Stearns County, Minnesota - Chapter 54: St. Cloud Churches, 1915

The First Baptist Church. - The first services of the Baptist society (also the first Protestant society) were held December 28, 1855, at the residence of Leland Cram, in Lower Town, near the site of the present mill. There were eight constituent members: Rev. A. C. McLaughlin (a lay preacher), Dorchas McLaughlin, Leland Cram, Henry Pratt, N. N. Smith, Mary P. Smith, J. E. West and Aletta "West. Mr. McLaughlin conducted services on Sunday mornings for a time. Such old settlers as H. C. Waite attended.

The following is quoted from the St. Cloud Journal-Press, published in 1888: "They (the eight previously named) worshiped for a time in the old Everett schoolhouse. In 1863 they began the erection of a large building which from various causes was never finished, though they worshiped therein with the following pastors in charge: The Rev. T. E. Inman, 1856 to 1858, and the Rev. W. C. Phillips, 1863 to 1864."

The First Baptist Church of St. Cloud was organized in 1872 at the home of Mr. and Mrs. D. H. Spicer, which still forms a portion of Mrs. Spicer's residence at 403 Seventh avenue, south. Some of the first members were: Mr. and Mrs. D. H. Spicer, Mrs. John Rogers, Mrs. Julia Owen, Mrs. J. H. Raymond, Rev. and Mrs. John Anderson, Mr. and Mrs. Z. H. Morse. Mrs. Cora P. Cram was baptized in 1874.

In 1872 to 1873 a chapel was erected on the site now occupied by the present church edifice. The Rev. W. E. Stanley, a graduate of Newton Theological Seminary, was called from North Attlebury, Mass., to become the first pastor. His ordination and the dedication of the chapel occurred the same evening, July 29, 1873.

In looking over this list, it will be seen that the church since 1882 has never been a full year without a pastor. Each of these men has had a share in the upbuilding of the church and the prosperity which it now enjoys.

The present church building, valued at $10,000, was begun in 1886. After much planning and hesitation upon the part of the members, Samuel Marshall made the motion to "build a house of worship' December 14, 1885.. The committee to se cure plans included D. H. Spicer, J. H Raymond and S. P. Howard. The build ing committee was composed of S. Mar shall, E. E. Morgan, H. McGregor, D. H Spicer, F. Talcott, J. H. Raymond and E, Maybury. The church building was erected where it now stands on the corner of Eighth avenue and Second street, south, one of the prettiest corners of the city. It has a large audience room, which conveniently seats 250 - 450 with the balcony and prayer room thrown open, and three other Sunday-school rooms.

credit is due the Rev. R. R. Coon, Jr., who led the people in what seemed an almost impossible undertaking at that time, and a great deal of praise should be accorded to the Rev. G. H. Gamble, who followed him. Probably no pastor has meant so much to the church as the latter, on account of his buoyant spirit and ceaseless energy given at such a trying time. He has always remained a firm friend of the church.

The building was dedicated to the worship of God, October 5, 1894, during the pastorate of the Rev. J. W. Crooks. The Rev. R. R. Coon, Jr., and the Rev. G. H. Gamble, former pastors, were present, as well as the Rev. E. V. Campbell, the veteran Presbyterian minister of St. Cloud. The Rev. W. H. Geistweit, then of Minneapolis, but now of San Diego, Cal., preached the dedication sermon. In 1891 the chapel was moved from the rear of the church building to the lot south. There, under the management of Rev. G. H. Gamble, it was made into a comfortable eight-room parsonage.

Another incident, though not connected directly with the church building, should be mentioned here - the burning of the church mortgage. No happier time has been known in the annals of Baptist history here than was experienced on the evening of January 7, 1907. It was then that the mortgage on the Baptist property amounting to $1,008.59 was burned by Mrs. Cora P. Cram, assisted by Jessie A. Marshall. The Rev. E. R. Pope, the Rev. G. H. Gamble and the pastors of the city assisted the regular pastor, the Rev. John Oliver, in the services. The church owes Mr. Oliver a debt of gratitude for his untiring efforts in raising so large an amount and also the Home Mission Society for substantial reduction of interest owed them.

In 1909 the church was cleaned and redecorated throughout; in 1910 a new furnace was installed, and in 1913 the whole property was painted, leaving it in good condition within and without at this writing. Much credit is due the pastor, the Rev.. R. W. Merrifield, for the standing the church has in the community.

this connection we remember with deep respect our two senior deacons, D. H. Spicer and John Palmer. Their lives live after them. Also are remembered with loving tenderness Mrs. J. H. Raymond, Mrs. E. E. Morgan, Mrs. E. Maybury, Mrs,, Emma Marshall, Mrs. John Rogers, Mrs. Julia Owen, and others. Of the marriages within the church may be mentioned those of the Rev. A. L. Cole and Minnie Morse; the Rev. W. E. Stanley and Anna Spicer; James M,. Brown, Jr., and Bertha Smith; Andrew C. Q. Oberg and Clara Cranston. The church feels honored in having had as three of its members a missionary and two pastors; Johannah Anderson went to Burmah and there gave her life; L. L. Mann, once a member, is now a valued pastor at Ipswich, S. D.; the Rev. C. G. Chandler, now of Bemidji, was also baptized at St. Cloud.

The present church membership is 135, 99 being resident members. The Sunday school attendance averages about 130, and is one of the encouraging features of the church. The young ladies' teachers' Training Class, under the leadership of Jessie Burrall, is a decided success,. The average attendance of this class for the year is about 70. One of the great missions of the church is the training of the young people, not only the resident young people, but the teachers and normal students along social service lines.

Among the older members who have moved away are: Walter Arnold and wife of Seattle, Wash.; W. F. P. Selleck and wife of North Yakima, Wash.; H. A. McGregor and wife of Missoula, Mont.; John H. Anderson and wife of Merriam Park, Minn., and Lars Anderson and wife of Moorhead, Minn. Some of those longest in service here are: Mrs. Mary J. Spicer, Mrs. Cora P. Cram, Mr. and Mrs. S. P. Howard, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Marshall, Mrs. Eliza Wasson, Mrs. J. D. Morgan, Mr. and Mrs.. J. E. Oberg, Jessie Morgan and Mrs. Carrie Rogers Wilson. Mrs. Oberg has been church clerk since 1897. S. Marshall was elected deacon in 1885 and J. E| Oberg in 1890. They have held these offices ever since.

And now to the faithful pastors who have done and will do their best for Christ here; to the loyal self-sacrificing members who have worked and won for the church its place; to those who are now and will take the place of these noble workers; to the Home Mission Society; the state convention and to Dr. E. R. Pope, is dedicated this history of the First Baptist Church of St. Cloud.

First Methodist Episcopal Church. There has been a Methodist church organization in St. Cloud since 1857. The first pastor v/as the Rev. John Pugh, who remained only about four weeks and again returned to the settlement below. The next preacher was Levi Gleason, who was employed by the presiding elder the first year, not then being a member of the conference. At the end of this year, 1858, he joined the conference and was returned to this work extending from Clearwater to Winnebago Prairie.

At St. Cloud at this time a good class was formed through the labors of Mr. Gleason, assisted by Presiding Elder Sterrett and Revs. A. J. Nelson and P. O. Light, which continued to prosper up to August 13, 1860, when it numbered 31 members and six probationers. The Rev. Bantley Blain served in this charge one year and the following year the Rev. S. T. Sterrett was appointed and stayed one year. The Rev. David Tice was his successor in October, 1865. After a journey of 200 miles he and his family reached St. Cloud October 16, 1863. On May 1 following a church enterprise was commenced and in four months and four days Bishop Kingsley dedicated the church on September 4, 1864, the building standing then on the southeast corner of Fourth avenue, south, and Sixth street.

The people up to this time had worshiped in the old seminary building located in the park and facing Fourth avenue, south. The church business wholly devolving on the pastor, he was compelled to go east and raise money to pay up the embarrassments, the cost of this building being $3,003.87.

The building stood as built until the summer of 1873, when it was torn down and moved. A new structure built as the Methodist Church stood until 1910, when the present church was begun. The new building stood on the corner of Fifth avenue, south, and Third street. The lot was bought by the Ladies' Aid Society. The church was extensively repaired and painted during the pastorate of the Rev. Mr. Atchinson in 1890. At this time the church was reseated with oak pews, the gift of Dr. Scruby. The beautiful art-glass window in front was given by Mrs. John Cooper. The side windows were donated by Mrs. Akers and daughter, Mrs. Bowing, Mrs. Marlatt and daughter. Miss M. Ellis gave the large rolling doors between the classroom and audience hall. The walnut pulpit was the gift of Mrs. Bert Miller and Miss Blanch Gray. The red plush pulpit chairs were donated by the Ladies' Aid Society. The marble-top table and red stand were purchased in 1884, the red stand being used as a pulpit until the walnut pulpit was purchased in 1890. The larger organ was purchased by subscription previous to 1890. The organ used in the classroom was bought in 1894 at a cost of $25. The piano in the auditorium and also the one used in the social room were purchased and paid for by the Sunday school.

At the time the church was remodeled in 1890, it was reopened Sunday, July 22, with Bishop Joyce present, who preached from the text, 1 John 4:7, taking for his subject, "Present Conditions in China," in the evening.

The Rev. J. H. Dewart was pastor of the church for five years from 1891 to 1896, during which time it prospered as it never had before. Immediately following this, the Rev. L. W. Ray was pastor, and following him the Rev. F. E. Ross came in May, 1898. He was followed by the Rev. C. W,. Lawson, who stayed three years, being followed by the Rev. Charles Stark in 1904, who remained three years, when the Rev. Stanley Oadams came, who was followed by the present pastor, the Rev. F. W. Hill, who came in 1909. At this time the membership of the church was 175, and at this writing, 1914, the membership is 364. In 1909 the congregation was still worshiping in the building which for so many years stood on the comer of Fifth avenue and Third street. It was not long before congregations had so increased that the capacity of the building was more than taxed. The Sunday school, under the able superintendency of L. L. Erickson, assisted by a competent corps of teachers, began to enjoy an excellent growth. The normal training class, under the direction of Miss Blanch Atkins of the state normal faculty, soon numbered 90, and classrooms outside of the building had to be rented to take care of the Sunday school. This congested condition made necessary a larger building.. After much planning it was decided by the official board that the new structure be erected on the site of the old, using the former as a chapel in the new building.

Early in the spring of 1911 a contract was let for the erection of the new edifice. The corner-stone was laid September 10, 1911. Dr. E. H. Nicholson, district superintendent of the Litchfield district, having charge of the exercises, and the Rev. E. A. Cook, of Renville, delivering the address. In the corner-stone was placed a copy of the Bible, two local dailies, the "Epworth Herald and Northwestern Christian Advocate," a copy of the Annual Minnesota Conference and a complete list of the subscribers to the new building to date. Mayor P. J. Seberger delivered a fine address at the unveiling of the capstone of the gymnasium, which was erected in connection with the new church.

The plan of the church is what is called the "Twentieth Century Institutional" building. The first floor contains a large gymnasium, shower baths, dressing-room and lockers, clubroom, kitchen and toilet, engine and fuel room. This floor has its main entrance on the sidewalk level. The second floor is approached by a main front entrance on Fifth avenue and also a side entrance on Third street which leads into the chapel and parlors of the church. The Fifth avenue entrance leads through a commodious vestibule into the new auditorium, which has an inclined floor and seats about 400 people. Between the auditorium and chapel are rolled partitions by the use of which the two rooms may be thrown together, making an auditorium which will seat, when crowded to its capacity, 1,000 people.

The beautiful art glass is of the finest quality of opalescent glass. The design in the Fifth avenue window is "Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane," by Hoffman. The design in the window facing Third street is "Christ, the Good Shepherd," by Plockhorst.

combined similar to that done by a Y. M. C. A. The athletic feature is at present under the management of a non-denominational organization and to be used by those who desire, regardless of denominational affiliation.

The dedication services were held Sunday, May 24, 1914, the sermon being preached by Bishop William A. Quayle, D. D., LL. D., from the text II Corinthians, 4:17. Following the sermon pledges to the amount of $5,333 were made to pay the debt of $7,600 remaining on the new building, and the official board agreed to take care of the balance. The formal dedication by the Bishop then took place. The following out-of-town pastors were present: Dr. W. H. Jordan, district superintendent; the Rev. T. S. Oadams, La Crosse; the Rev. C. W. Stark, Minneapolis, former pastor; the Rev. James A. Geer, Ortonville; the Rev. E. A. Cook, Monticello; the Rev. B. Kuhn, Sauk Rapids; the Rev. S. L. Hart, Becker; the Rev. Lawrence Radcliff, Kimball; the Rev. F. J. Bryan, Clearwater. At 3 o'clock in the afternoon special Sunday school exercises were held, at which an address was given by the Rev. James Geer. At the evening service Dr. W. H. Jordan preached, taking as his text Psalm 8:4.

St. John's Episcopal Church. - On February 17, 1856, the first service of the Protestant Episcopal Church in St. Cloud was held at the home of John H. Taylor. On April 12 in the same year St. John's Parish had its begining. On that date ten persons drew up and signed the necessary articles of conformity and agreement to "the order, liturgy, constitution and canons of the Protestant Episcopal Church." This instrument bears the signatures of L. B. Johnson, John H. Taylor, W. B. Crane, E. C. Johnson, A. I. Judd, Wm. S. Judd, James C. Shepley, Mary F. B. Shepley, B. R. Palmer and James Mowatt. The organization was effected under the direction of the Rev. J. S. Chamberlain, one of the pioneer missionaries of Minnesota. L. B. Johnson and John H. Taylor were chosen wardens; J. C. Shepley, Wm. S. Judd and W. B. Crane, vestrymen. The constitution was prepared by the Rev. Mr. Chamberlain. The vestry immediately organized by electing John H. Taylor clerk and treasurer.

The first church edifice was erected on Fourth avenue, South, between Sixth and Seventh streets,. The cornerstone was laid on the twentieth day of August, 1856, by the Rev. D. B. Knickerbocker, later Bishop of Indiana. The building was consecrated May 11, 1858, by the Rt. Rev. Jackson Kemper, Missionary Bishop of the Northwest. This was the first church edifice in St. Cloud. In 1864 it was moved to the site of the present church. In 1892 it was moved to the rear of the lot, fitted up for the use of guilds and the Sunday school, and a new granite block veneer church erected. This building was consecrated November 17, 1892, by the Rt. Rev. Mahlon N. Gilbert, D. D., assistant Bishop of Minnesota.

In 1867 the parish opened a day school in a district school building. The first teacher was F. C. Coolbough, later a clergyman. In 1868 an unused church at Neenah (now St. Augusta) was moved to St. Cloud, placed on the northeast corner of Third avenue. South, and Fourth street, and fitted up for the parish school. The following year the school was discontinued and the building converted into a rectory. In 1892 this property was sold, the building moved one-half a block south, where it now (1915) stands, and additional ground bought adjoining the lot where the church stood. A new rectory was built that same year. In 1908 the basement of the church was fitted up for the purposes for which the old church was used and that building demolished.

The church at Sauk Rapids was organized about the same time as that at St. Cloud, and from the beginning the two have been under a joint pastorate. The Rev. Mr. Camberlain looked after the new work until 1858 when the Rev,. Dudley Chase of Chicago became the first rector. The prime mover in getting the church started was John H. Taylor. At the time of organization he was the only male communicant in the town. His death, during the rectorship of Mr. Chase, was a loss to the church and the community.

The first organized guild was the '-Church Aid Society." This was an organization of women and had its beginning in 1869. On the twenty-fifth day of August in that year the first meeting was held at the home of Mrs. H. C. Waite. The following were the first officers: President, Mrs. S. E. Tollman; vice-president, Mrs. T. C. Alden; secretary, Mrs. J. W. T. Tuttle; treasurer, Mrs. H. C. Waite. In 1875 the name was changed to "St. John's Aid Society." Later it was merged into the "Improvement League," an organization still (1915) active in the parish.

The life of the parish has been marked by a healthy progress and it has always been identified with everything that looked to the welfare of the community. Its membership now (1915) numbers 315 baptized persons, of whom 190 are communicants.

service was conducted by the Rev. James A. McKee, pastor of the Andrew Presbyterian church at St. Anthony, now East Minneapolis.. The charter members were: James Biggerstaff, Mrs. Margaret Biggerstaff, Marshall McCombs, Mrs. Eleanor McCombs, Mrs. Perlina Richmond, Mrs. Ellen W. Lamb, Mrs. Prances Carlisle, Mrs. Mary E. Ketcham, Mrs. Elizabeth Symington, Mrs. Laura A. Woolley. Mrs. Carlisle, Los Angeles, is the only one of the ten living. At this time, Mr. Biggerstaff and Mr. McCombs were elected to be ruling elders and were ordained and installed the next day. Sabbath, November 20, and the first communion service was held.

A small building on the southeast corner of what is now Fifth avenue and Second street South was rented and fitted with seats. The pulpit was made of two upright boards with one on the top, and the front was made of a width of green window shade paper. Here services were held for a while. At that time St. Cloud was said to have 600 people. It was in every sense a frontier town - the Sabbath was the best business day of the week. Saloons were wide open; stores were open; everything was open. There were board sidewalks in places, up and down just as the ground happened to be up or down, and not a street light. Our nearest railroad point was Anoka; the rest of the way was made by stage and it took all day to come to St. Cloud, The nearest Presbyterian church was Westminster, Minneapolis; no kindred church South, West, or North until the Rockies were crossed. Our first duty was to erect a building in which to hold services; until that was done we were kindly permitted to use the Methodist church in the afternoon of the Sabbath. (The Methodist building was at that time en the corner of Fourth avenue and Sixth street South.) The Presbytery recommended us to the Board of Church Erection to the amount of $800.00; the rest of the money needed was secured from personal friends in the eastern states, while $200 was pledged in St. Cloud. Messrs. Dam and Clark took the contract at a venture, put up the building, and received payment in full when the last' nail was driven. This building was dedicated to God on Sabbath, January 7, 1865. How plain and unpretentious this building was,

During most of this time the young pastor had no man helper, as Mr. Biggerstaff had gone into the army and Mr. McCombs had returned to his old home at Pittsburgh, but the few women were faithful under all discouragements. A Sabbath school of seven pupils was organized and soon became quite respectable in numbers. The church building erected on the present Sixth avenue, near Second street South, was used for all church purposes until 1870, when a lecture room was added. About 1876 the building was brought to the present location, the front changed by adding a tower, a kitchen and library room added to the rear, and still later the north side was taken out and an addition of 29 feet width was extended the full length, 79 feet, thereby enlarging the auditorium and furnishing a fine dining-room. About eight years ago a pipe organ was installed and has given great satisfaction.

It may be of interest to remark that the first name added to the roll was on profession of faith and that has been characteristic of this church; she has grown much more by additions on profession than by letter, and this year has added more names to the roll than in any other year in her history.

The ruling eldership has been as follows: James Biggerstaff, Marshall Mc- Combs, Gen. H. Z. Mitchell, Joseph Hill, Elder D. Moore, President T. J. Gray, Charles G. Wilson, M. D., ProL C. W. G. Hyde, Lucian T. Troutman, William Aikin, Prof. M. D. Avery, Samuel H. Van Cleve, M. D., E. A. Noble. The present board of elders: Lewis Clark, H. C. Ervin. Sr., W. B. Mitchell, Geo. S. Clark, James E. Jenks, Charles S. Olds.

The superintendent of the Sabbath school is Mr. Olds; the superintendent of the Primary Department, Miss Eleanor Mitchell, and the superintendent of the Junior Department, Mrs. C. S. Olds. The school is organized upon the latest plans, being graded from the beginners through to the Home department, and faithfully using the helps provided by the Board of Publication.

home and abroad. Sometimes in the early days it seemed almost cruel to call upon the church to aid anything outside the home work, for there were years when even this seemed too much, but there was no let-up,. This is our record: For all purposes, benevolent and home use, we have raised $72,269.85. I am not certain, but I think this church became self-supporting in the year 1878 and has so continued. It has also paid back to the Board of Church Erection several loans, and today owes nothing to anyone only good will.

The Ladies' Aid Society was organized in January, 1865, and has been a right hand from the beginning, and is today stronger than ever. For a few years we had deacons, but there was so little for them to do we dropped that office and adopted the deaconess plan, and found that to work well. This branch of the work has been of great value to the church. From an early date we had the Home and Foreign Mission Societies, but as neither was strong they were united and became a very strong and efficient body, and so continues. Our Society of Christian Endeavor was the second organization in the state in our denomination and has been a great help in the development of the Christian life of the young members.

As Protestantism has always been in the shade in this city, much more so in the early years, this church made slow growth, but there never was a year without some increase. The total of names on the roll is 590. But, as was common with all Western churches, there was a continual change of roll. This is the mother of three churches, namely: Willmar, Litchfield and Fergus Falls. There have been 498 baptisms, including both adults and infants. (Read at the Fiftieth Anniversary of the organization of the church, November 19, 1914, by the Rev. E. V. Campbell, D. D., pastor.)

Unity Church. - The first Unitarian preaching in St Cloud, or at least the first preaching by a Unitarian minister, was on Sunday evening, November 27, 1887, in the old Odd Fellows' Hall, corner Fifth avenue and First street. South, by the Rev. Samuel McChord Crothers, then of Unity Church, St. Paul. In the announcement of this meeting the following statement appeared in the local papers of the week preceding: "All persons interested in the cause of liberal religion are cordially invited to attend. A number of the most successful Unitarian ministers of New England have offered to give each a month to the work of presenting the principles of Unitarianism, and St. Cloud will be selected as their place of work, if sufficient interest is manifested here in the cause." This plan for establishing a new liberal church was suggested by Mr. Crothers in discussing the possibilities of church extension in the west during a visit to New England the previous summer. The Rev. Charles F. Russell of Weston, Massachusetts, undertook to find the ministers, who should give their time to the enterprise, if Mr. Crothers would select the place. Just at this time Mr. Crothers's attention was called to St. Cloud by a write-up of its resources in a St. Paul paper. He learned from a lady in his church, who was engaged in Post Office Mission work, that James W. Garlington of St. Cloud had applied for liberal religious literature. Accordingly on November 22, 1887, he came to St. Cloud and called on Mr. Garlington, who introduced him to O. Tenny. Mr. Tenny took up the idea earnestly and introduced him to Judge Collins, the Searles, A. F. Robertson, N. P. Clarke, George H. Reynolds, E. H. Atwood and others. Arrangements were made for services the next Sunday evening, November 27. It was very cold, but about fifty people came out to hear Mr. Crothers. They stayed for a business meeting, when they invited the New England ministers to come out. At that meeting the church was virtually started on its course. The American Unitarian association paid the expenses of the eastern ministers and supplied their pulpits in their absence; the St. Cloud people paid the local expense of the meetings and boarded the ministers. Mr. Crothers preached Sunday evenings during December, with the exception of December 11, when the Rev. H. M. Simmons of the First Unitarian Church of Minneapolis spoke.

January 15, 1888, the Rev. H. Price Collier, of Hingham, Massachusetts, the first of the band of New England missionaries, preached in St. Cloud. After that date services were held at 10:30 A. M. The interest increased and during Mr. Collier's stay, on February 11, 1888, the formal or-

The Ladies' Association, the present Woman's Alliance, was organized March 7 1888, with the following officers: Presi dent, Mrs. D. W. Bruckart; vice-president Mrs. J. F. Boulter; secretary, Mrs. F. E Searle; treasurer, Mrs,. E. H. Atwood; ex ecutive committee, Mesdames Bruckart Searle, Collins, Churchill and Miss Wash burn.

The Rev. C. E. St. John of Northampton, Massachusetts, followed Mr. Bulkeley, beginning his labors March 18, 1888. The fourth New England missionary was the Rev. Charles F. Russell of Weston, Massachusetts, alluded to above, who began his work the middle of April. The last one was the Rev. Charles J. Staples of Reading, Massachusetts, who preached his first sermon in St. Cloud, May 20, 1888, and remained until the end of June. He received and accepted a call to became the settled minister of the church and entered upon his duties October first. During July, August and September, the pulpit was supplied by the Rev. Leon A. Harvey, then a student at the Harvard Divinity school.

Among the early subscribers to the church aside from those already mentioned were Dr. A. O. Gilman, J. H. Lufkin, O. F. Carver, E. H. and G. L. Atwood, William Westerman, John and M. F. Becker, J. Mayhew, E. P. Sartell, John Vandersluis, Mrs. C. C. McClure, L. A. Evans, George B. Smith, G. H. Dunnewold, George Churchill, Charles Linwood, William Russell, A. J.

The first Unitarian Conference was held the ninth and tenth of October in 1888 at the Congregational church. Among the many ministers from abroad were Jenkin Lloyd Jones of Chicago, Samuel McChord Crothers of Boston, Caroline J. Bartlett of Kalamazoo, Michigan (now Caroline Bartlett Crane), Charles G. Ames, Edward A. Horton, Grindall Reynolds and George Batchelor of Boston and Thomas R. Slicer of New York. In October, 1888, one lot and a fraction, in all 81 feet on the northwest corner of Fourth avenue and Second street south was purchased for $1,675»00 and architect A. E. Hussey prepared plans for the church building. Ground was broken November 19, 1888, and the foundation walls erected the following June. The first service was held in the Sunday-school room on June 7 and in the auditorium September 6, 1891. The building was dedicated October 29, 1891, in connection with the second meeting of the Minnesota Conference in St. Cloud. Judge L. W. Collins v.'as president of the Conference and Mrs. E. H. Atwood and O. Tenny delegates from the St. Cloud church. During the summer of 1892 the building was completed with the finishing off of the dining-room, kitchen, study and cloak rooms.

The first great loss, which came to the church, was the death of one of its most active workers and inspiirng leaders, Mrs, L. W. Collins, who passed away in May, 1894.

The Rev. Charles J. Staples remained in St. Cloud six years and was succeeded October 1, 1884, by the Rev. Carleton F. Brown. September 1, 1897, the Rev. Robert S. Loring became pastor and he in turn was succeeded May 1, 1901, by the Rev. J. H. Jones. Dr. Manfred Lillifors began his pastorate March 17, 1907, and was followed by the Rev. Paul D. Dansingberg, September 1, 1909. Mr. Dansingberg left St. Cloud April 1, 1914, to accept a call to Kansas City, Missouri. His successor, the Rev. Walter Albert Smith, a graduate of the Meadville Theological School in Meadville, Pennsylvania, became pastor of the church September 1, 1914.

trustees at present are Mrs. C. L. Atwood, Mrs. W. A. Shoemaker, Mrs. M. D.. Taylor, Miss C. E. Clarke, Messrs. C. C. Dragoo, G. H. Dunnewold, George C. Hubbard, James Colgrove and M.. E. Jones. The church fctands for education as well as religion and the denomination embraces among its members the leading educators and literary men of the country.

German Evangelical Friedens Church. - The German Evangelical Friedens Church, which is affiliated with the Evangelical Synod of North America, was organized October 1, 1892, and incorporated December 5, 1892,. Its first members were: William Albrecht, Karl Buddrius, William Emmerich, H. Gruen, Carl Juergens, Gottlieb Kowitz, Karl Kowitz, Sr., Karl Kowitz, Jr., Andreas Keller, George Krieg, Gustav Krueger, Gustav Menz, F. Manthe, Franz Naegeli, Friedrich Poepke, Adam Schaum, Adam Stanger, George Stanger, Fred F. Schieman, John Schiedinger, Ernst Soetebier, Julius Vierkant, William Ziemer, Fritz Ziebol, Friedrich Wegner, Karl Macke, Herman Steffens, Christine Stanger, Eva Fischer, Louise Gerard, Augusta Terwey. The first church board consisted of the following members: Franz Naegeli, president; William Albrecht, secretary; Andreas Keller, treasurer; William Emmerich and Fred Schieman, elders; Karl Kowitz, Sr., and Gustav Krueger, trustees.

The first church, a small frame structure, was built during the pastorate of the Rev. E. John Fleer on block 55, lot 7, on the corner of Eighth avenue and Fourth street South, and was dedicated November 24, 1892. On January 15, 1893, a small church bell, which had been donated by the St. Paul Evangelical Church of St. Paul, Minn., was dedicated.

In the spring of 1894 the parsonage was erected on the rear end of the church lot, fronting on Fourth street South. The lot adjoining the church property (block 55, lot 8) was donated to the congregation March 11, 1902, by Mrs. Margaret Metzroth, and in the year of 1908, after the old frame church, which no longer could accommodate the growing congregation, had been sold and moved away, a new brick church with Sunday school room was erected on lot 7 and part of lot 8. The cornerstone of this church was laid May 10, 1908, and the dedication took place in

September, 1908. In the spring of 1910 two fine church bells were installed (1,500 pounds and 900 pounds, respectively) and dedicated May 1, 1910. The interior of the church was artistically decorated in the spring of 1912 and various other important improvements were made in and around the church and parsonage.

The pastors which have served the church are as follows: Rev. E. John Fleer, from November, 1892, to November, 1895; Rev. Henry Waldmann, from January, 1896, to May, 1906. Rev. Alex Siegenthaler, from May, 1906, to March, 1909. Rev. Waldmann, who is still residing at St. Cloud, served temporarily from April, 1909, to August, 1909. Rev. John L. Haack, present pastor, since September 1, 1909.

The church has at present about 150 individual members, and the present board is as follows: Fred Schieman, president; Herman Steffans, secretary; Ernest Keller, treasurer; August Schiffmann and Fred Wegner, elders; Herman Schack and Herman Meierding, trustees.

Swedish Baptist Church. - This church was organized November 20, 1882, with nine charter members, viz., Michael Johnson, Mrs. A. L. Johnson, C. J.. Johnson, Mrs. C. J. Johnson, A. G. Magnuson, Mrs. A. G. Magnuson, John Buckman, Mrs. John Buckman, Christine Johnson,

The church was built in 1886 on Wilson avenue N. E., and in 1905 was moved to St. Germain street east, between Second and Third avenues, a more convenient location. The church property is valued at ?6,000, with no debts. The society contrib-

Swedish Church of God. - This church was organized June 23, 1883, with seven members, in Sauk Rapids. These members were L. J. Haggqvist, A. B. Anderson, Andrew Petterson, Lois Olson, August Johnson, Nels Larson, John Skoglund. The first pastor was the Rev. Matthias Petterson for one year, followed by the Rev. A. G. Nelson. In June, 1888, the church voted to become Congregational and was duly recognized by the council.

A brick-veneered church building was erected in East St. Cloud in 1889 and in the following year a comfortable brickveneered parsonage. The successors to the Rev. A. G. Nelson have been: the Rev. B. Finstrom, the Rev. Mr. Loven, the Rev. John Rood, the Rev. K. E. Pederson, and the Rev. E. W. Bjorklund, the present pastor. The same pastor serves both the church at East St. Cloud and that at Sauk Rapids. The present membership of the two churches is about 90, somewhat the larger proportion being at East St. Cloud. Norwegian Lutheran Church. - The organization of this church probably had its beginnings in small missionary services held in this city or in the neighboring county at irregular times mostly by the Rev. P. O. Langseth of Glendorado or the Rev. T. H. Dahl of Minneapolis. Just when or how long these services, which were conducted under the direction of the Church Extension organization of the Norwegian Lutheran Synod of America, continued cannot at this time be ascertained. The formal organization took place in this city in the German Evangelical Lutheran Church on Eighth avenue and Fifth street South on September 27, 1908. Among those who took a prominent part in the organization were: Christian Knutson, Alfred Haugen, M. H. Halleckson, Carl Iverson, Nels Fuhre and Mrs. Bertha Quickstad.

For one year after its organization the congregation was served by the Rev. Mr. Langseth and the Rev. Mr. Dahl. On September 12, 1909, the Rev. G. T. Lee of Glenwood preached his introductory- sermon and continued serving the congregation until the close of the year 1913, when the Rev. E. Mortensen was called to service in the congregation and began his work in the form of an introductory sermon on Sunday evening, December 21, 1913. The Rev. Mr. Lee came the following Sunday, December 28, when he gave his farewell address and assisted in the Christmas tree exercises.

Up to September, 1910, the congregation had free use of the German Evangelical Lutheran Church on Eighth avenue South. On September 12 of that year, through the untiring efforts of the Rev. Mr. Lee, the Congregational Church property on Fifth avenue South was purchased and $300 spent on repairs. On October 9 of that year the congregation held its first services in this their new church.

Since its organization the following have become members of the church: T. L. Ness, John Jordahl, I. T. Johnsrud, Christ Hendrickson, Hjilmer Dam, John Dam, Anna Omundson, Adolf Hanson, Elmer Eggers and others whose names cannot now be secured. Besides these there are several residents of the city and the surrounding country who, though not formally members of the church, are affiliating themselves with it in its work. A large number of Normal School students are making this church their place of worship. The total present actual membership is seventy-four.

Christian Science Church. - The first organized Christian Science work was begun in St. Cloud in October, 1889, with the formation of the first Christian Science Association. Meetings were held in the Lahr building on St. Germain street for several years.

The growth of the work necessitated the formation of a Christian Science Society, November 24, 1895. At this time the Christian Science reading room, where authorized Christian Science literature may be read or purchased, was opened to the public.

The society now holds its Sunday services in the auditorium of the Unitarian Church, and a reading room is also maintained in the same building.

Congregational Church. - The society was organized February 16, 1864, in the Everett schoolhouse, with the following named members: The Rev. F. Ayer, Mrs. E. F. Ayer, Dr. W. R. Hunter, W. T. Clark, Caroline M. Clark, C. Bridgman. Sarah L. Bridg- man, H. P. Bennett, and Charlotte M,. Bennett. The society worshipped in Wilson's Hall until 1867, when a new brick church building was erected, which was formally dedicated November 30, 1870. Much credit was due the Rev. James Tompkins for his efforts to raise sufficient money to pay off the indebtedness. An addition was built to the rear of the church edifice in 1885, making the total value of the property $8,000.

The Rev. Mr. Swain preached for about one year in the interval until April 27, 1902, when he resigned and the church was finally closed. The building was sold In 1910 to the Norwegian Lutheran society, by which it has since been occupied.

One of the pastors, the Rev. Mr. Steiner, has in later years acquired a national and an international reputation as a student ot and writer on sociological questions.

Universal ist. - Preliminary to the organization of a Universalist society an effort was made in the spring of 1864, by a number of the citizens of the place interested in the movement, to purchase and finish off the large, unoccupied building which had been begun for a Baptist church, but the matter was eventually abandoned. Nothing further was done until the following January when the Rev. Mr. Keyes, of the Universalist church at Minneapolis, began a series of meetings in St. Cloud. As a result of his efforts about $1,000 was subscribed for the support of a minister. A call was extended to the Rev.. J. H. Ballou, who accepted and entered on his pastorate in March, services being held part of the time in the building then occupied as a school, located on the present Fifth avenue near the corner of Fourth street south (now a dwelling house) and part of the tirhe in the courthouse. The Universalist State association met in the city July 12 and 13, 1865, at which time Mr. Ballou was ordained as pastor of the St. Cloud church. He remained in charge until the following June, when he removed to another field. Another pastor was not called, but during the following two or three years occasional services were held by ministers from other localities. Among the more active members of the society were Mr. and Mrs. T. C. McClure, Mr. and Mrs. N. P. Clarke and Judge L. A. Evans.

Other Churches. - From the following churches no information regarding their organization and history could be obtained: German Evangelical Lutheran, Zion Evangelical Association, Advent, Seventh Day Adventist, Gospel Hall.