CLARENCE CHURCHES

Clarence has known a variety of Churches in its time. The oldest in the village was the Presbyterian. It was organized on November 14, 1860, in the loft of Fish and Gere's store, which stood where the B & K Store is now. The sermon was preached by Daniel Clark, who is buried in the Clarence cemetery. A building was erected in the summer of 1861, which housed the congregation until a new structure took its place in the year 1882. The older building was moved a block north and was used for cob storage, at the west elevator, till it was torn down. The Church prospered and bought a parsonage for the minister, the present home of the Gordon Smiths'. It was occupied by N. H. Downing in the late 1880's who gave the dedicatory address at the laying of the corner stone of the Evangelical Church. In 1897 this was sold and the residence now occupied by Vern Freeman was bought. D. M. Ogilvie was minister in 1901 to 1907, followed by J. L. Cotton; Peter Bock; Alex English 1912-1917; Maurice Nies 1918-19; R. F. Chambers 1919-24; Dwight Krumboltz 1924-28; P. W. Jacobson 1928-33; Robert McDaniel 1933-35 and John Anderson the summer of 1936. The church disbanded and the property was sold in 1938, the building to H. D. Kemmann and Sons, the house to Vern Freeman.

The United Presbyterian Church was started in November 1860, also they erected a building on the corner east of the school house. It was never a very prosperous organization, comprising the Safely, Chisholm, David Claney and James and E. F. Anderson families. In the late 1890's it went down and the remaining members united with the Presbyterian Church. It produced two young men who became ministers of prominence in their denomination, A. R. “Rollie” Paul and John Pollock. The building was moved about 1900 to the east part of town and remodeled for a residence now owned by K. C. Frink.

In the late 1870's there were several families in this area that were attracted to the Seventh Day Adventist doctrines of keeping the seventh day of the week or Saturday as the day of rest and worship, particularly the John Dorcas, George Fields, and James Beach families. They erected a small building on the site of Mrs. Helen Norberg's present home. The work did not last and the building was sold to the Evangelical Church which moved it to their location, where it was used for the parochial school house till it was torn down in 1940.

It was an Irishman, Wm. Flanagan, pioneer depot agent, who was instrumental in organizing the Lutheran Church in 1861. Besides the Flanagans who were related to the Albert Miller and James Claney families, the prominent families were the Gortner and Decker families. They built in 1865 a commodious building 26 x 45 foot at a cost of $4,500 on the site of the Lavern Kintzel home. The congregation was never large or prosperous. The Evangelical people used the building for services until they constructed their own building in 1889. The organization disbanded and the late Samuel Shuck tore the building down in 1903, working the material in the residence occupied by Lavern Kintzel. However in the northeast corner of the basement wall, the corner stone upside down is still visible bearing the inscription, “St. Paul's Lutheran Church 1865”.

The railroad construction was done by Irish labor. When the road bed was done, a number of these men stayed to work on the section. This brought the Cosgriff, Kane, Curley, Curran and Doyle families to the community. Being loyal Catholics, a small church was built for their use in the season of 1877. It was served by priests from Toronto and Mechanicsville. The families were never many and the younger generation going to the cities and the older generation dying off, till there were only three families left. The building was bought by J. C. Dettman, which stood on the site of W. W. Weatherwax home and was taken down in 1933. The seats from this Church are still in use in the Toronto Community Church.

THE METHODIST CHURCH

The Methodist Church of Clarence is almost as old as the town itself, having been organized following the appointment of the first minister, Rev. J. W. Kynett November 23, 1862. He was then serving the Pioneer, now Mechanicsville, Circuit. The text of his first sermon was the 20th verse of the 4th chapter of First Corinthians: “For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.” He did not finish the year, leaving on February 15, 1863, but we read that the first class was organized by his successor, the Rev. John Scoles, with brother Samson as the leader of that first class.

In 1865, Clarence was detached from the Pioneer Circuit to become a part of the Lowden Circuit. In 1867, with the Rev. R. G. Hawn as Pastor, a lot was purchased and about $2,400 raised by subscription to build the first church, under the leadership of W. A. Allen. The church building was completed and dedicated on October 10, 1869. W. J. Kirkpatrick the gospel song writer, then resident of the community, led the choir on the day of dedication.

The parsonage was erected in 1877 during the pastorate of Rev. T. J. Spry. In 1870, Clarence became a station charge with J. A. Kerr as pastor. And we read that by the close of the year, 1872, the Church had 43 members, here we come across the first statement concerning any Sunday School work, to find the “Sunday School flourishing with 150 pupils, and 11 teachers, and H. W. Macomber as Superintendent.”

The Church prospered under some of its pastors and held its own under the leadership of others. There were the lean years. But probably the most severe experience to the Church was on the night of January 2, 1919, when the Church building caught on fire from an overheated furnace and burned to the ground. However, the spirit of the people is revealed when we find that by December 21, 1919, they moved into the present brick structure built at a cost of $29,000. Five men each gave $1,000 a piece to make this possible. They were C. E. Read, C. G. Sawyer, Wm. McClellan, Wm. Welty and Jacob Gortner.

Sometime during those early years of the Church there was organized the Women's Foreign Missionary Society and the Home Mission Society. We do not have the record other than to be able to say that some of our people who have lived here all of their lives remember being members of those two organizations.

The Ladies Aid was organized here on September 17, 1925 under the leadership of Rev. Wm. J. Macauley. Mrs. Harry Cashman was the first president, while Mrs. Edwin Schluter was vice president; Mrs. E. C. Dean was treasurer and Mrs. T. R. Perkins was secretary. This Society functioned until September 13, 1941.

With the unification of the Methodist Episcopal Church, The Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and the Methodist Protestant Church, to become the Methodist Church, the General Conference set up a plan for all women's organizations to become one group, called the Woman's Society of Christian Service. So under the leadership of the Rev. A. B. Chamberlain, the women of the church here met on September 13, 1941, to reorganize their past groups into the local society of the Women's Division of Christian Service. At that meeting, Mrs. Earl Elijah was chosen as president; Miss Lydia Bauman as treasurer, and Mrs. Robert Decker as secretary. Mrs. Edwin Schluter, who had served as organizational vice president of the Ladies Aid, was also chosen to serve in that same office in the W.S.C.S. There were 62 members at the charter meeting. The following received life memberships through the years: Mrs. Harry Cashman, Mrs. George Bixler, Miss Lydia Bauman, Mrs. James Ballou, Mrs. Robert Decker, Mrs. Clark Flansburg, Mrs. Chas. Kembel, Mrs Roy Joslin, Mrs. Earl Elijah, Mrs. S. G. Paul, Mrs. A.D. Holtry, Mrs. Simmons McLeod, Mrs. Elmer Sawyer, Miss Mae Elijah, Mrs. Chas. Schilling and Mrs. Alvin Stonerook.

Those who have served as Ministers of this Church since 1900 are:

W. H. Doner	1901-1904
M.J. Locke	1904-1906
R. D. Parsons	1906-1907
A. M. McIntosh	1907-1908
W. M. Lemen	1908-1909
S. S. Smith	1909-1921
K. E. Anderson	1921-1923
Wm. J. Macauley	1923-1927
J. W. Bearse	1927-1930
R. C. Scott	1930-1934
G. H. Goodrick	1934-1936
A. B. Chamberlain	1936-1945
Bernard Kemper	1945-1947
Arthur Holtry	1947-1954
Forrest Flowers	1954-1956
Cyril Ashton	1956-

ST. JOHN'S E. & R. CHURCH

Early in 1882, pastor John Schwarz of Zion Evangelical Church of Lowden, Iowa, came to Clarence to minister to the needs of the German settlers in the community. He held his first service here in May of that year. He came occasionally after that and at his invitation the German people gathered for services. The attendance at these services was so well attended that Pastor Schwarz felt encouraged to propose the organization of a congregation. At a meeting held November 5, 1882, those present formed a congregation and selected its name – St. John's Evangelical Church. A constitution was submitted for consideration and after due deliberation it was unanimously adopted and signed by eighteen members. The Church Council was Henry Pruess, Carl Kintzel and Henry Goldsmith.

Up to 1890 services were held in the Lutheran Church once a month by Pastor Schwarz. It was agreed that he received $75.00 a year for his services. The new congregation tried to purchase the building in which they worshiped but were unsuccessful. They were able to rent it however. The time came when the members wanted to have a church of their own. Land was purchased from W. B. Hannas. A building 34 x 50 feet was erected at a cost of $2,579.63, including the cost of the land. The sanctuary was dedicated early in 1890. During that summer it was voted to have services twice a month and to pay the minister $150.00 a year.

By 1892 the congregation felt they could support a resident minister, and a parsonage was erected at a cost of $900.00. Rev. John Hermann was called to be their first full time pastor. The first Sunday School was started July 30, 1892. On August 3rd, 1892, a bell was raised to the Church steeple. It weighed 806 lbs., measured 36 ˝ “ in diameter and cost $156.34. It was dedicated August 14th.

The congregation purchased the Adventist Church for $225.00 and moved it to the Church property. It was dedicated Nov 20, 1892 and was used as a Parochial School.

January 1899, three acres of land were purchased one mile east of Clarence to be used as a Cemetery at $450.00. It was dedicated October 27, 1899. Mrs. Henry Kettler was the first person laid to rest in the cemetery.

In 1903 Rev. Hermann accepted a call from First Evangelical Church at Burlington, Iowa and Rev. Schulmeistrat was the next pastor serving from 1903-1907. During this time the congregation grew but no history of his ministery was recorded.

Rev. Emil Hansen accepted a call to the pastorate in1909. It soon became evident that a larger building was needed in order to accommodate the crowds that gathered for Sunday worship. A new Church was erected in 1912, the old Church being added to the structure on the North annex. It was dedicated on December 22, 1912. In 1915 a new and spacious modern parsonage was constructed across the street to the south of the Church. Pastor Hansen organized the Immanuel Society on January 12, 1915. In September 1917 Pastor Hansen was called to Elmhurst College, having been elected as a professor.

Rev. Karl Fauth began his long and successful ministry in Clarence on October 7, 1917. The language transition from German to English was made during the pastorate of Rev. Fauth. On January 3, 1921, it was voted to have English services the first Sunday of each month, and Holy Communion was to be given in English when requested. In March 1925 it was voted to have English services twice a month. The minutes of this meeting were the first written in English.

The ladies of the church were organized in Circles in 1921. Names of these groups were: Priscilla, Tabitha, South Prairie, Kings Daughters and North-West Circles. There was also a Voltatekeit – Veriin.

In 1923 a new pipe organ was purchased and dedicated and at the same time a chancel area was remodeled.

June 28, 1932, both spires on the Church were removed and other repairs made.

October 2, 1932, the 50th Anniversary of the Congregation was observed.

On June 16, 1940, Rev. Robert T. Fauth was ordained into the ministry by his father, and also in this year Rev. Karl Fauth resigned and went into retirement.

On August 6, 1945, Rev. Karl Fauth, beloved pastor of St. John's Church for twenty-two years was called to his eternal reward.

On August 1, 1940 Rev F. J. Mittler began his duties as pastor of St. John's Church.

August 19, 1940, a Parish Hall 40 x 70 was erected on the north side of the church. It was dedicated February 16, 1941.

On Sunday morning April 28, 1951, the church belfry was struck by lightning. The damage was confined to the belfry and attic, which was later repaired.

On August 15, 1951, Rev. Mittler accepted a call to St. Matthew's Church at St. Louis, Missouri. His son J. Allen Mittler is also an ordained minister, serving as assistant pastor of St. Paul's Church, Wausau, Wisconsin.

On September 6, 1951, the present pastor, the Rev. Edward J. Bowers, began his ministry.

On May 5, 1952, it was voted to build a new church, some time in the future.

Additional items of Interest -

First Baptism recorded – August Frederick Otting, December 3, 1882, son of Mr. and Mrs. Christ Otting.

First Confirmation Class – March 26, 1883, Gustav Albert, Wm. Averhoff, Wm. Conrad, Henry Goldsmith, Wm. Koth, Otto Pruess, Louise Ebert, Helen Frubois, Wilhelmina Langschwager, Elizabeth Martzahn, Ella Peters, Maria Klatt, Elizabeth Albert.

First Wedding – February 5, 1891, Claus Christ August Jurgensen and Christina Dorothy Margaret Petersen.

First Funeral – August 19, 1883, John Peter Lenschaw.

Additional notes of interest: In very early years there was no organized choir. If special singing was needed, Anna and Martha Schwarz and two men from the Lowden Church sang. In 1896 a choir was organized. Membership dues were 25˘ and 5˘ a month dues. Mrs. John Hermann was organist. A few years later Alma Reinking was elected organist with Rev. Hermann as director. Since then the following have been organist:

1911 – 1912	Dora Griem Meyer
1913-	Alma Steffen
1914-	Velma Horn Meier
1923-1953	Eleanor Conrad

Since 1953 the following have served as organists: Rosalee Hartwig, Karen Geadelmann Dotseth, Arlynn Kintzel and Carol Meyer. Carol Resewehr, Diane Bergmann and Mary Bowers are the present organists.

Church Circles

In 1921 under the guiding hand of Rev. Karl Kauth, our circles were formed. The Priscilla Aid, a town organization, was organized at the home of Mrs. Karl Fauth, November 15, with Mrs. Lena Kemmann as president. The Tabitha Aid, including the ladies northeast of Clarence, was organized at the home of Mrs. Ernest Kintzel. The northwest ladies met at the home of Mrs. Henry Biere of Olin. In later years as the Guild was formed the Priscilla and Tabitha joined hands. Many of the ladies of our present day social service sewing group were members of these circles. In the early thirties a group of young ladies organized the Sunshine Circle. The King's Daughters and South Prairie Circles and the newly formed Lend-a-Hand circles are still in existence. These are our social service groups, who meet in the country homes of the members.

The large Aid, as the Voltatekeit Veriin was sometimes called, met yearly for a business meeting. Delegates were sent to Synod meetings and reports given at the next meeting. Many items are found in the secretary's books showing how the money gleaned from chicken suppers was used for the upkeep of the church. Mrs. Bergmann was president when our present day Guild was formed. A special meeting was called by Rev. Mittler on September 10, 1940, to elect a delegate to attend a Women's Guild organization meeting to be held at Cedar Rapids September 24, Mrs. Elmer H. Meyer and Mrs. Wm. Rix were elected.

February 2, 1941, a meeting was held when it was decided the name of the organization was to be “Women's Guild”, all women of the Church being members. At this time the merger of Tabitha Aid and Priscilla Aid took place and the circle was called “Mary and Martha”. In this year Mrs. Carl Deerberg became president. Various constitutions were studied, one being adopted April 30, 1942. Two officers were to be elected for a two year term and the next year two others were installed. Thus the new and old might work together. In 1943 our present system of programs and devotions was adopted, the various department chairmen taking leadership in them.

Our Life Memberships are Mrs. Henry Feddersen, Mrs. Norman Bergmann, Mrs. Wm. Rix, and Mrs. Arnold Pruess, the latter receiving hers from the Guild for her long and patient work for and with the Guild. It is ladies such as the late Mrs. Pruess to whom we owe so much of the success of our organization.

During the years we note the Guild contributed much to World Service, sent Children to camps, sent Bibles to foreign lands and made Junior choir gowns. The ladies equipped the kitchen of the new S. S. Hall in 1941. In 1947 family nights were sponsored. Our tithing money is sent to various institutions. In 1948 our church library was ready for use. The kitchen of the parsonage was remodeled. “God in Our Home” is a book presented to each newly married couple of the church since 1949. In September 1952 free will giving was adopted.

Many of our ladies have held both Regional and Synodical offices – Mrs. Arnold Pruess as Regional president, Mrs. Grover Penningroth as Regional secretary and Mrs. J. C. Dettman as 2nd vice president of the Synodical Women's Guild.

The Guild participates in the Lenten Service, in World Day of Prayer with the Methodist Church and Thank Offering services. Charter members still living are Mrs. Louise Reinking and Mrs. Mary Griem.

Thus our women's organizations has grown through the years, until now the memberships is 320 with about 170 being active in Guild work.