USA > Nebraska > York County > York County, Nebraska and its people : together with a condensed history of the state, Vol. II > Part 6
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The junior and intermediate societies have existed intermittently.
The Woman's Missionary Society. It was organized February 14, 1883, with Mrs. J. Seymour as directress. The other officers were Mrs. Cobb, Mrs. Spees and Mrs. H. Seymour. It began with six members and increased to twenty the first year. It pledged seven dollars the first year and fifty the second year. The presi- dents have been Mrs. J. Seymour, Mrs. Cobb, Mrs. M. E. Morgan, Mrs. Harrison (mother of Rev. II. S. Harrison), Mrs. Grippen, Mrs. Geo. P. Chessman, Mrs. E. H. Baker, Mrs. W. Sanford, Mrs. G. F. Northup, Mrs. A. Stevens and Mrs. R. T. ('ross. In 1886 there was a mission band which was kept up until the Junior Endeavor was organized. The woman's society has raised in all in twenty years about $1,550.
The thirty-fifth anniversary of the organization of the Ladies' Missionary and Aid Society of the Congregational Church was celebrated September 29, 1920, when in response to invitations about seventy members and their husbands, friends and guests gathered together and helped to make one of the most memorable events in the history of our society. After the first hearty handelasps and words of greeting to our visitors from Polk and York were over, all partook of and seemed to enjoy the bountiful dinner. At about 2:00 o'clock the president called to order for the short program. First was a duet by Mrs. Winnifred Lackey and Mrs. Clark Stouffer, which was followed by a few words of welcome by Mrs. Stouffer. A response to this was given by Mrs. R. J. Overstreet, who in her pleasant, inimitable way recalled many of the events of their first meetings, sometimes in sod houses, and of the pleasures and encouragement received by missionary teas and other social gatherings, in the years which followed their organization in 1885, when six earnest, consecrated women met at the call of the pastor's wife, Mrs. Storm, to organize a missionary society. The first officers were : President, Mrs. L. P. Ensign ; treasurer, Mrs. B. W. Newton; secretary, Mrs. R. J. Overstreet. Mrs. F. N. Recknor then read the minutes of the first meeting for us, and also the names of the eighteen charter members, four of whom were present: Mrs. I. Diehl, Mrs. R. J. Over-
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street and Mrs. F. N. Recknor of York: Mrs. Geo. Bingham of Arborville; two others of York were not present, Mrs. L. S. Loomer and Mrs. P. Church. Mrs. Recknor followed with many other interesting items of the early days of the society and their labors in the "old church" under circumstances not always the most favorable and of their first real live missionary's visit. Four officers we found had given from ten to eighteen years of continuous, unstinted service-Mrs. Over- street, Mrs. Loomer, Mrs. Recknor and Mrs. E. L. Gray, the latter having been treasurer for eighteen years. Mrs. James Arnold and Mrs. Diehl were asked to give a few reminiscences. Mrs. Hastings then read a list of the members who had answered the call to higher service, and this was followed by a touching poem, "Ile Giveth His Beloved Sleep," read by Mrs. A. O. Whittemore, and the program was closed by a solo by Mrs. Lackey.
Ladies' did Society. A band of ladies in the church, who had given suppers and entertainments for the church treasury, organized themselves in the spring of 1878 into the Ladies' Aid and Missionary Society. Mrs. C. S. Harrison was presi- dent. For five years the earnings were divided between home expenses and missions. In 1883 the missionary society was organized by itself. In 1828 the Ladies' Aid paid $195 for a bell: in 1881, $300 to meet a note: in 1882, $300 for the new church: in 1885-6, $375 for chandelier and stained glass windows; in 1891. $500 for the debt ; in 1893, $200 for a furnace in the parsonage, etc. From 1885 to 1896 they raised $2,791, or in all up to 1903 nearly $5,000. This money was raised chiefly by sewing and cooking. In 1891 an industrial store, open on Saturdays, was started, from which $1.419 was realized in six years. The annual chicken pie supper, held on election evening in November, has been a feature of their work. The Ladies' Aid has been an important factor of the church activities.
Very much of historical value was conserved in the account now reproduced of the dedication in 1913 of this congregation's new, wonderful house of worship :
Without regard to church membership or creed the people of York and vicinity united with the members of the Congregational Church in the joyful dedication of their new church building in March, 1913. The handsome structure, which represents the generosity and self-sacrifice of many, was erected during the winter which has just closed in what seems a short space of time for the completion of so fine a building. The first excavation was made on September 12, 1912, and six months and one week from that time the building committee accepted the church from the contractor. It was first planned to have the formal dedication on Easter Sunday, but the desire to choose a day for the ceremonies when other churches would feel free to join in the delightful services led to the postponement of the occasion for one week.
The first Congregational Church of York was organized forty-one years ago this spring. and of the eight men who have served as pastors during that time three were present on Sunday: Rev. C. S. Harrison, who was the second minister in charge of the work, serving the church from 1824 to 1881 ; Rev. W. H. Medlar, whose pastorale covered the years between 1904 and 1907. and the man who has led to a successful culmination the building enterprise. Rev. Robert S. Lindsay. Mr. Lindsay first came to York in 1887 and after a brief pastorate returned to his Ohio home. Six years ago he again listened to the call of the West and once more took charge of the York church. The success of his labors is evidenced by the unity in his church and the happy conclusion of the building enterprise.
CHRISTIAN CHURCH, YORK
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL, CHURCH, YORK
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRAS
ASTOR, LENOX ANE TILDEN FOUNDATIONS
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The first service of dedication day was held at the usual hour for morning worship. The sermon was delivered by the Rev. W. W. Newell of Chicago. Appro- priate musie was exquisitely rendered by the church choir under the leadership of Miss Blanche Cox. At three o'clock in the afternoon the capacity of the building was taxed to accommodate those who gathered for the service. The pastors of all the York churches with ministers from other cities present were seated upon the platform and had parts in the opening service. The sermon was delivered by the Rev. T. M. Shepard of the First Congregational Church of Lincoln, who was followed by Doctor Newell in a brief address. A solemn dedication service of great beauty, which had been prepared for the occasion by Reverend Mr. Lindsay, was participated in by the pastor and people and the final dedicatory prayer was offered by the venerable Father Harrison, The ritual used declared the church to be dedicated for "social service, intercourse and fellowship; for help to the needy ; for strength to the weak: for every form of service that will hasten the coming of the kingdom ; for the succor and consolation of the poor and wayward, the troubled and the weary, the discouraged and the feeble, the widow and the stranger."
In the evening the Reverend Dr. Newell was again the speaker. The soloists of the day were Claudia Schell, Miss Charlotte Van Wickle and Mrs. G. W. France. Not the least interesting feature of the services of the day was the taking of pledges sufficient to allow the building to be dedicated free of debt. That this might be done it was necessary to secure promises of $15,000, but large as the amount seemed, it was all cheerfully given and so infectious was the spirit of giving that additional offerings were placed in the hands of the building committee on Monday. The securing of pledges was in charge of Doctor Newell, whose tactful appeals made this portion of the exercises as interesting and profitable as any other. While the greater burden of the debt on the building was, of course, assumed by members of the church who gave most generously, there were also numerous contributions from other friends. The Woman's Guild added to their first pledge of $4,000 one of $2,500. The Sunday school is responsible for the payment of $1,000 and other organizations of the church will do their share. The total cost of the church and its furnishings is $32,000.
The building is fully equipped for all the work of the modern church. The basement story contains dining-rooms and a convenient kitchen. A Sunday school room adjoins the auditorium on the first floor and the seating capacity is added to by the graceful balconies. The auditorium and the additional rooms when thrown together will seat 750. The first impression on entering the church is that the seating capacity is small, but closer observation shows that the audience is so placed as to be near the pulpit and that the accommodations are greater than they seem. Doctor Newell complimented this feature of the building, saying that the church had not spent money building a large auditorium but had planned to care for every phase of active church lite. The church is said to be one of the best equipped in the state. The finishings and furnishings are all in oak; the walls are tinted in cream and brown and the opalescent art glass dome and windows harmonize with the colorings. The pipe organ was brought from the old church and rebuilt by the makers, Hook and Hastings. The choir loft will accommodate forty persons. The best heating system known was installed and is connected with city heating plant. The electric lighting has been cared for with as much care
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as the balance of the equipment and is very complete and efficient-partly direct and partly indirect. The lighting system was installed by C. D. Shreck and the interior decoration was executed by the R. D. Fountain Company. Four fine art windows grace the building three of them put in by friends of three of the oldest living members of the church, the Rev. C. S. Harrison, Mr. G. P. Chessman and A. D. Wyckoff being so honored. The window in the south was given by Mrs. John Hyder in memory of her husband.
CHRISTIAN CHURCHI
In this sketch no effort is made to mention in detail all happenings good or bad in connection with the history of the Church of Christ of York, Neb. The present organization of the Church of Christ (commonly known in York as the Christian Church ) was organized in North York, May 28, 1883, by R. C. Barrow. The minutes of this organization read as follows:
"York. Neb., May 28. 1883-We the undersigned agree to associate ourselves together as members of the Church of Christ in North York. acknowledging no creed but Christ and no discipline but the Bible, and pledging ourselves to live to the best of our ability in accordance with the teaching of the inspired word."
There were over thirty names written under the above as charter members of the organization
June 3, 1883, Dr. T. J. Ilatfield, W. W. Williams and J. S. Hiett were elected by the congregation as elders and H. H. Bowker as deacon. Soon the brethren decided to build a place of worship in North York and as the result a substantial frame building 28x48 was erected and dedicated June, 1884, by Rev. D. R. Lucas. This was a time of rejoicing for the little flock and added permaneney to the work so well begun. Unfortunately, a few years after the dedication of the church troubles of harmful. deep and lasting influence entered into the organiza- tion which cooled the spiritual life and hindered the numerical growth of the church for a number of years. Notwithstanding the unpleasant memories and happenings, the Church of Christ in North York, in Christ's name, conquered foes and won victories.
The following are the names of the men who have ministered for the church since its organization : Brother T. J. Burton, A. W. Harney (who was the pastor three times), T. J. Oliver, JJ. H. MeSparron. 11. A. Limon, T. L. Reed, JJoel Fisher. T. A. Maxwell. J. A. Kierfle and G. James Chapman, who entered upon his fifth year as pastor of the church.
It was unfortunate for the church that it was first built in North York instead of the more populous part of the city. In 1898. during Brother T. A. Maxwell's energetic. progressive and wise ministry. the church edifice fortunately was moved from North York to the beautiful and centrally located site, corner of Eighth Street and Platte Avenue. Soon after this move the church began to increase in prestige in the community and in good works. In February, 1899, Brother G. J. Chapman was called to assist in a revival which resulted in several additions to the church. Soon after the church tendered Brother G. J. Chapman a call as pastor, which he accepted and began his pastoral labors April 31, 1899. He found the church in some uncomfortable circumstances; the membership was small. somewhat in debt. The building, besides being small was in need of repairs outside
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and inside, and several of the members were not regular in attending services or in meeting upon the first day of every week to break bread. During the first year of Brother Chapman's ministry all debts were paid and several persons being converted were added to the church. The second year besides paying the pastor an increase in salary, $500 was raised for repairs and beautifying the old building and the substantial growth of the membership continued without ceasing. Old unpleasant memories were forgotten and dismissed and all hearts united in Christian love and fellowship. As Mr. Chapman entered his third year's pastorate the old building was found inadequate to accommodate the congregations that met to hear him preach and thus hindered the progressive and continued growth of the church. A new building was agitated and finance solicited. Plans were agreed upon, the old building was torn down (except the belfry) and the present beautiful, sub- stantial and commodious edifice was erected by contractors D. Y. Ilieslar and A. G. Chessman. The new building was dedicated by Z. T. Sweeney of Columbus, Ind., October 27, 1901. All indebtedness was provided for and thus marked the gladdest day in the history of the York church.
The building has a seating capacity of 500, and is valned, including lot, at $7,000; is furnished with beautiful curve seat and curve back pews, stationed on a slant floor, heated with two splendid furnaces, lighted with electricity and the city water attached to the baptistry. The auditorium is 48x50, and the lecture room 16x32, the two classrooms are 8x10 each, the pulpit is large and fronted by a large arch. The ceiling of the anditorium is 22 feet high and thus makes one of the best auditoriums in the city and a most splendid room in which to speak. The success in building stimulated and increased the faith of the pastor and congregation and the year just closed has been one filled with vietories for the Church of Christ in York. The spiritual life of the church is good, and thus the organization is endeavoring to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace, and the prestige and standing of the church in the community has been much increased.
In 1906 Brother Thomas A. Maxwell returned for a short stay. His successor for a short period was Rev. W. E. Brandenburg, and in 1914 Rev. A. T. Ritchey began a pastorate which has lasted. now for seven years.
Sunday School. There are 150 enrolled in the Sunday school and the school is thoroughly awake and enthusiastic in the study of the Word, and meets all appoint- ments for home and foreign missions. J. B. Friekey was for years an efficient and well beloved superintendent and had assisting him fifteen officers and teachers.
Y. P. S. C. E. Senior. We have fifty-two active members in the senior Y. P. S. C. E. These meetings were attended by from fifty to seventy-five enthusiastic young people. An hour was seldom long enough for all to take part who were moved to do so. The society supported an orphan in India and payed its home and national apportionments for missions and bore a part of the financial burden of the church.
Christian Woman's Board of Missions. The C. W. B. M. had a membership of twenty-two and met once a month for prayer and the study of missions. The prayers and good works of these sisters were felt by the entire church membership.
Y. P. S. C. E. Juniors. The juniors numbered fifty and met onee each week for prayer and study of the Bible. The children were especially interested in the building of orphanages in heathen lands.
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Ladies' Aid Society. This society has for years met once each week to do work of most any sort that would bring them money to help the needy and the work generally. Much was trusted to the hands of these earnest and hard working sisters.
This congregation has consistently maintained a wide awake and well attended Sunday school. a splendid Y. P. S. C. E. and Christian Woman's Board of Missions.
THE UNITED BRETIEREN CHURCH OF YORK, NEB.
The church of the United Brethren in Christ has always been distinctly an American church. Phillip William Otterbein, the founder, and his coadjutors inculcated into the minds and hearts of their followers the equality of man. The iron bands which had bound them to the time honored churches-German Reformed. Mennonite, etc .- were forced asunder under the Spirit of Jesus Christ; so atfec- tionately and tenderly uttered by the cultured evangelical son of Germany, when he fell on the neck of the Spirit-filled Mennonite and said. "We are brethren." If there is any virtue in a name, the name of this denomination has borne down upon the wings of the century the prayer of Christ for spiritual unity and brotherhood. The great life of Otterbein bequeathed to the United Brethren Church a testimony in death which still lingers in the church as a call to consecrated and holy living. "Jesus, Jesus, I die, but thon livest, and soon I shall live with thee. The conflict is over and past. 1 begin to feel an unspeakable fullness of love and praise divine. Lay my head upon my pillow and let me be still."
In the year 1887 the local church at York was organized with thirteen charter members. Only three remain-N. A. Dean and wife and Geo. Spears. The organization was perfected in the Universalist Church on E. Seventh Street, with Rev. E. W. Johnson presiding elder. Services were occasionally held in a store building in North York. The need of a church house pressed heavily upon this young society, so that they early purposed to build a house. Two lots were purchased on Grant Avenne, corner of Twelfth Street. The first board of trustees consisted of N. A. Dean, William Jappath, Peter Hellier and J. S. Lohr. Revs. G. H. Swartz and J. J. Lohr served as pastors during 1887 and 1888. Early in the year of 1889 a new church house was completed upon the lots mentioned above. Having a church building with but a small society, they felt the need of a revival effort. Evangelist Geo. K. Little was secured, whose labors were graciously blessed by God in a very successful campaign. A large number testified to conversion and some fifty were received into church fellowship. During this period the minister traveled a circuit, preaching at two other appointments. In March of this same year Rev. T. K. Surface accepted the pastorate, and, considering the division of his time, witnessed good results. At the March conference of 1890 J. M. Haskins was appointed to York. He remained but one year and was succeeded by Rev. D. W. Protlitt. After laboring for seven months Mr. Proffitt resigned. The presiding elder secured Rev. G. D. Stromire, whose ministry continued for seventeen months. Seventy new members were received and the various departments of the church strengthened. Negotiations were perfected in 1892 for the sale of their church property, the transfer being to a society of the German Methodists.
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UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH, YORK
TRINITY CHURCH, YORK
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIB ~ 1.
ASTOR, LEN X L TILDEN FOUNDANUNS
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The church officials were considering the erection of a more commodious church building and in the meantime they accepted an invitation to conduet their services in the college chapel. The annual conference of March, 1893, appointed Rev. W. E. Schell as pastor. In consulting the conference minutes and local records. we find that success attended Mr. Schell's ministry. The site of the present church was purchased, but because of drouth and a stringency in money no effort was exerted to build. Reverend Schell's pastorate was severed at the expira- tion of two years, when the conference elected him presiding elder. Rev. T. W. Jones was pastor from March, 1895, to 1896. His ministry was marked with intense sincerity and nobleness of purpose. R. A. Longman succeeded Reverend Jones. He gave acceptable service, received twenty-five new members, and closed his year's work with good reports. Rev. H. D. Crawford followed as minister and served during a short conference year of six months, dividing his time with the college as field collector; very little was accomplished in forwarding local church interests. The ministry of Rev. H. J. Gunnels was highly appreciated by the church. ITis removal from the state at the expiration of one year was regretted. At the conference of September, 1898, Rev. W. W. Hart was assigned to York Church. He labored with continuous diligence and very apparent results.
Rev. E. F. Bowers commenced his pastorate in September, 1899. The work yielded excellent results, and by the end of the conference year plans for a new church building developed into an encouraging prospect of success. In 1900 the project was begun. The trustees and building committee, which consisted of N. A. Dean, Adam Seed, W. C. Buchanan, Phillip Fink, J. L. Medlar and Henry Jacobs, prosecuted their work with commendable zeal. After about eighteen months' pastorate Rev. Bowers resigned. This unexpected resignation somewhat obstructed rapid advancement. Nevertheless, forward was the watchword. In September. 1901, Geo. E. Driver was appointed and unanimously accepted as pastor. Following the pastorate of Reverend Driver this church has been favored with the services of E. B. Mauer, Wren J. Grinstead, C. S. Long, J. W. Burkell, who served for more than five years, G. P. Graham and C. S. Parker.
The new church house of this congregation was completed and dedicated in December, 1901. Rev. George Miller, D. D., officiated and a subscription of $3,000 was secured to free the property from debt. The building is a brick structure and is splendidly located on East Seventh Street and York Avenue, one of the finest sites in the city. The dimensions are 50x70 feet. The arrangement of the audi- torium with Sunday school room, four classrooms, and pastor's study afford a most convenient house for all purposes. The inelined floor is seated with opera chairs, with a seating capacity of 600. The total valuation of grounds and buildings is $8,000.
HOLY TRINITY CHURCHL
The Episcopal Church in York has been in existence some thirty-nine years, and a somewhat checkered career it has had. It was organized under the name of St. Mary's Mission at a service held in Bell's Hall on October 3, 1881, when the first bishop of Nebraska preached to a congregation of some one hundred and fifty people. G. H. Jerome was appointed warden, J. M. Young treasurer, and G. H. Jerome secretary and lay reader; the services were continued at intervals by
HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY
Revs. F. O'Connell and G. Il. Hawkins. At a later date services were held in the Swedish Church.
After a somewhat protracted interval services were again held in Bell's Hall in 1885 by the Rev. E. A. Wells of Central City, and at a later service in the Congregational Church several children of R. J. Coles. T. Houston and JJ. Porter were baptized : Bishop Worthington on the same evening preached his first sermon in York, and again appointed G. 11. Jerome warden, with R. J. Coles treasurer and J. N. Jerome secretary, with the latter Geo. Newman and Wm. Manning lay readers. It was decided that from now on services were to be held once a month, and $4.250 was subscribed towards diocesan missions.
For a time services were held in the Swedish Church by Rev. E. A. Wells, who formed the first Ladies' Guild of the church with the following officers : President, Mrs. McCann : secretary, Mrs. J. N. Jerome: treasurer. Mrs. Talbot. Plan's were perfected for using the Swedish church permanently with a lay reader in charge when priestly ministrations were not available.
During one of Bishop Worthington's services he confirmed the following persons : James Houston, W. B. Houston and Andrew Houston.
At a meeting held subsequently to this service the name of the mission was changed to Trinity Mission, and was served under that name until April 11, 1886, hy Rev. E. A. Wells, G. H. Jerome being lay reader.
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