LOUISA COUNTY, IOWA

HISTORICAL RECORD OF THE CAIRO CHURCH
CAIRO CHARGE, 1936


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Transcribed by Beverly Gerdts, June 21, 2021

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1. The name of the church is the Cairo Evangelical Church.

2. From 1915 until the time of the merger of the two Evangelical groups, it was called the Bethel United Evangelical Church of Cairo.

3. The church is a part of the Cairo charge.

4. It has never been a part of any other circuit or charge.

5. The first activity of the Evangelical Church in this community was in January, 1915, when J. O. Hall, of Spring Run, held a revival in the Cairo Church of God, at which time 66 souls accepted Christ as their Saviour.

6. The date of organization was that same year 1915.

7. After the revival held by J. O. Hall, he and Rev. M. C. Miller, and Dist. Supt. J. G. Walz, worked at the organization of the church, and its union with the Spring Run Evangelical Church, four miles west of town, which at that time was part of the Grandview charge.

8. Families associated with the early beginnings of the church were:

Dave Pardington Chas. Bretz J. A. Long
J. S. Marshall Geo. McGraw Bessie McConahay
R. Paxton Walter James John Tindall
Jim Marshall Elmer McClure Art Hall

9. Prominent families in the subsequent history of the church are:

Chas. Bretz J. S. Marshall Thede Boyson
J. A. Long Weaver Briggs Mrs. John Tindall
Wm Johnansmier J. C. Hall Mrs. Thomas Wykert
Betty Tieman Mrs. Gail Smith    

10. The charter members are as follows:

Glen Bretz Nancy Miller Sarah McGraw
Mr. & Mrs. Chas. Bretz C. A. Hull Priscilla Bretz
Russel Bretz I. F. Marshall M. & Mrs. John Tindall
M.M. Smith Eva Jones Mr. & Mrs. J. D. Partington
J. B. Murray Mr. & Mrs. Wm. Sellers Mary Sellers
J. A. Miller David McGraw    

11. The place of worship, before the permanent structure was built, was in an old school house, which is now used as a machine shed.

12. In 1915 the present location was purchased in the west part of Cairo.

13. The Cairo Church was begun in 1915 and dedicated on July 9, 1916 by Rev. B. H. Niebel. The pastor was Rev. Geo. A. Stauffacher. The church is very attractive building of the Colonial Chapel Patten. Hollow ...

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...concrete building blocks were used in the construction of the building, with plaster on the inside and stucco on the outside. The main auditorium faces the west, and is seated with solid oak circular pews. There is a lecture room in the rear, with doors that can be opened to increase the seating capacity of the main room. There is also a basement under the entire building that is used for Sunday School and social purposes. The entrance and vestibule is in the north-east corner, with a cement platform approach.

14. The debt on this building was $3,010 and was cleared the day of dedication.

15. No succeding church buildings or major improvements.

16. The first parsonage was purchased in 1915, and is a six room building facing the east. There are four rooms downstairs and two upstairs, with an attic room off of one of them. A screened-in porch is on the north-east. There is also a part basement under the building. Along about 1929 a Delco plant was installed in the parsonage basement to supply light for both the parsonage and the church. The has been a great convenience and help to the work.

17. The cost of the parsonage was $800, and was paid right away.

18. No succeeding parsonages.

19. Total present value of all property is $11,000.

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23. The progress of the church is shown by the fact that in 1915 there were 21 charter members, and in 1935 there were 67 members. 24.

25. The outstanding contribution that this church has made to this community and county, as well, was to change Cairo from what was known as the "toughest hole" in south-east Iowa to a well mannered respectable community. Before the above mentioned revival took place, ti is said that when a real-estate agent mentioned the land for sale was around Cairo, that the deal was immediately canceled. Now it is practically the wealthiest section of the county and everyone agrees that the reason is the spiritual influence that came in the revival of 1915 with its subsequent results.

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26.The following is a complete list of the pastors serving Cairo charge:

M. C. Miller Jan. 1915 (time of revival)-April, 1915
Geo. A. Stauffacher 1915-1918
L. H. Wood 1918-1920
G. J. Roths 1920-1923
G. H. Bamford 1923-1927
Chas. S. Lang 1927-1928
H. W. Hendricks 1928-1935
L. B. Deedrick 1935-19--

    The following is a complete list of the District Superintendents:

J. G. Walz 1914 -1918
C. H. Stauffacher 1918-1922
A. A. Couser 1922-1926
F. R. Blakely 1926-1930
J. A. Haehlen 1930-1935
I. L. Baumgartner 1935-19--

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SUNDAY SCHOOL.

27. The S. S. at Cairo was organized in 1915.

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29. Prominent leaders in the history of S. S. were:

Dave Partington Betty Tieman
J. S. Marshall Weaver Briggs
Chas. Bretz J. O. Hall
John Tindall Gail Smith
Wm. Johnansmier Thede and Boyd Boyson

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31. Cairo Church helped in the county Leadership training school in 1935. The pastor, Rev. L. B. Deedrick, was one of the teachers. Four of our members got credit in it.

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YOUNG PEOPLES WORK.

35. Cairo organized a C. E. in 1916.

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38. Prominent leaders in the C. E. work were

D. Owens Betty Tieman Wm. Johnansmier

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W. M. S.

42. None here

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LADIES AID.

48. Cairo organized its Aid in 1915.

49. Prominent leaders in the Aid have been:

Mrs. Chas. Bretz Betty Tieman Mrs. Gail  
Mrs. J. S. Marshall Mrs. John Tindall (Image 11) Smith
Mrs. Weaver Briggs Mrs. Ted Boyson Seferal Johnansmier

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50. Types of work done: quilting; serving sales; financing; church projects

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BROTHERHOOD.

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MUSIC.

56. Instruments used in the Cairo Church are the organ and piano.

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58. Prominent leaders in music:

Briggs Family Betty Tieman Geneva Tindall

Complied by: Rev. L. B. Deedrick--January, 1936

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