890, that any movement was made for another organization in this city, but in that year E. T. Houston and W. A. Moran and their families from Stanberry, Missouri, settled here and soon began preparations for another Baptist society. On April 7, 1891. Rev. T. K. Tyson effected the organization of the new church society with the following constituent members: Mrs. Ellen B. Houston, W. A. Moran. Mrs. Lizzie Moran, Mrs. Cordelia Gundy, Mrs. Alice Geiger, Mrs. J. . .. Lawrence, Mrs. Hattie Snidow, Mrs. Nettie Brenzier, Mrs. E. J. Eversole, Mr. E. Rumsey, Mrs. Josephine Larimore, Jessie Moran and S. Bryan. During a series of meetings, during July of that year the membership was increased from fourteen to seventy-one. In the fall of that year, prepara- tions were made for the erection of a church building, and the present edifice was completed in the fall of 1892. On August 23, 1896, the churchi was dedicated free from debt, Rev. M. B. Rariden D. D., of Omaha, preach- ing the dedicatory sermon.

The following pastors have served the congregation: E. D. Thomas and A. J. Jones, 1873-74; . A. J. Jones, May, 1874. to November, 1875: E. D. Thomas, 1875 to September, 1876; J. T. Webster. 1876-78; B. F. Lawler. 1878-1880; W. W. Beardslee, 1880-83; W. A. Biggart, September, 1891, to 1894: L. W. Terry, Lee Hunt and A. K. Myattway, 1896 to May. 1903; W. W. Laughlin, few months in 1903; George L. White; E. H. Jackson, 1907: C. E. Hillis. George H. Reichel, S. J. Miner and F. B. Williams.

PRAIRIE UNION BAPTIST CHURCHI.

For fifty years Prairie Union Baptist church has been rendering valu- able service, and is yet in a very flourishing condition. Linked with the early history of this society are the names of Thomas Higgin and his wife. Catherine Davis Higgins, who, in an early day when there were no meeting houses and no facilities for public worship opened up their dwelling for the use of a union Sunday school, the meetings of which were subsequently transferred to a school house near Mr. Higgins' home. It was at the latter

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place on March 3, 1867, that the Welsh Baptist church, which later became the Prairie Union Baptist church, was organized. There is no recorded action on the part of the congregation relating to the calling of a pastor prior to March 9, 1872, but it has been learned from some of the older members that Rev. J. T. James supplied the church with preaching during the interval.

At a regular covenant meeting, held on February 28, 1869, it was voted that, as the membership consisted of both Welsh and English, the services of Rev. E. D. Thomas be secured in addition to those of Reverend James. so that the congregation could have preaching in both the English and Welsh languages. On April 9, 1869, at the regular meeting of the year. it was voted that the name of the church be changed, and in the place of being called the Welsh Baptist church the society was henceforth designated as the Prairie Union Baptist church. In 1870 some interesting changes were made in the church. Formerly the Sunday school was undenominational. but in the April of the year mentioned, it became a Baptist Sunday school. Later in the year, in December, at a regular meeting it was resolved to elimi- nate the clause in the church's constitution requiring members be received by the laying on of hands. This plainly shows what had been the custom of the church in the reception of new members.

Almost until 1872 the church had been without a place of worship, of its own, but on November 26 of the year preceding it was voted, at a business meeting to erect a church edifice, and a board of trustees, which was to have this matter in hand, consisted of the following: Thomas Hig- gins, J. D. Jones, B. S. Hart, E. D. Evans and J. B. Evans. To acquire funds for this purpose the church applied for loans to the American Baptist Home Mission Society for five hundred dollars in April, 1873. During this year, the house was inclosed and occupied but not finished. Before the completion of it, the house took fire and was, with great difficulty, saved from total loss. On August 3. 1874, the new house of worship was formally dedicated and in the following September the association convened in it. It was not, however, until February 27, 1879, the church paid one hun- dred dollars, the balance of its indebtedness on the erection of the edifice. This old church served the needs of the congregation until September 15. 1905, when it was struck by lightning and burned to the ground. Immedi- ately afterward a committee was appointed to plan for a new building, and it was decided to erect a new edifice which would cost about three thousand dollars. The work was begun in November and carried on throughout

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the winter. It was completed on August 12, 1906, and dedicated on September 12, free from debt, the total cost being four thousand dollars.

During the fifty years of its existence this society has been quite active. In the history of the church the total number baptised has been two hundred and ninety-five, the total membership, four hundred and seventy-four; and the present membership is one hundred and twenty-four. Several pastors have served the needs of the congregation during its existence; they are: Revs. J. T. James and E. D. Thomas, 1867-72: D. V. Thomas, 1872-76: B. F. Lawler. 1876-82: John Powell, 1882-84: I. D. Newell, 1884-88: J. C. Lewis. 1888-90; F. C. Bingham, 1890-93: J. W. Evans, 1894-97; A. B. Bohannon, 1897-99: I. D. Newell, 1899-1904: D. L. McBride, 1904-05: F. C. Lusk, 1906-09; Samuel Miller, 1910-15, and E. H. Teall, 1915 to the present time, 1917.

ST. FRANCIS XAVIER ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCHI.

The first Catholic services were held in Falls City by traveling priests from Rulo, the nearest place where there was a regular pastor. It was not, however, until 1870 that the St. Francis Xavier church was built. In that year, the members of the little Roman Catholic society, assisted by many citizens who, while belonging to other denominations, were Catholic in the best and broadest sense of the word, erected a church building. The following year Father Lechleither became resident pastor of the new parish and increased the society from its five original members to a substantial body. On his retirement after a year of service, Rev. J. Hays assumed the pastorate and held it for nearly two years, and during his term and largely through his efforts, the parochial residence was erected. His successor. Reverend Bobal, in his year of residence, continued the work of his prede- cessor. In 1877 Rev. C. J. Quinn was installed, after whom came many good men to serve the congregation.

In 1891 the church bought the Dundy property in the east part of the city, and there opened the Ursuline convent, which school has been kept in operation almost constantly since its establishment. After acquiring this sightly property, the effort was at once begun to raise funds which should be used for the building of a new church which, as it was planned, was to occupy a site near the convent. The efforts of the committee having this matter in hands during the year that followed were very successful and in IQII the society's beautiful church was completed. Father Bex began the plans for the new church building, but increasing years caused him to turn

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the work over to a younger man, Rev. J. J. Hoffman, under whose guidance the edifice was completed. The value of the property now belonging to the society is estimated at fifty thousand dollas. This is known as Sts. Peter and Paul's church.

ST. ANN'S PARISH. By Rev. Paul Hasler.

The first year which records Catholic activity in this vicinity was 1868, when Berg's cemetery was started two miles east and one and a half miles north of the present church. St. Ann's church was built in 1885 by Father Lee. It was so named at the request of Anna Litey, who donated one thousand dollars toward the building fund ; the balance, amounting to two thousand dol- lars, being contributed by the other members. The following are the names of those old settlers: Miles Kelly, who donated three acres for the church site ; Michael O'Connell, John Ahern, Anthony Ege, Thomas Murphy, John and James Hanley, Michael Casey, Martin Kelly, W. B. Wells, John H. Kelly, John Duser and W. E. Kelly.

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History of Richardson County, Nebraska : its people, industries and institutions, Part 36

Author: Edwards, Lewis C Publication date: 1917 Publisher: Indianapolis : B.F. Bowen Number of Pages: 1742

Author: Edwards, Lewis C
Publication date: 1917
Publisher: Indianapolis : B.F. Bowen
Number of Pages: 1742