Renville County, Minnesota - Chapter 40: Renville County Churches, 1916 (part 2 of 2)

Moravian

Elim Moravian Church. (By Rev. I. Richard Mewaldt.) The first ' Moravian services in .Melville township were held by the Rev. Theodore Sondermann of er county, .Minnesota, who in 1880 came up occasionally to conduct services in the homes of Moravians who had settled in Melville township a short time previous. The Elim Moravian congregation was organized February 7, 1S82. The charter members were: Mr. and Mrs. Henry E. Wolff, Mr. and Mrs. Ferdinand Wolff. Mr. and Mrs. E. B. Wolff, Mr. and Mis. August Hedtke. Mr. and Mrs. Philip Kirchner, Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Zupke. Mr. and Mrs. William Wolff, Charles, Otto, David and Anna Wolff. The church was erected in Melville township in 1882 and dedicated July 23, of the same year. The same building is still in use. There is no parsonage in connection witli this parish. The pastor used to live in Hector, but at present he is a resident of Bird Island and serves the Bird Island Union charge in connection with Elim. The following pastors have served the congregation: Reverend Messrs. Theodore Sondermann, Henry Reusswig. Allen E. Abel, Augustus F. Ploetz, C. A. Meilicke, Rudolph J. Grabow, C. V. Seifert, W. C. Schattschneider. C. R. Meinert and I. Richard Mewaldt. The first baptism after the organization of the congregation was that of Alma Lydia Wolff, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ferdinand Wolff; the first marriage was that of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Wolff; and the first death was that of George E. Wolff, son of Mr. and Mrs. William Wolff. The Elim congregation owns a church farm of forty acres located to the east of the church building.

The Hector Moravian Congregation was the outgrowth of the Elim .Moravian Congregation in Melville township. The Elim congregation was organized by the Rev. Theodore Sondermann of Carver county, February 7, 1882. Five years later, January 18, 1887, the Hector congregation was organized by the Rev. Henry Reusswig with the following charter members: Rev. and Mrs. Henry Reusswig, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Wolff. Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Raitz, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Raitz, Mr. and Mrs. Geo. H. Weber, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Maag, Mr. and Mrs. Gustav Wolff, Mr. and Mrs. Bdrthold Albert, Mr. and Mrs. Leopold Koehler, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Scheel, Theo. Albert, Carl Schug. Mrs. Otto Wolff, Mrs. Waldo Lovering, Lydia Maag and Johanna Koehler.

The first marriage performed in the Hector church was that of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Wolff, on February 26, 1890. The first burial in the old Moravian cemetery was that of Arthur Stengel, son of the Rev. C. W. Stengel. The cemetery now known as the Moravian cemetery was dedicated June 29, 1890, the same day that the Rev. Henry Reusswig was buried in it. The deed of the cemetery is vested with "The Board of Elders of the Northern Diocese of the Church of the United Brethren in the United States of America." The Bird Island Union Church is composed of the remnants of the Methodist Episcopal church organized about 1880, and the Bird Island Baptist church, organized about 1881. While they have not effected a permanent organization they are holding union meetings in the Methodist church, under the pastorate of the Rev. I. Richard Mewaldt, who is also pastor of the Elim Moravian church of Melville township. The Union congregation has a strong Sunday school and a live Ladies' Aid society.

Disciples Of Christ

The First Christian Church of Renville county located at Vicksburg, has a most interesting history. It was organized May 6, 1871. the organizers being R. W. Davis. P. A. Lawson, C. R. Eldridge. Marry Thompson. Christopher Burch, Pleasant Johnson, Mrs. Lydia Lawson, Mrs. Martha Thompson. Sarah J. Larson and Mrs. Mariah Burch. P. A. Lawson was the first chairman and permanent pastor, other preachers supplying the pulpit from time to time. R. W. Davis was the first secretary. The first trustees were Christopher Burch, C. R. Eldridge and Robert W. Dean.

A prominent factor in the story of this church was Simeon Burch. He owned the farm at the top of the hill above Vicksburg. All clergymen who passed the neighborhood were welcomed at his home, and Methodist and Disciple services were often held there. After the church was erected he still continued to entertain the clergymen. The church was built on his land at the brow of the hill. This church, now a dwelling house, is still standing. The cemetery was laid out nearby, and is still in existence. The schoolhouse was also located a few rods away. The schoolhouse is now located elsewhere. Under the hill, just south of the Burch farm, was the little village of Vicksburg with iis store, sawmill and blacksmith shop. The church at Olivia was in reality the result of the church at Vicksburg. Perry Burch and George Burch. both pioneers, who underwent all the privations of frontier life, were prime movers in the Olivia church, giving it the fullest measure of their devotion. Perry Burch was an especially active and devoted worker in the cause. Both men are now dead, Perry Burch dying in California and George Burch in Oregon. The church at Olivia is now discontinued, its members are dead or scattered, and the building is converted into a dwelling house.

Protestant Episcopal

The protestant Episcopal church has two small but thriving parishes in the county, one at Olivia and one at Morton. The parishes are served from the Twin Cities.

The Reformed Church

The Emden Christian Reformed Church of Renville was organized in 1890, by Rev. H. Putgeter. The first pastor serving this congregation was Rev. G. H. Gulger. The first services was held October 8, 1890, in the schoolhouse in District 52. Services were conducted in German as well as the Holland language. In the year of 1892 a new church was erected at its present location about seven miles northwest from Renville, in section 12 of Erickson township, and in 1914 the people remodeled and enlarged the church to make it modern and convenient in every way. This alteration cost iii the neighborhood of $3,000. Some of Hie original organizers were John W. I'.akker, Dirk Eckhoff, Rasmus Hendricks, W. J. Bakker, Jacob Jacobs, and others. The parsonage was built in the fall of 1892. which has since been improved so as to make a very comfortable home in every way. The first pastor was Rev. G. H. Gulkger, succeeding him was Rev. Puttgeter, Rev. H. C. Bode. Rev. G. L. Hufker. Rev. H. J. Beld, Rev. F. Scherman.

erous congregation, having a total membership of about 85 members, among them are the most prominent and prosperous farmers of Ericson and Crooks townships. - Written by L. Ahrenholz.

Evangelical Association

The Evangelical Association of Flora Township. (By Rev. John D. Moede.) In I860 a number of families of the Evangelical association located in the township of Flora. They immediately organized a number of classes and held prayer meetings, Sunday school and other religious meetings. In those early days the old pioneer preacher served a large circuit and very often it was impossible for him to preach oftener at a place than once in every four or six weeks. During the pastor's absence the various classes continued their work and often when he came for the next service he would learn that a number of converts had been added to the fold. In 1862 the ministers, Christian L. Seder and E. H. Bauman of New Ulm, regularly visited this community. The work was in a flourishing condition at the time of the Indian outbreak, August 18, 1862. On August 17. 1862, there were about one hundred adults and thirty children gathered at the home of John Lettau for divine worship. Gottlieb Mannweiler was the Sunday school superintendent at the time, and was a very devout and earnest leader. Rev. Seder preached on that day. None realized that this would be the last service that some of them ever would attend on this earth.

Before another Sunday, nearly one hundred were dead and their mangled bodies scattered over the prairies as the result of the Indians' revenge, and of the other thirty many were prisoners of the savage Sioux while a few after horrible sufferings had escaped. Rev. Balsar Simon, pastor of the Evangelical church of Flora, in 1882- M made a very thorough investigation of the names of the victims of the massacre, and placed on the records of the congregation the names of the members who were murdered: Rev. Christian L. Seder (Rev. August Nierens, another minister of the denomination was murdered by the Indians near New Ulm, September 2, 1862); W. Inerfield; John Sieg, wife and four children; Michael Zitzloff, and wife; John Zitzloff; Caroline Meier and three children; Ernest Hauff. wife and four children; Uris Andermack; Mrs. Louis Thiele and one child; John Lettau and one child; Gottlieb Mannweiler; William Schmidt, wife and two children, (little Minnie died at Fort Ridgely from the effects of exposure) ; Father and Mother Boelter; Mrs. Michael Boelter and three children; John Boelter (Mrs. John Boelter and two children escaped into the woods; after weeks of indescribable suffering the baby died, and the mother and the other child were found by the soldiers when starvation seemed to the inevitable fate) ; Enselius Rief, wife and one child; Friedrich Busse, wife and three children; John Roesler, wife and two children; Rosina Heining and three children; Friedrich Roesler; John Kochendorfer and one child; Paul Kitzman, wife and several children; Friedrich Krueger and two children; Gottlieb Zabel; and Emil Grundman, wife and three children.

Many escaped to Fort Ridgely and many were taken captive by the Indians and later released, at Camp Release by General Sibley. Louis Thiele was the only old settler who returned to establish a home on his old homestead.

About the close of the Civil war a number of Evangelical families again moved into this neighborhood. The first families are the following: Francis Shoemaker, August Lindeman. Henry Dreyer and Henry Timms. Evangelical ministers for several years made occasional visits to this community. In 1868 regular preaching services were instituted and have been conducted until the present time. In 1871 Rev. August Schmidt was sent to this community as the first resident pastor of the Evangelical association. November 25, 1N77. the members of the Zion's church of Evangelical association organized with Fredrick Emde as president, and Henry Tinnes as secretary. Julius Runger was elected trustee for a term of one year, Henry Tinnes for two years and Henry Smith for three years. Through the efforts of Rev. Schmidt the first church was built in 1 S 7 '. > . The old pioneer preachers visited a number of other points and organized congregations, some of which are nowlarge and flourishing.

In 1911 Rev. J. S. Krienke was influential in having a new church built which cost $8,000 and which was dedicated in June, 1912, Bishop W. Horn, D. D., of Cleveland, Ohio, had charge of the dedicatory services. In .May, 1912. Rev. S. W. Hielscher assumed charge of the congregation and before the year was out the church was free from debt. The following pastors have served this charge: Rev. Chr. Brill, Mav, 1861- May, 1862; Rev. C. L. Seder and E. H. Bauman, 1862-until the time of the massacre; Rev. J. G. Simon served this field for several' months during 1866; John Schmidt made one visit to that place during the year 1866: during 1867 the field was not supplied with a pastor; Rev. E. J. Hielscher, 1868-1869; Rev. E. J. Hielscher and Rev. J. Manthey. 1869-1S70: J. G. Drehmel and August Schmidt. 1870-1871; Rev. August Schmidt, 1871-1873; Rev. Friedrick Moede. 1873-74; Rev. D. W. Sydon, 1874-75; Rev. Ludwig Passer, 1875- 76; Rev. Ludwig Passer and Rev. E. Murius. 1876-77; Rev. F. Emde, 1877-79; Rev. John H. Schmidt, 1879-82: Rev. Balsar Simon, 1882-85: Rev. Martin Gagstetter, 1885-88; Rev. H. Hensel, 1888-91: Rev. A. G. Sahr, 1891-94; Rev. Otto Schultz, 1894- 96; Rev. J. Kienholz. 1896-98; Rev. August

This congregation has exerted a wholesome influence in the days gone by and has been a blessing to many individuals. The Minnesota Conference will hold its next session, May, 1916, in the new church and is assured of royal entertainment by the members of the congregation and their friends in the community.

Rev. Christian Louis Seder was born in 1830 in Koeingreich, Hanover. Germany; his parents were sturdy Germans. When he was sixteen years of age the family came to this country, locating at Lewiston. Wis., on a farm. In 1856 Rev. Seder was licensed to preach and served two years as a local pastor. In 1857 he was united in marriage to Ursula Saxer. Three children - two sons and a daughter - were born to them. Both sons are now in the service of the church. In the spring of 1860 Rev. Seder was stationed at Preston Mission in this state. His circuit was very extensive - north as far as Rochester, Chatfield, Dover, south-east to the state line, Cresco and Decorah, Iowa. All of these points were reached on horseback, that being the only means of conveyance which could be obtained at the time. He carried his library with him, so to speak, as his means were limited and his salary \ ery meager. However he was a powerful preacher and many thank him for being the means of leading them to a better life. In the spring of 1862 he was stationed at New Ulm, which was also a large circuit, and compelled him to be away from home a great deal of the time. On Aug. 17, 1862, he preached near Beaver Creek in Renville county, where he had a regular appointment. On Monday morning, August 18, came the alarm of the Indian Outbreak. All the people in the vicinity got together to flee to a place of safety. Rev. Seder was chosen leader and headed the procession. They were overtaken by the Indians and many of them were shot and killed. Rev. Seder was one of the first ones killed. Eye witnesses said that he was shot and an Indian then sprang into his buggy, split his head open with a tomahawk and then threw his body out of the buggy, keeping the horse and buggy as a prize. John Boelter was among those killed. His wife and two children, however, succeeded in escaping thru the brush and concealed themselves in a cave, where they lived for several days on herbs and berries before help came. It is from Mrs. Boelter that particulars of this massacre have been obtained. She is still alive, residing now at Kenyon, Minn. - By Rev. H. A. Seder.

Rev. August Nierens was a pastor in the same denomination as Rev. Seder who worked on a circuit near New Ulm. When the uprising came he offered himself as a volunteer to help defend the town and showed much bravery in the defense of the town. On Tuesday, Sept. 2, hearing the cries of a child outside of the stockade, he bravely stepped out to rescue it. but was shot down as he stepped out of the door. - By Rev. H.'A. Seder.

Roman Catholic

Catholic services in the Minnesota valley were held at an early date. On June 2:;. 1839, Bishop Mathias Loras, Bishop of Dubuque, left that city in a steamboat for the mouth of the Minnesota river, accompanied by Abbe Joseph Pellamourgues and a young man who acted as interpreter. The bishop wrote: "Our arrival was a source of great joy to the Catholics, who had never before seen a priest or bishop in these remote regions; they manifested a great desire to assist at divine worship and to approach the sacrament of the church. The wife of our host, who had already received some religious instruction, was baptized and confirmed; she subsequently received the sacrament of matrimony and made her first communion. The Catholics of St. Peter amounted to 185. Fifty-six were baptized, administered communion to thirty, these adults, and four received the nuptial benediction."

Bishop Loras was near Fort Ridgely at l lie time of a battle between the Sioux and the Chippewas, and he gives the following description: "On Thursday, the sixtythird anniversary of the independence of the United States, my adopted country, while holding services, a wild music suddenly burst upon our ears. A moment after I perceived through the windows a band of savages, all covered with blood, executing a barbarous dance and singing one of their death songs. At the top of two poles were fifty bloody scalps, to which a part of the skulls were attached, the terrible trophies of the prowess of the hard fight of the preceding days. You may well imagine what an impression such a sight made upon my mind. I finished the services as well as I could."

Some time in the forties. Catholic priests held missions at the home of the La Croix family at the mouth of Birch Cooley creek, and also near Patterson's Rapids, in Flora township, not far from the Sacred Heart creek.

There are eight Catholic churches in Renville county, as follows: the Church of St. Mary at Bird Island, served by Rev. A. Scholzen; the Church of St. John at Hector, served from Bird Island; the Church of St. Andrew at Fairfax, served by Rev. Jn. Goergen; the Church of St. John at Morton, served by Rev. W. L. Hart; Church of St. Patrick, of Birch Cooley, served by Rev. Hart; the Church of St. Mary, of Bechyn, served by Rev. Jos. Tomek, Redwood Falls; the Church of St. Aloysius at Olivia, served by Rev. Henry D. Pomije; the Church of Holy Redeemer of Renville, served by Rev. Wm. ('ashman. The parish of Henryville is now discontinued and its members have been amalgamated with other parishes. There are several Catholic families at Buffalo Lake and services are held there in a private building and the work there is conducted as a mission of Bird Island. It was formerly a mission of Hector. There are also a number of Catholic families at Sacred Heart and services have long been held at the residence of Ed. O'Connor.

The Church of St. Aloysius, Olivia. (By Rev. Henry D. Pomije.) As there are many Scandinavians in Renville county, and as it is held by some scholars that their forefathers were the first known Catholics upon the soil of Minnesota, it may be of special interest to make reference to the earliest traces of Catholicity in these parts of the State.

If the records are genuine, we have an inscription of what is known as the Kensington Rune Stone. The Acta Et Dicta, Vol. IV. No. 1, p. 36, published by The Catholic Historical Society of St. Paul, gives the following account of the Stone: "In August, 1898, a Swedish farmer, by the name of Olaf Oilman, was clearinu a tract of land, situated about three miles in a northerly direction from Kensington, Douglas county. Minnesota, when he discovered under a tree a large stone bearing an inscription in runic characters, which interpreted reads as follows: '8 Goths (Swedes I ami "2 Xorvegians on an exploring journey from Vinland very far west. We had a camp by 2 skerries (rocks in the water) one day's journey north from this stone. We were out fishing one day. When we returned home, we found 10 men red with blood and dead. A V M (Ave Maria, or Ave Virgo Maria, Hail Mary). Save us from evil. We have 10 men by the sea to look after our vessels, 14 (41 ? I days journey from this Island. Yeaf 1362.' The strange inscription tells us then of a visit made by a number of Norsemen in 1362 to a locality in the central western part of what is now Minnesota. The thing is not at all impossible nor unlikely. It is nil historic fact that the Norsemen in those ages came on frequent journeys to the eastern coast of North America, part of which they named Vineland or land of wine; and hence some of them might have ventured further inland on a journey of exploration. The runic characters and the language of the inscription are such as they were in use among the Scandinavian peoples in the Middle Ages. Above all, the invocation to the Blessed Virgin Mary points to the authenticity of the record, because in those days the nations of the Scandinavian north still possessed the Catholic faith (brought to them in about 830, by the Frankish Priest. St. Ansgar, at the invitation of the Danish chief Harold, himself then a Catholic), and were familiar with the veneration of the saints, its usage and meaning. It is hardly conceivable that a forger of our days would even think of such an invocation, since the Scandinavians have been Protestants from the sixteenth century. Much therefore is in favor of the authenticity of the inscription upon the Kensington Rune Stone found in our part of the State, indicating that Catholics were here as early as 1362.

However, as far as the history of the Catholic Church in Olivia is concerned, the earliest traces we can now find are the sources of its adherents, and these, naturally, were the adjoining Catholic settlements. Such settlements, not to mention Bird Island, were Fort Ridgely, with its quota of Catholics already in the year 1857: Birch Cooley, under the ministration of Father Somereisen, 1868; Bechyn, with its Church edifice erected in 1880; and the Church of St. Philip, of Henrvville.

The Church of St. Philip has now gone out of memory. The records on file in the office of the Church of St. Aloysius of Olivia, show that said parish was incorporated on Oct. 6, 1882, with Thomas L. Grace. Bishop, August Ravaux, V. G.. John Andre, Pastor, Michael Holden, Treasurer, and John T. Kelly, Secretary. Of. the original incorporators, Michael Holden is the sole survivor. The members of this parish have now all been amalgamated with the members of adjoining parishes, the church building moved away and the cemetery with the entire church grounds placed under the charge of the Church of St. Aloysius of Olivia.

The Catholic parish of Olivia was officially organized and incorporated in 18S8. It was on the seventeenth of May, lss.s. that several Catholic men "of the village and vicinity" met in Olivia, "for the purpose of locating a site for a Catholic Church in said village."

They felt that their religious needs had not hitherto received adequate attention. Religion and morality, to be truly the pillars of national and individual greatness, must be systematically inculcated.

The material prospects in Renville county were bright. The prairie fields gave tokens of willingness to exchange their coat of wild grass for a covering with rugs of golden grain. But the mere material advantages, in view of man's immortal and noble destiny, are ultimately, as a rule, the surest counteractors of themselves, the first to dissolve their own momentary charm. Thus the pioneer Catholics of Olivia were not satisfied with mere material advantages, the somewhat prevalent folly of Americans. To them past religious services were palpably deficient, they yearned for fuller measures of ministrations and the grandeur of the Catholic Ritual. And well might the Catholic Pioneer den more of his religion, for of no man is it the surer perquisite. Like Leban of old carrying her household gods with her wherever she went, so these pioneers carried their Catholic faith with them, with all its hopes. Silver and gold, indeed, they did not have, but they possessed something far more valuable than that - their faith. Happy, thrice happy, they who possess faith! They cannot smile without thinking that they will rejoice in the eternal smiles of heaven: they cannot weep without thinking that their sorrow will soon be over. Their tears, so frequent among our old pioneers, are not lost, religion collects them in her urn, in her chalices, and presents them to the most High, through whose benevolence many become valuable pearls of merit and are stored in the celestial treasury for future reward, the remainder blossom forth into flowers of Divine benedictions, which are strewn upon man's path in this world. The Pioneer Catholics of Olivia had the Faith, and, wishing to perpetuate it, they therefore met to consider plans for systematic services in religion.

There were Catholic services in Olivia prior to 1SSS, for as early as l^sn. two years after the foundation of Olivia, if not earlier, Father Andrew Kober, the actual Apostle and good Samaritan of Renville county Catholics, ministered to the local Catholics.

At the meeting of May IT, 1888, Peter Abercrombie was elected chairman, and J. B. Foreman secretary. The building committee was composed of John Morgan, Jacob Kubesh, Henry Leonard, Louis Brugman. Michael Sherin and James Burns.

On the 27th of May. 1888, a new election took place "for the purpose of electing the officers for one year." The record of that meeting says that Peter Abercrombie was elected chairman, with Louis Brugman, Michael Glenn and James Riha as associates, and John Morgan as treasurer. "Peter Abercrombie acting also as secretary."

At a meeting of June 10, 1888. two more members were added to the building committee, Michael Sherin and William Heaney. On the 14th of June the bond of the treasurer, John Morgan, with M. J. Glenn and Michael Sherin as sureties, was accepted.

M. J. Glenn and John Morgan were then sent to St. Paul "to secure a deed to the property" intended for the church site, which was Block 13 Nester's Addition to the Village of Olivia, and also "to make inquiries for lumber, in diverse places, for the church building."

The work progressed well, for a fewdays later, on the twentieth of June. 1888. the vigil of St. Aloysius Day (hence the name. Church of St. Aloysius). the incorporation documents were signed by Rt. Rev. John Ireland. Rt. Rev. Thomas L.

Father Andrew Kober was therefore the first pastor, and lie ministered to the parish until aboul Julj 1. L896, when Rev. T. Plent succeeded him. Cnder the latter's direction was built the present commodious and thoroughly modern brick presbytery in 18H7. liis charge terminating in February of 1904, Rev, II. I'. Fey conducted services until May of the same year, when Rev. Daniel Hughes took his place. In September of the same year, Rev. Paul Barron, an Englishman, became the acting pastor, and occupying the office until November, 1906, when Rev. Paul Perigord was sent here. His pastorate terminating on the second of August. 1907, Rev. Henry D. Pomije was sent by Archbishop Ireland to assume charge of the parish of St. Aloysius, and its pastorate he holds since that time.

Mention should be made that the large bell in the high steeple of the church was donated, almost in its entire cost, by Frank Holan. an amiable old Pioneer, now deceased. The bell weighs 2,000 pounds and is rung daily, signalling to the people the time of prayer, morning, noon and eve; its magic sound controlling many hearts. It is also used in calling people to Mass, to ring wedding marches, and to toll the sad funeral farewell.

The main altar is the gift of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas McGinty. The Stations of the Cross were donated by M. J. Glenn, :\l. Holden, G. Kelly. II. Nelson. Mr. and Mrs. Albert Jansen, Mr. and Mrs. John Hopman, Mr. and Mrs. Owen Heaney, Ladies' Rosary Society. Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Kubesh, St. Andrew Court. C. O. F.. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Pitka. William Maloney. Catholic Workman. Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Heaney, Mr. and Mrs. P. J. Schaeffer. Mr. and Mrs. L. Brugman, Mr. and Mrs. A. Brugman, Anton Kubesh, Frank Fousek and Geo. Lipert.

Among other more notable gifts to the parish may be mentioned, the Sanctuary Lamp, donated by Albert Jansen; the Park Fountain, donated by Messrs. John Freeman, Peter Wacek, P. J. Schaeffer and Henry Heaney; the Pergola, donated by Wm. Russel ;mil Rev. H. D. Pomije. and the School Library, donated by the last mentioned.

About half a mile west from the church is the parish cemetery, which with its mowed lawn, flowers and a central flower mound, makes, in connection with the contiguous public cemetery, one of the best appearing cemeteries in Renville county.

People of several nationalities belong to the Church of St. Aloysius. According to the alphabetical order they are: Bohemians, French, Germans. Hollanders, Irish. Poles and Scandinavians. All told, 175 families belong to the parish.

The parish property, including its park, cemetery, and all buildings and furnishings, is worth about $75,000. The parish is without debt and in a highly flourishing condition.

The Catholic parish owns a block of ground and maintains in addition to the church a parochial school, which was recently built at a cost of $25,000. A beautiful park situated on the grounds is the pride of the parish. Rev. H. D. Pomije is pastor.

The Aloysianum. - The Aloysianum is an eight grade and music school under the direction of the Trustees of the Church of St. Aloysius, and in charge of the Sisters of the Order of St. Joseph.

On Easter Sunday, March 27, 1910, the pastor, Rev. Henry D. Pomije, just before leaving on a tour of Europe, Northern Africa and Western Asia, announced to his parishioners the necessity of a private school where, besides all the ordinary branches of secular knowledge, also a moral and religious education could be imparted to the pupils.

Upon his return, two gentlemen, John M. Freeman and John Flaschenriem, met with him in his library room and discussed the projected institution. All agreed that such a school should be built, and it was thought prudent to take three years to do said work, so that in 1913. the year of the Silver Jubilee of the parish, the building would rise upward as a memorial of the 25th anniversary.

On June 21, 1911, the breaking and the blessing of the ground took place; Very Rev. L. Haas, Dean of the Glencoe Deanery, officiating, with the assistance of several clergymen. Rev. P. Quesnell of Glencoe. preached in the church, and Rev. .hi uies Klein of Minneapolis delivered an address on the school grounds.

On June 21, 1912. the Catholics of Olivia were requested by Father Pomije to bring sand gravel for the building, and in the autumn of the same year again requested to proceed with the excavation of the ground. Both requests were responded to with high enthusiasm.

These were the remote preparations for the laying of the corner stone on June 21. 1913, tlie year of the Silver Jubilee referred to above. On that day, in the presence of a vast concourse of people, the corner stone was solemnly laid by the Very Rev. Humphry Moynihan, President of St. Thomas College. The said gentleman spoke in the English language, and Rev. H. D. Pomije in Bohemian.

The complete cost of the building is $30,- 000.00. It is a brick structure two stories high above the basement. The brick is the Danville cloister, with deep red mortar joints. The entire building is trimmed with cut Bedford stone, giving it a solemn expression and stately stamina.

The basement, with the exception of the large boiler room, is less than four feet beneath the ground level, so that all its windows are above ground, and thus making the rooms in the basement almost ideal. On the side of the boiler room are two lavatories, separated by a wall and reached by different stairways. In the center of the basement is located a parish kitchen, and on the west end is located a large parish hall.

The building is 94 by 47 feet. While the ends of the building are only 47 feet deep, the central part of the building is 60 y2 feet deep. This central projection is 60% by 30 feet. The landings of both front and rear entrances are 10 by 12 feet. Leading into the building is a large entrance double door of paneled glass and surrounded by windows of flowing tracery. In the spacious vestibule the floors are of marble. Another double door with glass panels opens into the building proper. Here one stairway leads into the basement and the other to the main floor. All the doors in the building have large glass panels.

On the main floor is a splendid central lobby, 14 by 26 feet, where there are a few chairs, piano, ornamental statuary, pictures of the Declaration of Independence, of George Washington, of Lincoln, and of Renville county wheat fields. This lobby is a new feature in school buildings, as is also the flower house on the south side of the building, where over a thousand plants are yearly propagated. Circling around this lobby are the music rooms, reception room, two dining rooms, private chapel, two dormitories and lavatories.

On the second floor are the school rooms, each 21 feet 4 inches by 30 feet 8 inches. Eight large windows, with transoms above, admit an abundance of light into each room. Genuine, hand finished slate blackboard is in all the class-rooms. Each class-room has its adjoining cloakroom, and is otherwise provided with all the requirements of a modern school-room, including electric lights, clocks, pictures, sanitary drinking fountains, etc. The library is 14 by 20 feet and contains presently over 500 volumes, all classified according to the universal Dewey Decimal System.

The electric system cost about $1,000.00, and the pictures in the building over $5,- 000.00. All the furniture, which is turned oak, rugs, carpets, etc.. is of the best quality. The style of the architecture of the building is a beautiful combination of the classical and modern, and the building, in appearance, is not unlike the Castles on the Rhine.

The dedication program was in charge of J. R. Landy, editor of the Olivia Times. Mr. Landy delivered the address of welcome in his usual happy way and introduced the various speakers. The following account of the dedication is taken from the Olivia Times, Sept. 10, 1914: "Sunday, Sept. 6, was made a memorable day in the history of St. Aloysius Church. . . The dedication of the new school took place and a large crowd turned out to attend the exercises. Fully 2,000 people were in attendance, many coming from Redwood, Renville, Bird Island and other neighboring towns. The exercises began at 2:30 o'clock with a march from the parsonage to the school building. The procession was headed by cross bearers and altar boys and after them came the clergy. Next in line were the school children and following those came the members of the Catholic Workmen and Catholic Foresters, and next the members of the parish. At the front entrance to the school building the procession stopped while the choir sang a hymn, and then the clergy and attendants passed into the building, where a short ritualistic ceremony took place. After this the crowd returned to the church grounds, where an improvised stand had been erected. Seats had been placed for about 1,000 people, but these were not sufficient to accommodate more than half of the crowd present.

"The program on the grounds commenced with the singing of the National hymn, 'Hail Columbia,' by school children, then was introduced Hon. M. J. Dowling. Mayor of Olivia, who delivered a pleasing address, which brought forth hearty applause. He spoke of the great privilege of being an American citizen, calling attention to the responsibilities which American citizenship confers upon our people, and contrasting the conditions of America with those of Europe, especially at the present time. He paid a well deserved tribute to Father Pomije for what the latter has contributed to the civic growth of Olivia in the way of a beautiful park and a magnificent school building, and as a mayor of the village he thanked him and the parish for the improvements made and congratulated them on the success of their undertaking.

"Following the address by Mr. Dowling, R. T. Daly of Renville was introduced. A speech by Mr. Daly is always pleasing to an Olivia audience and this was no exception. He spoke of the good work that is being done throughout the country by munity. Referring to tie- European war he .lid: 'I cannot refrain from touching upon a subject that is uppermost in the minds Of all the people, the great war in Europe, and it occurs to me that it must lie gratifying to an till peaceful Cod to turn His eye from the bloodstained Eu rope and look down upon a happy and peaceful assemblage like this.'

"Speaking of the new school, lie said that the people of the other villages of the county look to Olivia to make advance ment along all lines. Being the seat of government, she draws the citizens of other towns here on business, and while she cannot expect to be as large as Renville, she can be a model city.

"Father Scholzen of Bird Island referred to the task of building such a great school. He said he was surprised at what Olivia accomplished in that respect, building a $30,000.00 school and paying for it the same year.

"The last speaker on the program was Rev. Father Pomije. and, the occasion being to him an especially happy one. he was in the proper frame of mind to deliver an address. He expressed his pleasure that his hopes and ambition respecting the new school had been realized and congratulated the members of the parish on their generous contributions to the school. Sun day being the one hundredth anniversary of the composition of the hymn, 'The Star Spangled Banner.' by Francis Scott Key, Father Pomije took occasion to speak of the flag, and in an eloquent tribute to the Stars and Stripes, pointed out their symbolical significance.

"Following Father Pomije's address, tie' school children sang 'America' and the audience was dismissed with prayer by Rev. Father Cashman of Renville.

"Following the exercises at the stand, took place the formal raising of the flag en the school building, and after that vis iters were taken for an automobile ride around town. . . ."

St. Aloysius Park. - St. Aloysius Park is the property of the Church of St. Aloysius and is open to the public. There are about three hundred trees encircling and dotting it. Soft maples, box-elders, elm. evergreens, birch, poplars, apple and plum trees vie with each other for superiority. There are also a large number of pyramidal-Japanese-arbor-vitae, globular dwarf pines and one South American banana tree.

From among deciduous shrubs the fol- 1; wing have prominent places upon the lawn: Barberis Thunbergii, Deutzia Gracialis. Currents. Golden Elder, Golden Syringa, Hydrangea Paniculata, Honeysuckle, Lilac (syringa vulgaris), Lilac-syringa Japonica, Syringa Philadelphus Coronarius trimmed into a globular form, Snowball (lantana), Anthony Waterer Spirea, Spirea Van Houttei, Tamarix Africana and Weigelia Eva Rathke. The beautiful hedge, 3% feet high by 3 feet wide, is of Lilac Vulgaris. The roses include several American varieties.

The hardy perennials scattered through the park include Achillea Ptarmica, Delphinum Chinense, Dianthus Deltoides roseus. Lilies, Japanese and German Iris, Phlox and Peonies of several varieties, Platycodon grandiflorum and few others.

The annuals, of which there is a very great number, include various species of ('annas, Gladiolas, Dahlias. Asters, Alyssum, Elephant Ears and fancy leaved Caladiums. Celosia, Coleus, Dracaenas and Vincas.

The climbing vines include such as Clematis Jackmanii, Clematis Paniculata. Dutchman's Pipe, Beta Vine, Cardinal Climber, Hops, White and Blue Wistaria, and Ampelopsis Quinquefolia.

The park is duly supplied with garden furniture and other requisites. Special mention deserve three ornamental iron flower vases; bronze sun dial mounted on cut Bedford stone; fifty dollar Reflectoscope on Bedford stone pedestal; gargoyle: three basin iron water fountain, surmounted by a bronzed pelican, and resting in a 14 foot cement water basin; one 16 foot high five globe cluster ornamental iron lamp centrally located, and a 55 foot long, double column Pergola of fluted, lockjoint 12 foot columns with Scamozzi Ionic cap ami Attic base.

The entire little park is tangled with gravel paths and driveways. All in all, according to travelers who have seen the best flower parks in this and other counties, it is as pretty a spot as any.

Rev. Henry D. Pomije. pastor of St. Uoysius Catholic church at Olivia, was born in LeSueur county, Minnesota, in 1880. He attended public school at New Prague as a boy and later completed the collegiate course at St. Thomas College. St. Paul. His theological training was received at the St. Paul Seminary, from which institution he was ordained a priest in 1906. The same year he was assigned bj Archbishop Ireland to the pastorate at Olivia, where lie is still located. In 1912 he took an extended trip through Europe. Asia and Africa, visiting many places of historic interest and writing for the public press a number of interesting articles descriptive of the countries visited. He has been a tireless worker for the upbuilding of his parish and largely as a result of his labor St. Aloysius parish is one of the richest and most prosperous parishes to be found in the state. In 1914 he completed a $25,000 parochial school, which when dedicated was free from debt, and the enrollment in that school numbers at present about 200 pupils. Father Pomije's great delight, as a diversion, is in the study of plant life, and for that purpose he has a private park and flower garden on the church grounds, which is a rare beauty spot of Olivia. Father Pomije is a prominent and active member of the Catholic Order of Foresters and Knights of Columbus.

Church of St. Mary's, Bird Island. - Although the present status of Catholicity in Bird Island stands as an exponent of what the Church always endeavors to accomplish in her zeal for religion and morality, still it must be admitted that the beginning of the church in central Renville county betokened anything but future progress or success. In the spring of 1879 a committee of two, Bernard Feeter and Daniel Clark, was sent to the Bishop in St. Louis for the purpose of obtaining the services of a priest for the then thriving settlement. As a result of their petition, Father Briety of Birch Coolie soon after visited Bird Island and said the first mass there in the public schoolhouse. Very soon after, in the same year. Rev. Father Godfrey H. Braun of Benton, now Cologne, took charge of the Bird Island mission. The following September Rev. J. B. Elshorst was appointed as the first resident pastor. He built a small residence in the west end of the town, but failed in his attempt to obtain sufficient funds for the building of a church from the poor struggling settlers. In the fall of 1881 Father Elshorst resigned. During the following year Bird Island was attended as a mission by Rev. John Andre of Birch Coolie. In October. 1882, Rev. Nicholas Schmitz was appointed pastor. He was, however, not only to look after the needs of the Bird Island parish, but also minister unto all the Catholics living along the ('., M. & St. P. R. R. from Glencoe on the east to Ortonville on the west. Father Schmitz remained until the end of November, 1883, when he was succeeded by the Rev. Andrew Kober, during whose incumbency the parish became firmly established. Father Kober was a man of sterling character, untiring zeal and almost heroic self-denial. The welfare of the parish at Bird Island and those of the surrounding towns did not establish the limits of his priestly labors. His ambition to do good took him westward as far as the Dakotas and this was done not without much peril and hardship, especially during the winters of the early days, when traveling was anything but a pleasure and often extremely hazardous. It is related of him that on one of his mission trips near the Dakota boundary he failed to secure a conveyance and undertook to walk to the mission, some 12 or 13 miles distant. Having gone a considerable distance he was overtaken by a severe blizzard and lost his way. After tramping along until evening he was about to give up hope of being rescued when, to his great relief, he came upon a sod hut, where he was hospitably cared

During Father Kober's rectorship a frame church was built, and also a commodious residence, which served as rec tory until the schoolsisters of St. Joseph arrived in September, 1898, when it was given over to them for convent and schoolhouse. A substantial two-story brick schoolhouse was erected a year later. This building measured 32 by 50 feet and contained four large classrooms. About this time, too, the present rectory was built. During the 19 years of Father Kober's sojourn Bird Island grew into a flourishing parish, so much so that in later years he devoted his entire time to the furthering of its welfare.

Father Kober resigned on October 31. 1902, and was succeeded by the Rev. H. P. Fey, who attended the parish until August 1, 1910. Father Fey enlarged the church considerably to meet the growing wants of the parish, installed new furniture and made a number of other minor improvements.

The present pastor, Rev. Anthony Scholzen, has worked hard to make the parish a center of attraction to the growing population. Among the many improvements made by him the most important is the large new parochial school erected in 1913. The new school, a two-story brick building with full basement, is modern in every respect, and by far the finest building in the village. It was erected at a cost of about $30,000.00 and contains six classrooms 27 by 30 feet, each of which is provided with an ample cloakroom, an assemblyroom 30 by 65 feet, a library, a well equipped kitchen and a spacious diningroom for parish dinners and entertainments. A highschool course was added in September, 1915. About 190 pupils are in attendance. The school is very ably managed by the Sisters of St. Joseph, with the Ven. Mother Clare, the first Superioress, still in charge. Religious instruction is given under the direction of the pastor and the assistant pastor, the Rev. Henry Minea, who was appointed to Bird Island in June, 1915.

The following are some of the first Catholic settlers in the parish of Bird Island: John Wadenspanner, Bernard Feeter, Christopher Boehme, Daniel Clark, Alois Keindel, Hubert Neumann. Mathias Kirchen, William Richter, Aloysius Ziller, Joseph Hufnagel, William Hannegrefs. Frank Ederer, Roderic O'Dowd, Anthony Sanger, Frank Poseley, William Keltgen. John Nilles, August Fernkes, Charles Glesener, Bernard Marx, Nicholas Kennedy, John Glynn, Patrick Cully, John Fewer, Thomas Commiskey, Frank Bennett, Patrick Gillen, Anthony Dorweiler, John Baier and others. Sacred Heart Parish. - The first mass ever held in Sacred Heart was celebrated in November, 1881. at the home of Ed. O'Connor, the only Catholic family within eight miles, by Rev. A. Kobler of Bird Island, .Minn. During the next Ave years mass was said at this home about once in every three months. Then a church was built at Granite Falls, About live years later a church was built at Renville, Mass is now occasionally said at the O'Connor home by Rev. Father John Ryan and Father Cashman of Renville, ,luh I. 1915, open door mass was celebrated on Mr. O'Connor's "Spring Farm," where the Knights of Columbus were gathered on that day. There is no church in Sacred Heart, but there are a number of Catholic families in and about the country.

Church of the Holy Redeemer, Renville. - (By Rev. William Cashman). When the lands adjacent to the present city of Renville were thrown open for settlement, Catholics were early attracted thither. In 1869 the first settlers came. There was no priest nearer than New Ulm. and hither Father Birkholz came occasionally to hold services. After Birch Cooley was settled the clergy from that parish attended here about once a month. But it was not until 1893 that the present church was erected. Rev. A. Kober, then pastor of Bird Island, was the organizer of the parish. He attended regularly until his death in 1900. The Rev. K. J. T. McEwan took charge then for a few years and built the Rectory; and Rev. John Kennedy became the first resident pastor. Father Kennedy died in the year 1907, and was succeeded by the Rev. T. O'Brien. Rev. John Fahey was pastor from 1910 to 1912. and was followed by the Rev. M. Staunton, who had charge for a short time. The present pastor, Rev. William Cashman, was appointed in 1913.

The parish of the Holy Redeemer now has a membership of about three hundred souls of mixed nationality. This number is growing steadily. At the present rate of increase a larger church will be needed in a short time. Every facility is granted in the way of religious services. Prospective settlers from the congested states of the east, desirous of better opportunities for themselves and their children, will find here an excellent climate, a good soil, good schools, and every church convenience.

Church of St. Andrew, Fairfax. - In every part of the world, the Roman Catholic Church has ever been at the forefront of civilization and the good the church has accomplished for humanity in the past has been far-reaching and beneficial and the benefit that it will confer on generations yet unborn cannot be measured by the human imagination.

What has been true in other parts of the world has also been true in the Minnesota valley and other portions of the North Star state, where Catholicism blazed the trail for the onward march of civilization. Churches with their cross-crowned spires pointing out the highways of mod- era enlightenment to the children of men, have taken the place ot the temple lodge of the barbaric Sioux, where their grotesque, skin-clad medicine men practiced their hideous, heathenish rites upon the credulous savages.

The first Catholic services in this vicinity were held at Fort Ridgley in 1864, Rev. Father Berghold of New Ulm being the pastor in charge. In 1871 the place of worship was transferred to the O'Neil school house, Camp township, where Rev. Father Brennan of Birch Cooley conducted services for three years.

Rev. Father Briody also located at Birch Cooley, conducted services at the homes of John Welsh, Cairo, and Martin Welsh, Wellington, at irregular intervals during this period.

St. Andrew's parish became a distinctly local institution in 1875, at which time the Grange Hall was purchased and removed from Fort Ridgley to Fairfax, and located on the plat of ground just north of the village, now used as the cemetery. The site at this time was owned by the Minneapolis & St. Louis Railroad Company, and ox teams were used to move this structure across the country. Services were held in this building for a period of several years and were in charge of the Rev. Father Fagen, resident priest at Birch Cooley.

It was during the pastorate of the Rev. John Andre, of Birch Cooley, that the first church proper was erected in 1883. The hall formerly used for a church finally found a resting place on the O'Neil farm in ('amp township. At the time the church was erected it was the largest structure used for religious purposes in this part of the country and was thought to be large enough for the needs of the congregation for all time, yet in a quarter of a century it was forced to give way for a larger and more modern place of worship. Rev. Father Andre is at present pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes parish in Minneapolis.

The Church of St. Andrew was incorporated by Archbishop John Ireland. Vicar General Augustin Ravoux, Rev. Father Andre, with M. D. Brown, secretary, and Walter Caven, treasurer. Rev. Father E. (' Smith was the first resident priest. He had charge of the parish from 1883 to 1886.

The tract now used for church purposes is the gift of John Welsh, the father of Fairfax, and is one of the most desirable in the entire village, comprising an entire block in the center of the village.

The first parsonage was formerly used tor hotel purposes and stood where the Windsor hotel now stands, but was removed to the church lots, just east of the church. Later on it was again moved and now stands just east of the residence of Philip Kipp and is owned by Herman Hindermann.

Rev. Peter Rosen assumed charge of St. Andrew's Church in November, 1890. During his pastorate the present handsome and commodious priest's residence was erected at a cost of $6,000, and the church was enlarged and the grounds improved.

Father Rosen also established the St. Andrew's parochial school in 1893, the same being conducted in the church building. Rev. Rosen concluded his pastorate in Fairfax in November, 1893. Rev. Father' Ellshorst succeeded Father Rosen, but ill health compelled him to give up the work in 1895; during his pastorate he was assisted a goodly portion of his time by Rev. John Rohlinger.

Rev. F. X. Bajec, the next spiritual advisor of the congregation, began his labors in 1895. In 1898 he erected St. Andrew's Hall, and installed therein a library. This building was used for public purposes for a number of years until the present village hall was erected.

The Rev. John J. Georgen, present parish priest, assumed his duties in January, L903. The history of his labors has been one of progress and upbuilding. The first tangible results of the business capacity of Father Georgen was the establishment of a convent of the Sisters of St. Benedict, in 1905. following the completion of the handsome and thoroughly modern Sisters' Home erected at a cost of $6,000.00. This convent is known as St. Cecelia's convent and is presided over by a Sister Superior and five assistants. Sister Catherine is the Sister Superior in charge and she is also the presiding genius of the very successful St. Andrew's school, which is now comfortably housed in the hall building which has been remodeled for school purposes.

Soon after Father Georgen's arrival he realized the need of a larger and more convenient place of worship, but he bided his time until the financial affairs of the parish and congregation were in suitable shape to erect a structure of the kind he had in mind.

Three years ago he had Architect E. J. Donahue of St. Paul prepare plans for the structure he had in mind and the latter part of that year, with the building committee as an advisory board, he commenced the erection of the new church. The building was completed in 1910, at a cost of approximately $40,000, and was dedicated with imposing ceremonies on June 23, 1910.

Methodist Episcopal

The Methodist Episcopal Church of Fairfax. - (By Rev. J. A. Rinkel.) The history of the Methodist Episcopal church in Renville county began with the arrival of George Rieke and his brother Victor in the early spring of 1859. These two men were members of tlie German Methodist

Church in Portsmouth, Ohio, where they lived previous to their coming to Renville county. They took up claims according to the pre-emption laws of that time near Rush Lake, now called Mud Lake. Another party, John Buehro, or as it is some times written, Buehrer, had settled near this lake shortly before the Riekes came. Together these constituted the first settlers in this part of the county.

The village of New Ulm. sonic eighteen miles distant, was the nearest trading point for these people. It was while the Riekes were trading in New Ulm that they became acquainted with the Rev. Henry Singenstrue, who was the first Methodist minister to visit New Ulm, and the earliest minister in this entire section. Immediately, upon learning that the Riekes were members of the Methodist Church, Rev. Singenstrue sought out their place of habitation. While the number of people was too small for him to hold regular preaching services, he, nevertheless, called on them several times each month and conducted a Bible study with them and the Buehros.

In May, 1860, the parents and other members of the Rieke family settled in this same community. With their arrival Rev. Singenstrue commenced regular preaching services. The first meeting was held in May, 1860, in a sod ox-stable which George Rieke had erected the summer before and which was used to house the elder Rieke family. Those present at this service were: Frederich Rieke, Sr.. and his wife Gertrude, nee Burke, George Rieke, Victor Rieke, Adam Rieke, Henry Rieke, August Rieke, Mary Rieke (later Mrs. Charles Fenske), Lizzetta Rieke (later Mrs. Antonel. Herman Rieke, Fredrich Rieke, Jr., and wife Wilhelmine, nee Lammers, Wilhelm Lammers, Fredericks Lammers (later Mrs. Fredrich Strate). Fredrich Lammers. John Buehro and wife Agatha, nee Depolder.

All except John Buehro and wife had their membership with the Methodist Episcopal Church in Portsmouth, Ohio, and were soon transferred to the New Ulm congregation of the same church. Mr. and Mrs. John Buehro joined on prohation at this time.

In the fall of 1878 the congregation was placed under the supervision of the pastor of the Sleepy Eye congregation and was served from here until 1888. The

Until this time all the preaching was done in the German language. But in the fall of 1887 Rev. W. W. Brown, an English Methodist minister, came over from Lone Tree, in Brown county, and preached in the Mount Hope school house about four miles south of Fairfax. The village of Fairfax had not boon visited by a minister of the Gospel up to this time. Sunday was used as a gala-day. Horse races and other sports were the order of the day. Rev. Brown had the desire to bring them the Gospel. He visited that place in coin pany with C. II. Hopkins, personally invited the people to come to the meeting, and held the first service in the village school house in the fall of 1887. So well were these services attended that Rev. Brown was pleased to return to them and preach every two weeks.

Many interesting stories have come down from that early date portraying to us the experiences of the pioneer ministers. C. H. Hopkins generally used his team in transporting Rev. Brown from place to place. It happened one evening, that, while they were returning from Fairfax to the Hopkins farm, the sleigh in which they were riding skidded off the road and upset. The reverend gentleman was a t'at person and rolled over and over when he was thrown out into the snow. Mr. Hopkins jestingly remarked, "That is what f call spreading the Gospel." Rev. Brown, being an Englishman, did not catch the joke at once and seemed quite shocked at such sacrilege. He took it gracefully, however, and, after righting their sleigh again, continued the journey.

On another occasion, Rev. Brown was making calls with Mr. Hopkins. They stopped at the home of Hon. Edmond O'Hara, a little ways east of Fairfax. While these two gentlemen, in company with Mr. O'Hara, were out viewing his farm and stock, a storm came up. As was often the case in those days, it did not take long for the wind to rise to a great velocity. Mr. O'Hara and Mr. Hopkins took refuge in the house. Rev. Brown, however, did not want to trust the little shanty in such a storm and took refuge behind a haystack. While the two gentlemen in the house were watching the storm through the window, they saw the wind upset the haystack upon the preacher, entirely burying him. Both men rushed to his assistance, and. after had pitched hay as fast as they could for

"From the Eight Mile Creek I often traveled to the Rieke settlement. Here I found the father of the Riekes and spent many a night with them. Mother Rieke was a very pious woman. Often they would fill my buggy with necessities of life. When I left this field of labor it caused me much pain to separate from these good people.

"From the Rieke settlement I went west to Birch Cooley. Here I found a number of families living near the old battle ground of the 1S62 outbreak. There were still many heaps of horses' bones to designate the place of the battle. Mr. Buerry often related the story to me of how they had been warned by a friendly Indian to flee for their lives. He immediately hitched up his horses, while his wife gathered some bedding, some eatables and the Bible into the wagon, and they fled to Fort Ridgely, where they were safe. But he said many of his neighbors did not heed the warning and were massacred.

"One day while I was traveling over the prairies of this section, I was overtaken by a big snow storm. Blinded by the storm, I found difficulty in keeping my directions. After driving for some time I concluded that I must be near the Buerry home. Halting my horse, I proceeded on foot to find the house. Suddenly I felt heat coming into my face. Upon investigation I found that the snow had drifted over the Buerry house, which was built into the side-hill, and I was standing over the chimney. I made my way around to the door and found a welcome with these good people. The storm continued for three days and nights and I was compelled to remain here during that period. The family w:as large and the house was very small. The only place they had for me to sleep was in a small hole which they had dug into the hill and used for a store room. It was cold and damp in here. But I was thankful even for that. After the sun came out again I started for my home in New Ulm. I had a large strong horse, but the snow was so deep and the buggy pulled so hard that when night was approaching I found myself only about five miles from my starting point.

"My horse and myself, tired and hungry, arrived at a small one-roomed house in which two Norwegian families were living. They could not understand a word I said, nor could I understand them. But with signs and gestures I made them understand that I wanted to remain there thru the night. They, in turn, tried to make me understand that there was no room. Finally I pointed under the table and to myself and they consented to let me stay there. I scratched some straw under the table, as there was only a dirt floor in the house, and proceeded to wrap up in my horse blankets. I soon fell asleep, but in the night I was awakened by something gnawing on my hair. Reaching for the object, I found it to be a large rat. Conquering him, I fell asleep again, only to be awakened by another such rodent. So I spent the night sleeping and fighting rats in turn.

"From Birch Cooley I later made my way westward to Beaver Falls and Big Stone Lake. The first time I crossed this country a prairie fire had burned the stakes away which the settlers had driven in as guideposts. But I found my way to several families who had moved into these parts, and I preached to them.

"The first man who joined our church in this neighborhood was Brother Kuck.. Soon after, a family by the name of Steinkamp and two families by the name of Schaefer came into this community and we had a good congregation. A few years later other families of the Evangelical Association moved in and were ministered to by Rev. Hielscher of that church. I then ceased visiting this community and turned to places where no other minister came."

In the spring of 1888 Rev. W. F. Fritze, in company with C. H. Hopkins, began collecting funds for the erection of a i hui'ch in Fairfax. They visited every family in the community and solicited from them. When they came to a German family Rev. Fritze would broach the subject and when they came to an American family Mr. Hopkins would do the talking. So they gathered enough to erect a small church that same year. The first trustees of this church were E. F. Sell, Gustav Sell, Charles Lammers, Henry Hauser and F. Chambard. The edifice cost $1,400.

In this church edifice the German and English Methodists met and were ministered to by their respective pastors. Naturally such close affiliation grew into strong friendship. For many years each congregation gave way to the other for the holding of services in their own language, the other members attending also. The result was that the German people learned to worship in the English language and the English people learned the German.

During the months of January and February, 1889, Rev. W. F. Fritze and Rev. D. L. Matson conducted a very successful series of revival meetings. During this time more than fifty people were converted and united with the church. With this good beginning the church continued to grow and the feeling between the two congregations became strong for union. The following ministers served the church:

In the fall of 1907 it was agreed upon by the two congregations that they would unite their forces and be served by one minister. The Germans, being in majority, were given precedence. The English gave up their pastor and joined the German church. United, they instructed the pastor, Rev. W. H. Miller, to begin collecting funds for a new and larger church. The result was that in 1908 a beautiful brick edifice 43 by 58 feet was erected at a cost of more than $13,000.00. On the day of dedication, in October, 190S, all the money was raised and the church was dedicated free from debt. Following the dedication exercises the Northern German Conference held its session in the church. The members entertained the ministers of the conference in their homes for lodging and breakfast and served dinner and supper in the parlors of the church. Bishop John L. Nuelsen, once a member of this conference, presided. The trustees of the new church were: G. A. Rieke, Charles Groslags, E. F. Sell, Frank Hopkins. J. A. Whitmer, Charles Lammers, Otto Reinke, Carl Bossenecker and J. A. Sell.

With the new accommodations and thru concentrated effort the congregation grew rapidly. A Sunday School has been maintained since the organization of the church in 1888. Now the school was thoroughly organized according to the latest methods and much good was done in this line in interesting people in the work of the church.

On February 22. 1914, fire broke out in the basement of the church. It was a very cold day and a strong gale was blowing from the northeast. This impaired the waterworks to such an extent that the Are could not be checked and the church was completely destroyed excepting the tower and brick walls. Having sacrificed to the extent which was necessary to erect this beautiful church only a little over five years before, it was a sad day for the congregation. But they soon rallied and determined to reconstruct the building larger and better than it was. Rev. J. A. Rinkel. the pastor, was sent out with a committee to gather funds. They worked enthusiastically and soon secured all that was necessary for the completion of the newer church. Through the courtesy of the members of the Norwegian Lutheran Church, services upefe held in their edifice while the Methodist Church was in the course of construction. It was completed about the first of January, L915 and was dedicated on the tenth of that month. A program which was to cover a whole week was arranged for this occasion, but only the Sunday dedicatory services were held on account of the death of E. F. Sell, which occurred on the eve of dedication. He had been the chairman of the building committee and had worked hard and untiringly for the completion of . the church. His death cast a great gloom over the entire congregation and community.

The present building is 43 by 76 feet; has an auditorium with a seating capacity of 300, an Epworth League room with a capacity of 100, a dining room where over 100 people can be served, and ten separate class rooms for the Sunday School, besides a kitchen and a boiler room. It is steam heated and electric lighted.

During these years that the congregations were united the services were held more and more in the English language. In the fall of 1913 a movement was started to have the congregation transferred to the English conference. At the annual conference which met the following fall a commission was appointed from both the Northern German Conference and the Minnesota Conference. This joint commission arranged terms upon which the congrega tion should become a part of the Minnesota Conference, and it is now under this supervision.

The pastors who have served the congregation since its union were: W. H. Miller. 1907 to 1909; Jacob Berger, 1909 to 1913; J. A. Rinkel. 1913 to the present time.

The old parsonage, originally the Mc- Bride property, was destroyed by fire in the fall of 1S95. A new parsonage was erected on the old site under the leadership of Rev. C. A. Borchardt. This property is still used as a domicile for the pastor.

The present membership numbers 275. Besides this there is a Sunday School in each of the churches on the charge with a total membership of 330. The Epworth League numbers 45 young people. The Woman's Foreign Missionary Society has 30 members. The King's Herald Society for the children has 15 members and has in the last three years established 15 life memberships by paying $10.00 each to the Foreign Missionary Society. The congregation maintains a missionary in India. Besides this they are active in many lines of local work.

The First Methodist Episcopal Church of Olivia. - (By Rev. J. W. Heard.) The first services of the Methodist denomination held in the northern part of Renville county were at Bird Island, by a local preacher named Rev. Nathan Tainter. He held meetings in his farmhouse and continued this work during the years 1874-

1879. His successor at Bird Island was Rev. J. W. McDonald, and he is said to have been the first to hold services at Olivia, the meetings being held in the small school house. Then followed a number of ministers who lived at Bird Island, where there was a parsonage, but had Olivia on the' circuit. In 1882 there appears on the board of trustees of this circuit the name of P. W. Heins, who for many years was one of Olivia's foremost citizens. Others on the original board of trustees were J. E. W. Peterson and G. G. Depew. In 1884 the circuit was Olivia. Renville and Bird Island. Up to 1886 the meetings were held in the school house, but that year a building committee was appointed at Olivia, and a gift of $250 was obtained from the Board of Church Extension. The committee was composed of P. W. Heins. J. E. W. Peterson and B. P. Byers, who became a trustee at about that time. The church was incorporated July 8, 1887, by Thomas McCleary. presiding elder, and Frank Rich, secretary of the quarterly conference. The lot upon which the present church stands was bought and the first church dedicated Oct. 28. 1888, by Presiding Elder Rev. Thomas McCleary. At this time the congregation consisted of nineteen members. B. F. Byers was elected Sunday school superintendent and has held that position for over twenty-five years. The beautiful church now standing on this lot was built in 1903-4. during the pastorate of Rev. J. A. Spyker. the old church being worked into the new so that ample Sunday school room was given and so arranged that all could be opened into one large auditorium. The church cost $12,000 and was dedicated in 1904 by iJev. Robert Forbes. D. D. The parsonage was erected over twenty years ago and was rebuilt in 1909, being considerably remodeled under the pastorate of Rev. J. W. Heard. During his pastorate considerable filling and grading was done on the church property. The church property now consists of an entire half block with a church valued at $12, mm and a parsonage valued at $3,000. The entire indebtedness was cleared off under the pastorate of Rev. Henry Nobbs. The membership of the church is 10S and the Sunday school has an enrollment of 175. The following is a list of the pastors' including those who lived at Bird Island as well as those who later served at Olivia: Rev. Nathan Tainter. 1S74-79; Rev. J. W. McDonald. 1879-81; Rev. H. Erwin, 1881-82; Rev. Mr. Fenlason, 1SX1'-S3; Rev. J. S. Bean. 1S83-S4: Rev. Mr. Wolf, 1884-85; Rev. P. J. P. Hnanv. L885 86; Rev. E. M. Himes, 1886- 87; Rev. W. L. Tandv, 1887-88; Rev. D. E. Wilson. 1S88-90; Rev. J. C. Handy. 1S90- 91; Rev. S. D. Kemerer. 1X91-94; Rev. Harry W. Knowles, 1S94-99: Rev. G. G. Vallentvne, 1899-1901; Rev. W. H. Easton. 1901-19H4; Rev. J. A. Spyker. 1904-05; Rev. <'. F. Sharp. 1906-07; Rev. Henry Nobbs,

Rev. Nahum Tainter, born in 1821, was a native of Massachusetts. He was a member of the Methodist church, and after leaving school entered the ministry. In 1856 he settled near Chatlield. Olmsted county. Minnesota, but in 1871 selected a homestead near the village of Bird Island. Rev. Tainter preached at his house in 1874, the first sermon delivered in the town.

The Methodist Episcopal Church of Buffalo Lake. (By William H. Douglas.) The first religious meetings in Preston Lake township were held by the Methodists in 1860; a society was organized and services held semi-monthly. In the winter of 1904 the old Quaker church of Brookfield was purchased and moved on huge sled runners a distance of sixteen miles by twenty teams of horses to the present location on First Avenue. Rev. E. D. Face, pastor of the church at that time, was largely responsible for the successful completion of this work and was ably assisted by William H. Douglas. E. W. Rebstock and George Field. Some of the people who gave liberal donations to this work are: Mrs. Sophia Antonsen. Wm. H. Douglas, E. W. Rebstock. George Field. John Sander, F. G. Nellermoe, H. Eiselein. F. O. Gold. L. A. Little. V. P. Goodnow, E. J. Stearns. William Reichow, John Steinkoff. C. Steinkoff. O. T. Ramsland. J. R. Landy, Fred Fischer. R. H. Adams. A. L. Richardson, Rev. E. D. Face. John Borden. Rev. Potter. Mrs. R. Donaldson, Mrs. Hubbard. Mr. M. B. Foster, Thomas Simmons, Mrs. L. L. Bottomley. Fred Maeheledt. William Houck. B. J. Butler, Thomas Richards. Mrs. Jacob Beck, Richard Fischer, William Jakobitz, Emanuel Theiling. Among the leading members may be mentioned Mr. and Mrs. Gustave King, Mr. and Mrs. W. L. Townsend. Mr. and Mrs. John Sander. Mr. and Mrs. William H. Douglas. Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Hanson. Mr. and Mrs. J. G. Williams. Mr. and Mrs. Fred Maeheledt. Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Marquardt, Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Rebstock, Mr. and Mrs. V. P. Goodnow. and Mr. and Mrs. John Borden.

The following have served as Sunday school superintendents: E. W. Rebstock, Henry Eiselein. Mrs. V. P. Goodnow and \Y. L. Townsend. The church finances are in a flourishing condition and the membership is increasing steadily.

ndism \v;ts established in the early seventies on this great prairie which was then but sparsely settled. Mr. and Mrs. W. S. Pierce were among the first pioneers and many of the early meetings were held at their home. The members of the church in ihose days had to come a long distance. Later the meetings were held in the school house. Meetings were also held at Boone Lake, which had been settled earlier than Brookfleld. Sunday school work was begun early and exerted a great influence not only in the church but also in the community. The church is located at Church Hill, seven miles northeast of Hector, and stands on a corner. The pastor, who also has charge of the Hector church, resides in Hector and preaches at Brookfield every Sunday afternoon at two o'clock, the services being held right alter the close of the Sunday school session. Very little is recorded of the early history of this church. The first preacher appointed to this place by the presiding elder was Rev. John N. McDonald in 1S76. He was a local preacher and also preached at Boon Lake, in the Russel schoolhouse. Other pastors of Boon Lake were Rev. G. D. Potter, who was the first local preacher there and who remained for two years, and A. A. Kennedy, who remained for three years. Later the members who lived near enough to attend united with the Brookfield church. The meetings were at first held in the school house and the church was built under the pastorate of Rev. Thomas Billings, and dedicated September. 1901, by Presiding Elder Joseph B. Hingely. Among the official members of the church, from earliest years down to later days, may be mentioned: A. A. Gale, recording secretary; G. A. Gifford, T. J. Stevens. Wm. S. Pierce, Robert Lorre, G. D. Potter. Chas. Newcomb, H. C. Roberts. John Kunie, David Graham, Oscar Hodgdon, John Borden, Hiram Davis. Jane Carpenter, William Simmons. Neil McCall. Nelson Shafer. Charles Porter, Frank Headley, W. E. Shepard. Joseph Westover, H. B. Palms. H. D. Countryman. J. S. Moss, N. C. Potter, B. J. Butler. F. W". Baker. Thomas Simmons. Elmer Hodgdon. T. E. Richards, Gibson Richards, and Mrs. Hoagland. The following pastors have served this congregation: J. W. McDonald. Oct. 1876-Oct. S, 1879; F. I. Fisher, Oct. S. 1879-Sept. 1880; M. W. Atkinson, March ISSl-Oct. 18S3; George Geer, Sept. 29. ISSl-October 1883; George Merrit. Oct. S. lSS3-Oct. 14. 1SS4; J. H. Snell, Oct. 14, lSS4-Oct. 18S7; John Morgan. Oct. lS87-Oct. 18SS: J. P. Neary. Oct. 188S-Oct. 1S89; S. D. Kemerer, Oct. 13. lSS9-Oct. 1891; S. T. Show. Oct. 13, 1891-Oct. 1892; G. W. Burtch, Oct. 13. lS92-Oct. 1S93: C. F. Davis, Oct. lS93-Oet. 1895: H. C. Maynard. Oct. lS95-Oct. 1S96; J. R. Davies, Oct. 1896-Oct. 1898: E. H. Nicholson, Oct. 1898-Oct. 1S99; Thomas Billing, Oct. 1899- Oct. 1901; J. F. Pickard. Oct. 1901-Oct. 1903; L. L. Tower, Oct. 1903-Oct. 1904;

The Methodist Episcopal Church of Renville. (By Rev. J. R. Davies. i In 1869 a Methodist "class" wa i rn ed at Three Mill Creek, then known as Renville Post Office. A Sunday school, witli a library of 100 volumes donated by I. A Brooks and H. E. Wadsworth, was organized at the same time and place. This was the beginning of Methodism in Ken ville county.

The Methodists held meetings in Emmet township in 1S71 at private houses and in 187"> a society was organized. Later services were conducted weekly by Rev. J. Lamberson in the schoolhouse in the village of Renville. In 1S84 Renville and Olivia formed a "circuit" under the presiding eldership of Rev. Thomas Mc- Cleary, and Rev. P. J. P. Neary was placed in charge as pastor. Under the direction of these men a board of trustees, consisting of B. F. Heins, S. D. Childs, F. M. Rich, S. M. Mcintosh. L. A. Brooks and W. D. Spaulding. was elected Jan. 23, 1SS5. At once steps were taken for the erection of a house of worship, and early in December of the same year the church was dedicated free of debt by the presiding elder. Rev. McCleary. S. D. Childs was the contractor, and the building cost $1,012.12.

In a short time the society outgrew its home and in 1901, under the leadership of Rev. F. W. Hart, a new and commodious building was erected at a cost of

Methodism in Renville now consists of a Sunday school numbering, all told, about 200; a young peoples' society, Epworth League, of 65 members; a ladies' aid society of 55 members, a woman's home missionary society of 21 members, a Queen Esther society of about 20 members.

The Methodist Episcopal Church of Hector. Methodism was first introduced into Hector in the year of 1S76 by J. N. McDonald, a local preacher, this place being one point on a very large circuit. From 1876 to 1886 the place was visited nearly every week by a Methodist preacher, and the following labored in this field during that time: F. J. Fisher. M. W. Atkinson. G. R. Geer, Gee. Merrit and I. H. Snell. A church was built in lss7 under the leadership of John Morgan, and it was dedicated on present time the following pastors have served this field: J. P. Nary, S. D. Kenner, S. T. Show, O. W. Burtch. C. F. Davis. H. C. Maynard, J. It. Davies. E. H. Nicholson, Thos. Billing. J. F. Piekard. L. L. Tower. Henry Nobbs, James A. Orrock, Jesse T. Dodds, R. C. Manly, I. N. Goodell and Lawrence Radcliffe. During the past ten years the church has made great progress and the membership has steadily grown. Every organization in the church is alive and doing great work. The Sunday school is the largest branch of the church, and at present has nearly 300 members. It is an organized Sunday school using the graded system, and at present there are about ten organized classes. Geo. M. Berry was superintendent of the Sunday school for eleven years, and for the past two years E. W. Nobbs has held this position. In order to accommodate all who attend the sessions, it is necessary to have two divisions, one meeting in the morning at nine-thirty and the other at eleven-fortyfive.

In the spring of 1915 the official board decided to build a modern church, and this new structure is now (1916) in the course of construction. The new building will be modern and up-to-date in every particular, and suitable quarters will be provided for every department of the church. The cost will be $13,000, and it will be ready for use by the middle of October, this year. (By E. W. Nobbs.)