History of South Dakota, Vol. I, Part 83

Author: Robinson, Doane, 1856-1946. cn
Publication date: 1904
Publisher: [Logansport? IN] : B. F. Bowen
Number of Pages: 998

USA > South Dakota > History of South Dakota, Vol. I > Part 83

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The fundamental thought of the doctrine of the Reformed church is the divine sovereignty. The Doctrines of Grace, as they are called, are emphasized. These doctrines are exhibited in the confessions of faith of each country where the Reformed church prevailed. In Switzerland, in

the Helvetic confession; in France, in the Gal- lician ; in Holland, in the Belgic; in England, in the seventeenth article of the "Thirty-nine Articles," and in the Westminster confession ; and finally these doctrines were revised and for- mulated in the Canons of the Synod of Dort (1618-19), by representatives of all the churches above alluded to, besides some churches from the European states. Calvin also brought order out of confusion by thoroughly formulating the system of government of the Reformed church. He distinguished the extraordinary offices of the church in Apostolic times, from the ordinary in later times and divided them into four classes, viz : Ministers, teachers (or professors), elders. and deacons. Yet he did not insist on this as the only possible polity. Nor was he inflexible as to the mode of election of these officers. So, also, the several grades of ecclesiastical bodies which he proposed, such as consistories, classes, local synods, and a general synod. were not necessarily binding, but were matters of ex- pediency.

It is generally conceded that the faith of the Reformed church as originally formulated, to- gether with the democratic polity, did more for the development of our modern civilization, in- cluding republican institutions, than any other system. In the Netherland the reformation re- ceived the most hearty welcome. Entering from Germany, it afterward received its chief impetus from Switzerland and France; hence its dis- tinctive type of the Reformed doctrine and more

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democratic polity. After much persecution and opposition from Charles V and Philip II, who thought they could stem the tide, it flourished under its defender and deliverer, William of Orange, and was in the next century ( 1628) car- ried with the emigrants to our shores, and planted with the first colonists along the shores of the Hudson and the Raritan rivers in New York and New Jersey and on Staten and Long Islands. While congregations left the Nether- lands in a body, taking with them their pastors, elders and deacons, as well as schoolmasters, and so entered, organized our county and locality in settlements, built at once their church and school as well as their homes.

The Reformed church in America is the old- est body of Presbyterians on the western hemi- sphere. As the pioneer of those doctrines and forms of government believed to be most in har- mony with scripture and the American constitu- tion, she occupies a place unique in the history of our beloved land. The Reformed church of Hol- land may boast the privilege of having first planted Presbyterianism upon our eastern shores.

As the different nationalities, belonging to the same Reformed faith, kept their distinctive name they bore in their Fatherland, so our church in this country bore the name of Dutch Re- formed church; but fearing that, after the de- scendants of these Dutch ancestors had all be- come English-speaking churches, the name "Dutch" might deter some friends of the Re- formed faith from staying with, or joining our church, the appellation "Dutch" was dropped in 1867.

Since 1846 there had been a constant stream of new emigrants from Holland; and the princi- pal points of destination were western Michigan, eastern Wisconsin, western New York and north- ern Illinois, as well as southwestern Iowa. The center of ecclesiastical operations was Holland, Michigan, in which vicinity again whole congre- gations settled together in one body as the first pilgrims had done in New York and New Jer- sey. Soon, through the good offices of their leader, Rev. A. C. Van Raalte, D. D., connections were desired and sought with the old mother

church in this country. A sort of classis of all the churches settled in Michigan was called and delegates appointed to effect the above named union. Soon other churches were organized in Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa that joined this classis of Holland, Michigan. In 1854 the gen- eral synod of said church authorized the estab- lishing of a classical academy at Holland, Michi- gan, and aided it forthwith with financial and moral support. In 1862 it was organized as Hope College, now a flourishing institution, fully up to date and conducted in the American tongue. In 1866 the first class of eight students gradu- ated, which same class having requested to be allowed to begin their theological studies under special arrangement with the professors in the college, formed the first class of the theological seminary, now prosperous in the same city and which has supplied most of the pastors for our churches in the central and western. states.

When, about the years 1870-80, these several settlements had become densely settled, many of the sons of these emigrants, as well as emigrants direct from the Netherlands and parts of Ger- many, settled in northwestern Iowa, South and North Dakota, Kansas and Nebraska, and in va- rious states from Minnesota to the western coast. It is very singular that a board of domestic mis- sions in the east which had been making many fruitless endeavors to induce the people to con- tribute liberally for the extension of our church in our own land, was by the opening of these many new fields inspired to more earnest and suc- cessful effort. Had it not been for the generous aid this board could lend, much of the pioneer work would have been left undone and the immigrants moving into these new regions would have found themselves sadly lacking in opportunities to hear the gospel in their own tongue or to get their children instructed in the Bible class and the Sunday-school, as is now so freely enjoyed. Nearly every one of the fifteen churches in South Dakota has a parsonage built or church furnished or painted by the aid of our Woman's Board of Domestic Missions, which was instrumental dur- ing the present year in raising the sum of forty- four thousand dollars for all the missionary de-

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partments of the church. After having given something about the history of the Reformed church in America in general, we now append a short history of the individual churches-located mostly in the southwestern portion of our state.

BETHEL REFORMED CHURCH.

The Bethel church is located in the village of Davis, in Turner county, South Dakota, on the Great Northern Railroad. The peo- ple that make up the church are mostly East Friesians, speaking the German language. The church was organized in 1896. Their first pas- tor was Henry Teichrieb, who served them for two years in connection with the church of Dela- ware, about eight miles away. Rev. Ernest F. Koerlin served the same two churches from 1897 to 1902. At present they are without a pastor. The people constituting the membership are mostly German East Friesians and number about fifteen to twenty families.

DELAWARE CHURCH.

The church of Delaware is located near Davis, Turner county, South Dakota. It was organized in 1890, and was served by Rev. J. H. Schoon, 1890-93 : by Rev. Henry Teichrieb, 1894-96, and by Rev. E. F. Koerlin from 1896 to 1902, in combination with the church at the village of Davis. A heavy tornado doing damage from Chamberlain, South Dakota, to Rolfe, Iowa, lev- eled their church to the ground in 1902, but they rebuilt the same year and secured the services of Rev. Boehler in 1903. They have about twenty- five or thirty families, mostly East Friesians.

CHARLES MIX.

The Reformed church of Charles Mix was organized in 1884. The northeastern portion of Charles Mix county was settled mostly by Hol- land people in 1882-3. The Rev. Frederick J. Zwemer had been appointed as missionary of the churches in the territory of Dakota. He drove with his team of ponies from Springfield, in Bon Homme county, to Westfield, Edmonds county, North Dakota, visiting his various charges and preaching to them on Sunday and sometimes dur-

ing week days. He made his home about two miles from the present village of Platte. South Dakota, and in 1884 had succeeded to effect an organization here. His church consisted of two flocks, about eleven miles apart (Castalia and Platte). In 1885 he became their pastor and served them till 1892. Then they were served by Rev B. Molema from 1893 to 1902. In 1902 they sold the old Platte church and moved the Castalia church to the new town of Platte, where the two churches serve together under the effi- cient services of Prof. D. B. Dykstra, as stated supply. The church numbers about twenty-five families. Services are conducted in the Dutch language.

EBENEZER REFORMED CHURCH.

The church of Ebenezer is located four miles south of Scotland, Bon Homme county, South Dakota. It was organized in 1893 through the untiring efforts of Rev. S. J. Harmelink, of Ma- rion, South Dakota, classical missionary for North and South Dakota, who served the church occasionally until 1897; by Rev. C. J. De Witz, 1897-1901, and by Rev. E. F. Koerlin, 1902. They have recently completed a new church and also a commodious parsonage. They number about twenty-five families, mostly East Friesians and German Russians. Services are conducted in German and English. The people are well-to- do and prosperous.

GRAND VIEW.

Before the city of Armour was located at the terminus of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway in Douglas county, South Dakota, Grand View was the county seat, but when the village moved bodily to Armour only the school, church and parsonage remained. Here a church was organized in 1885 as the result of the faithful labors of the missionary, Rev. F. J. Zwemer, who served it until 1889 as missionary pastor. Then they secured the services of Rev. William Pool, who served them until 1890. Then again the classical missionary, Rev. F. J. Zwemer, served them until 1892, when they secured the services of Rev. William Stegeman. During his term

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the church was leveled to the ground by a cy- clone. They built up again the same year and en- joyed the services of their pastor in the new build- ing until 1896. From this time until 1900 they were served by the classical missionary, Rev. S. J. Harmelink. In 1900 they secured the serv- ices of their present pastor, Rev. Jacob Brimmel. They number about thirty-five families and their services are mostly in the Holland language. The church is of course made up mostly of people direct from that country.

DEMPSTER.

This is a church recently organized among German people near Watertown, South Dakota. They number about twelve families and are served by the classical missionary, Rev. E. Aeilts, of Sioux Falls, recently appointed as classical missionary for the German-speaking churches of South Dakota.

HARRISON.

The church of Harrison, South Dakota, was organized by the Illinois classis as the First Re- formed church of Douglas county, South Da- kota, on June 28, 1883, with forty-five members in full communion. As elders were elected Messrs. F. Le Cocq, Sr., A. Van Arendouk and A. Kuyper, and for deacons Messrs. Jacob Muil- enberg, P. Ernisse and C. Beukelman. As their pastor they called the candidate Abram Stege- man, who served them very successfully until 1892. Then they called Rev. A. G. Ziegler, who served them from 1894 till 1900. Henry Straks was called as their pastor in 1901, and is still in charge. In the years 1894-5 this colony lost many settlers on account of the continued drought, and consequently the church lost many members. At present the church numbers about eighty families. In 1902 the church was re- modeled and in the lecture room rooms have have been provided where a classical academy was organized, beginning the first year with twenty-six students enrolled. Rev. B. D. Dyks- tra became principal and under his efficient man- agement is doing good work. Efforts are being made to build an academy building. The church

services are conducted in both the Dutch and English languages.

IMMANUEL REFORMED CHURCH.

This church was organized at Perkins, near Springfield, Bon Homme county, South Dakota, in1 1888, during the incumbency of Rev. F. J. Zwe- mer, as classical missionary, who supplied them from time to time until 1889. Then Rev. S. J. Harmelink served them in a similar way till 1894. In 1894 they called as their first permanent pas- tor the candidate, J. F. Heemstra, who stayed with them for nearly two years .. Their present pastor is Rev. William Stegeman. The services are conducted in the Dutch and English lan- guages. They have a congregation of about forty families and are preparing to build a new church this summer. The people are mostly of Dutch extraction.

LIVINGSTON MEMORIAL CHURCH, SIOUX FALLS.

This church was organized in 1883 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Their first pastor was Rev. E. P. Livingston, who, coming west, served them for two years and died. Afterward the relatives living east gave money to build this church as a memorial of his personal labors. Rev. W. J. Skillman was their pastor from 1885 to 1893; Rev. S. J. Harmelink, as classical missionary, 1893-5; Rev. L. Kingsbury, 1895-9; Rev. S. J. Harmelink, 1899-1900. Then they called the candidate, J. Reuich, now missionary to China, who served them for two years. In 1902 they obtained the services of their present pastor. Rev. H. J. Schipper, who was favored with the pres- ence in a Sunday evening service of President Roosevelt in 1903, while on a trip through the west. The services are in English. The church is growing under the watchful care of their pres- ent pastor and numbers about twenty-five fami- lies.

LENNOX FIRST REFORMED CHURCH.

This church was organized about six miles from the present town of Chancellor in the year 1883, under the auspices of the classis of Illinois. The people are mostly East Friesians and their

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descendants, who came from Illinois to their pres- ent location in Lincoln county, South Dakota. Their first pastor, Rev. Weiland, served them until 1885; Rev. Mollenbeck, 1887-91; Rev. L. Watermulder, 1891-93; Rev. R. Jansen, 1894-95. Their present pastor, Rev. G. Haken, began his successful career in 1896. The people are Ger- mans of the East Friesian type, prosperous and industrious. During the past year a portion of this congregation was organized into a separate congregation at the station Chancellor, which is also served by the same pastor. They still have a congregation of about thirty-five families and a membership of about sixty. The services are conducted in the German language.

LENNOX SECOND REFORMED CHURCH.

This church was organized in the village of Lennox, at the juncture of the St. Paul and Great Northern Railways, in 1889. Their first pastor was Rev. J. H. Schoon, who served them until 1895. Then Rev. L. Watermulder served them for two years, after which they ob- tained their former pastor again, who is still serving them successfully. They have just fin- ished a very elegant church and their services are in the German language. They number about sixty families.

VOLGA REFORMED CHURCH.

This church was organized in Miner county, South Dakota, in 1902, with a membership of about fifteen families. The people are mostly immigrants from northwestern Iowa. The Dutch language is used. They have no pastor, but they have classical supplies every month.

SALEM REFORMED CHURCH.

The Reformed church of Salem, McCook county, South Dakota, was organized in 1884. Their first pastor was Rev. Cotton, who served them until 1887; Rev. F. J. Zwemer. 1891-92: Rev. W. F. Barney, 1896-1899. Their present pastor is Rev. Jacob Christ, who began his work in 1902. This church is not large and has not

prospered because they were most of the time without stated preaching of the gospel. Their services are in the German language and they number about twenty-five families.

SANDHAM MEMORIAL CHURCH.

This was at first organized as the Reformed church of Marion in 1883. Later when a church was built the money was sent in memory of a family by the name of Sandham. Rev. S. J. Harmelink served them as missionary pastor from 1883 to 1894; Rev. Reeverts, 1895-7; Rev. Har- melink, again as missionary, 1897 to 1900, and Rev. J. E. Winter is their present pastor since 1901. The services are in Dutch and English and the number of families is about twenty. There is another Reformed church in this place composed of German people and numbering about thirty-five families.

WORTHING REFORMED CHURCH.

Worthing, South Dakota, Reformed church was organized in 1900 as a branch of the Second Lennox church. Their services are conducted in the German language. They number about fif- teen families and are served by the Rev. J. H. Schoon as stated supply.

MONROE REFORMED CHURCH (GERMAN).

This church was organized about 1885 from the German population in and about Monroe, South Dakota. At present they number about thirty-five families and they are constantly grow- ing under the faithful labors of Rev. D. Siemsen, their present pastor.

CHANCELLOR ,REFORMED CHURCH.

This church was organized in 1903 from peo- ple formerly belonging to the First Lennox Re- formed church. They number about twenty-five families. Rev. G. Haken, of the First Lennox church, serves them as stated supply. The serv- ices are conducted in the German language. They completed a very handsome church in the village of Chancellor early in 1903.

CHAPTER CI

THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.

REVISED BY RIGHT REV. THOMAS O'GORMAN, BISHOP OF SIOUX FALLS.

It may be fairly assumed that LeSeuer, who visited Dakota about 1700, and Verendrye, whose visit was in 1742, were both devoted Catholics, though I have not found the evidence of it. So too were many of the early fur traders who en- gaged in trade within our boundaries : The Chou- teaus, Manuel Lisa, the Renconters and Picottes, but I do not find record of any Catholic who came here, impelled by the religious motive, until the visit of Father Ravoux to Fort Pierre in 1842. At that date all of the Dakota country was under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Dubuque, who, having in the spring of 1842 visited St. Louis, was implored by the Catholic fur traders about Fort Pierre, who had half-Indian families, to send a priest there to give their wives and children baptisnı. In answer to this appeal the bishop sent Father Ravoux across country from St. Paul. He was accompanied by some half-Indian guides as well as by some Indian families and it is prob -- able that he performed acts of worship from his first coming upon the Dakota soil, but at this time (the old father still lives at St. Paul, though far gone in years) he only recalls celebrating mass at the crossing of the James river, which he thinks was within the present Brown county. If his recollection is correct it may then. be said that the first Catholic service in Dakota was the celebration of mass, by Father Ravoux, at the crossing of James river in Brown county, in the summer of 1842. Two years later Father Ra- voux made a similar trip and for a like purpose

from St. Paul, by way of Sioux Falls, to Fort Vermillion.

When Father DeSmet made his first visit to South Dakota I am unable to determine from any data at hand. He has left a complete record of his visit made in the summer of 1848, but says he was impelled to make that visit by interest aroused during a "transient visit to some tribes of Sioux, on the upper Missouri, on my way back from the Rocky mountains." So it is man- ifest that he was among them prior to 1848. In the visit of 1848 Father DeSmet came up the Missouri to the mouth of the Platte and thence traveled across Nebraska to the mouth of the Niobrara. There he found the Poncas assembled. He had not seen these people before and says "this was the first time the Poncas had heard Jesus Christ preached by the mouth of a minis- ter ;" yet he further relates that when he ap- proached them, they were arranging to attack a party of white men, fifteen in number, who were convoying goods to the fur company, but im- mediately upon seeing the holy father they raised the cry, "The Black Gown has come, the Black Gown has come," and forgetting all about the contemplated highwayry, joyfully thronged to welcome him. Of his holy calling they had been instructed by a half breed who dwelt among them. They at once presented their children for baptism and professed deep conviction of the power of the great spirit, whom they promised to serve faithfully. Father DeSmet left them

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the next day. He made a trip up the Niobrara and White into the Bad Lands, where he care- fully noted the natural history, and finally made his way down the "Little Missouri" to Fort Pierre, where he was cordially received by the officers and made welcome to the hospitality of the establishment. Colin Campbell agreed to take him to the several bands of the Sioux, which he did. Just at this time a party of them were returning from a foray against the Omahas, in which they had taken thirty-two scalps, and the good father took the occasion to impress upon them a lesson of humanity and charity. The Oglalas also returned from a less successful bout with the Crows. The Crows had given them an unmerciful thrashing, in fact had whipped them so badly that they did not deem it worth while to waste ammunition upon them, but chased them away with clubs. They also captured a daughter of Red Fish, the chief. The old man was in great distress and came to Father DeSmet and asked him to pray for the return of the lost child. Father DeSmet first administered to the chief a severe reprimand for his wickedness in leading his people into a useless and foolish war with the Crows; told him how to live decently and then offered a prayer for the rescue of the captive. Almost immediately the girl, having escaped from her captors, appeared in the camp, which the Indians believed to be a direct answer to the prayer of the priest, and from the beginning his influence with them was boundless. He con- tinued among the Indians in the vicinity of Pierre and Fort Bouis, at the Big Bend, until the end of October, when he returned to St. Louis for the winter. In June, 1851, Father DeSmet accompanied by Father Christian Hoecken, set out from St. Louis for the upper Missouri, on the steamer "St. Ange." of the American Fur Company. Shortly after embark- ing. Father DeSmet was stricken with cholera and as he was recovering Father Hoecken was smitten and soon died and was buried at the mouth of the Little Sioux in western Iowa. The cholera raged fearfully upon the vessel and many died, but as they got up into the open and dry Dakota country the disease died out. When

they got to the Big Bend they learned that small- pox was raging at Fort Bouis and Father De- Smet, hastening across the bend while the vessel was passing round, spent a day and a night giv- ing comfort and assistance to the afflicted. He went on to Fort Union that year, but made stops at Fort Pierre and at Arickara to baptize chil- dren. Returning, he passed across the country from the Yellowstone to the Oregon trail, down which he passed to the California trail, stopping enroute to visit the Black Hills. At the very summit of the hills, upon a high rock, Father DeSmet engraved a large cross. At Fort Lara- mie he assisted in a great council of all the west- ern tribes which had been arranged by the govern- ment for the purpose of making a treaty for the protection of the California trail, which at that time was becoming a very important thorough- fare.

Thereafter until 1866 Father DeSmet made many visits to the Dakota Indians and no other person ever possessed so much influence for good with them as did he. Wherever he went they flocked to do him honor and his slightest wish was promptly obeyed. The government, in rec- ognition of his good work, permitted him to -nom- inate many of the agents to the Indians and chap- lains in the army who were to serve in the In- dian country.

In June, 1850, Father Christian Hoecken made his first visit to the Sioux country and made many baptisms at Fort Pierre and Fort Bouis. That fall he descended the Missouri to Vermillion where he made baptisms and start- ing home, met Major Holton at the mouth of the Sioux who asked him to attempt to return to Fort Pierre. Securing a guide at Vermillion, he set out on the trip, but was unable to cross the James on account of the freezing weather. They therefore traveled up the James for several days, hoping to find a crossing, but were caught in a terrible blizzard and were compelled to re- turn to Vermillion, which was then in charge of Charles Larpentuer. Thence Father Hoecken returned to St. Louis and it was the next spring while returning to the Sioux that he died, as above related.

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It appears that whatever work was done among the Dakotas for a long period was by Father DeSmet and like self-sacrificing mission- aries who were acting under the archbishop of St. Louis, until 1867, when a consid- erable number of French Catholics having set- tled on the Dakota Pan-Handle, Bishop Grace sent Father Pierre Boucher out to organize St. Peter's church at Jefferson. Father Boucher was given the title of Apostolic Missionary, with jurisdiction over the southern portion of Dakota territory, and while pastor of the flock at Jeffer- son built there the first Catholic church edifice in South Dakota.

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History of South Dakota, Vol. I, Part 83

Author: Robinson, Doane, 1856-1946. cn Publication date: 1904 Publisher: [Logansport? IN] : B. F. Bowen Number of Pages: 998

Author: Robinson, Doane, 1856-1946. cn
Publication date: 1904
Publisher: [Logansport? IN] : B. F. Bowen
Number of Pages: 998