Church History 1912-1962
The Maple Grove Church began as a Union Sunday School, and after a revival meeting held by Rev. G.W. Elliott the Church was organized on Dec. 7, 1912, with a membership of fourteen.
The revival meeting was held in School house, Dist. No. 7, of O'Brien County. Immediately following the revival, the place of meeting was moved to the school house Dist. No. 9 in Clay County just east of where the church is now located; where services were held until the church building, which was town down in 1952 and replaced by the new church, was ready for occupancy.
The first church officers were appointed by Rev. Elliott, to serve six months or until June. The following were appointed, being the first officers of the church:
Elders: R.B. Woolston and L.A. Batcheler
Deacons: Charlie Marlow and Calvin Mayhew
Treasurer: Mrs. Charles Marlow
Clerk: Mrs. Calvin Mayhew
Organist: Mrs. James Farquhar
Get Church Property
The next few months were busy ones. A building committee was appointed to see about a permanent location and building. The result was the lot and parsonage was purchased from the Free Methodist Conference. The Free Methodist Church building, which at that time was located one half mile east of the present location, and not in use, was purchased and moved onto the lot where the church now stands.
A warranty deed was received from the offices of the Free Methodist Conference and recorded at the Clay County court house, Spencer, Iowa, Dec. 17, 1913.
A belfry was then needed; so a new one was added to the building, the carpenter work being done by Rev. Elliot, assisted by volunteer labor.
L.A. Batcheler and R.B. Woolston, with the help of Lew's Model T Ford Truck, brought the bell from Sioux county. It was soon in place in the new belfry, and during those 50 years has continued to ring out its call to worship throughout the countryside, from the belfry of the new church.
Added to Eldership
In August 1913 the church was admitted to the Iowa Eldership of the Churches of God in North America. Delegates elected to attend Eldership that year were: J.C. Harris and Charles Marlow. As neither could attend, Lyman Hill went in their place. The first delegate from the newly organized church.
One year later the Eldership was invited to meet the following year, 1915, with the Maple Grove Church of God.
The charter members of the church are: Ralph Woolston. Sylvia Woolston, Charles Marlow, Opal Marlow, Adella Triplett, Chester Triplett, Harold Triplett, Eldred Triplett, Calvin Mayhew, Miriam Mayhew, Louis Batcheler, Nellie Batcheler, and Ray C. Batcheler.
Of this number Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Woolston are the only living active members of the church most of the others have gone to their Eternal Home beyond the sunset of life here on earth of changed church affiliations.
Many changes and improvements have been made to the property through the years. A room was arranged in 1944 in the front of the church for the pastor's study,
It was during this time the church carried on a broadcast for (radio) station KICD at Spencer, Ia.
During he years that followed the church has grown, both in spirit and numbers. It's not now a large membership; but they trust, that in the future as in the past, it will always be a beacon light, standing there by the side of the road, to inspire, help and lead men, women and children to better living. "That we may be workmen who do not need be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." II Timothy 2:15. Because of God's word has been studies, and taught, the Bible is our only text book and guide of daily life and practice.
Plan New Building
As the church, due to age, wear, and weather, was in need of extensive repair and remodeling, work had been going on for several years, accumulating money for just such an emergency. The church had never carried a debt, and no one wanted a mortgaged building when dedicated.In February 1950, an accounting of the building funds was made and a building committee was elected as follow: C.E. Webster, Clair Woolston, Florence Woolston, J.S. Woolston, C.H. Burgeson, Irma Burgeson. The committee immediately went into action, as there were many things to be decided.
In March 1950 all plans and arrangements were complete along with the cash, but due to higher costs of material and changes it was not entirely free of debt when dedicated. But not long after, several members decided the church was not to carry that debt longer and paid off the mortgage; which was burned at a special service of rejoicing.
On the second Sunday in March 1950, the last service in the old church was held. The church furniture was moved to the school house on the corner east, where they held church for the next 21 months.
Ground Breaking Ceremony
The ground breaking service was held April 15, 1950 with Ralph and Sylvia Woolston, the only remaining active charter members, removing the first shovels of dirt. The men then began with tractors and the basement was dug. Thus active work began.
On May 8, 1950 a contract was signed with the carpenter, James Parks of Sutherland to supervise the construction, with the provision that local men would donate all the help possible. An architect had already planned the blue print and furnished a small model church for their approval.
The cornerstone was laid with proper ceremonies, with a copper box in the stone, that is sealed air-tight, containing a list of seventeen items of special interest to the church, pictures of former pastors, etc.
Dedication in 1952
The church was dedicated May 18, 1952 with special services as follows:
Friday evening-
Devotional and dedication of the new church hymnals, presented by Fritz Larson and Meta Menafee.
Mrs. Menafee sang the first song from the books as a special number.
Rev. A.C. Marston of Ida Grove was guest speaker.
Saturday evening-
Pictures of interest from the old church and also the new church in progress of building were shown.
These were followed by a religious film shown by John Bowman of North Liberty.
Sunday morning-
Services included included special music and the guest speaker Rev. N.C. Anderson of Mt. Carroll,Illinois, a former pastor. The dedication service was at 2:00 p.m. and included
Call to worship: Pastor Rev. G.E. McDaniel and people;
Invocation by Rev. R.M. Hudson, music;
Presentation of church: Stanford Griffieth, architect and James V. Parks, carpenter;
Response: Rev. R.B. Woolston;
Dedicatory message by Rev. R.A. Kruzan, Supt. of Western Elderships of churches of God in North America
Call to dedication: pastor and people
Prayer of dedication: Rev. B.T. Yeager, Doxology and Benediction.
Pastors of Maple Grove:
G. W. Elliot (organizer) 1912-1915
F. E. Hamlin 1915-1920
E. M. Hickman 1920-1921
Loring Howell 1921-1923
J. W. Cabbage 1923-1926
J. Roy Branchflower 1926-1927
Ralph B. Woolston 1927-1929
Mrs. Lydia Wilson 1929-1929
Merril Firestone 1930-1930
G. W. Ledbetter 1930-1933
N. H. Batcheler 1933-1938
N. C. Andersen 1938-1944
B. T. Yeager 1944-1947
Ralph B. Woolston 1952-1953
G. E. McDaniel 1948-1952
Ralph B. Woolston 1952-1953
R. M. Hudson 1953-1959
C. E. Hilliard 1959-1963
Leo K. Ruley 1963-1969
N. C. Andersen 1969-1971
William P. Smith 1971-1975
Earnest F. Earp 1975-1977
Ray L. Draper 1977-1979
Michael K. Hyde 1980-
L.A.Batcheler, Rev. Frost and Rev. C.A. Hyde supplied the pulpit at different times, but not as regular assigned pastors.
During Rev. Hudson's pastorate the bapistry was finished.
Dedication services for the new Maple Grove Church were held Sunday Afternoon May 18, with Rev, R.A. Kruzan as principal speaker. Presentation of the building was made by Stanford Griffith, architect, and Jas. W. Parks, contractor. Response was by Rev. R.B. Woolston.
The event was favored by beautiful weather and the church was filled to capacity. For the next few days, the architect's model of the building is being exhibited in the show window at Kaiser's Hardware. This miniature of the building, itself valued at $100, is an almost exact replica of the completed structure, insofar as the exterior is concerned. Its outer beauty and impressiveness is more than matched by the completeness and elegance of its interior, say those who have visited the building.
NOTE: Maple Grove Church is located 8 miles northeast of Sutherland, or 9 miles northwest of Peterson, and is located across the county line in Clay County.
Sources:
Sutherland Courier November 15, 1962
Sutherland Courier May 22,1952
Maple Grove Website
