Pg 524

         The first religious service was held at the depot in May, 1856, by the Diocesan of the State, the Right Rev. H. W. Lee, at which time a parish was . . .

Pg 525

. . . organized under the title of St. Paul’s after St. Paul’s of New Haven, Conn., from whom they afterward received a donation of $75.00. The hastily constructed desk, or pulpit, for the occasion, consisted of a couple of boxes found in the building, the upper one from which the Bishop delivered his discourse being a box of champagne. On Saturday, the 21st of June following, the corner stone of St. Paul’s Church was laid by the Bishop with appropriate ceremonies, and consecrated in November, 1856.

         The first child baptized in the township was a daughter of Joseph Weaver, by Rt. Rev. Bishop Lee.

         Among the Rectors of this congregation have been Rev. Geo. C. Street, the first Rector; Revs. Campbell, Johnson, Wm. Curry, James Allen, then of Tipton; Kaapea and Rev. Stroh.

         The second sermon was preached by Hon. Geo. F. Magoun, now President of Iowa College.

         May 25, 1856, the Rev. John S. Whittlesey arrived from New Britain, Conn., and a congregational Society was organized, and, although the Episcopalians used due diligence in putting up their building, the Congregationalists raised theirs May 14th, and occupied it some weeks before the other was completed. There were eleven male and eight female members at the time of organization. Officers, I. N. Gilbert and J. B. Hitchcock.

         During the war, Mr. Whittlesey was appointed Chaplain of the Eleventh Iowa Infantry, with which regiment he remained until the battle of Shiloh, where, from exposure and change of climate, he contracted a disease of which he died a few months after, at his home in this place. He was succeeded in the pastorate of the church by Rev. E. Ripley, in December, 1859. Rev. H. L. Bullen assumed charge May 29, 1860. Then followed, in 1868, Rev. R. Webber; in 1872, Rev. E. B. Whiting; May 3, 1875, Rev. J. Gilbert; in 1876, Rev. R. Douglass; in 1878, Rev. E. P. Smith, the present Pastor. There are at present fifty-seven members. Thirty-six letters have been granted since organization.

         The first Sunday school was organized on the union plan, in the depot, March 16, 1856; Kingsley A. Burnell, who was then a resident of this place, now celebrated as a lay preacher, was elected as superintendent.

         In 1869, the Rev. Mr. Morey, of the Methodist denomination, was located at this place, and during the second year of his ministry, they erected one of the neatest and most tasty church buildings in this section of the country.

         Pastors since Mr. Morey have been Rev. Messrs. Rankin, Gortner and Jenisen. They have no regular Pastor at present.

         In 1872, the Christians organized and put up a building in which services were regularly held for several years, by the Rev. Mr. Lane.

         In December, 1871, a division of the Sons of Temperance was formed and continued for several years, to the great benefit of Durant.