Freeborn County, Minnesota - Chapter 31: Freeborn County Churches, 1911

Chapter 31: Freeborn County Churches

Pioneers in Faith Wh^ First Held Services in This County - Story of the Leading Churches of the Townships and Villages - Norwegian Lutheran Evangelical Synod - United Lutheran - Danish Lutheran - German Lutheran - Swedish Lutheran - Danish Baptist - Methodist Episcopal - German Methodist - Free Methodist - United Brethren - Presbyterian - Congrega¬ tional - Roman Catholic - Adventists - Early Services.

The religious history of Freeborn county begins with Rev. Syl¬ vester N. Phelps, who, as early as 1856, preached in Moscow tOAvnsliip, and a year later in Albert Lea. Rev. Phelps Avas a Metho¬ dist. ReA^. Isaac AY. McReynolds settled in Albert Lea tOAvnship in 1856 and did considerable preaching. The LoAvrys, father and son, Theop. and S. G., located in Moscoav at an early day and, being clergymen of the Presbyterian faith, preached in various places for the earliest pioneers. The Rev. Stephen Cook, a Con¬ gregationalism Irving in Austin, also preached in Freeborn county in pioneer times. Catholic priests, from missions at Faribault, St. Mary's, Winona and other places, occasionally preached in NeAvry, eA^en before the war. ReA^. C. L. Clausen and other Lutheran ministers, also served the people of the Scandinavian persuasion almost from the very first settlement. ReAr. Walter Stott, a Methodist clergyman, settled near, in the vicinity of GlenAulle, in 1856, and Avas one of the first three assessors in Freeborn county. As he Avas not a member of the conference he Avas unable to perform marriages.

It has been the desire of the managers of this publication to secure a complete history of e\Tery congregation in the country, and to this end hundreds of letters haA^e been addressed to pastors and church members. The congregations not represented here are those AAThose officials have failed to furnish the information asked for. The Albert Lea churches appear in a separate chapter.

Norwegian Lutheran

The Freeborn Congregations, NorAvegian Lutheran Evangelical Synod. The Freeborn congregation is, so to speak, the mother of eleAren or twelve Lutheran churches noAV in Freeborn county, namely : Moscow, Oakland, Trondhjem and Hayward, Rev. 0. Amdalsrnd, pastor ; Round Prairie and Lunder, Rev. 0. A. Saner, pastor; Albert Lea, Rev. 0. H. Smeby, pastor; the West or Man¬ chester and Hartland, Rev. T. J. Strand, pastor, and the East and Central, or Bancroft and North or Bath churches, Rev. H. J. Strand, pastor,

The congregation was organized in 1861 with Rev. C. L. Clausen, its first pastor, he serving until 1865, with the exception of the time he served as chaplain in the Civil War. However, even before 1861 the Right Rev. H. A. Preus and the Right Rev. V. Koren made mission trips in and around Freeborn county; the father of the writer having the honor of at one time taking Rev. Koren to Red Oak Grove, in Mower county, with an ox team, coming from his home in Hayward, seven miles, to Albert Lea, and then on to Red Oak Grove, twenty-three miles. It was in the winter time and the sleigh used was what we called a "long sled, " made of wood - not a bolt in it and no steel or iron shoes on the runners - every part of it was wood.

From 1865 to 1868 the Right Rev. T. A. Torgerson had charge of the congregation. After him the now deceased Rev. E. Wulfsberg, a veteran of the Civil War, accepted the call tendered him and remained its pastor for fifteen years. In 1883 he was called to Decorah, Iowa, and moved, with his family, from the state. The congregation mourned his loss, and it was said that when he preached his farewell sermon there were tears in everybody's eyes. He was an exceptional man, an eloquent speaker, a great worker, a man that could make peace and cement together diffi¬ culties that came up or might creep into the congregation. In his time a parsonage was built and four nice new churches. Rev. 0. H. Smeby assisted him for two years, he (Rev. Smeby) receiv¬ ing a call to Albert Lea in 1876, with Hayward and Oakland annexed. Four years later, namely, 1880,. Johan Thorbjorn Ylvisaker was called, he assisting Rev. Wulfsberg three years, and in turn undertaking the call in 1883 as pastor-in-chief. In 1886 Rev. L. P. Jensen was called to assist Rev. Ylvisaker, and after serving as such for three years, Rev. J. Th. Ylvisaker was called, in 1889, to Decorah, Iowa, and accepted the call. At that time the congregation was divided, Rev. L. P. Jensen taking the West, or Manchester and Hartland churches, while the other three, namely, East Bancroft and Central Bancroft and the North or Bath, extended a call to H. J. Strand, the present incumbent, and he has ably and faithfully served the congregation for twenty-two years. He has helped to make Luther Academy what it is, a success, and in many ways helped his people, both morally and spiritually.

Rev. Strand is entitled to a rest of at least one year, and I hope the congregation will soon favor him in some such way. - By Vegger Gulbrandson.

Those who assisted in the organization of the Central Freeborn congregation were Mr. and Mrs. G. Nornes, Mrs. Anna Opsahl, Mr. and Mrs. Elend Erikson, John Pederson, Tosten Thompson, Mr. and Mrs. Iver Sorlien, Mrs. M. Nilson, 0. Moen, T. Moen, Mrs. Helgen (Johnson), Mrs. G. Bottolson, Mrs. Irvine Bottolson, Mr. and Mrs. E. Gjellum, Mrs. P. Skophammer, Mrs. Anna Talle, Mr. and Mrs. B. Aslesen, H. Kristofferson, Yetler Selstad, Rolf Tykeson, K. Haugen, 0. Narveson, Mr. and Mrs. H. Narveson, Mrs. 0. Monson, John 0. Johnson and A. Johnson.

The church was started in 1867 and completed the following year. The parsonage was completed shortly afterward. A new parsonage was erected in 1897. The East Freeborn congregation was organized in 1863 and the old octagon church built in 1868. The "West Freeborn congregation was organized in 1867 and the present church erected in 1876. The North Freeborn congrega¬ tion was organized in 1873 and the church erected in 1876. The Albert Lea congregation was organized as a separate unit in 1876. The Oakland congregation was organized about 1880 and a church erected the same year. These churches all have cemeteries in connection with their houses of worship.

West Freeborn Congregation (Manchester), Norwegian Luth¬ eran Evangelical Synod. This congregation was organized about 1867. In 1876 the church was erected in section 4, Gust. Peter¬ son donating two acres of land for a site. It cost about $5,700 and is 36x82 feet, with a tower, in which an 800-pound bell has been placed, which cost $300. There is also a neat burial ground adjoining the church, which was laid out in 1872. In 1873 the first burial here was the remains of an infant child of Andrew Madson and wife. The first matured person whose remains were deposited here was Cornelius Gilbertson, who died at Freeborn at the age of twenty-four.

Hartland Congregation, Norwegian Lutheran Evangelical Synod. This congregation was organized and had a church and cemetery on the Louis Knutson farm before the village was thought of. After the village was started it was found a building in Hartland would be more convenient and in 1890 a movement was started for its erection. Rev. L. P. Jensen was pastor at that time and services were held in a rented building until the church edifice was finished. The cornerstone was laid in 1891 and the building dedicated the same year. The cost of the church was $2,306.24, there being at that time sixty heads of families in the

The directors of the first organization in the village were : Bartil Nelson, John Hatle and Louis Knutson; Haivor Siblerud, treasurer; J. C. Syblerud, secretary. Until 1889 the church was supplied by the pastors of the Freeborn congregations. In that year Rev. L. P. Jensen was called to the pastorate of the congre¬ gations at Hartland and Manchester. In 1892 Rev. J. J. Strand, who had assisted Rev. Jensen during the summer vacations, was called as pastor. Shortly after his arrival a large, comfortable parsonage was built and occupied by him during the remainder of his sixteen years of faithful and successful work. Rev. H. J. Strand is the present pastor.

Round Prairie and Lunder Congregations, Norwegian Luth¬ eran Evangelical Synod, had their beginning at a very early day, when the Rev. C. L. Clausen, that venerable pioneer of Lutheran Christianity in this locality, visited the Norwegian families in this vicinity and held services. About 1865 the Round Prairie congregation was organized, the pastor being Rev. T. A. Torgerson, who served a number of congregations. The Round Prairie church was erected in the northeastern part of section' 27, Jb'reeman township, in 1874. It was wrecked by a storm in 1880 and rebuilt the same year. Among the early pastors were Rev. J. Mosby and Rev. S. B. Hustuet. In December, 1905, a part of the Round Prairie congregation decided that it would be more con¬ venient for them to worship in their own locality. Accordingly the Lunder congregation was organized. A church building was erected the following year and dedicated September 30, 1906, its location being in section 6, Freeman township. The two congre¬ gations own a parsonage jointly at Glenville, and have the usual church societies, as well as a joint parochial school. The pastor of the congregations, the Rev. 0. A. Sauer, is an active worker, a man of good scholarship and devout faith, and his work is doing much to assist the progress of the Lutheran faith. The informa¬ tion regarding these congregations has been furnished by Nels H. Hoyne.

The Hayward Congregation, which though not belonging to any synod, has always been served by ministers of the Norwegian Lutheran Evangelical Synod, had its beginning at a very early day, with meetings held in schoolhouses and at homes. The first regular pastor was the Rev. Einer Wulfsburg, although mission¬ aries had preached here earlier than that. Among the pioneers of the church may be mentioned: Ingebrit Knatvolcl, Endre Gulbrandson, Nels Peterson Olstad, Peter Lunde, Mathias Christopherson, Ole Anderson, Hans F. Olson, Hans Bjornrud, Lars Lunde, John Dahlen, Ole Ofstehage, M. P. Hansen. C. J. Olson, A.

Sanderson, Soren Sorenson Lah, Nels Larson, Lars Hanson, A. P. Hanson, Oliver Nelson and others. The first church building was erected in the summer of 1886 and was remodeled in 1899. The remodeled church was dedicated in June, 1900. Rev. 0. H. Smeby was pastor from 1876 until 1894. From 1891 to 1894 he was assisted by Rev. Hans Magelssen. Rev. T. 0. Tolo was pastor from 1894 to 1899. Rev. E. Skabo was pastor from 1899 to 1905 and at his death in the latter year was interred in Hayward cemetery, where the congregations in his charge have erected a beautiful monument over his remains. Rev. Skabo spent one year in Europe, 1902-03, and Rev. C. F. Magelssen was here during his absence. In the winter of 1905, when Rev. Skabo 's health failed, Rev. O. Amdalsrud came to temporarily fill his place, and later, when Rev. Skabo died, Rev. Amdalsrud was called and has for some time been the pastor. He is an active worker, a man of excellent scholarship and sound theology, and has greatly endeared himself to the people among whom he serves. In con¬ nection with the church there' are a flourishing Ladies' Aid So¬ ciety and a Young People's Society, as well as a Young Ladies' Society. The Hayward parsonage is situated a little south of the church. It was built in 1895 and is a fine, large house, with a good orchard and plenty of garden room. Thomas Armstrong donated the lot for a church. In 1876 a cemetery lot was secured about a quarter of a mile from the church.

Red Oak Grove Congregation, Norwegian Evangelical Luth¬ eran Synod. The first services held in Newry township of a relig¬ ious character were in the fall of 1856, at the house of Ole Thorson, in section 36, and Rev. C. L. Clauson and Rev. 0. Pierce were the ministers who officiated, both being followers of the Lutheran faith. In 1857 C. L. Clauson organized the Norwegian Lutheran Church at a house in section 36, owned by C. E. Rukke, with thirty-six members, and the society commenced holding serv¬ ices at private residences, which they continued until 1874, when they erected a fine church building just over the county line in Mower county.

United Brethren Churches

Trinity Congregation, United Norwegian Evangelical Church, was first organized in Hartland township, December 23, 1876, with Rev. P. G. Ostby as pastor. The trustees and officers at that time were Jens Thoreson, Lars Seberson, Martin Christ opherson, An¬ drew Rogn, secretary. Meetings were held in a school house. The first services were held in the village of Hartland, September 2, 1890, in the small church building which has served as a meeting place for various denominations during its existence. Rev. A.

Anderson was pastor at that time. Rev. G. 0. Belsheim was the next minister called, and it was during his pastorate, in 1899, that the plans were made for the congregation to build a church edi¬ fice of its own and the building was erected that year. The building has two rooms, a lecture room, divided into two com¬ partments, besides the main audience room. Rev. Naes succeeded Rev. Belsheim as pastor and remained until he was called to Austin, and the present pastor is the Rev. Nils Kleven, who resides at Albert Lea. The local congregation is joined with Albert Lea in securing a minister, the latter town being the resi¬ dence of the pastor, who comes here once a month, holding Nor¬ wegian services in the morning and English services in the even¬ ing. Connected with the church is a live Ladies' Aid Society, a Luther League and a Sunday School, the latter convening every Sunday.

Lime Creek, Emmons and Bethel Congregations, United Nor¬ wegian Evangelical Church. The Lime Creek congregation had its beginning in 1859, when Rev. C. L. Clausen, then residing in St. Ansgar, Iowa, preached in this neighborhood and served until this and other congregations in the vicinity called Rev. T. A. Torgerson as their minister. But after several years, in 1869, this congregation became divided because Rev. Torgerson was a proslaveryman, and the majority in the congregations were to the contrary. There were held several meetings concerning that question, hut it ended as above stated, and the anti-slavery con¬ gregations separated from Rev. Torgerson and the Norwegian Synod, to which church body they had belonged. Then these con¬ gregations called to their ministry B. Gjildaker, candidate from the University of Christiana, Norway. He accepted the call, came over here and commenced his ministerial work in 1870. He served this congregation until the close of 1876, when he moved to Minneapolis as theological professor at Augsburg Seminary. When Rev. Gjildaker resigned from his congregations they were divided into three parishes, one of which consisted of the Lime Creek and Lake Mills congregations, who, in 1877, called Rev. P. G. Ostby, residing in Austin, Minn., to their pastorate. He accepted the call and commenced his ministerial duties here with the beginning of the year 1878. He is serving the congregations yet, although he at this writing is seventy-five years old. The Lime Creek congregation has a roomy and nice church building (erected in 1874, but not completed and dedicated until 1886), and a church yard surrounding the church. In this long period of nearly thirty-four years the congregation has enjoyed a steady material and spirtual growth. It has surprised the minister with several valuable gifts and has been actively partaking in the work of the United Norwegian Lutheran Church (with which it

In 1893 Lake Mills congregation separated from the parish and secured a minister for itself. In 1902 a good many families resigned from the Lime Creek congregation, with all friendliness, for the sake of convenience, and were organized as a separate congregation, with the name of Emmons Evangelical Lutheran Congregation, with the special resolution that it should be con¬ nected with Lime Creek Congregation so far as to have the same minister. This congregation has steadily been increasing. It built and dedicated a nice church March 21, 1903, in the little >town of Emmons, and it secured from Lime Creek Congregation a cemetery conspicuously located on a plateau one-lialf mile west from the village. The village of Emmons has now for years voted out the saloon and the members of the congregation have chiefly sustained that good result. Even before Rev. P. G. Ostby came to this place there were held by the former minister some divine services about nine miles southwest from Lime Creek church, amongst the few farmers there. Rev. .Ostby continued the work, and about a year after his arrival here he organized a congrega¬ tion there, with the name of Bethel Xorwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation. It was very small, beginning with only seven or eight families, but it has increased so that it now con¬ sists of about fifty families. The minister's work is divided equally between the three congregations. He has much to do : divine services twice every Sunday and holiday, with baptism of the infants and distribution of the Holy Supper. He is reading with the confirmants nearly once a week in each congregation, visiting sick persons, officiating at weddings and burials and par¬ taking in the work of the Ladies' Aid Societies. He is also par¬ taking in the United Church's yearly meetings, of which he has missed but two in forty years, two district meetings a year and pastoral meetings once a year. So he has seldom a day to rest. In 1876 he made a journey to Norway (his native country) as delegate from the Norwegian Danish Conference to the general assembly of the Norwegian Mission Society, and that was the onlv vacation he has had in fortv years. Emmons and Bethel congregations belong also to the United Norwegian Lutheran Church. This information has been furnished by the venerable and devout pastor.

Danish Lutheran

The Carlston and Alden Congregations, Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church, had their beginning February 18, 1873, when the Carlston Danish Evangeliean Lutheran Congregation in Free- born county, Minnesota, was organized. The organizers were: Anders Petersen, L. C. Straudskov, H. P. Jensen, Morten Petersen, Anders Jacobsen, Lars Nielsen, Hans Paulsen, L. P. Mathiasen, J. C. Rasmussen and Jacob Paulsen. The meeting was held at the residence of Lars Straudskov, section 28, Carlston township. The pastor engaged was Rev. E. Wulfsberg, of the Freeborn Congre¬ gations, Norwegian Evangelican Lutheran Synod. The pastors of the church have been as follows : February 23, 1873 to April 25, 1876, E. Wulfsberg; August, 1876, to December, 1879, J. J. Danielsen; December, 1879 to 1884, F. M. Christensen; 1885-1889, J. N. Jersild; June 1, 1889, to 1891, J. Jensen (Mylun) ; 1891-1893, Klemmen Jensen; 1893-1899, P. Kolhede; 1900-1904, J. Jorgen¬ sen; 1905-1907, C. Schousboe Jensen; 1908 to the present time, Rev. Ole Gregersen.

January 20, 1883, the congregation VQted to erect a church edifice. At that time the fund consisted of $121. It was increased by $1,806, thus making a total of $1,927. The contract was let to J. Andersen, of Spring Valley, at $1,800. The dedication, Sep¬ tember 2, 1883, was an important day in the history of the con¬ gregation. Pastor Lyngby, of Racine, preached the dedicatory sermon, J. Jensen took charge of the social features, and F. M. Christensen preached an excellent sermon. A silver communion service was received as a gift from a congregation in Denmark. This church was erected in section 22, Carlston township. In 1886 a home was erected in Carlston township for the pastor at a cost of $700. In 1903 a fine hall for meeting and social purposes was erected near the church. In 1906 a church was erected in Alden village, both edifices now being owned and used by the joint con¬ gregation. In 1908 the congregation sold their parsonage in the country and purchased one in the village.

For about twenty-five years the congregation has had a flour¬ ishing Ladies' Aid Society. A school is kept for the children of the congregation in the summer time. A Young People's Society has a good membership, and the Sunday School is well attended. A cemetery is located about the church. The first burial was that of Hans Paulson in 1874.

When the church was organized the pastor was the president of the congregation. Later members of the congregation were elected to the position. The laymen who have served are : J. J. Howe, N. P. Earner, Andrew Johnson, L. P. Jacobsen, L. P. Skov and H. L. Johnson. Mr. Skov, who has furnished this article, is an active worker in the church and has done much to promote its progress.

Rev. Ole Gregersen, pastor of the Danish Lutheran churches of Carlston and-Alden, was born in Denmark, November 29, 1859. He received a common and high school education, taught school and served in the standing army in his native country. In 1889 he came to America and studied at the Danish Lutheran Theolog¬ ical Seminary, then at AYest Denmark, AYis. In 1893 he started his ministry and served in Ohio, Connecticut, Kansas and Michi¬ gan before coming to Carlston and Alden in 1908.

St. John's Skandinavian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation of the United Danish Lutheran Church was organized in January, 1878, at the home of Nels Sorensen, section 1, Shell Rock town¬ ship. The Rev. Tosdahl was the first pastor, coming from Silver Lake, Iowa. Until 1894 services were held in various homes, and also in the Barron school, district 100, and Burr Oak school, dis¬ trict 71. In 1894 a building was erected in section 12, Shell Rock, half a mile south of Myrtle. Later a shed was erected for the accommodation of horses. In July, 1894, the church was dedicated. Among the pastors may be mentioned: L. Johnsen, 1892-1897 ; C. Nielsen. 1897 to 1899 ; J. J. Kildsig, 1899-1902 ; H. O. Frimodt Moller, 1902-1904; O. R. Olsen from 1904 to the present time. The organizers of the congregation in 1878 were N. Soren¬ sen, J. P. Sorensen, Nels Andersen, H. Petersen, Andrew Hansen, C. Hansen, H. C. Larsen, Conrad Nelsen, J. Jorgensen, Christian Jensen and their families. Among the present members may be mentioned : H. P. Hansen, Andrew Hansen, Nels Andersen, Chris¬ tian Jensen and Peter Nelsen. The above information has been gathered by C. Jensen, one of the active workers in the congre¬ gation.

Riceland Congregation, of the United Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church, was organized in 1880 and built an edifice two years later. Soren Anderson is the leading trustee. Among the pastors have been Christ Jansen, P. Nelsen, L. Johnsen, J. Kildsig, M. Y. C. Nelsen, H. O. F. Moller and O. R. Olsen, the present pastor. The above information is furnished by M. P. Paulson.

Godthaab Congregation, of the LTiited Danish Evangelican Lutheran Church, was organized November 10, 1909, by Rev. M. O. Block, of Ellendale, who is still serving. The congregation wor¬ ships in the Union church at Geneva village. The pastor also serves at Summit and Blooming Prairie, as well as at Geneva. The congregation has a Ladies' Aid Society, which is doing excel¬ lent work. The officers of the congregation are: R. Olsen, Julius Jensen, George Olsen, Chr. Thompsen, Chr. Holm, M. Mortensen, II. Larsen, L. Larsen and Carl Nelson.

German Lutheran

Bethlehem Congregation of Shell Rock and London, German Evangelical Church. In the year of 1872 a German settlement was started in the towns of Shell Rock and London. The first pioneers came from Watertown, Wis., and vicinity and from Ger¬ many and Poland. Among them were : C. Struck, C. Grube, F. Grube, W. Wolff, John Wolff, C. Lau, and a little later C. Schill¬ ing, G. Tessmann, P. Will, W. and F. Lau, F. Seeger, C. Waldow; A. Stiemke, John and W. Butow. At the same time the mission work began and Rev. G. Landgrebe preached in four different public school houses till 1882. In that year a congregation was organized and incorporated by the namo of the Evangelical Lutheran Bethlehem Congregation in towns of Shell Rock and London, and the following officers were elected. Wilhelm Wolff, August Stiemke and G. Tessmann. A small building, 16x24, was erected as a church and parsonage combined. The first settled pastor was Rev. C. Weltner. The congregation is connected with the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Iowa and other states and belongs to the Minnesota Conference in the northern district of that synod. In the year 1890 a church 36x56 was built, with a tower seventy-five feet high, and at the same time the parsonage was rebuilt and dedicated. Rev. L. Hagermann was the second pastor, for the years 1884 to 1891. His successor was Rev. D. Lebahn till the year of 1897. At that time the congregation built a new school house 24x36 and bought seven acres of land. Since 1897 till the present time, the year of 1911, Rev. Martin Yosseler has been pastor of the congregation. During his admin¬ istration a new altar, a 1,300-pound bell and a $1,300 pipe organ completed the sanctuary. The parsonage was also enlarged and renovated at a cost of $1,100. In the year of 1911 the community amounted to as follows: 575 souls, 75 voting members or families, 341 communicants, 60 scholars. The property is worth about $9,000. The officers at present, 1911, are as follows: Chairman, Rev. Martin Yosseler, pastor; secretary, John Butow; cashier, John Golnick; committee, Albert Schuhmacher and Otto Buth ; trustees, Herman Schuhmacher, Fred YTahlers and Carl Yirchow. - Contributed by the pastor.

Concordia Congregations of Nunda and Pickerel Lake, German Evangelical Lutheran Church, is connected with the northern dis¬ trict of the Synod of Iowa and other states. The first meetings were held in private homes and public school houses, in the late fifties and early sixties, by field missionaries. Rev. J. Schorr, missionary for northern Iowa, residing at Prairie du Chien, Iowa, was the first Lutheran minister visiting Lutherans in Freeborn county. After him Rev. Michael Reck became field missionary (Reiseprediger) for southern Minnesota, residing at Spring Yalley, and he became the first regular pastor of the German Luther¬ ans of Freeborn county. He was the organizer of the congrega¬ tion then located in the townships of Nunda, Pickerel Lake and Mansfield, preaching and keeping parochial schools in the three respective settlements, besides doing missionary work, mostly afoot, in the counties of Mower, Freeborn, Faribault and Martin. The first members of the congregation were: J. Y. Wohlhuter, George L. Scherb, George Renn, H. Drommerhausen, J. M. Geissler, Louis and "William Marpe, Henry and Karl Schneider, Fred Fink, Chr. Boehle, Karl Kaufman, John and Henry Tunell, H. Jahnke, J. Seedorf, Ernst and Aug. Iiintz, J. Wachholz, Valentin Katzung and William Yost. Rev. M. Reck had free board in different families of his congregation and a salary not exceeding $200. His successor became Rev. S. Hertricli. For him the mem¬ bers erected the first parsonage, in North Nunda, now Clover, a building 16 by 20-inch 12-foot posts. He was succeeded by Rev. H. Kretschman in 1874. In 1875, by his leaving the Iowa synod, he split the congregation. After an addition was built to the parsonage, the same was sold for debts, and the pastor moving on his farm, kept a number of the members in Pickerel Lake as a _ separate congregation, existing yet, A small part of the Pickerel Lake members and the majority of the members of the settle¬ ments in Nunda and Mansfield, opposed to the doings of the pastor, H. Kretschman, and^advised by the theological student, Julius Keuling, those opposing members notified the president of synod of the situation. Then the young Rev. Ferdinand Tiede was sent here. He arrived September 10, 1875, reorganizing the three settlements into one congregation again. The parsonage which had been sold and six acres of land was repurchased. In 1881 the first church building was erected, 28x40, costing $2,500, with sixteen members. The parsonage was enlarged at different times. Rev. F. Tiede served the congregation until May, 1911, nearly thirty-six years. Thep Mansfield became independent, keeping the old minister. Rev. C. Ilckhoff,^oI Spring Valley, became his successor. Rev. F. Tiede, in those years, was doing missionary work besides at Delavan, Rice Lake (Walters), Alden and Albert Lea, organizing congregations at these places. A church building was erected in Mansfield in 1888. at Rice Lake in 1890, and also school houses at Clover and Mansfield, the total valuation of church property being about $25,000.

Rev. F. Tiede was born at Raddenfort, Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Germany, where his father was a schoolmaster for fifty years. He received his education at home and at the gymnasium at Ludwigslust, and in a teachers' seminary at Lubtheen, in Germany. In 1872 he emigrated and arrived at New York November 2, 1872. He entered the theological seminary at St. Sebald, Clayton county, Iowa, and at Mendota, Ill., for three years. At the age of twenty years he passed the ministerial examination, with good marks, in June, 1875. He became a vicar for four weeks of Rev. J. Foelscli at Cedar Falls, Iowa, where he was ordained by said

Foelsch and Rev. 0. Blessin. May 14, 1878, he married Wilhelmina Kunder, of Troy Grove, Ill. His sons, William and Franz, are ministers at Pocahontas and Maynard, Iowa; Frederick is farming in the township of Alden, J ohannes died when two years of age ; the daughter, Frieda, is married to Rev. R. C. Ackermann, of Superior, Wis. ; Minnie is at home.

Swedish Lutheran

The Mansfield Congregation of the Augustana Synod, Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church, was organized by Rev. S. Anderson in 1893, the first meetings being held and the organization per¬ fected at the home of Nels Johnson. Meetings the first year were also held in other homes and in the school house of district 121. In 1894 the congregation was incorporated and a church was built in the southeast corner of the southAvest quarter of the south¬ west quarter of section 20. The congregation belongs to the St. Peter district, and in the early days, before a regular pastor was installed, meetings were held about once a month by pastors belonging to that district. In the winter of 1896 this congrega¬ tion joined with the congregation near Otisco, Minn., in calling a pastor. Rev. H. P. Quist served from 1896 to 1902. The church was dedicated in the fall of 1903, with Rev. E. 0. Peterson as pastor. He served until 1905. Rev. John E. Hedberg served from 1906 to September, 1911, when the present pastor, Rev. C. J. Rosenquist, took charge. The pastors make their home in Otisco, Minn. This information is furnished by Ole S. Nelson.

Danish Baptist

First Danish Baptist Church of Clarks Grove. In 1861 a small colony of Danish Baptists in Wisconsin decided to push further west to establish for themselves a home in a new country. This colony of people had but a few years previous to this time come to America from Denmark and settled in Raymond, Wis., where they were not at all content. Confiding their wishes and plans to Rev. L. Jorgenson, they soon found that he was in hearty sym¬ pathy with them, and accordingly preparations were made for the journey. Two years elapsed before the party set out and the trip was made in a lumber wagon, drawn by a team of oxen, and the party numbered six. After a long and exceedingly tiresome journey this company reached Freeborn county, having covered a distance of about 120 miles west from LaCrosse. Their plans were to go even farther west to secure government land, but owing to fear of Indians and the fatigue occasioned by the long trip to this county, they abandoned these plans. Near the places selected for their homes they found people of their own nation¬ ality, who but a short time ago had come there, and this helped them to feel more contented with their new surroundings, and particularly as these people were of their own faith. That fall two more families came from Raymond, and in the party was a minis¬ ter, N. Christianson, who but a short time previous had come to this country from Denmark, and he was chosen by this small colony of Danish people to preside over their Sunday services. October 11, 1863, the first meeting of this colony was held in the log house of one of the families, and that day a church consisting of fifteen members was organized. This meeting was held at the home of N. Larson, who has long since entered into rest, leaving a widow who still lives at an advanced age. The next summer other families came from Wisconsin, and the church soon grew to be a prosperous organization. In the fall of 1864 J. Henrikson, a minister, came to -join this community of sturdy Danes, and on August 4 a Sunday school was organized, which was conducted in the English language, and Hans Rasmussen was elected super¬ intendent. In 1886 J. S. Lunn and L. P. Lawson were chosen as teachers in this Sunday school, and that same year the congre¬ gation built a small chapel of logs, with dimensions of 16 by 25 feet. At that time the membership of this church had increased to sixty members, which gained forty-two members during the following five years. In 1871, Rev. Henderson was chosen pastor, and he occupied this position until 1876, when he resigned and went back to AYisconsin in response to a call from a church at that place. A new building was erected in 1873 by the congrega¬ tion about a mile and half south of the first church, on the lot where the present edifice stands. This building was considered a very fine piece of architecture at that time and meetings were held every Sabbath, and during the week, the congregation driving long distances to be present at these meetings. After the resigna¬ tion of Rev. Hendrikson, Rev. J. S. Lunn was chosen to preside over the congregation, which had increased in three years' time to the extent that the new building was altogether too small. In 1884 this church was enlarged to twice its former size, and that same year the pastor, J. S. Lunn, resigned, and was succeeded by Rev. A. Carstenson, who occupied the pulpit until 1889, and resigned to accept a call from a church in Brown county. The membership of this Baptist church had now grown to the number of 267, and for about three years after Pastor Carstenson left Rev. James Lawson presided over the congregation. In 1892 Rev. Iver Larson was elected to the pulpit and began his services on December 1, that year. At that time the membership of the Sunday school was from ninety to 100, with about eight or ten teachers. In 1895 it was found that the church was too small to accommodate its ever increasing number of members, and it was subsequently torn down and the resent edifice erected in its place. This building is located in Bath township, a short distance more than a mile from the Clarks Grove station, and its dimensions are 38 by 65 feet, 22 feet high, with a gallery of 16 by 38 feet, and an addition has been made of 14 by 28 feet, and the tower is 75 feet in height. Each Sunday morning during the year a large and devout congregation assembles in this house of worship at 11 o'clock, the morning services lasting until 12:30 o'clock, after which the Sunday school holds its session. During the summer services are held in the evenings. Before this building was com¬ pleted the members of its congregation met for nine consecutive Sundays in the woods north of Geneva village and Sunday school was also held there, with an average attendance of 132 scholars. A Ladies' Mission Circle was organized in 1875, which has done excellent work, having raised hundreds of dollars for the cause. This circle meets quarterly. Some years after the organizing of the circle, a Ladies' Aid Society was formed, which meets each month, and has a large membership of earnest and conscientious workers. There is another organization of the ladies of this church, known as the Farther Lights, which is made up of the younger members and which meets monthly and raises money for mission purposes. The young girls of the church have formed a Mission Band, which is carrying on good work. According to reports and records, there have been received into this church since its organization 650 members by baptism, together with many who have brought letters from other churches. Many years ago a party of members left their home in this county and went to Kingsbury county, South Dakota, where they settled down and founded a church, known as the Baptist Church of Oldham, and some time after the departure of the first company, another band of earnest men and women went to Martin county, this state. Here they organized a church of their faith. Since the year of 1871 there have been but four pastors in this church in Bath township aside from its present pastor, Rev. Henningson, and the attendance has steadily increased each year. The church has for many years raised an average annual sum of $4,000 to meet the needs of various branches of the work. The present membership numbers 346, and 250 pupils are enrolled in the Sunday school, with a yearly average attendance of 165. The following article is taken from a paper printed in 1895: "This church may well be called the Mother of Churches, for out of its membership have come churches at Albert Lea, Alden, Blooming Prairie, West Brook, one in South Dakota and two in North Dakota. The late Prof. N. P. Jensen was a member of this church, and many other brethren have gone from its number into the ministry. The

Sunday school is large and prosperous under the efficient leader¬ ship of L. P. Lawson, who has been superintendent for thirty years. Many young people gather at the services, and there are prospects of growth through the coming years. It is interesting on Sundays to see the many teams, coming from all directions, and the churchyard looks like some liostelries in country towns on a circus day." The present officers are: Pastor, Rev. C. H. Henningson; secretary, Soren Jacobson, and treasurer, J. P. Larson. Soren Jacobson, the secretary, is the author of this article.

The Danish Baptist Church, of Alden, was organized November 22, 1885, with the following charter members : Mr. and Mrs. A. C. Sorenson, Mr. and Mrs. H. C. Anderson, Mr. and Mrs. N. C. Lar¬ son, Mr. and Mrs. Charles M. Nelsen, Mrs. Lena Johnson and C. A. Nelson. The first pastor was Rev. A. Carlson, of Clarks Grove. Other pastors have been: J. C. Johnsen, M. C. Jensen, C. G. Christiansen, N. L. Christiansen, A. S. Andersen and J. D. Yinding, the present pastor.

Methodist Episcopal

The First Methodist Episcopal Church, of Freeborn, had its beginning in 1859, when a class was started. The formal organiza¬ tion was perfected in 1862 at P. F. Austin's hotel by Joshua Barnard. Meetings were held in the selioolhouse until 1878, when, through the efforts of Rev. S. B. Smith, a church building was erected, the edifice being dedicated the same year. In 1898 additions were built to it on the north and south sides. A par¬ sonage was built soon after the church was organized and was occupied by the pastors until 1883, when Alden was put in the circuit. As Alden was a railroad town, the pastor then moved to Alden, and the parsonage has since been located in that place. Following are the pastors who have served the church: Joshua Barnard, Revs. Perkins, Fuller, Stokes, Matteson, Brown, Riddick, Terwillegar, Blaine, Smith, Followsbee, Chester, Copp, Buttleman, Jenkins, Brown, Arnold. Parr, Thompson, McCausland, YTilkinson, Russell, Haley, Hotchkiss and YC. I. Moore. Among those who have taken an active part in the progress of the church may be mentioned: Simeon Jones, S. J. Fuller, C. H. Derby, L. T. Scott, George P. Lattin, W. A. Brooks, G. R. Borland, L. C. Taylor, J. B. Purdie, T. W. Purdie, 0. S. Gilmore, R. E. Goward and N. R. Brooks.

The Geneva Methodist Episcopal Church. The first religious services in the village of Geneva were held at the store of Loyhed & Matison in 1857 by a Methodist clergyman. Soon afterward a class was organized. At an early day the Baptists also held meetings at the home of Deacon Brant, with Elder Towne in charge, but most of the attendants afterward joined the Metho¬ dists. The earliest records of the Methodist Church have not been preserved, but a class book of 1861 shows the following members :

Lugg, J. M. Hovey, H. AY Ruliffson, Mary Ruliffson, Robert Lathim, Alary A. Lathim, J. Lathim, John Eikley, Oliver Jones, Sophia Jones. In 1865 and 1866, the following names were added to the list: M. Ainsworth (leader), A. Ainsworth, H. Patridge, tridge, J. L. Cabot, Alary H. Cabot, Hattie Cabot, Franklin AATarner, Juliette AYarner, Dana P. Sawyer, Ira M. Sawyer, Dianna SawTyer, Elizabeth Skinner. Among the early pastors may be men¬ tioned: Rev. Perkins, J. N. Liscomb, William Barkulo, Charles Barkuloo, J. Al. Akers, R. B. Satterlee, AY. S. Chase and Thomas Billings. Services were held for some years in the schoolhouse. In 1890 the present church building was erected, the trustees at that time being : Ira AI. Sawyer,1 chairman ; Ralph Randall, treasurer; F. G. Sloan, secretary; Charles Gahagan. The pastor at that time was D. AY. Giberson, and Robert Forbes was the pre¬ siding elder. Since then the pastors have been: 1891, G. AAT. Plummer ; 1892-1894, H. F. Ackerman ; 1895-1899, Alfred Cressv ; 1900-1901, AY. J. Aloore; September, 1902-1903, Frank Seeds; 1903-1904, S. AY. Kemerer; 1905-1906, G. AY. Koser; 1907-1909, J. J. Lutz; 1910, I. B. Holman; 1911, G. L. Day. The names of

M. Osborn should be mentioned as active workers in the church in years gone past. Among those deeply interested in the church at the present time may be mentioned : Mr. and Airs. I. M. Fergu¬ son, E. Randall, Air. and Airs. Harry Gay, and the Alesdames Alice Huggins, Isabella Huggins, Eugene Jones, Frank Jones, M. A. Holmes, Pickering, George Holmes and R. Gahagan. The informa¬ tion for this sketch has been furnished by F. G. Sloan.

The Shell Rock Methodist Episcopal Church. The first Metho¬ dist services held in Shell Rock took place during the summer of 1857, when the Rev. Sylvester N. Phelps preached at the home of AYalter Stott. In 1858, Rev. Isaac AlcReynolds was influenced by Rev. T. Al. Kirkpatrick, the presiding elder, to arrange for a circuit to be called the Shell Rock Circuit. This circuit included Geneva, Grass Lake, Albert Lea, Shell Rock, State Line and Northwood. Services were also held at Itasca. In the spring of 1858 the first quarterly conference was held at State Line. In 1873 the Alethodist church at Shell Rock was erected, the trustees at that time being John Skinner, D. R. Young, J. D. Barren and

Williard Marvin. After Isaac AY. AIcReynolds, L. M. Thomas had charge of the church. He was followed by Aaron Matteson and John Garner. In 1864 Shell Rock was transferred to the Owatonna district. Following him the pastors were : 1864-1865, D. B.

Gleason; 1866-1869, George Elliott; 1869, R. J. Hays. In 18/0 the charge was left to be supplied, and George Elliott again took charge. Rev. Gould preached in 1872-1873. George Stokes was pastor in 1873-1874. In 1875 came John Lamberson, who remained for two years. The minister in 1884 was A\ . A. Miles. In i885 George Elliott again supplied. In 1886, E. A\r. Haley was preacher in charge, and the following year came J. M. Hammond, who stayed until 1890. In 1890 Rev. William H. McGann came as a supply. The latter half of the year the Rev. A. Cressy, of Albert Lea, was the supply. In 1891 Noah Lathrop was appointed to Glenville and Gordonsville. After he left there were various changes until the arrival of thd present pastor, Rev. E. C. Reineke. The facts for this sketch have been furnished by Airs. H. C. Cottrell.

German Methodist

beginning at a very early day, meetings being held at the home of William Schneider as early as 1865. Meetings were also held in the schoolhouse of District 57. Among the early preachers at these meetings may be mentioned the Revs. Bucholts, Uhl and others. The first trustees of the church are said to have been: Claus Flindt, George Drommerhausen, William Schneider, William Weiser and Henry Eberhardt. In the spring of 1873 the society purchased twenty-two acres of land in section 23, Pickerel Lake township, and erected a church under the pastorate of Rev. Aug. Biebighauser. A cemetery was also laid out, the first to be buried being Fred Beherents, also known as Fritz Brantz, in the spring of 1874. The present trustees are George Drommerhausen, Claus Flindt, Edward H. Eberhardt, Charles Lenz and Dr. J. P. von Berg. Following is a list of the clergymen who have served the two congregations: AYilliam Hildebrand, 1869-70; J. Hansen, 1870-72; Aug. Biebighauser, 1872-74; A. H. Koerner, 1874-76; J. C. Jahn, 1876-/9; C. Stellner, 1879-81; A. H. Koerner, 1881-83; Dan. Pfaff, 1883-85; John Hauck, 1885-89; Jacob Durbahn, 1889-94; Aug. Krienke, 1894-95; F. J. Preine, 1895-99; Fred Brinkman, 1889-1901; Hy. Clement, 1901-06; C. A. Borchard, 1906-10; William E. Baumgarten, 1910 to the present

Free Methodist

Vivian A. Drai e, as leader, Mrs. V. A. Drake, H. J. Van Auken and wife, Henrietta E. Muzzy, Abbie Dunham, William Baldwin and J. L. Keene. The church building was erected in the summer of 18S3, with H. J. Van Auken as first pastor. The charge has since been served by the following pastors : N. J. Sumner, Cyrus Cook, Frank Palmer, J. P. Maitland, J. L. Keene, Joseph Adams, John Moran, Albert Dubois, S. 0. McElwain, Alice Van Auken, C. W. Damon, C. W. Sutton, A. G. Morgan, J. L. Kent, Blanche E. Smith and Homer Tanner, the latter being the present pastor. The first board of trustees consisted of C. T. Knapp, Philip Herman, James Casper, A. Alford and Charles Grimm. The present trus¬ tees are: M. N. Aim, Mrs. W. J. Landis and A. G. Morgan.

Union Church. This church, located in the village of Geneva, is now used by Lutheran and Danish Baptist congregations. It was erected by the Free Methodists. The Ladies' Aid Society was organized in 1869, and with the assistance of this society the church was organized, an edifice being erected in 1888, on lot 5, block 79, the land being presented by W. H. Twiford, M. D.

United Brethren

Glenville United Brethren Church. The congregation at Glenville was organized and a church erected in 1879. The pastor at that time was Rev. U. A. Cook. The charter members were Joseph Page, Mrs. Jane Landis, Mrs. L. Woolery Shields, Mr. and Mrs. H. N. Klink, Mrs. Lucie McKibbins, Mrs. George Brown and others. The present board consists of J. R. Page, Mrs. William Page and 0. D. Koontz. The Rev. O. D. Koontz is the present pastor.

The London United Brethren Church was erected in the vil¬ lage in the fall of 1908, with Rev. H. Alborn as the first clergy¬ man. He was followed by J. H. Date. Then came 0. D. Koontz, the present clergyman, who makes his home in Glenville. The present church board consists of S. Hyatt (president), Mrs. J. H. Goslee (secretary) and John Cook (treasurer). The cemetery controlled by this church is located two miles north of the village.

The Myrtle United Brethren Church was started as a congre¬ gation some twenty-two years ago in the Eckert schoolhouse some two and a half miles south of the village. In 1902 the church was built in the village, the trustees at that time being G. W. Geesey, W. W. Galt and S. Hoyt. The present board consists of Mrs. E. C. Robinson and Carl Johnson. Among the pastors have been C. H. Alborn, J. A. Bly, G. H. Varce and 0. D. Koontz. The latter was pastor when the church was erected, and last year, after an interval in which other pastors filled the pulpit, he was again called to the position. His residence is in Glenville.

Presbyterian

Presbytery of the Synod of Minnesota. Early meetings were held in the school building. The church was organized February 15, 1891, and the church was erected and dedicated the same year. In 1894 a parsonage was erected. The first pastor, Rev. H. J. Colwell, was succeeded by J. S. Boyd, AY. H. Sinclair, M. C. Martin, Evert Smits and the Rev. Dr. Donald Alorrison, the present pastor.

Donald Morrison, D. D., pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Alden, was born at Kintore, Ontario, Canada. He was educated at the district school, Kintore; at the Provincial Normal school, Toronto, Ontario, under the private tuition of James Alorrison, M. A., and Rev. AYilliam Daunt, Al. A. ; the High school, Cobourg ; at AlcGill University, and at Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, N. J. He was licensed and ordained by the Presbytery of New Brunswick at Princeton, and has been at work constantly in the ministry of the Presbyterian Church since. The following are the churches served: The Presbyterian Church, of Iron Alountain, Mich., seven years ; acting pastor, Presbyterian Church, Calumet, Alich., Presbyterian Church, Tekonsha, Alicli., three different periods ; Presbyterian Church, Toledo, Iowa. He came to Alden April, 1910. He has been twice a delegate to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of the United States of America.

Oakland Presbyterian Church. This society was organized through the efforts of Elder Lowry, and was first called the Sumner Presbyterian Church. The first regular officers were Edward Lugg, John Guy and J. J. Olesoh. The church was erected in 1880 in the northern part of section 2, at a cost of $1,500, size 24 by 40 feet ; $500 was donated to this church by Aliss Lenox, of New York, and with this the building was com¬ pleted. It is seated to accommodate 200 persons. The first minis¬ ter was the Rev. J. D. Todd, who held services in January, 1881. Among the early members of this church were James, Isaac, John, Robert and Samuel Guy, James and John Roulston, Th. and S. G. Lowry, AYilliam Catherwood, Even Alorgan, James Harris, H. A. Rowley, George Boulton and others. The first services by this denomination in AIoscow township were held during the fall of 1857, at the house of the reverend gentlemen who officiated, S. G. Lowry. The society effected an organization soon after, under the name of the Sumner and AIoscow Presbyterian Church. Air. Lowry continued to preach at his house and in school build¬ ings for about two years, when the Rev. Air. Alorse, a follower of the Congregational faith, took the religious: training of the community in charge, and continued preaching once every two weeks for about one year. In 1858, Theo. Lowry organized a Sunday school at the schoolhouse in section 31, and acted in the capacity of superintendent.

Congregational

The First Congregational Church of Freeborn Village organ¬ ized about 1880 and purchased the church edifice which had been erected by the Baptists in 1879. The building was moved about eighty rods east of the old location and did good service until a short time ago, when a splendid new edifice was erected. An early preacher in this church was the Rev. Mr. Luce. Rev. "Wilbur Fisk was ordained here, and served the congregation until about a year ago, now living in Janesville, Kan. His pas¬ torate extended over a period of some thirty years, and was blessed with many good results. The church was originally given assistance by the Home Mission body, but for the past ten or twelve years it has been self-supporting. Services are now held on alternate Sundays, Sunday school being held every Sunday under the direction of F. M. Snyder, who has been superintendent for many years. Miss R, F. Challis has for a long period been a most helpful factor in the church. Among the influential families of the congregation may be mentioned those of Seth Challis, Stephen Fuller, D. A. Scoville, F. M. Snyder, I. H. Seath, W. E. Seath, G. A. Seath and P. R. McClure. J. L. Jones is the present pastor of the church, supplying the pulpit from New Richland. The trustees are F. M. Snyder, G. A. Seath and H. G. Hunter. The deacons are F. M. Snyder, A. D. Scoville and John X. Luther.

Moscow Congregational Church. The first minister of the gospel following this faith who held services in Moscow was Rev. Stephen Cook, of Austin. He preached in the schoolhouse of Dis¬ trict 31 in 1859, and April 8, 1860, a society was organized at the same schoolhouse with eleven members. The second preacher was a brother of the first, Rev. Nelson Cook. Rev. A. Morse, of Austin, was one of the pastors. A Union Sunday School was organized at the house of William Pace in March, 1857. Money was very liberally subscribed and a good supply of books pro¬ cured. The organization started its good work under the most favorable auspices, with S. N. Frisbie as superintendent, and continued its efficiency for many years.

Roman Catholic

Hartland Catholic Church. At present the small church build¬ ing, the first erected in the village of Hartland, is owned by the Catholic Church. No regular services are held in it, as a fine church building at Bath accommodates the meetings of the parish in this vicinity. Occasional services are held here by the Rev. Father Gossman, of New Richland.

St. Mary's Catholic Church. In May, 1859, Father Pendergast officiated at the first mass held in Geneva township, at the home of Thomas Cashman. Services were frequently held in this resi¬ dence until 1866, when a church was erected in section 13. Among the early priests associated with this church were Fathers Fleming and McDermott. The new Geneva-Newry Catholic church was dedicated November 13, 1894.

Bath Catholic Church. The Catholic society first organized in Bath at the residence of Michael Sheehan, as early as 1865, and soon afterward a small frame building was erected for worship, in section 8, which was used for the purpose until a new and very fine edifice was erected. The society is in good financial condition, and has a good membership.

Riceland Seventh Day Adventist Church. The first preaching to the adherents of this faith took place in 1865, at the house of Nels Hanson, with the Rev. John Mateson as minister; and after this, services and Sabbath school have been held regularly in private residences and schoolhouses. In 1878 the church was erected, size 20 by 30, at a cost of $500. At the time of organiza¬ tion the society had about thirty-five members. There is a burial ground in connection with the church, which was laid out in 1872. The first burial here was the remains of Andrew Peterson. Hans Jensen and C. U. Christenson, the leading members of pioneer times, are dead. P. Peterson, another pioneer member, lives in Oregon.

Early Services

Early Services. The first religious services held in the county were in Moscow township, and were conducted by Elder Sylvester N. Phelps, of Austin. He preached to a congregation in the home of Rufus K. Crum, in section 28, August 3, 1856, and these gather¬ ings were continued until March of the following year. Later in the year he preached in Samuel Degood s house, in section 13, and a class of fifteen members was organized, with Isaac Vanderwurker as leader. A Sunday school was established at the same time, which continued until 1880.

During; the winter of 1856-57 services were held in private houses in Moscow township and they were conducted by Daniel Ingraham, an itinerant exhorter. The following year Elder Mapes held services in various places, and these resulted in an organization. A church was erected in 1865 and Elder Tice pre¬ sided over the congregation. This was a Methodist society which continued for several years and then the organization disbanded.

The Methodists have held services in Shell Rock township almost since the first settlement. About the first gathering was held at the residence of William Beighley in the winter of 1857-58 by Rev. Mr. Mapes, an itinerant Methodist preacher, with a con¬ gregation consisting almost entirely of Beighleys. A class was organized about the same time with William Beighley as leader. Services were continued at various places until the schoolhouse of District 50 was erected in the northeastern corner of section 32, where services were held for several years.