History of Merrill-Melbourne

FIRST CHURCH IN PLYMOUTH COUNTY, IOWA

Posted By: Ardythe Rees Stoesz (email)
Date: 9/21/2007 at 15:23:44

The first church in Plymouth County:

In 1856 (summer and autumn the first actual settlements were made in what is now called Plymouth County, Iowa. One of these settlements were made on the Big Sioux River and other a German colony in Floyd River Valley. (This the river the first son of Rev. John Jacob Zimmer, Jacob died in a swimming/drowning. It is also the river that overflowed and flooded. The land east of it every June for the farmers.

Rev. Frederick Schreiber came in 1859. He had heard of a German settlement north of Sioux City. While he was in the city he met John Schneider and went with him to the settlement at Melbourne where he remained for several weeks. The first service was held on July 5, 1859. This horseback preacher and missionary held meetings at intervals throughout the year. They were attended by Mr. and Mrs. Phillip Schneider, Mr. and Mrs. John Schneider, Mrs. Elizabeth Schneider and sons Henry, Jacob and Dan. Mr and Mrs. Peter Schindel, Mr. and Mrs. Christian Schmidt and Phillipp Schmidt.

In 1860 another circuit missionary Rev. H. Kleinsorge, who came with a horse and spring wagon, making his home with the Christian Schmidt family. He would stay a week or two; then go on to Council Bluffs 95 miles away. Where a church was being organized. He would stay two weeks and preach in the homes, then return to Flloyd Valley again. After a period of services by the circuit rider, as he called, a good number became Christians. Christian Schmidt was elected the first class leader to carry on prayer meetings during the absence of the preacher. Rev. Kleinsorge preached in the homes of settlers and organized the church September 24, 1860 which now known as Merrill Melbourne Evangelical United Brethern Church. This was taken from a booklet printed for the 100th birthday of the church in 1960. Today, it still stands but could have another afflication added as about 1959-1961 the Methodist Church and Evangelical United Brethern merged. Merrill Stanton ( a sister church) discontinued and the church building was moved to another site. Miss Christina Schmidt was the first convert at age 16. Rev. was the first minister and stayed two years. It was the practise for only two years per pastor at the time.

The next pastor was Rev. J. F. Berner. This was an uncle to Charlotte Louise Berner who married George Washington Zimmerman. He was the son of Rev. John Jacob Zimmerman who came to Merrill-Melbourne in 1867 from Baltimore, Marland to pastor the church. In the first two years, both he and his first son died. Rev. Zimmerman died at the age of 51 complications of phnemonia and Jacob the son in a bathing accident at a Fourth of July Picnic. Make reference to the obituaries in Iowa Gen Web for Zimmermans.

Charter members were Christian Schmidt, Maria K Schmidt, katerine S Stafford, Phillip P Schmidt, Peter Schindel Maria Schindel, Phillip Schneider. Mr. Schneider sponsors the Meier-Lippke family when they arrived in New York and had been robbed on the boat immigrating to America. He paid for the trip from New York to Iowa. They worked for him 7 1/2 years living in a garage. Margaretha Schneider, Maria Rauh, Elizabeth Schneider, John Schneider, Katherine Schneider, Daniel Schneider, Henry Schneider and Elizabeth Winter Held.

In 1868 to 1870 the Bender, Becker, Spies Koenig Held, Bernes were actively identified with the work. I would add the Rev. John Jacob Zimmerman family also. The first church edifice was errected at the cost of $600 for lumber in 1866.
The present church was erected in 1874 at the cost of $2,100.00 and dedicated by Elder J. Henn.
The first parsonage was built in 1870 and then
replaced by a new one in 1884 with the old one being moved to be used for a barn.

Merrill-Melbourne was a mother church to Merrill-Stanton EUB Church.

In the beginning of Merrill-Melbourne men entered from one side and women from another. This custom changed from a a front door and single middle aisle later.

The following brochure was found in the 100 year bulletin.
"The act of accepting Christ and the gospel is not all or final. To join the church is not the end, but the beginning of a fellowship with God through Christ and a fellowship with men and women who are consciously trying to learn the mind of Christ and endeavoring to act in conformity with His Will."
The Merrill-Stanton Building was sold and dismantled and moved in approximately 1960.

Taken from 100 year brochure, Family History of
Evelyn Zimmerman and Family History...Ardythe Stoez..Le Mars Sentinel Articles.